Out of the options given below, choose the sentence which is grammatically incorrect:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → One of the street lights in our lane have not worked since last Tuesday.
Subject-verb agreement with “one of the”:
- The given sentence says “One of the street lights ... have not worked”.
- “One of” + a plural noun takes a singular verb. The subject is “one”, not “street lights”.
- Corrected: One of the street lights in our lane has not worked since last Tuesday.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: There were three missed calls from my father on my phone this morning. This sentence is correct. After “there”, the verb agrees with the noun that comes after it. “Three missed calls” is plural, so “were” is right.
Option 2: Both my bicycle and my scooter need new tyres before the monsoon. This sentence is correct. Two subjects joined by “both ... and” are plural, so “need” is right.
Option 4: This pair of woollen socks is a gift from my grandmother. This sentence is correct. The subject is “this pair”, not “socks”. “A pair of” takes a singular verb, so “is” is right.