Select the word segment that substitutes (replaces) the bracketed word segment correctly and completes the sentence meaningfully.

The percentage of employees who called in sick and the number of employees who left their jobs within 2 years (were reflective of the level of job satisfaction).

The correct answer is 'are reflective of the level of job satisfaction'.

Key Points 

• The given sentence is grammatically incorrect.
• When two nouns are connected by the conjunction "and," they generally require a plural verb form, as both nouns contribute to the subject of the sentence.
  In the given sentence, the two subjects "the percentage of employees" and "the number of employees" are connected by "and," forming a compound subject.
• Hence, they will require a plural verb 'are'.
• The verb "are" agrees in number with the subject "percentage" and "number," and the phrase "reflective of the level of job satisfaction" correctly completes the sentence.
• It is important to use the correct verb tense and subject-verb agreement when constructing sentences to ensure clarity and accuracy.
• Thus, the correct answer is Option 1.
   

Correct Sentence: The percentage of employees who called in sick and the number of employees who left their jobs within 2 years (are reflective of the level of job satisfaction).

Confusion Points 

• We tend to go for the other options but it would be incorrect because: 
  • The present tense is used in the sentence because the outcome (the percentage and number of employees) is still relevant and applicable in the present time.
  • Even though the events being described (employees calling in sick and leaving their jobs within two years) may have happened in the past, the effects of those events (the percentage and number of employees) are still present and relevant. Therefore, it is appropriate to use the present tense to describe the ongoing relationship between the outcomes and the level of job satisfaction.
  • Using the past tense in this sentence would suggest that the outcomes are no longer relevant or applicable, which is not the case.