Choose the option that best completes the sentence. A number of applicants ___ still waiting outside the JAMB office when it closed.
Ahas been
Bis
CwereCORRECT
Dwas
JUPEBUse of EnglishLexis and Structure
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Why the answer is C, and why the others tempt you.
The phrase 'a number of' means 'several' and takes a plural verb, so 'applicants were' is correct. By contrast, 'the number of' refers to a single figure and takes a singular verb. Confusing the two phrases is the most common error here.
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