Choose the sentence which is grammatically incorrect:

The correct answer is Option (3) → Both the cook and his helper was absent from the hostel kitchen on Monday.

Two subjects joined by “both ... and” take a plural verb:

• The given sentence says “Both the cook and his helper was absent”.
• “Both ... and” joins two people, so the subject is plural. The verb must be plural: “were”.
• Corrected: Both the cook and his helper were absent from the hostel kitchen on Monday.

Why the Other Options are Incorrect?

Option 1: Sharma Brothers is the oldest sweet shop in our bazaar. This sentence is correct. “Sharma Brothers” is the name of one shop, so it takes the singular verb “is”.

Option 2: A pair of muddy sandals was left outside the temple door. This sentence is correct. The subject is “a pair”, not “sandals”. It is singular, so “was” is right.

Option 4: To reach the station before seven is not possible in this traffic. This sentence is correct. The subject “to reach the station before seven” is one action, so it takes the singular verb “is”.