Find the part of the sentence that contains an error:
The fact that dissenting opinions are stifled (1)/ without due institutional safeguards (2)/ reflect a worrying trend in democratic regression (3)/ observed across multiple levels of governance. (4)
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. (3).
Introduction
We must find which segment contains a grammatical error.
Error is related to / concept:
Subject–verb agreement.
What is wrong:
The verb “reflect” is plural, but its subject “The fact …” is singular.
Grammatical concept:
A clause beginning with “The fact that …” is treated as a singular subject.
Hence, the verb must also be singular (reflects).
Example: The fact that he lied reflects poorly on him.
Incorrectness of the concept in context:
Using reflect creates mismatch with the singular subject.
How to correct:
Use singular verb reflects in the place of reflect.
Correct phrase / correction:
“… reflects a worrying trend…”
Final sentence:
The fact that dissenting opinions are stifled without due institutional safeguards reflects a worrying trend in democratic regression observed across multiple levels of governance.