Discussion
In the sentence below, a part is printed in bold. Choose the alternative that best replaces it. If no improvement is needed, choose ‘No correction required’.
The population of the city have grown considerably in the last decade.
Answer: C
Correct answer: has grown
The subject is the population, singular, so the verb is has grown. Of the city is a prepositional phrase and cannot be the subject. Population is a collective noun and takes a singular verb when the group is treated as a single body, which it is here - one aggregate number has increased. It would take a plural verb only where the individuals are in view: the population were divided in their loyalties. The general rule for this sentence shape is worth applying mechanically: find the head noun, strike out every prepositional phrase after it, and decide the number from what remains. The population has grown settles it. The same collective treatment governs government, committee, jury, team, family, audience, crowd and staff - singular when acting as one, plural when acting severally.
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