Error Spotting – Choose the part (A–D) that contains a grammatical error, or choose No error if the sentence is fully correct. Sentence (parts correspond to options below): A) the five-member committee were B) of the view that the present service conditions C) of the employees of this company D) are quite good.

Introduction / Context:
The question tests subject–verb agreement with collective nouns and how number agreement shifts based on whether the group is viewed as a single unit or as individuals. In standard formal English, a collective noun such as committee takes a singular verb when it acts as one unit.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Subject phrase: the five-member committee
• Verb as given: were
• Remainder of sentence expresses a single shared view

Concept / Approach:
When a collective noun refers to a single body acting together, use a singular verb. The presence of a hyphenated modifier five-member does not change number. We check agreement: committee is singular here, so the verb must be was, not were.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Try substituting different pronouns. If the idea is one group, substitute it rather than they. It was of the view sounds natural, confirming singular agreement. They were of the view would emphasize individuals, which the sentence does not imply.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• B) Prepositional phrase is idiomatic and correct.
• C) Prepositional phrase correctly modifies service conditions.
• D) Plural subject service conditions is correctly followed by are.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners often match the nearest noun members or five and choose a plural verb. Agreement must follow the head noun committee, not a nearby word inside a modifier.

Final Answer:
Option A contains the error. Use was instead of were.