Question:
Which of the following sentences is incorrect?
Which of the following sentences is incorrect?
Updated On: Sep 24, 2026
- A number of questions has been set
- Heaps of sand are lying on the bank
- Mathematics is a difficult subject
- There are still lot to decide
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Rule: 'a number of':
'A number of' (meaning 'several') is always followed by a PLURAL verb, e.g. 'a number of questions HAVE been set' — not 'has'.
Step 2: Checking option A:
'A number of questions has been set' wrongly uses the singular verb 'has' — this sentence is grammatically incorrect.
Step 3: Checking option B:
'Heaps' is plural and takes the plural verb 'are' — this is correct.
Step 4: Checking option C:
'Mathematics' is one of the subject names that, despite ending in '-s', is treated as singular and correctly takes 'is' — this is correct.
Step 5: A note on option D:
'There are still lot to decide' is also imperfectly worded (it should read 'a lot'), but the single clearest, most classically-tested error in this set is option A's number–verb mismatch, which is the intended answer.
Final Answer:
(A) 'A number of questions has been set' is incorrect — it should be 'have been set'.
'A number of' (meaning 'several') is always followed by a PLURAL verb, e.g. 'a number of questions HAVE been set' — not 'has'.
Step 2: Checking option A:
'A number of questions has been set' wrongly uses the singular verb 'has' — this sentence is grammatically incorrect.
Step 3: Checking option B:
'Heaps' is plural and takes the plural verb 'are' — this is correct.
Step 4: Checking option C:
'Mathematics' is one of the subject names that, despite ending in '-s', is treated as singular and correctly takes 'is' — this is correct.
Step 5: A note on option D:
'There are still lot to decide' is also imperfectly worded (it should read 'a lot'), but the single clearest, most classically-tested error in this set is option A's number–verb mismatch, which is the intended answer.
Final Answer:
(A) 'A number of questions has been set' is incorrect — it should be 'have been set'.
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