mpt · CSS study notes
Part 3 — Solved MPT Examples
How solutions are explained
For every sentence:
- Identify the verb.
- Find the real subject.
- Remove the distracting phrase.
- Apply the rule.
Example 1
Question
Each of the candidates have submitted the form.
Find the subject
The subject is each.
The phrase of the candidates does not control the verb.
Correct sentence
Each of the candidates has submitted the form.
Rule
Each takes a singular verb.
Example 2
Question
The quality of these products are improving.
Find the subject
The subject is quality.
Cut of these products.
Correct sentence
The quality of these products is improving.
Rule
Ignore the noun inside an of-phrase.
Example 3
Question
The effects of pollution is serious.
Find the subject
The subject is effects, which is plural.
Correct sentence
The effects of pollution are serious.
Rule
The nearby noun pollution does not control the verb.
Example 4
Question
Either the principal or the teachers is attending.
Find the nearer subject
The subject nearest the verb is teachers.
Correct sentence
Either the principal or the teachers are attending.
Rule
With either…or, agree with the nearer subject.
Example 5
Question
Neither the players nor the captain were ready.
Find the nearer subject
The nearer subject is captain, which is singular.
Correct sentence
Neither the players nor the captain was ready.
Rule
With neither…nor, agree with the nearer subject.
Example 6
Question
The teacher, along with her students, are visiting the museum.
Remove the extra phrase
The teacher is visiting the museum.
Correct sentence
The teacher, along with her students, is visiting the museum.
Rule
Along with does not join two subjects.
Example 7
Question
A number of complaints has been received.
Meaning
A number of means many.
Correct sentence
A number of complaints have been received.
Example 8
Question
The number of complaints have increased.
Find the subject
The subject is the singular word number.
Correct sentence
The number of complaints has increased.
Example 9
Question
Fifty percent of the work are complete.
Look after “of”
The noun is work, which is uncountable and singular.
Correct sentence
Fifty percent of the work is complete.
Example 10
Question
Fifty percent of the workers is absent.
Look after “of”
The noun is workers, which is plural.
Correct sentence
Fifty percent of the workers are absent.
Example 11
Question
The police is questioning the suspect.
Rule
Police takes a plural verb.
Correct sentence
The police are questioning the suspect.
Example 12
Question
More than one student have complained.
Rule
More than one takes a singular noun and verb.
Correct sentence
More than one student has complained.
Example 13
Question
One of the machines are defective.
Find the subject
The subject is one.
Correct sentence
One of the machines is defective.
Example 14
Question
There is several reasons for the delay.
Find the real subject
The real subject is reasons, which is plural.
Correct sentence
There are several reasons for the delay.
Example 15
Question
My scissors is blunt.
Rule
Scissors is a plural pair noun.
Correct sentence
My scissors are blunt.
Compare:
This pair of scissors is blunt.
Example 16
Question
Ten years are a long period to wait.
Meaning
The period is treated as one amount of time.
Correct sentence
Ten years is a long period to wait.
Compare:
Ten years have passed.
Here, the years are viewed as passing individually.
Example 17
Question
He is one of the players who trains daily.
Antecedent
Who refers to plural players.
Correct sentence
He is one of the players who train daily.
Compare:
He is the only one who trains daily.
Example 18
Question
Every man and woman are entitled to vote.
Rule
Every considers each individual separately.
Correct sentence
Every man and woman is entitled to vote.
Example 19
Question
The news are encouraging.
Rule
News is singular despite its final s.
Correct sentence
The news is encouraging.
Example 20
Question
Bread and butter are my usual breakfast.
Meaning
Bread and butter form one combined meal.
Correct sentence
Bread and butter is my usual breakfast.