Common Idioms & Rules Flashcards
The spark exploded in the room, which caused great damage.
Ok? If not, what should change?
“,which” is wrong.
Common Error: using “,which” to refer to the ACTION before the comma, not the NOUN
Change to “, causing great damage”.
Use “, verb-ing” for cause and effect, and to refer to the action in the prior clause.
The teachings of John Wooden, 8-time NCAA champion, is an inspiration to many.
Ok? If not, what should change?
ARE an inspiration to many.
The subject is “teachings”
“of John Wooden” modifies “teachings”
“8-time NCAA champion” is a nonessential modifier. Ignore it to simplify.
1) We chose (between/among) red (or/and) yellow.
2) We chose (between/among) red, yellow, and blue
1) between, and “between” for 2 items. “among” for more than 2 BETWEEN X AND Y
2) among
As a well-prepared competitor, Jane’s victory was assured.
Ok? If not, what should change?
No. Jane was assured of victory.
Intro Modifier –> WHO was the well-prepared competitor? –> subject comes after the comma –> should be “Jane”, not “Jane’s victory”.
Jane’s is a possessive –> an adjective modifying “victory”.
Watch out for this common trick!
1) People (consider health to be important / consider health important / consider health as important / consider good health is important)
2) People regard health (important / as important)
3) People think of health (important / as important)
1) consider health important. CONSIDER X Y.
CONSIDER X TO BE Y and CONSIDER X AS Y are tempting errors
2 & 3: as important. Consider doesn’t use “as”; regard and think of use “as”
He wanted to buy the company (rather than/instead of) partner with it.
rather than
“Instead of” can only be used to compare nouns (for example, “He bought spinach instead of pasta.”)
This comparison involves verbs, “buy” and “partner”.
“rather than” is often correct; “instead of” is often wrong.
John plays many sports, (like/such as) basketball and football.
(Like/As) the other students, John enjoys using computers.
John won the tournament today, (as/like) Andy had done last year.
1) such as. Use “such as” for examples.
2) Like. Use “like” for comparing nouns– other students and John.
3) as. If the comparison involves a full subject + verb clause, use “as.”
Sweden’s rate of economic growth was 5%, (more/greater) than double (that of Norway / Norway)
I ran (less/fewer) laps than you did.
1) more. Use more/less for non-countable nouns. Use fewer/greater for countable nouns.
2) that of Norway. We are comparing Sweden’s rate to Norway’s rate.
3) fewer. laps are countable.
This is taking too (much/many) time.
This is taking too (much/many) hours.
1) much for uncountable
2) many for countable
The (amount/number) of garbage and (amount/number) of crimes (are/is) rising.
1) amount. Use amount for non-countable, use number for countable.
2) number
3) are. X and Y –> plural, even if both X and Y are individually singular.
This year’s average is lower (than / as compared to) last year’s average.
than. use THAN for ____ER comparisons. more/less/faster/slower/higher/better THAN
You are different (from/than) John.
from
X IS DIFFERENT FROM Y
You are neither to run nor (jump/ to jump) near the pool.
to jump. NEITHER X NOR Y - parallel marker
He asked (whether/if) I am going to buy.
whether
Whether introduces a choice/uncertainty; if introduces a condition or hypothetical.
“Whether” is much more common on GMAT. “If” is only used in an IF X, (THEN) Y construction.
If he were stronger, he would battle.
Whether she eats broccoli or spinach, she will have a healthy meal.
The reason I’m doing it is because it’s important. Ok?
No.
Redundant. Don’t need “the reason…is because”. Just “I’m doing it because it’s important”.