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.
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.
