SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
1.2 Subject_ Verb Disagreement:
_ It is a MUST that the form of the verb agree with the subject used in the sentence:
Examples:
- I am a teacher.
- She is a teacher.
- We are teachers.
However, subject- verb disagreement problems are so common in the SAT.
Sentences that have subject_ verb disagreement usually appear as follows:
1- Subject and Verb that are separated:
Examples:
Subj.
Prepositional Phrase
- The results of the recently conducted research into the field of cancer funded by the
Research Department at State University is so promising as regards the possibility of
finding a permanent cure for the disease.
Correction:
Subj.
Relative Pronoun
- Dr. Adel who lives next door and has three of the most devilish kids I have ever seen
in my life are so loud at night that I find it almost impossible to sleep.
Correction:
Subj.
Participial(gerund) Phrase
- Some of the parents attending last night's parent- teacher meeting wasn't very
much happy about the fact that the agenda did not include any reference to the
intended increase in the school fees.
Correction:
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Subj.
Explanatory Notes
Participial(p.p.) Phrase
- Many of the wars waged during the early part of the twentieth century was driven
by purely selfish, personal reasons rather than nationalistic ones.
Correction:
Subj.
Participial(to inf.) Phrase
- Most of the artifacts to be found in the archaeological site on the outskirts of the
city belongs to the Mayan era 1750- 1500 B.C.
Correction:
Subj.
Noun Phrase
- Gandhi, one of the most famous leaders in the world in the field of human rights,
were not interested in any personal fame or benefit.
Correction:
Subject+
participial
phrase
Subject+
noun phrase
signs
Subject+
relative
clause
Subject+
prepositional
phrase
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
Exercise5:
1- Two of our next door neighbors from Jamaica was fighting last night because
one of them had thrown some garbage by mistake into the other's backyard
and broke some of the flowerpots there.
Correction:
2- A fish fossil found in the western desert in Egypt by some French
archaeologists were strong evidence that the desert was once submerged
under the sea.
Correction:
3- Many people working in this factory was there when the riot started and
could identify the inducers for the police who showed pictures of the
suspects.
Correction:
4- One provision to be on the list of the new regulations are against the basic
principles of human rights.
Correction:
5- The Harapan script, which was found amongst many other ancient scripts
from the Indus Valley civilization, have not been fully interpreted, yet, leaving
much of the culture of that civilization unknown to us.
Correction:
6- The genome, the map of a person's physiology and probable diseases, are
possibly the greatest discovery Man has ever made.
Correction:
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
2- Subject and Verb that are inverted:
Examples:
Verb
Subj.
- There is still nowadays, even in the twenty- first century, people who believe in
superstition- magic and likewise.
Verb Subj.
- Here are a list of the names of the students who we think need extra academic
support after school hours.
Verb
Subj.
- Found in all lower grade classes in our school is a small library and a computer for
each kid.
Verb
Subj.
- Famous with all soccer fans all over the world is David Beckham from England and
Kaka from Brazil.
Verb
Subj.
- Only recently has the harmful, sometimes even devastating, effects of smoking been
thoroughly examined and brought forth to the public.
Verb
Subj.
- Theirs have always been the wildest dream I had ever heard of.
Verb
- My brother has made many irreversible mistakes in his life, and so has, involuntarily,
Subj.
many of his friends.
Beware of "HERE" and "THERE"
Beware of NLY
Beware of Possessive Pronouns
Beware of drag- on phrases
Beware of "snd so"& "and neither"
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
Exercise 6:
1- Clear to all the politicians all over the world are the newly established world
system which is basically founded on the principle of survival for the
strongest.
Correction:
2- Opposite our house stands a very tall residential tower and a five- star, worldfamous hotel.
Correction:
3- Hardly does the preliminary symptoms of swine flu differ from those of
common cold.
Correction:
4- There are a group of activists in the field of nature conservation visiting our
village this month.
Correction:
5- Here is a few tips for you that will be very helpful in showing you how to
tackle this section of the exam.
Correction:
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
3- The Subject Only Seems Plural:
Examples:
Subj.
Verb
- The teacher, as well as the parents, are not so happy with the results of the kids.
Subj.
Verb
- The Principal, together with the heads of the departments, were discussing the new
curriculum standards adopted by the school.
Subj.
Verb
- The Federal agent, along with the county police, were diligently working on that
case because the public were deeply concerned with its progress.
Subj.
Verb
- The financial position, besides lack of democracy, have led to the current, unstable
situation.
Subj.
Verb
- What Khaled said besides the misunderstanding between the couple were behind
that mess.
