From the following options, choose the one-word substitution for: a number of ships.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → fleet
A fleet is a group of ships (or of buses, aircraft or taxis) sailing or working together, often under one command. It is the collective noun for a number of ships.
Example: A fleet of fishing boats left the harbour at dawn.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: crew — Incorrect. A crew is the group of people who work on a ship, aircraft or train; it names the people, not the ships.
Example: The crew of the aircraft welcomed the passengers on board.
Option 2: pride — Incorrect. A pride is a group of lions.
Example: A pride of lions rested under the tree.
Option 3: gaggle — Incorrect. A gaggle is a group of geese.
Example: A gaggle of geese waddled across the farmyard.