Identify the underlined segment that contains a grammatical error:
'Neither the primary investigator [A: nor] her research assistants [B: was] aware that the reagent had [C: deteriorated] due to [D: improper] refrigeration.'
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. was
- Step 1: Apply the rule of proximity for correlative conjunctions ('Neither ... Nor'): The verb must agree with the subject closest to it.
- Step 2: Examine the closer subject: 'her research assistants' is plural.
- Step 3: Identify the error: The singular auxiliary '[B: was]' must be replaced by the plural 'were' to agree with 'assistants'.
Answer
was.
Why not the others: 'nor' is the correct correlative partner to 'Neither'; 'deteriorated' is the correct past participle; 'improper' is an adjective correctly modifying 'refrigeration'.
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