Leaders of programs that promote gender equity frequently point to the role that parents and educators (play in promoting) young women’s interest in science, technology, and math.
a. play in promoting
b. plays in promoting
c. is playing to promote
d. plays to promote
e. having played in promoting
What is the correct answer?
A is correct. You have a plural subject–parents and educators–so eliminate B, C, and D. E is out because you need a finite verb–one that conjugates–not a participle (having).
But wouldn’t the verb “play” modify the singular entity “role”?
(perhaps also worth noting that “play a role in” is idiomatically correct)
The role is the direct object. It’s being played. The role isn’t playing.