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GMAT > 15. SC Quick Notes > Flashcards

15. SC Quick Notes Flashcards

1
Q

Subject

A

the person or thing that “does” the verb.

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2
Q

Verb

A

what the subject does.

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3
Q

Object

A

any noun that is not the subject.

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4
Q

Third Person

A

All GMAT sentences are in the 3rd person.
1st person = me or us.
2nd person = you.
3rd person = anyone who is not me or you.

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5
Q

words that end in -s are not plural

A

Diabetes, politics, ethics, species,

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6
Q

the “-s deletion” rule

A

If deleting -s from a word results in a nonsensical word, the -s is part of the root. It is not a plural suffix.

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7
Q

Collectives

A

Nouns that refer to a collection of people or objects are known as “collectives”.
These words refers to a multitude of objects or people.
Although collectives refer to a number of objects, the words are grammatically singular.
Ex: team, group, company, army, furniture, etc.

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8
Q

the “-s addition” rule

A

If adding -s to a word makes the word plural, the word is currently singular.
TEAM becomes TEAMS, so the word TEAM is singular.

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9
Q

“Of phrases”

A

phrases that begin with prepositions such as OF, FROM, BY, TO, FOR
“Of phrases” that follow the subject of a sentence are NOT part of the subject and should be ignored or mentally eliminated.

The development of five new jumbo rockets HAS threatened
vs.
The development of five new jumbo rockets HAVE

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10
Q

The Special Property of AND

A

AND is the only word that can join two singular subjects together to make a plural subject.
Ex: Jack and Jill are my friends.

Connective phrases such as IN ADDITION TO, AS WELL AS, TOGETHER WITH, etc. do not share this property.
Ex: Jack, in addition to Jane, are my friends.

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11
Q

EITHER/OR and NEITHER/NOR Constructions

A

In EITHER/OR and NEITHER/NOR constructions, the verb agrees with the subject that follows OR or NOR.
Corr: Neither John nor his friends are home.
Corr: Neither John’s friends nor John is home.
Incorr: Neither John’s friends nor John are home.

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12
Q

EACH vs. ALL

A

There is no grammatical rule that distinguishes EACH from ALL. The two words simply have different meanings.
EACH is singular and refers to every individual member of a group.
ALL is plural and refers to the entire group.

Each of us has a mother.
All of us have a mother.

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13
Q

EACH

A

is singular and refers to every individual member of a group.
Ex: Each of us has a mother.

If EACH follows the subject, it will be plural if the subject is plural.

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14
Q

ALL

A

is plural and refers to the entire group.

Ex: All of us have a mother.

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15
Q

If EACH follows the subject, __________

A

If EACH follows the subject, it will be plural if the subject is plural.

correct: John and Jill each have a mother.
incorrect: John and Jill each has a mother.

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16
Q

TOBE Words

A

TOBE = ThingOneBodyEver

A word that ends in any of the following ways is always singular.

  • thing (e.g. something, anything, nothing)
  • one (e.g. someone, anyone, everyone)
  • body (e.g. somebody, nobody, anybody)
  • ever (e.g. whoever, wherever, whenever)
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17
Q

Every

Rare

A

If the word EVERY appears before a subject, that subject will always be singular.
correct: Every boy and girl has a mother. (has = singular)

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18
Q

Pronouns

A

little words such as HE, SHE, IT, THEY, THEM, HIM, and HER that are used to refer back – or forward – to a noun used elsewhere in the sentence.

must agree in number with the nouns they refer to

! Every pronoun used in a GMAT sentence must refer to something stated explicitly within that sentence.

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19
Q

Pronoun reference (cf. GMAT)

A

Every pronoun used in a GMAT sentence must refer to something stated explicitly within that sentence.

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20
Q

Pronoun ambiguity (cf. GMAT)

A

Every pronoun used in a GMAT sentence must clearly refer to ONE thing only.

If a pronoun CAN refer to two or more nouns, that pronoun is ambiguous.

