Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 71%

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Rationale

Somebody left his or her jacket on the train.

This sentence correctly uses the singular pronoun "his or her" to match the singular subject "Somebody," ensuring grammatical agreement. It effectively communicates that an unknown individual has left a jacket, maintaining clarity and correctness in its structure.

A (Somebody left his or her jacket on the train.) CORRECT

This choice is grammatically correct as it maintains agreement between the singular subject "Somebody" and the singular pronouns "his or her." This structure is appropriate for formal writing, where gender-neutral language is important while still adhering to traditional grammatical rules.

B (Several lost his keys on this train ride.) YOUR ANSWER

This sentence is incorrect because "Several" is a plural subject, yet it incorrectly uses the singular pronoun "his." The correct form should employ a plural pronoun, such as "their," to match the plural subject and maintain grammatical consistency.

C (Does everyone have their train ticket ready?) YOUR ANSWER

While commonly used in modern English, this sentence is technically incorrect because "everyone" is a singular indefinite pronoun, and "their" is typically regarded as plural. The grammatically precise version would replace "their" with "his or her," though the usage of "their" is increasingly accepted in informal contexts.

D (Is everyone ready for his ice cream sundaes?) YOUR ANSWER

This option is incorrect because, similar to choice C, "everyone" is singular, and "his" is a singular pronoun. The correct approach would be to use "his or her" to ensure agreement between the subject and the pronoun, which aligns with traditional grammatical rules.

Conclusion

In summary, option A stands as the only grammatically correct sentence, preserving the necessary agreement between the singular subject and its pronouns. The other options fail to maintain this agreement, either by mismatching singular and plural forms or by using informal language that diverges from conventional grammar rules. Understanding these distinctions enhances clarity and adherence to formal writing standards.

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