Question

Choose the best option to complete the sentence given below:
None of the clocks ____ in a working condition.

• A. was
• B. were
• C. is
• D. none of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

were

A Pronoun is a word or phrase used in place of a noun. As a pronoun, 'None' means no one, not one, not any, nothing or no part. It can be used to construct a singular or plural sentence with the help of a singular/plural verb. It depends on the number of the noun, if the sentence will take a singular/plural verb. If the noun is singular, a singular verb will be used and if the noun is plural, a plural verb will be used. In the above sentence, 'None' is used to say 'not any' of the clocks were in working condition. 'Clocks' is a plural noun, hence, the verb following it will be plural. 'Were' is a plural verb. Hence, Option B is correct and the sentence should read: None of the clocks were in a working condition. 'Was and is' are singular verbs. Hence, Option A and C are incorrect.