Extract:
Select the word that makes the following sentence grammatically correct.
The nursing staff ___________ to serve their patients well.
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A
hope
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B
hopes
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C
hoping
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D
does hope
The word "hope" makes the sentence grammatically correct because the compound subject "nursing staff" functions as a plural collective noun requiring plural verb agreement.
A) hope
"Hope" is plural verb form correctly matching "nursing staff" when treated as multiple individuals acting separately. Collective nouns referring to groups of people performing individual actions typically take plural verbs in American English.
B) hopes
"Hopes" is singular verb form appropriate when collective nouns act as unified singular entities—but "staff" performing individual patient care represents multiple actors, favoring plural agreement.
C) hoping
"Hoping" is a participle, not a finite verb—creating a sentence fragment lacking main verb. "The nursing staff hoping" cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
D) does hope
"Does hope" creates unnecessary emphasis with auxiliary "does" while using singular agreement ("does" + base verb) inappropriate for plural subject interpretation.
Conclusion
Collective nouns like "staff" take plural verbs when emphasizing individual members' actions (each nurse hopes separately) versus singular verbs when acting as unified entity. Patient care involves individual actions, making plural "hope" the grammatically appropriate choice.