In modern organizational theory, a matrix structure _____ a management system that combines functional and project-based reporting lines.

Let's begin by understanding the meaning of this sentence. We'll use our understanding of pause points and segment the sentence as shown - understanding and assimilating the meaning of each segment bit by bit!

Sentence Structure

• In modern organizational theory,
  • a matrix structure
    • (?)
      • a management system
        • that combines functional and project-based reporting lines.

Understanding the Meaning

Let me start reading from the beginning to understand what this sentence is telling us:

• 'In modern organizational theory'
  • This sets up the context - we're talking about concepts in the field of organizational theory, specifically modern approaches.

• 'a matrix structure'
  • This is what the sentence is about - a specific type of structure called a "matrix structure."
  • Notice the article "a" - this tells us we're talking about one thing.

Now here's where we need to fill in the blank:

• 'a matrix structure _____ a management system'

Let's look at our choices:

• A. were (plural, past)
• B. are (plural, present)
• C. is (singular, present)
• D. was (singular, past)

So we're deciding between singular/plural and present/past tense.

What do we know so far?

• The subject is "a matrix structure"
  • The article "a" tells us this is singular
  • So we need a singular verb

• The context is "in modern organizational theory"
  • We're explaining what something IS in modern theory
  • This is a definitional statement - explaining what a concept means
  • So we need present tense

Therefore, we need: is (singular, present tense)

Now let's read the rest to see the complete picture:

• 'a management system that combines functional and project-based reporting lines'
  • This is defining what a matrix structure IS
  • It's a type of management system that combines two kinds of reporting lines

So the complete meaning is:

• The sentence is defining what a matrix structure is in organizational theory - it's a management system that combines functional and project-based reporting.

The correct answer is C. is

GRAMMAR CONCEPT APPLIED

Subject-Verb Agreement: Matching Verbs to Their Subjects

The verb in a sentence must agree with its subject in two ways:

1. Number: Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs
2. Tense: The verb tense must fit the timeframe and context of the sentence

How to apply this:

Step 1: Identify the subject

• In this sentence: "a matrix structure"
• The article "a" signals this is singular

Step 2: Choose the verb form that matches in number

• Singular subject → singular verb
• "a matrix structure" → needs "is" or "was" (singular)
• Cannot use "are" or "were" (plural)

Step 3: Determine the appropriate tense

• Context: "In modern organizational theory"
• Purpose: Defining what a concept IS (not was)
• Definitional statements about current concepts use present tense
• Therefore: "is" (present) not "was" (past)

In this question:

• Subject: "a matrix structure" (singular)
• Correct verb: "is" (singular, present)
• Result: "a matrix structure is a management system..."