Spot the error in the following sentence; if there is no error, mark (d). Many a man (a) has succumbed (b) to this temptation (c). No error (d)
- (a)Many a man
- (b)has succumbed
- (c)to this temptation
- (d)No error
Answer
D
Why
Correct — D, No error. 'Many a' is always followed by a singular noun and a singular verb, so 'Many a man has succumbed' is exactly right. Each part is well formed ('to this temptation' is the correct prepositional phrase), so there is no error.
Why the others are wrong
- (a)Many a man — Correct — 'Many a' correctly takes the singular noun 'man'.
- (b)has succumbed — Correct — 'Many a man' is singular, so the singular 'has succumbed' agrees with it.
- (c)to this temptation — Correct — 'succumb to' is the right idiom and 'this temptation' is singular and well formed.
Concept
'Many a' plus a singular noun takes a singular verb (Many a man has ...), even though the sense is plural.
Related PYQs
No directly related past PYQ was found.
Practice
- practice — not a real PYQ
Choose the correct sentence.
- (a)Many a student have passed the exam.
- (b)Many a student has passed the exam.
- (c)Many a students has passed the exam.
- (d)Many a students have passed the exam.
Answer(b) — 'Many a' takes a singular noun and a singular verb.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Fill in the blank: 'Many a ship ______ sunk in that storm.'
- (a)have
- (b)has
- (c)were
- (d)are
Answer(b) has — 'Many a ship' is singular.