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21
Q

Subject pronoun

A

Any pronoun that can only be used as the subject of a sentence

I He She We They Who

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22
Q

Object pronoun

A

Any pronouns that can only be used as the object of a sentence

Me Him Her Us Them Whom

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23
Q

The pronoun rule

A

the form of a subject/object pronoun must follow its function.

incorrect: Me and John went to the store.
(Me = object form, but functions as a subject)
correct: John and I went to the store.
(I = subject form, and functions as a subject)

incorrect: Harry gave an award to Billy and I.
(I = subject form, but Harry is the subject)
correct: Harry gave an award to me and Billy.
(Me = object form, and functions as an object)

incorrect: With who did you go to the movies?
(Who = subject form, but you is the subject)
correct: With whom did you go to the movies?
(Whom = object form, and functions as an object)

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24
Q

Possessive pronouns

Advanced

A

Any pronoun that denotes possession, such as HER, HIS, or THEIR, is known as a possessive pronoun.

Any nouns that ends in -‘s, such as John’s, Sarah’s, or city’s, is known as a possessive noun.

Subject/object pronouns CANNOT agree with possessive nouns.
incorrect: John’s mom thinks that he is a pig.
(he cannot refer to J’s, since he = s/o pronoun and J’s =
possessive)

However, possessive pronouns CAN agree with possessive nouns
correct: John’s mom thinks that his room is a sty.
(his can refer to J’s, since they are both possessive).

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25
Q

Possessive nouns

A

Any nouns that ends in -‘s

Ex: John’s, Sarah’s, or city’s

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26
Q

Subject/object pronouns x possessive nouns

A

Subject/object pronouns CANNOT agree with possessive nouns.
Ex: John’s mom thinks that he is a pig.
(he cannot refer to J’s, since he = s/o pronoun and J’s =
possessive)

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27
Q

Possessive pronouns x possessive nouns

A

Possessive pronouns CAN agree with possessive nouns
ex: John’s mom think that his room is a sty
(his can refer to J’s, since they are both possessive).

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28
Q

Modifier

A

Any word or phrase that is used to DESCRIBE someone or something

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29
Q

The “Cuddle Rule”:

A

Modifiers ALWAYS describe the noun that they stand immediately next to, i.e. “cuddle”.
correct: Covered with feces, I threw out the blanket.
(= I’m covered with feces)
correct: I threw out the blanket covered with feces.
(= The blank is covered with feces)

However, the meaning has to be logical. Be sure that your modifier phrases touches
something logical.
incorrect: Having been on the road for 10 years, Margo’s hometown welcomed her back with open arms.

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30
Q

Initial modifiers

A

“touch” the noun immediately to their right. correct: Covered with feces, I threw out the blanket. (I’m covered)

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31
Q

Modifiers in the middle of a sentence

A

typically “touch” the noun immediately to their left.

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32
Q

Recognizing Modifiers

A 
Most GMAT modifiers begin or end in one of the following ways:
with an -ED phrase 
with an -ING phrase 
with a WHO clause 
with a WHICH clause 
with a THAT clause 
with COMMAS

CoverED with feces, I threw out the blanket.
HavING been gone for 10 years, Margo’s hometown welcomed her back.
I saw the boy WHO ate a gopher.
John went into the third car, WHICH was blue.
John went into the third car THAT was blue.
John, together with his friends, found a turtle.

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33
Q

WHICH vs. THAT

A

A WHICH clause must have a comma before WHICH. The meaning of the clause is NOT critical to the meaning of the sentence.

A THAT clause should not have a comma before THAT. The meaning of the clause IS essential to the meaning of the sentence.

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34
Q

A WHICH clause (comma, meaning)

A

A WHICH clause must have a comma before WHICH. The meaning of the clause is NOT critical to the meaning of the sentence.

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35
Q

A THAT clause (comma, meaning)

A

A THAT clause should not have a comma before THAT. The meaning of the clause IS essential to the meaning of the sentence.

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36
Q

If you’re unsure whether to use THAT or WHICH

A

first look for the comma. No comma = THAT, comma = WHICH.

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37
Q

If you have to choose between THAT without a comma and WHICH with a comma

A

you need to determine whether the information is essential.

