Which of the following sentences is grammatically incorrect ?

Question

Accepted Answer

Option 1 is grammatically incorrect because when "each" is used before singular nouns connected by "and," the verb should be singular. The correct sentence would be: "Each boy and each girl *was* punished." The use of "were" indicates a plural subject, which contradicts the singular emphasis created by "each."

Here's why the other options are grammatically correct:

*   **Option 2: Statistics is a difficult subject.** While "statistics" can sometimes be plural (referring to data), in this context, it refers to the *field of study* of statistics, which is treated as a singular subject. Therefore, the singular verb "is" is correct.

*   **Option 3: The captain of the players has not come yet.** The subject of the sentence is "the captain," which is singular. The phrase "of the players" is a prepositional phrase modifying "captain." The singular verb "has" agrees with the singular subject.

*   **Option 4: A great number of people have come here.** "A great number of" is followed by a plural noun ("people") and takes a plural verb ("have"). This construction is grammatically correct.