Fill in the correct word in the blank space: "The boys who ______ lazy have been punished."

Appeared in: GMCH - 2015

Explanation

The verb in a relative clause must agree with the antecedent of the relative pronoun.
In the sentence, the relative pronoun is 'who', and its antecedent (the noun it refers to) is 'The boys'.
Since 'The boys' is a plural noun, the pronoun 'who' is treated as a plural subject.
A plural subject requires a plural verb. Among the options, 'were' is the correct plural verb form.

Option A: This is a singular verb. It does not agree with the plural subject 'who' (referring to 'The boys').
Option B: This is a singular verb and does not agree with the plural subject.
Option C: This verb form is exclusively used with the first-person singular pronoun 'I'.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Subject-Verb Agreement in Relative Clauses as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question tests foundational English grammar, which is essential for clear and professional communication in all fields, including nursing.
Accurate documentation, writing patient instructions, and communicating with the healthcare team depend on a strong command of grammar to prevent ambiguity and errors.
What if? - If the sentence were 'The boy who ___ lazy has been punished,' the correct verb would be 'was' to agree with the singular subject 'boy'.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify that the blank is part of a relative clause, which often begins with 'who', 'which', or 'that'.
Next, find the antecedent of the relative pronoun. In this sentence, 'who' refers back to 'The boys'.
Determine if the antecedent is singular or plural. 'The boys' is a plural noun.
Finally, select the verb from the options that agrees in number with the plural antecedent. 'were' is the plural verb, while 'was', 'is', and 'Am' are singular.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full GMCH - 2015

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