38
Q

How to find which info is essential in clause

A

simply delete the THAT or WHICH clause.
If the meaning of the sentence changes, the clause is essential, so THAT should be used.
If the meaning remains the same, the clause is not essential, so WHICH should be used.

original: The council recently passed a law that grants first-time home buyers a $5,000 tax credit. incorrect: The coucil recently passed a law, which grants first-time home buyers a $5,000 tax credit.

39
Q

Modifiers that refer to an entire clause

A

Pronouns such as WHICH, THIS, IT, and THAT, cannot be used to refer back to a preceding clause.

Incorrect: John aced his exam, which means he’s going to Harvard.
correct: John aced his exam, meaning he’s going to Harvard.

The only way to refer back to a preceding clause is with an -ING modifier.

40
Q

Two properties of -ing modifiers

A

1) they describe the noun that they touch

2) they can also refer back to an entire clause that precedes them or to the subject of that clause.

41
Q

Adjectives

A

descriptive words such as big, slow, heavy, and quick that are used to describe nouns.

don’t always describe the words they touch:

correct: The heavy shitting dog left quite a pile. (= fat dog)
correct: The heavily shitting dog left quite a pile. (= lots of feces)

adjectives always describe the nearest noun (which in this case is dog)

42
Q

Adverbs

A

typically end in -ly and describe non-nouns such as adjectives, other adverbs, and verbs.

adverbs describe the nearest non-noun

43
Q

Parallel structure

A

Any two items that are compared, grouped in a list, or connected by words such as EITHER, AND, BOTH, or OR must have parallel structure.

The items that are compared, grouped in a list, or connected by the words AND/OR must be SYMMETRICAL to one another in terms of their grammatical structure.

44
Q

Repeat the Little Words

A

When working with parallel structure, always REPEAT the little words (to, that) to avoid ambiguity

45
Q

False Parallelism

A

Ideas or phrases that are grammatically parallel should also be logically parallel.

incorrect: John saved the game with an amazing catch and with a celebratory dance.
correct: John saved the game with an amazing catch and celebrated with a dance.

46
Q

Watch Out for AND/OR

A

The words AND and OR always signal parallel structure.

47
Q

X, Y and Z

A

1) The GMAT always uses a comma before AND when it gives a list.
2) any sentence with the structure X, Y and Z does NOT contain a list. Rather, Y and Z will modify X.

correct: John prepared diligently every day, studying math every morning and reviewing grammar every evening.
(this sentence is not a list, as there is no comma before the AND. Instead, it provides a main clause John prepared diligently every day and then refers back to this clause with two -ING modifiers that are parallel to one another studying math every morning and reviewing grammar every evening.)

48
Q

Comparisons

A

If a sentence compares two or more objects, those objects must be logically comparable and grammatically parallel.

49
Q

Recognizing Comparisons (LIKE, UNLIKE, THAN, AS)

A

Any sentence that contains the words LIKE, UNLIKE, THAN, or AS contains a comparison.

50
Q

LIKE

A

Compares nouns

Does not need a comma (because compares nouns)

51
Q

AS

A

compares verbs, i.e. clauses

Needs a comma (because compares clauses)

52
Q

AS comparing nouns case

A

When it does, the meaning changes from “similar to” to “in the form of”.

In this use, AS does not require a comma because it compares nouns.

correct: I work as a dog. (I wear a dog uniform or behave like a dog when I work).

53
Q

LIKE vs SUCH AS

A

LIKE should not be used to introduce examples.

SUCH AS should be used instead.

54
Q

AS X AS vs. THAN

A

AS X AS compares quantities that are equal.
THAN compares two quantities that are different.

correct: John is AS tall AS Bill. (their heights are equal) correct: John is taller than Bill. (their heights are different)

55
Q

SO X AS

A

Never use SO X AS to equate two quantities.

incorrect: If you eat SO much AS one cookie, I will kill you.
correct: If you eat AS much AS one cookie, I will kill you.

