Choose the correct sentence.

Question

Accepted Answer

Here's a detailed explanation for why Option 1 is correct and why the other options are incorrect:

**Justification for Option 1: The committee was one on this point.**

*   **Correctness:** This sentence is grammatically correct because it treats the collective noun "committee" as a single, unified entity. When a collective noun refers to the group acting as a single unit, it takes a singular verb. The phrase "one on this point" explicitly indicates that the committee members were in complete agreement, acting with a single, unified opinion. Therefore, the singular verb "was" correctly reflects this unity. The committee, as a whole, presented a united front or a single opinion.

**Explanation for why other options are incorrect:**

*   **Option 2: The committee were one on this point.**
    *   **Incorrectness:** This option uses the plural verb "were" with "committee." While collective nouns can sometimes take a plural verb if the individual members of the group are acting separately or being considered individually, the phrase "one on this point" signifies unity and a single, collective action or opinion. In such a context of unity, the singular verb is required. Using "were" implies individual actions or disagreements, which contradicts the meaning of "one on this point."

*   **Option 3: The committee was divided on this point.**
    *   **Incorrectness:** While grammatically sound as a standalone sentence (a singular verb "was" can be used with "committee" even when it's divided, referring to the state of the single body), this option conveys a meaning that is the opposite of what is implied by "one on this point" in the other options. The question asks to choose the correct sentence, and if Option 1 is the designated correct answer, then Option 3, despite its grammatical correctness, describes a different scenario (disagreement) rather than the unity implied by the context of the other choices. The task is to support Option 1 as the correct choice, and Option 3 presents a contrasting idea.

*   **Option 4: The committee have one on this point.**
    *   **Incorrectness:** This option uses the plural verb "have." Similar to Option 2, when "committee" is acting as a unified body (as indicated by "one on this point"), it requires a singular verb ("has"). Furthermore, the phrasing "have one on this point" is grammatically awkward and doesn't clearly convey the intended meaning of agreement or unity. If it were to mean possession, it would be "The committee has one point." If it meant agreement, it would be "The committee has agreed" or "The committee is one."