English grammar error-spotting (collective noun + singular verb in passive): Read the sentence split into A–D and select the part with the error: ‘‘A body of volunteers / have been organised / to spread the message of the saint. / No error.’

Given data

• Subject head: ‘‘A body’’ (singular)
• Verb phrase: ‘‘have been organised’’ (plural auxiliary)

Concept / ApproachWith a collective noun as the head (‘‘A body …’’), formal agreement is singular. Hence, the auxiliary must be singular: ‘‘has been organized/organised’’.

Correction‘‘A body of volunteers has been organised to spread the message of the saint.’’

Common pitfalls

• Letting the plural noun inside the of-phrase (‘‘volunteers’’) trigger plural agreement.

Final Answerhave been organised