Principal Muller (reiterated to) his staff members how imperative (it) is that they (are) vigilant of potential cheaters (at all times)
I wrote “it” as the incorrect answer since it doesn’t have a antecedent… but they correct answer is “are”? Can anyone explain why?
An issue that often causes distress for film directors is actors who do not know their lines.
A. An issue that often cause distress for film directors is actors who do not know their lines.
B. Actors, not knowing their lines, are distressing for film directors.
C. A distressing issue for film directors is when actors do not know their lines.
D. An issue that often causes distress for film directors is when an actor does not know their lines.
E. Actors who do not know their lines are frequently a source of distress for film directors.
I put C as the answer but the answer is E. anyone explain why?
“it” in this sentence is a dummy pronoun (or expletive) and is acceptable without an antecedent–like “It is hard to study with you flatulating every 30 seconds!”
The sentence is testing subjunctive verb mood. The correct fix is “that they be vigilant.”
Now that the film (is released), millions have a chance (to see) the film version of the book (that) sold (so many) copies last year.
I thought the answer was no error, but it is “is released”. Why wouldn’t “is released” work if it’s an action that is completed in the past?
(Although) the writing system known as Linear B (has been) deciphered and turns out (to record) an archaic form of Greek, the visually similar script Linear A has (never been interpreted) and appears to record an unknown and unrelated language.
I thought the error was with “has been”. Shouldn’t it be had been?
It must be “has been released” because it happened at some undefined time in the past. “Is” is a present-tense verb.
quote the writing system known as Linear B (has been) deciphered and turns out (to record) an archaic form of Greek, the visually similar script Linear A has (never been interpreted) and appears to record an unknown and unrelated language.
I thought the error was with “has been”. Shouldn’t it be had been?
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No–there’s no simple past tense in the sentence so there can’t be a superpast.
You are weak with verb tense and mood. I strongly advise you to study up ASAP; these are commonly tested rules on the SAT. @catepillargiraf
I disagree with the logic that has been released is preferable to is released. First of all, both of them are present tense (is and has are both marked for present). The difference is entirely one of aspect: auxiliary be marks progressive aspect, and auxiliary have marks perfect/completive aspect. However, the present progressive can be—and in formal writing, quite often is!—used to mark the historical present, which seems to fit quite well here, particularly since the rest of the sentence continues on in simple present tense.
Basically, the recommended answer is simply wrong—either possibility is completely grammatically acceptable. Doesn’t mean they’d give you a point for it, of course, but that’s the problem with grammar-gotcha questions with insufficient context.
@dfbdfb - While you’re right, it’s worth noting that on the SAT, past actions with no specific time reference are set in the present perfect. It’s a common pattern used by the test-makers. It’s a prescriptive grammar test, and the prescriptions it makes are sometimes idiosyncratic, but it is what it is, and we know what it does and how it does it.
Oh, I know—but even prescriptive grammar norms differ on this one. Part of the reason it’s best to use the test maker’s products when prepping, not those from third parties, I suppose.