In the following sentence, identify the part that contains a grammatical error: "Each of the girls have come with her books."

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: have come

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question is about error detection in English grammar. It tests your understanding of subject verb agreement when the subject begins with the phrase each of. In competitive exams, such structures are very common because they look plural but are grammatically singular. You must decide which part of the sentence is incorrect.


Given Data / Assumptions:
The full sentence is divided into parts:

  • A: Each of the girls
  • B: have come
  • C: with her books.
  • D: No error

We assume standard formal English usage.


Concept / Approach:
In English grammar, when the subject begins with each of or every one of followed by a plural noun, the subject is treated as singular. Therefore, the verb should also be singular. The correct singular present perfect form of come is has come, not have come. The rest of the sentence, including the pronoun her to refer back to each girl individually, is acceptable in formal English.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the subject. The phrase Each of the girls is the subject of the verb. Step 2: Determine whether the subject is singular or plural. Even though girls is plural, the presence of each of makes the whole subject grammatically singular. Step 3: Check the verb form. The sentence uses have come, which is a plural verb form. Step 4: For a singular subject, the correct form should be has come. Step 5: The phrase with her books is logically correct because it refers to each girl bringing her own books. Step 6: Therefore, the error lies in part B, where have come should be replaced with has come.


Verification / Alternative check:
Rewrite the sentence correctly as a full unit: Each of the girls has come with her books. Now the singular subject each matches the singular verb has. This sounds natural and follows the standard rule that words like each, every, and everyone normally take singular verbs. If we test the sentence by using a clearly plural subject such as all the girls, we would then say all the girls have come, which confirms that have is the plural form and not suitable with each of.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Each of the girls, is grammatically correct as a subject phrase. Option C, with her books, is correct because the singular pronoun her agrees with each understood individually. Option D, No error, is wrong because we have clearly identified a mistake in subject verb agreement in part B. Thus, only part B is incorrect.


Common Pitfalls:
Many learners are misled by the nearby plural noun girls and think that the subject is plural. They then accept have come without noticing that each makes the entire subject singular. Remember that quantifiers like each, every, and either focus on individuals one by one and therefore require singular verbs. Careful reading of the full subject phrase before choosing the verb form helps avoid such errors.


Final Answer:
The erroneous part is have come, that is, part B.

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