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MGMAT book is confusing on this topic... (MAJOR SC question)

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by Stockmoose16 » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:38 am
According to the MGMAT book, one should ignore the "of clause" when trying to determine the subject of a verb. But, it appears that rule doesn't apply to the following examples, which are from SENTENCE CORRECTION questions:

1) A new species of sparrow has/have been found.
-- Should this be plural because of 'species' or singular because of 'sparrow'

2) "The pattern of changes that have occurred in human DNA over the millennia indicate/indicates the possibility that everyone alive today might be descended from a single female ancestor who lived in Africa sometime between 140,000 and 280,000 years ago."
--Should it be indicate or indicates, since it's preceded by "the pattern" (singular) or changes (plural)

According to the MGMAT rule, sentence #1 should use a plural verb (have), since "species" is plural. And #2 should be "indicates," since pattern is singular. Can someone please clarify why the MGMAT book is right or wrong on this subject.
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by dbart06 » Fri Aug 08, 2008 9:33 am
IMHO "a new species" is referring to a single species of sparrow not the "species" or all of the "species" sparrow.
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Re: MGMAT book is confusing on this topic... (MAJOR SC quest

by kiranlegend » Sat Aug 09, 2008 12:11 am
Stockmoose16 wrote:According to the MGMAT book, one should ignore the "of clause" when trying to determine the subject of a verb. But, it appears that rule doesn't apply to the following examples, which are from SENTENCE CORRECTION questions:

1) A new species of sparrow has/have been found.
-- Should this be plural because of 'species' or singular because of 'sparrow'

2) "The pattern of changes that have occurred in human DNA over the millennia indicate/indicates the possibility that everyone alive today might be descended from a single female ancestor who lived in Africa sometime between 140,000 and 280,000 years ago."
--Should it be indicate or indicates, since it's preceded by "the pattern" (singular) or changes (plural)

According to the MGMAT rule, sentence #1 should use a plural verb (have), since "species" is plural. And #2 should be "indicates," since pattern is singular. Can someone please clarify why the MGMAT book is right or wrong on this subject.
huh.. 2nd one is clear.. it takes indicates.. as it's subject is pattern.

first one: species is singular so it has to take 'has'.. why have?? where did u get this from? rather from which page is this taken?
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Re: MGMAT book is confusing on this topic... (MAJOR SC quest

by iamcste » Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:33 am
Stockmoose16 wrote:According to the MGMAT book, one should ignore the "of clause" when trying to determine the subject of a verb. But, it appears that rule doesn't apply to the following examples, which are from SENTENCE CORRECTION questions:

1) A new species of sparrow has/have been found.
-- Should this be plural because of 'species' or singular because of 'sparrow'¨

.

Any views?
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Re: MGMAT book is confusing on this topic... (MAJOR SC quest

by parallel_chase » Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:39 am
iamcste wrote:
Stockmoose16 wrote:According to the MGMAT book, one should ignore the "of clause" when trying to determine the subject of a verb. But, it appears that rule doesn't apply to the following examples, which are from SENTENCE CORRECTION questions:

1) A new species of sparrow has/have been found.
-- Should this be plural because of 'species' or singular because of 'sparrow'¨

.

Any views?
A new species - singular therefore "has" should be used

Many species - plural therefore "have" should be used.
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by logitech » Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:42 am
iamcste - Mr Verbal 2008 :)

Whats up with this "Any views" ? I feel like you are not happy with the quality of the discussions and trying to lead the forum to share and learn more ?

I am with you!
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Re: MGMAT book is confusing on this topic... (MAJOR SC quest

by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Sat Dec 20, 2008 12:24 pm
Stockmoose16 wrote:According to the MGMAT book, one should ignore the "of clause" when trying to determine the subject of a verb. But, it appears that rule doesn't apply to the following examples, which are from SENTENCE CORRECTION questions:

1) A new species of sparrow has/have been found.
-- Should this be plural because of 'species' or singular because of 'sparrow'
"A new species" is singular, not plural. "Species" can be either singular or plural:

"...a rare species that eats only coffee beans..."

"... are two of the species which have pink feathers..."
2) "The pattern of changes that have occurred in human DNA over the millennia indicate/indicates the possibility that everyone alive today might be descended from a single female ancestor who lived in Africa sometime between 140,000 and 280,000 years ago."
--Should it be indicate or indicates, since it's preceded by "the pattern" (singular) or changes (plural).
"The pattern" is singular, so the verb should be "indicates".
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