ইংরেজি ভাষা ও সাহিত্যEnglish LanguageGrammar — Subject-Verb Agreement
৪৩. Choose the correct answer —
কA few number of students were present.
খA few number of students was present.
গA few number of student were present.
ঘA small number of students were present.✓
ব্যাখ্যা
Correct Answer: (D) A small number of students were present.
Subject-verb agreement and correct use of quantifiers is an essential grammar skill tested in NTRCA.
Why option (D) is correct:
— "A small number of students" is the correct and natural expression
— "number" here is modified by the adjective "small" — grammatically sound
— "A number of + plural noun" takes a PLURAL verb → "were present" is correct
— This is the most grammatically standard and natural option
Why other options are wrong:
✗ "A few number of students" (A & B): INCORRECT — "few" and "number" cannot both modify the same noun this way.
We say "a few students" OR "a small number of students" — not "a few number"
✗ "A few number of student" (C): Double error — same quantifier problem + "student" should be plural "students"
✗ Option B: Same error + uses "was" (singular) which doesn't agree with plural "students"
Key grammar rules:
— "A number of" + plural noun + plural verb ("A number of students were present")
— "The number of" + plural noun + singular verb ("The number of students was small")
— "A few" + plural noun + plural verb ("A few students were present")
Source: Swan's Practical English Usage; Wren & Martin English Grammar; Past NTRCA Question Bank.