Question

Find the correct auxiliary verb for the following sentence :
One or the other of those fellows ____ stolen the car.

• A. has
• B. have
• C. has been
• D. have been

Hint:

Phrases like:
"One of the [plural noun]"
"Each of the [plural noun]"
"Either of the [plural noun]"
"Neither of the [plural noun]"
"One or the other of the [plural noun]" take a {singular verb} because the true subject is "one," "each," "either," or "neither," all of which are singular. So, "One ... {has} stolen."

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: This question tests subject-verb agreement, specifically with phrases like "one or the other." The verb must agree with the true subject of the sentence. Step 1: Identify the subject of the sentence The phrase "One or the other of those fellows" is the subject. When "one" is used in such a construction (e.g., "one of the boys," "one or the other"), the true subject is "one," which is singular. The phrase "of those fellows" is a prepositional phrase modifying "one or the other." Step 2: Determine the number of the subject Since "one" is singular, the subject "One or the other" is considered singular. Step 3: Choose the auxiliary verb that agrees with a singular subject in the present perfect tense The main verb is "stolen," which is the past participle of "steal." This indicates the sentence is likely in the perfect tense (e.g., present perfect or past perfect). The options provided suggest present perfect. The present perfect tense is formed with "has/have + past participle."
For singular subjects (he, she, it, one), use "has."
For plural subjects (they, we) and for "I" and "you," use "have." Since the subject "One or the other" is singular, the correct auxiliary verb is "has." Step 4: Evaluating the options
(1) has: Correct. "One or the other ... has stolen the car." (Present Perfect tense, active voice)
(2) have: Incorrect. "have" is used with plural subjects.
(3) has been: This would form "has been stolen." If the car "has been stolen" (by one of them), the sentence structure would be different (passive voice: "The car has been stolen by one or the other..."). Here, "one or the other" is performing the action (active voice).
(4) have been: Incorrect, plural and also suggests passive voice in this context. The sentence is in the active voice: one of the fellows performed the action of stealing.