Common Idioms & Rules Flashcards

1
Q

The spark exploded in the room, which caused great damage.

Ok? If not, what should change?

A

“,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.

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2
Q

The teachings of John Wooden, 8-time NCAA champion, is an inspiration to many.

Ok? If not, what should change?

A

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.

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3
Q

1) We chose (between/among) red (or/and) yellow.
2) We chose (between/among) red, yellow, and blue

A

1) between, and “between” for 2 items. “among” for more than 2 BETWEEN X AND Y
2) among

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4
Q

As a well-prepared competitor, Jane’s victory was assured.

Ok? If not, what should change?

A

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!

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5
Q

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)

A

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”

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6
Q

He wanted to buy the company (rather than/instead of) partner with it.

A

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.

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7
Q

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.

A

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.”

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8
Q

Sweden’s rate of economic growth was 5%, (more/greater) than double (that of Norway / Norway)

I ran (less/fewer) laps than you did.

A

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.

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9
Q

This is taking too (much/many) time.

This is taking too (much/many) hours.

A

1) much for uncountable
2) many for countable

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10
Q

The (amount/number) of garbage and (amount/number) of crimes (are/is) rising.

A

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.

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11
Q

This year’s average is lower (than / as compared to) last year’s average.

A

than. use THAN for ____ER comparisons. more/less/faster/slower/higher/better THAN

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12
Q

You are different (from/than) John.

A

from

X IS DIFFERENT FROM Y

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13
Q

You are neither to run nor (jump/ to jump) near the pool.

A

to jump. NEITHER X NOR Y - parallel marker

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14
Q

He asked (whether/if) I am going to buy.

A

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.

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15
Q

The reason I’m doing it is because it’s important. Ok?

A

No.

Redundant. Don’t need “the reason…is because”. Just “I’m doing it because it’s important”.

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16
Q

The new bank, (that/which) has excellent service, is open today.

The new bank (that/which) has excellent service is open today.

A

1) ,which.

Use a comma before “which”, no comma before “that”

use “,which” when we want to refer to the noun before the comma

A common error is using “,which” to refer to the action before the comma, not the noun

2) that

Use “that” without a comma

Note: we can use “in which”, “to which”, “of which” without a comma.

  • The house in which she grew up was in Seattle.*
  • The germs to which we were exposed were harmful.*

The sentences above are acceptable but awkward. Active voice is preferable:

  • She grew up in a house in Seattle.*
  • We were exposed to harmful germs.*
17
Q

He threw the ball over Joe’s head, (which broke a window / breaking a window)

A

breaking a window

”, which” refers to the noun before it – head (but the intended meaning refers to the action); instead, we use the “, verb-ing” modifier, which is used to indicate the result of the prior clause.

18
Q

She flew at a time (where/ in which / when) planes were new.

She flew in Seattle, (in which / when / where) the weather is great in the summer.

A

1) when. We need to match up the pronoun “when” to the noun “time”
2) where. “where” to modify a place.