56
Q

THAN

A

Pronouns after THAN take the same case as the noun that they are compared to.

correct: John likes Bill more than me. (Bill is more liked than me)
correct: John likes Bill more than I. (John likes Bill more than I like Bill)

57
Q

Compare TO vs. Compare WITH (Rare):

A

Compare TO : compare things that are different.
Compare WITH : compare things that are similar.

correct: Compared TO a goat, John smells pretty good. (compares a human TO a goat)
correct: Compared WITH his friends, John smells like a goat. (compares a human WITH other humans)

58
Q

AS X AS
or
X-er THAN

A

“AS X or X-er THAN” = always wrong.

The correct expression is “AS X AS or X-er THAN”.

incorrect: John is AS tall 
or 
taller THAN Bill. 
correct: John is AS tall AS 
or 
taller THAN Bill.
59
Q

Superlative vs. Comparatives

A

Comparatives: compare a group OF TWO.
Superlatives: compare a group OF THREE or MORE

Of the two of us, John is taller.
Of the three of us, John is the tallest.

Of the two research papers, Dr. T’s created greater excitement.
Of all the research papers, Dr. T’s created the greatest excitement.

60
Q

Years vs. Times (Rare):

A

Someone is X YEARS OLDER THAN someone else.
Someone is X TIMES AS OLD AS someone else.

incorrect: John is 5 times older than his brother.
correct: John is 5 times as old as his brother.
correct: John is 5 years older than his sister.

61
Q

Redundancy

A

unnecessary repetition of information that has already been stated.

62
Q

Idiom

A

Any expression, saying, or phrase that cannot be altered or adjusted can be referred to as an idiom.

63
Q

Between vs. Among:

A

BETWEEN : TWO people or items.

AMONG : THREE OR MORE people or items.

64
Q

Count Words

A

If a noun can be pluralized, it is countable.

If a noun cannot be pluralized, it is not countable.

65
Q

Tricky Minor Idiom

A 
As X is To Y
Consider X Y (not: Consider X to be Y)
Contrast X With Y
Declare X Y (not: Declare X to be Y)
Different From (not: Different Than)
Enough X That Y
Estimate To Be (not: Estimate At or Estimate As)
Far Away From (physical distance)
Far From (degree)
From X to Y
Identical With (not: Identical To)
Independent Of (= regardless) vs. Independent From (= X is separate from Y) In Contrast To (not: In Contrast With)
Just As X...So Y
Native To
A Native Of
No Less X Than Y
Not Only X...But Also Y
Not So Much X As Y
Not X But Rather Y
Rate For (financial)
Rate Of (not financial)
Regard As (not: Regard to be)
So As Not To Be
Try To (not: Try And)
66
Q

clause

A

mini-sentence that is embedded within the context of a larger sentence.

Must always contain a verb

67
Q

conjunction

A

is a word such as AND, BUT, ALTHOUGH, SINCE, of IF that is used to
fuse two clauses into a more complex sentence.

68
Q

Fragment

A

Any clause without a verb - incomplete sentence

69
Q

Comma Splices

A

Two clauses joined by a comma (i.e. without a conjunction) is known as a comma splice.

incorrect: I can’t go to the movies, I ate too much chili. (two clauses, comma, no conjunction)

70
Q

Proper Conjunction Use:

A

Every conjunction must make sense in the context that it is used.

71
Q

Semi-Colons:

A

Semi-colons can be used in place of a conjunction to join two clauses together.
o When working with semi-colons, make sure that the information before and after the semi-colon are NOT fragments.

avoid using conjunctions such as SINCE, BECAUSE, and AND when working
with semi-colons. Semi-colons take the place of conjunctions, so a semi-colon + a conjunction would be redundant.

conjunctive adverbs such as THEREFORE, HOWEVER, and IN ADDITION are okay to use with semi-colons.

72
Q

Colons

A

equate two parts of a sentence (usually a whole to its parts).

Only the part of the sentence before the colon needs to be a complete sentence.
The portion after the colon can be a fragment.

Colons can also be used to introduce an “explanatory clause” after a main clause.

73
Q

The “namely rule”

A

you should be able to insert the word “namely” after a colon.
If you insert the word namely, and your sentence becomes a mess, the colon is not being used correctly.

correct: I love three things: (namely) chicken, beer, and broccoli.
incorrect: I love: (namely) three things chicken, beer, and broccoli.

