Question

What is the simple subject of the following sentence: A large number of swimmers competed in the race.

Answer 1

It's a tricky one!

The verb is 'competed' so you're tempted to say swimmers, right? But 'swimmers' is the object of the preposition 'of.' So what's left that could be the subject?

Answer 2

number of swimmers

Answer 3

Number

Answer 4

Number