In the following question, from the four alternatives, select the option that is the best plural word for the blank space.
Many _____ were present in the Hindi writing competition.

1. A

   female writer (incorrect)

2. B

   female writers (लेखिकाएँ)

3. C

   female writer (incorrect)

4. D

   female writers (oblique case)

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

• The quantifier "Many" indicates a large quantity and must be followed by a plural noun.
• The verb used in the sentence is "were," which is a plural verb, requiring a plural subject.
• "female writers" is the correct plural form of the noun "female writer" and agrees with both the quantifier "Many" and the verb "were.".
• The phrase "Many female writers" functions as the subject of the sentence, so the nominative case is appropriate.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: This option, "female writer," is a singular noun. It cannot be used with the plural quantifier "Many.".
• Option C: This is a duplicate of the first option and is incorrect for the same reason. "female writer" is singular and does not agree with "Many.".
• Option D: While "female writers" is the correct plural form, the specification "(oblique case)" makes it incorrect for this context. The subject of a sentence is in the nominative case, not the oblique case.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Use of plural nouns with quantifiers as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Grammatical accuracy is crucial for clear and professional communication in all fields, including nursing.
• Precise language ensures that documentation, patient instructions, and communication with colleagues are unambiguous and correctly understood.
• What if the sentence used 'every' instead of 'many'? The answer would change to the singular form: 'Every female writer was present,' because 'every' requires a singular noun.

How to Approach the Question

• First, analyze the sentence structure. Identify the key quantifier or determiner, which is "Many" in this case.
• Recall the grammatical rule for the identified word. "Many" always requires a plural noun.
• Check the verb in the sentence. The verb "were" is a plural verb, which confirms that the subject must be plural.
• Evaluate the given options based on this rule. Eliminate the singular options ("female writer").
• Differentiate between the remaining plural options. The sentence requires a subject, which uses the nominative case, not the oblique case.
• Select the option that provides the correct plural noun in the nominative case.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Use of plural nouns with quantifiers
• Stem keywords: plural word, many, Hindi writing competition
• Lead-in keywords: best plural word
• Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

Q1x8ShxhJAcjI58hk-9DU

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