AS WELL AS
IN ADDITION TO
ALONG WITH
TOGETHER WITH
+ ……………………………….=
ZERO
BESIDES
ACCOMPANIED WITH
WITH
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
Exercise 7:
1- Disastrous planning, in addition to lack of experience, have led to
inevitable failure.
Correction:
2- Dr. James, as well as Dr. Osborn, were a great help in that research.
Correction:
3- Her dissatisfaction, together with her frustration, are driving her crazy.
Correction:
4- A sense of unity, along with a desire to lift up the business, encourage the
workers there to do their best.
Correction:
5- The president's hostile speech, besides the conventional animosity
between the two countries, were the main reason behind the break out of
the war.
Correction
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
4- The Subject Is Compound:
4.1- Compound Subject with "and":
- Usually a compound subject with "and" amounts to a plural subject; however,
sometimes a compound subject with "and" amounts to a singular subject.
Examples:
S.1
S.2
- Dieting and exercising are so essentials to weight loss plans. ( Subjects
represent two different concepts)
S.1
S.2
- Betraying a friend and letting him or her down is abominable. ( Subjects
represent the same concept, only restated)
P.S
** With titles "and" can still have different interpretations as to whether it is
creating a plural or a singular subject. It all depends on the number of "the"s used
with the titles.
Examples:
(1)
( 2)
- The owner and the manager of the company, Mr. Salem, are going to meet with the
shareholders.
(1)
- The owner and manager of the company, Mr. Sale, is going to meet with the
shareholders.
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
4.2- Compound Subject with "either………..or"& "neither……….nor":
- Verbs appearing with compound subjects using "either…………….or"&
"neither…………nor" must agree with the latter subject.
Examples:
Sing. Subj.
- Either the students or the teacher was in the room when the fire broke out.
Sing. Subj.
- Neither the kids nor the father was ready to accept the mother's death in the
terrible accident.
4.3- Compound Subject with "except":
- Compound subjects with "except" eventually represent plural subjects.
Examples:
true subject
excluded
- All the students [except Adel] were at Sameh's birthday party.
except(for)/
excepting/ with
the exception of
save
eliminators
excluding/
without
but
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
Exercise 8:
1- Either the results of the students or the behavior of the rude boy were behind
the teacher's anger.
Correction:
2- Neither the witnesses nor the police officer's testimony were enough to put the
suspect behind the bars.
Correction:
3- The need to preserve nature and a growing awareness of the sorts of behavior
that can help improve the quality of living has encouraged people to start
thinking of using power sources other than fossil fuels.
Correction:
4- All the residents in the block except Mr. Thornton has paid the rent which was
due two weeks ago.
Correction:
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
5- The Subject Is An Indefinite Pronoun:
- All indefinite pronouns represent the number "One":
Each
One
None
Not one
Either
OF
Singular
All The
WAY
Neither
Everyone/ …..body/ ……thing
PRONOUNS
VERBS
Anyone/ …..body/ …….thing
Someone/ ……body/ …….thing
No one/ …….body/ ……thing
Examples:
(not one of the two)
- Neither of the culprits has yet been convicted in the court of law.
(not one of )
- None of the parents
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was satisfied with the results of the students.
Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
( each one of )
- Each of the members of the jury perfectly
understands his/ her role in the trial.
Exercise 9:
1- Each one of the kids who were playing in the playground were so happy.
Correction:
2- One of the reasons why some of the parents left the meeting earlier than had
been scheduled were that the important points were not brought up.
Correction:
3- None of the boys were happy that school had been postponed.
Correction:
4- Not one of the teachers have been so far informed about the new changes.
Correction:
5- Either of the employees who were in the office that day know what exactly
happened before the fire broke out.
Correction:
6- Neither of the bags she saw were what she was looking for.
Correction:
7- Everyone were listening to the lecturer so attentively that you kid hear a mouse
whispering.
Correction:
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
6- The Subject Is a Confusing Noun:
Sometimes the subject is a noun that is difficult to be identified as either
singular or plural, merely from the way it is spelt.
Examples:
( plr. )
- The criteria we applied in our choices were strictly objective.
( sing. )
- The news she told us about Shady was only a hearsay.
** Note that there are many plural nouns that DO NOT end with "s" and many singular
nouns that DO.
SAMPLE SINGULAR NOUNS THAT END IN "S"
STUDIES AND ACTIVITIES
GAMES
ILLNESSES
OTHERS
acoustics
bowls
diabetes
aerobics
cards
measles
aerodynamics
darts
mumps
aeronautics
billiards
rabies
news
means
species
clothes
athletics
draughts
classics
economics
electronics
genetics
linguistics
skittles
rickets
shingles
a
pair of…..
