Select the option that will substitute the underlined part of the given sentence. In case no substitution is needed, select ‘No substitution required’. Among applied sciences, medicine is one which have given man some power over death.
is one which has given
Understanding Verb Agreement in Relative Clauses
The question asks us to find the correct substitution for the underlined part “have given” in the sentence: “Among applied sciences, medicine is one which have given man some power over death.” Let’s break down the sentence to understand the grammar.
The subject of the main clause is “medicine”, which is singular. The verb associated with “medicine” is “is”, which correctly agrees in number.
The clause “which have given man some power over death” is a relative clause modifying “one”. In this context, “one” refers back to “medicine”. Therefore, the relative pronoun “which” acts as the subject of the relative clause and its verb must agree with the antecedent, which is “one” (referring to “medicine”), both of which are singular.
The verb in the relative clause is “have given”. This is in the present perfect tense. However, the auxiliary verb “have” is plural. Since the subject (“one”/“medicine”) is singular, the auxiliary verb should be the singular form, “has”. Thus, the correct form in the present perfect tense should be “has given”.
Analyzing the Substitution Options for Verb Agreement
Let’s examine each option provided for substituting the underlined part “have given”:
- Option 1: “is the one which gave”
- This option changes the main verb from “is” to “is the one”, which is acceptable in structure. However, it replaces “have given” with “gave”. While “gave” is a singular verb form (simple past tense), it changes the tense from present perfect (“have given”) to simple past (“gave”). The present perfect “has given” suggests an effect that continues to the present, which fits the context better than the simple past.
- Option 2: “No substitution required”
- As identified, the original sentence has a subject-verb agreement error in the relative clause (“which have given” should be “which has given”). Therefore, substitution is required.
- Option 3: “is one which has given”
- This option keeps the main clause structure “medicine is one”, which is correct. It replaces “have given” with “has given”. “Has given” is in the present perfect tense and uses the singular auxiliary verb “has”, which correctly agrees with the singular subject “which” (referring to “one”/“medicine”). This option corrects the verb agreement error while maintaining the appropriate tense.
- Option 4: “are one which given”
- This option changes the main verb from “is” to “are”, which creates a new subject-verb agreement error because “medicine” is singular (“medicine are” is incorrect). Additionally, “given” used alone is grammatically incomplete in this context; it requires an auxiliary verb like “has” or “have” to form a complete verb phrase in a finite clause.
Conclusion on Correct Verb Form
Comparing the options, Option 3 “is one which has given” correctly addresses the subject-verb agreement issue in the relative clause by using “has given” which agrees with the singular antecedent “one” (referring to “medicine”). It also maintains the present perfect tense, which is suitable for expressing an ongoing effect.
Revision Table: Subject-Verb Agreement
| Subject Type | Verb Form Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Singular Noun (e.g., Medicine) | Medicine is... | Singular subject takes a singular verb. |
| Singular Pronoun (e.g., He, She, It) | He has... | Singular subject takes a singular verb. |
| Relative Pronoun referring to Singular Antecedent (e.g., which referring to 'one' or 'medicine') | ...one which has... | Verb in the relative clause agrees with the antecedent of the relative pronoun. |
| Plural Noun (e.g., Sciences) | Sciences are... | Plural subject takes a plural verb. |
| Plural Pronoun (e.g., They, We) | They have... | Plural subject takes a plural verb. |
Additional Information: Relative Clauses and Agreement
A relative clause is a type of dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun. It usually begins with a relative pronoun (like who, whom, whose, which, that) or a relative adverb (like where, when, why).
The verb within a relative clause must agree in number (singular or plural) with the noun or pronoun that the relative pronoun refers to (its antecedent). This is a crucial rule of subject-verb agreement in English grammar.
- In the sentence “The book that is on the table is mine,” 'that' refers to 'book' (singular), so the verb is 'is' (singular).
- In the sentence “The books that are on the table are mine,” 'that' refers to 'books' (plural), so the verb is 'are' (plural).
In our original sentence, “...medicine is one which have given...”, the relative pronoun “which” refers to “one”, which stands for “medicine”. Since “medicine” (and “one” in this context) is singular, the verb following “which” must be singular, hence “has given”.
Similar Questions
- Select the option that will improve the underlined part of the given sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select 'No improvement required'.
The doors and windows will have painted by afternoon. Select the option that will improve the underlined part of the given sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select 'No improvement required'.
Sal trees have been planted in relatively three-fourth of the forest area.
- Select the option that will improve the underlined part of the given sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select 'No improvement required'.
Megha’s habit of procrastination puts her colleagues on lot of trouble . Select the most appropriate option to improve the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to improve it, select ‘No improvement required’.
Which films have you seen when you were in Meerut?
Directions: Select the option that will improve the underlined part of the given sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select 'No improvement required'.
Not only the workmen but also the supervisor was suspended for negligence.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If no substitution is required, select ‘No substitution’.
Either the bears or the lion has escaped from the zoo.
Select the most appropriate option to improve the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to improve it, select ‘No improvement required’.
Unless we are not sure of our goals, we cannot achieve them.
Directions: Select the most appropriate option to improve the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to improve it, select ‘No improvement’.
She ran out of her house from frightening .
Directions: Select the most appropriate option to improve the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to improve it, select ‘No improvement’.
The child put a ladder on the wall and climbed up.
Select the option that will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select 'No Improvement'.
Keep him at arm's length lest you may not repent in the long run.
Important Questions from Phrase Replacement
- Select the option that will improve the underlined part of the given sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select 'No improvement required'.
The doors and windows will have painted by afternoon. Select the word segment that substitutes (replaces) the bracketed word segment correctly and completes the sentence meaningfully. Select the option 'no correction required' if the sentence is correct as given.
Some (animal activist are horrified at the suffering of) innocent animals.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, No substitution required.
Not knowing the language and having no acquaintances in the city, he found it hard getting work.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence.
Gayatri informed one of the directors that she has sent the material for printing.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select option No substitution required.
We had been almost halfway there when the left rear tyre blew out
