Direction: In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select "No Improvement".

30 percent of boys has failed in English in higher secondary examinations.

The correct answer is have failed.

Key Points

• According to subject-verb agreement, in a sentence, the verb must agree with the subject.
  • If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular.
    • Example: He plays football.
  • If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
    • Example: They work on a farm.
• While using a specified number as per cent in a sentence, follow the given structure:
  • x per cent of plural countable noun + plural verb + plural adjective
    • Example: 60 per cent of the students are boys.
  • x per cent of uncountable noun + singular verb + singular adjective
    • Example: 21 per cent of oxygen is present in the air.
• According to the rule and the example that is given above, 'have failed' will be used in the underlined part of the sentence.
   

Correct sentence: '30 per cent of boys have failed in English in higher secondary examinations'.

Important Points

• The word 'percentage' is an uncountable noun. It will take all singular parts of speech.
  • Example: The percentage of oxygen is less than that of nitrogen.