SC Tricks

Question 1

modifying a measurement

Answer 1

1) never use a noun-adjective
2) avoid possessive ‘s or s’

Question 2

Shortening with Prepositional phrase

Answer 2

Sometimes need to keep, most often ‘of’ is the one that can be condensed except measurement of time

Question 3

That of / those of

Answer 3

check if this is needed or not
check the sentence without the modifier

Question 4

Compound OR with disagreeing numbers

or
either/or
neither/nor

Answer 4

take the one closes to the verb

Question 5

:

Answer 5

further explanation for what comes before.

What comes before has to stand alone

explanation placed as close to the colon as possible

Question 6

; vs :

Answer 6

semi-colon: connects two independent clauses

colon: connects a sentence with examples or further explanation

Question 7

_

Answer 7

can be used as an emphatic comma, semicolon, or colon

doesn’t have to be as close to the phrase

Question 8

Collective nouins (look singular but refer to group)

army, audience, baggage, citrus

Plural or singular

Answer 8

Singular in AM Eng
Plural in Brit Eng

GMAT will provide clue for ex on first non-underlined verb

Question 9

Indefinite pronouns that can be singular or plural?

Answer 9

SANAM
some, any, none, all, more/most

of prep can sometimes help determine

Question 10

not one = singular or plural?

Answer 10

always singular

Question 11

indefinite pronouns
usually singular or plural?

Answer 11

usually singular

Question 12

Each and Every + plural subject. Verb sing or plural?

Answer 12

Verb singular

EACH of these shirts IS pretty

Question 13

Quantity words or phrases as singular or plural?

Answer 13

both like SANAM of prep can sometimes help determine

Question 14

Subjects that rephrases and clauses. singular or plural?

Answer 14

always singular

having good friends IS a wonderful thing

Question 15

Subjects preceded by ‘a number of’ - singular or plural?

Answer 15

plural

Question 16

In doubt what to choose

Answer 16

singular

Question 17

When you have a short predicate and very long modifier - what goes first

Answer 17

short predicate

Question 18

short non essential with commas and long essential modifier?

Answer 18

can put short first if offset with commas

Question 19

parallel modifiers

Answer 19

ok for one to come first

Question 20

possessive –> y belongs to x

Answer 20

correct: y of x
correct: x’s y

less correct: Y of X’s

Question 21

sub group modifier

Answer 21

CORRECT:
some of which were
some of them
some

WRONG:
of which some where
some of them which were
some of which

Question 22

Absolute phrase
noun + noun modifier

Answer 22

do’t have to modify what they touch but the main clause

DONT use which because it doesnt modify the closest noun

and this > vague unlikely to be used

set off with comma or em dash –)