Discussion
In the sentence below, a part is printed in bold. Choose the alternative that improves it. If the sentence needs no change, choose ‘No improvement’.
Ten thousand rupees are too large a sum for such a small repair.
Answer: C
Correct answer: is
When a plural expression of money, time, distance or weight is treated as a single quantity, it takes a singular verb. Ten thousand rupees here is one sum, so is is correct. The same applies to twenty years is a long time, ten kilometres is a long walk, fifty kilos is heavy and three hours is enough. In each the plural noun names one measured amount rather than several separate items. The verb turns plural only when the individual units are genuinely in view: the ten thousand rupees were counted note by note. The principle behind it is that agreement follows meaning rather than form wherever the two diverge - the same principle that lets a collective noun take a singular or plural verb according to whether the group acts as one body or as individuals.
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