Daily SC Flashcards
“that”, “which”, “who”, “where” must modify the noun immediately preceding it
My favourite restaurant is in Brooklyn that serves delicious pasta. - Incorrect
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“Fewer” v “Less” | “Many” v “Much” | “Number” v “Amount”
Countable noun - Fewer, Many, Number |
Uncountable noun - Less/Little, Much, Amount
(Some can be used for both)
Exception - When treating a collection as a single entity, treat the collection as an uncountable noun (money, distance, time)
Eg. The cost of the jacket is less than twenty dollars. ✅
Few (has a negative connotation) vs a few (has a moderate connotation and is generally preferred)
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Being is usually wrong, except when:
- it is part of a noun phrase
- it reflects passive continuous verb tense
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Consider to be/consider as is wrong.
Consider by itself is preferred.
Considered A
Can also use Regarded as (as an alternative to considered)
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Always use “to do X” or “does X” over “for/from doing X”
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Pronouns - Between you and me (never use I)
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“If” vs “Whether” - Use “if” in a conditional sentence. A conditional sentence can always be reversed.
Eg. If you work hard, you will succeed.
Use “whether” to show two possible alternatives.
Whether is mostly correct.
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“Rather than” vs “Instead of”
Rather Than - To show preference
Instead of - when replacing something with another thing
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SANAM - Some, any, none, all, more/most
Countable is Plural and Uncountable is Singular
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2 entities
Between
More
Each Other
3 or more entities
Among
One Another
Most
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“like” vs “as” vs “such as” vs “just as”
Use “like” to compare nouns - the word like should always be immediately followed by a noun, pronoun, gerund or noun phrase. (“Like” can also be replaced with “similar to”.)
Eg. Carl curses like a lumberjack. ✅
Use “as” to compare actions, clauses or processes
Eg. Katy loves her dogs as she loves her friends. ✅
Use “such as” to prove an example (can be replaced with “for example”)
“Just as” can replace “in the same way that” - Just as is normally used as a conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause.
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Restrictive clause (contain information that is necessary for identifying or specifying the nouns they modify) - “that” - used to convey information critical to the core meaning of the sentence.
Non-restrictive clause (contain information that is additional) - “,which” - always preceded by a comma. Remove the phrase containing “which” and the sentence should still seem complete and convey its core meaning.
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Whenever you have to choose between “because of” and “due to”, replace “due to” by “caused by”.
Due to is used to modify nouns.
Because of is used to modify verbs.
In most cases, GMAT prefers because (of) or as a result (of).
Remember - “Due to” can NOT be used to mean “on account of”. The game was postponed due to rain is incorrect.
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“Politics” is singular
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Verb tenses that use an “ing” form are usually wrong, as compared to other verb tenses.
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“So X as to Y” is used as a comparator. - Her debts are so extreme as to threaten her company is correct.
Do not use it to substitute for “in order to” - He exercises daily so as to build his stamina is incorrect.
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Avoid Passive Voice. Use simple past tense instead of “had” + past tense.
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When in doubt, choose the shortest/most consise answer.
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“None” is always singular, even if it sounds wrong.
None of the boys enjoys camping as he does is correct.
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“As” idioms:
Regarded as (don’t used “to be”)
As long as
Such questions as
Plays as
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Entire sentence underlined? Look closely for D or E
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If comparisons include “than” or “as”, we mostly omit verb comparators as they are implied. Correct sentences given below:
- He is shorter than she.
- He is as depessed as they, but he soldiered onward anyway.
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“To include” and “To implement” are usually incorrect.
Including and Implementing are preferred.
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“They” - always lookout for a singular subject noun trap.
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