Question 3 - Basic Grammar (with Past Year Questions) - Grammar - English Class 10

This question asked in [CBSE SQP, 2020-21]

The good news is that _________ volunteers dropped out this month than the last two.

(A) fewer  

(B) less   

(C) few  

(D) a little

Answer

Since we have options, let's check each option one by one.

• (a) fewer - The good news is that fewer volunteers dropped out this month than the last two. Everybody are keen to participate in the upcoming nukkad natak. We don't use are with everybody because even though everybody is a group of people (i.e. plural), is is written as a single group (i.e. singular). Thus, this option is incorrect .

• (b) less - The good news is that less volunteers dropped out this month than the last two. Eventhough we can use has with everybody, in this particular statement... it is incorrect because has means to own or possess. And this statement doesn't fit in that definition. Thus, this option is incorrect .

• (c) few - The good news is that few volunteers dropped out this month than the last two. Everybody is keen to participate in the upcoming nukkad natak. We use is with everybody because even though everybody is a group of people (i.e. plural), is is written as a single group (i.e. singular). Thus, this option is correct.

• (d) a little - The good news is that a little volunteers dropped out this month than the last two. Everybody were keen to participate in the upcoming nukkad natak. We don't use were with everybody because even though everybody is a group of people (i.e. plural), is is written as a single group (i.e. singular). Thus, this option is incorrect .

So, the correct answer is (A)