Question

A bunch of keys........lying on the table(fill in the blank with given word ,have,has,is,were,

Answer 1

Answer:

A bunch of keys is lying on the table.

Explanation:

Here the correct answer is "is" and not "are/were". This is because when it is said a "bunch of keys" it is considered to be one unit and not more than one unit.

The word 'bunch' is singular noun. Its meaning is a number of things of the same type which are tied together. Besides, the use of the article 'A' with the word 'bunch' also gives it singular connotation. So we use singular verb 'was/is' with 'A bunch of keys'.

Answer 2

A bunch of keys is lying on the table.

• Here, despite the usage of a plural noun, ie., 'keys', the object is singular.
• That is because the collective noun of keys has been used, i.e., bunch.
• When a collective noun is used, if it is singular then 'is' should be used, even if the objects of which the group consists are plural.
• For example, a school of fish, a swarm of bees, a bouquet, etc., are all singular objects since the collective noun here is singular.