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
logistics
mathematics
mechanics
obstetrics
physics
politics
statistics
thermodynamics
SAMPLE PLURAL NOUNS THAT DONOT END IN "S"
VERY COMMON
Mice
Geese
Feet
Children
People
Women
Men
LESS COMMON
Nuclei
Cacti
Syllabi
Fungi
Octopi
Phenomena
Formulae
Nautili
Curricula
Stimuli
Hippopotami
Oxen
Die
Lice
VERY UNCOMMON
Data
Media
Stadia
Cherubim
Supernovae
Foci
Alumni
Alumnae
Appendices
Fora
Quanta
Momenta
Exercise 10:
1- The data he presented to the committee was outdated and impertinent.
Correction:
2- The means by which the investigators obtained the information were so
inappropriate.
Correction:
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
3- I have thoroughly checked the syllabi which was given to me to evaluate.
Correction
4- Measles, which were once deadly, can be easily contained nowadays, thanks to
modern science.
Correction
7- The Subject Is a Collective Noun:
A collective noun is a noun that with, with the same spelling, can function as
both a singular and plural noun. In a sentence in the SAT, you do not need to rely on
the meaning to figure out whether the collective noun is being used as a plural or a
singular noun; all you have to do is look for clues.
Examples:
(clue)
- The team were so happy with their victory over the opponent.
(clue)
- The team was so happy with its victory over the opponent.
(clue)
- The team has put a lot of effort into the game but, unfortunately, was not able to
achieve victory.
(clue)
- The team have put a lot of effort into the game but, unfortunately, were not able to
achieve victory.
(clue)
- The team was playing as a unit and, therefore, achieved victory.
(clue)
- The team were playing as individuals and, therefore, lost the game.
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
pronoun
clues
verb
equivalent
noun
Exercise 11:
1- Although the fish were so tiny each of them ate its own weight in solid food.
Correction
2- To be able to enjoy a Shakespearian play, the audience have to come on the
stage as a real character.
Correction:
3- The police has not been able to find the culprits yet, but have been able to
collect some valuable physical leads.
Correction:
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
8- The Subject Is an Indefinite Adjective ( Quantitative):
8.1 Quantitatives + ( plural determinants) + plural verbs (only )
Many- Few- A few- Fewer- The fewest- Several- Numerous- Innumerable
Examples:
- Many ( people ) believe that success is a matter of luck, not choice.
- Only a few ( people) are smart enough to realize that they are not smarter than
many.
P.S.
** "Many a….." must receive a singular, not a plural, verb.
Example:
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
- Many a teacher thinks
Explanatory Notes
of teaching as a profession, not as a mission.
8.2 Quantitatives + ( uncountable determinants) + singular verbs (only )
Much- Little- A little- Less- The least
Examples:
- Much ( information ) is known of her professional background.
- Little ( information ) is known of her professional background.
P.S.
** "Less" can ONLY be followed with uncountable nouns.
Example:
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
- Less and less effort is being made to help poor countries overcome their financial
difficulties.
8.3 Quantitatives + ( plural/ uncountable determinants) + singular/
plural verbs
All- A lot of- Some- More- Most ( of the )- Enough- (….%)- Proportions
Examples:
- Some of the students are absent today.
- Some of the money collected for the project is gone.
P.S.
** A problem might emerge if the quantitative in this list is not followed by a clear
determinant. Sorry, you will have to do A BIT of thinking in this case.
Example:
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
have paid.
(obviously students)
- Many students from all grades have signed up for the trip, but not enough
(obviously money)
has been paid.
Exercise 12:
1- Many a brilliant architect assert that being free to innovate is much more
important than being well- paid.
Correction:
2- Less and less students are taking the IGCSE than taking the SAT.
Correction:
3- The students were given an easy task to do, but not all have been finished in
time.
Correction:
9- The Subject Is a Monetary/ Time Value:
Monetary/ Time values are considered singular subjects, even if more than
one unit of either is indicated as the subject of the sentence
Examples:
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Grammar
SAT 1 English
Ibrahim Abdel Mohssen
Explanatory Notes
- On a SAT critical reading section, twenty- five minutes never seems enough time
for a test taker to answer all the questions comfortably.
- Only five- hundred dollars is never enough to buy a decent motorbike.
P.S.
** "The number of………." always receives a singular verb.
** "A number of………" always receives a plural verb.
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Grammar