Extract:
Select the word that makes the following sentence grammatically correct.
The hockey team ___________ traveling to Albany for the semifinals.
-
A
is
-
B
are
-
C
be
-
D
were
The word "is" makes the sentence grammatically correct because collective noun "team" functions as a singular unit requiring singular verb agreement.
A) is
"Is" is singular verb form correctly matching collective noun "team" when treated as a unified entity acting together. Sports teams typically take singular verbs in American English ("The team is traveling").
B) are
"Are" is plural verb form, appropriate when emphasizing individual team members' separate actions, but traveling together as a unit favors singular agreement.
C) be
"Be" is base verb form, cannot function as main verb without auxiliary ("will be," "should be"). "The team be traveling" creates ungrammatical subjunctive usage inappropriate for factual statements.
D) were
"Were" is plural past tense, incorrect number and tense. The context describes future travel ("for the semifinals"), requiring present tense singular "is" for scheduled future events.
Conclusion
Collective nouns like "team" take singular verbs when acting as unified entities, standard for sports teams traveling or competing together. Singular "is" correctly matches "team" as a single unit heading to Albany collectively.