Introduction / Context:
Error-spotting questions like this one check your command of subject–verb agreement and number concord in formal English. The sentence describes a solemn situation and embeds a common trap: the indefinite pronoun “everyone” looks plural in meaning but is grammatically singular, so it requires a singular verb.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Main clause: “everyone were standing in silence”.
- Indefinite pronoun subject: “everyone”.
- Progressive construction: “was/were standing”.
- No stylistic trick; the test focuses on agreement only.
Concept / Approach:
- Indefinite pronouns such as everyone, everybody, each, either, neither are singular and take singular verbs.
- Therefore, the correct agreement is “everyone was”, not “everyone were”.
- The introductory adverbial clause “When the national anthem was being sung” is correct and does not affect agreement in the main clause.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify the true subject of the main clause: “everyone”.Apply the singular verb: “was standing”, not “were standing”.Reconstruct the corrected sentence: “When the national anthem was being sung, everyone was standing in silence.”
Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute with a clearly singular noun: “Each person was standing …” confirms the singular verb choice.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
A and B: Both parts of the time clause are grammatical.D: Progressive complement “standing in silence” is fine.E: Not correct because an error exists in C.
Common Pitfalls:
Letting the idea of plurality in “everyone” mislead you into plural verbs; overlooking agreement because of intervening phrases.
Final Answer:
sung, everyone were
Discussion & Comments