A determiner introduces a noun and specifies which one, whose, or how many: articles (a, the), demonstratives (that, those), possessives (my, their) and quantifiers (several, every). Learn the four families, avoid the classic trap where the same word works as a pronoun, then circle all four determiners in a SATs-style sentence.
Modal verbs (can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must) help a main verb and show degrees of possibility, certainty or obligation. Place them on a certainty scale, avoid the mistakes of adding -s or "to" after a modal, then choose the sentence that expresses possibility in a SATs-style question.
In the active voice the subject performs the action (The fox chased the rabbit); in the passive voice the subject receives it (The rabbit was chased by the fox). Learn how the passive is built (a form of "be" plus a past participle), why writers choose it, the trap of confusing it with the progressive, then identify the passive in a SATs-style question.
The subjunctive is a formal verb form with two common patterns: "were" for imagined or wished-for situations (If I were taller…) and the plain verb after words of demand or suggestion (I insist that he be on time). Learn both patterns, why "if I was" is marked wrong in a formal context, then tick the subjunctive sentence in a SATs-style question.
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