74
Q

Dashes

A

Dashes can be used as emphatic commas, semi-colons, or colons.
Dashes can also be used to clarify info in which commas would create ambiguity

75
Q

Simple vs. Progressive Tenses

A

Progressive tenses imply an “on-going” meaning.

Simple tenses are always preferred to Progressive tenses, unless the meaning of a sentence demands an “on-going” meaning.

76
Q

Perfect Tenses (Present Perfect vs. Past Perfect):

A

Present perfect: an action started in the past but continues to happen in or be relevant to the present.

Past perfect: action happened before another and that both actions happened in the past.
To use the past perfect correctly, a sentence must have TWO past tense verbs.

77
Q 
THAT Constructions 
(Words of the Head):
A

Any sentence that begins with a verb or noun that implies a MENTAL PROCESS (or simply a process that can done with any part of the face, such as the eyes, ears, nose, or math) must supply a THAT if a second verb follows.

incorrect: I THINK dog food IS delicious.
correct: I THINK that dog food IS delicious.

incorrect: I BELIEVE I can FLY.
correct: I BELIEVE that I can FLY.

78
Q

Subjunctives:

A

command tense of the English verb.

Two rules:

1) The Command subjunctive
2) was vs. were

79
Q

2 subjunctive rules

A

1) The Command subjunctive

2) was vs. were

80
Q

The Command Subjunctive

A 
If a sentence contains a command verb, the command should be in the “command tense”.
Commands can range from very strong (COMMAND, DEMAND, ORDER, MANDATE)
to polite (SUGGEST, RECOMMEND) to servile (BEG, PLEAD, HOPE, PRAY).

correct: I DEMAND that you EAT your peas. (Eat = subjunctive)

incorrect: I HOPE that you WILL DO your homework (Will Do = future)
correct: I HOPE that you DO your homework (Do = subjunctive)

incorrect: John SUGGESTED that I SHOULD BUY the beer. (Should = unnecessary)
correct: John SUGGESTED that I BUY the beer. (Buy = subjunctive)

81
Q

WAS vs. WERE (Rare)

A

The subjunctive of WAS is WERE.
WERE should be used in place of WAS if something is currently NOT TRUE.

incorrect: If John WAS here, he’d be angry.
correct: If John WERE here, he’d be angry.

incorrect: John ate his dinner as though he WAS a big boy.
correct: John ate his dinner as though he WERE a big boy.

82
Q

Gerunds

A

NOUN that ends in -ING,

The GMAT considers gerunds awkward and strongly disfavors them. Only choose an
answer choice that contains a gerund if all the other answer choices are clearly wrong.
In most cases, a sentence that contains a gerund can be rewritten to express the same thought more elegantly.

83
Q

If…Then Constructions (Conditionals):

A

If clause - Then clause
Present - Will
Past - Would /Could
Past Perfect - Would have/Could Have

84
Q

If vs. Whether (vs. Whether Or Not):

A

IF is used for conditional sentences. Conditional sentences contain a hypothetical clause in which something may happen, and a result clause in which the result of the hypothetical action occurs.

WHETHER is used when an action or question is in debate. - When there is no result clause

WHETHER OR NOT is redundant and therefore wrong 99.9% of the time.

85
Q

The “IF Flip”

A

Grammatically correct “IF sentences” can always be flipped.

If the flipped sentence is nonsensical, IF should NOT be used. Use WHETHER.

86
Q

WHETHER OR NOT

A

redundant and therefore wrong 99.9% of the time.

87
Q

Core Idea

A

A good sentence is short, simple, and easy to understand.

88
Q

Wordiness

A

Excessive word use makes a sentence worse

89
Q

Choppiness

A

Sentences that contain unnecessary comma clauses create unwanted choppiness. More direct sentences are always preferred.

choppy: Benji, like all dogs, hates his owner.
direct: Like all dogs, Benji hates his owner.

90
Q

Active vs. Passive

A

In active sentences, the subject “does” the verb.

In passive sentence, the verbal action happens to the subject BY something.
(Passive sentences are NOT wrong. There are simply wordier, and therefore less preferred.)

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