Question

Fill in the blank with the appropriate verb.
When a group of boys _____ sitting under a tree, some monkeys came there. [Intermediate]

• A. Are
• B. Were
• C. Was
• D. Is

Answer 1

The correct option is C Was

According to subject-verb agreement, a collective noun takes a singular verb when the collection is thought of as one whole; and plural verb when the individuals of which it is composed are thought of.

Option C is correct because the subject mentioned in the sentence is a collective noun and it takes a singular verb ( was) as the collection is thought of as whole and also the sentence is in the past tense . Therefore, the verb taken will also be in past form.

Whereas option A and B are plural verb. Hence these options are incorrect and in option D the verb is of singular form but of past tense. Therefore option D is also incorrect.