Which of the following can replace the underlined part to make the sentence correct?
Each of the students who were selected for the NCC camp have received a letter from the principal.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → has received
“Each of” takes a singular verb:
- In “each of the students”, the subject is each. “Each” is singular, so the main verb is singular: has received.
- “Were” in “who were selected” is right, as “who” stands for “the students”. It does not change the main verb.
- The given sentence says “have received”. This is wrong: “have” goes with the plural “students”, but the subject is “each”.
- Complete sentence: Each of the students who were selected for the NCC camp has received a letter from the principal.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: receive — Incorrect. “Receive” is the plural form of the verb, but “each” is singular. Example: All the students receive a diary on the first day.
Option 3: has receive — Incorrect. After “has”, the verb takes its past participle (V3) form, “received”.
Option 4: are received — Incorrect. “Are” is plural, but the subject “each” is singular. Example: New students are received at the gate by the class monitors.