Question

Choose the grammatically correct sentence:

• A. Neither of the answers are correct.
• B. Each of the boys have their own books.
• C. The jury were divided in their opinions.
• D. It is I who am responsible for the mistake.

Hint:

For grammar problems, check subject-verb agreement, especially with indefinite pronouns (e.g., "neither," "each" are singular) and collective nouns (e.g., "jury" is usually singular in American English). Verify pronoun case (e.g., subjective "I" after linking verbs like "is"). Read each option carefully, and consider formal grammar rules unless the context specifies otherwise.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Subject-verb agreement and correct pronoun usage are fundamental in English grammar. Let's examine each provided sentence:

1. Neither of the answers are correct.
   The pronoun "neither" is singular, requiring a singular verb. The correct construction is "Neither of the answers is correct," as "neither" signifies not one.

2. Each of the boys have their own books.
   "Each" is singular, thus demanding a singular verb ("has" instead of "have"). The pronoun also needs to align with "each," so "their" should be "his" or "his or her." The corrected sentence is: "Each of the boys has his own book."

3. The jury were divided in their opinions.
   Collective nouns such as "jury" can be treated as singular or plural depending on context. When the group functions as a single entity, the singular form is used: "The jury was divided in its opinion." If the context implies individual actions, "were divided" might be acceptable, but the pronoun should then reflect individual opinions if that is the intended meaning.

4. It is I who am responsible for the mistake.
   This sentence is grammatically sound. "I" functions as the predicate nominative after "is," and the relative clause "who am responsible" correctly uses "am" to agree with "I."

Therefore, the grammatically accurate sentence is: It is I who am responsible for the mistake.