The fact that the two great athletes will
face each other in each of the season’s three largest events – the Olympics, the World Championships, and the European Open – give the sport a rare tension, which is certain to create increased interest.
A. face each other in each of the season’s three largest events – the Olympics, the World Championships, and the European Open – give the sport a rare tension, which
B. face each other in each of the season’s three largest events – the Olympics, the World Championships, and the European Open –
gives the sport a rare tension that
C. face each other in each of the season’s three largest events – the Olympics, the World Championships, and the European Open – give the sport a rare tension that
D.
have faced each other in each of the season’s three largest events – the Olympics, World Championships, and the European Open – will give the sport a rare tension that
E.
have faced each other in each of the season’s three largest events – the Olympics, the World Championships, and the European Open – are giving the sport a rare tension, which
Of course, grammatically-that a substantive phrase acts as a singular subject and therefore entails a singular verb such as 'gives' -is perhaps ok as per grammar. B is the preferred answer.
But I am rather amused by the logic of this topic. Who is to say that these great athletes will face each other in any one given event, leave alone in each of these great events, unless they are pitted against by Draw in the very first round? No large tournament may draw two great athletes in the very first round face to face. How can one conclude they will face each other in the subsequent rounds, probably by arrangement?
D and E offer a more preposterous rationale. If they have faced each other already, why is the tension or the anticipated interest?
Isn't SC after all an aspect of verbal
"reasoning"?