Idioms

Question 1

Allow:

The holiday allowed for Maria to watch the movie.

The holiday allows Maria to watch the movie today

Globalization allows money placed in a bank in a less regulated jurisdiction to be transferred to a branch in a more regulated one.

Answer 1

Last two

Idiom: X ALLOW(s) Y TO (verb)

> permits an action

Different from X ALLOWS FOR Y (also correct if x and y are both nouns)

Question 2

As:

As a child, I delivered newspapers.

As being a child, I delivered newspapers

Answer 2

First one
> being is not necessary
> make sure nouns agree in number!

e.g., The students worked as SKETCH ARTISTS (not a sketch artist).

e.g., The workers used all-weather instruments such as the dredge or a 20-foot-long-implement known as A BULL RAKE (singular to match “implement”)

Question 3

As … As:

We have 10 apples, about as many as we picked yesterday.

We have 10 apples, about as much as we picked yesterday.

Wood now costs eight times as much as it did in 1960.

Wood now costs eight times as much as in 1960.

Sales of fund shares in July were not as low as what an industry trade group had previously estimated.

Sales of fund shares in July were not as low as an industry trade group had previously estimated.

Fewer than half as many multifamily housing units were produced in the 1990s as in each of the previous two decades.

Fewer than half as many multifamily housing units were produced in the 1990s as the previous two decades.

Although we were sitting in the bleachers, the baseball game was as exciting to us as to the people sitting behind home plate
Although we were sitting in the bleachers, the baseball game was as exciting to us as the people sitting behind home plate

Detroit has as small a population today as it did in 1920.
Detroit has as small a population today as 1920.

One study found that although government policy and the industrial sector in which the company operates can influence its productivity and financial strength, management decisions have at least as great an impact on a company’s performance.

Dirt roads cost twice as much to maintain as paved roads do

Answer 3

Maintain PARALLELISM in items compared and in VERBS

Idiom:
> The largest bull is as big as a small elephant (X is as __ as Y)
> There are as many apples as pears (as many X as Y)
> There are as many apples in 2010 as in 2020 (as many … IN … as IN )
> We have as much money as you do (X has as much as Y)
> The baseball game was as exciting to us as to the people sitting behind home plate (As X as Y)

First one in each pair.
> 10 apples, about as many as (the number of apples) we picked yesterday
> Wood costs eight times as much as (wood costs) in 1960
> Sales of fund shares in July were not as low as (THE SALES) an industry trade group had previously estimated
> dirt roads cost twice as much to maintain as paved roads [cost to maintain]

> Many is for countable items like apples; much is for non-countable items like money.
when comparing two different TIME PERIODS, we need to REPEAT THE VERB

e.g., wood now costs eight times as much as it DID in 1980.

Other notes:
Pay attention to verb tenses (they should be parallel but also match the correct time period)
e.g., Detroit HAS as small a population TODAY as it DID in 1920

** SOMETIMES WE DO NOT NEED THE SECOND “AS” IF WE HAVE ALREADY INTRODUCED THE COMPARISON ITEM
e.g., Although chocolate ice cream is very popular, vanilla ice cream has AS GREAT a following .

Question 4

Ability:

She has the ability to succeed.

The ability for her to succeed.

The manager has the ability of running the plant.

Answer 4

First one

Idiom: … the ability TO …

> NOT the ability OF or FOR

Question 5

Because:

The growth of plants is explained because of the shining of the sun.

Because of the sun, plants grow.

Plants grow because the sun shines.

Answer 5

2 and 3 are correct

Idiom: “because of …”
Idiom: “because …”

1 is redundant - “explained” and “because”
> also “reason” + “is because”

Question 6

Being:

Being infected does not make you sick.

The judges saw the horses being led to the stables

Answer 6

“Being” is OFTEN wordy or awkward
> But, statements with “being” are NOT automatically incorrect.
> Correct as a participle or gerund (noun phrase, e.g. being the team leader)

Question 7

Believe:

Gary is believed to be right.
She believes that Gary is right.
It is believed that Gary is right.
She believes Gary to be right.

Answer 7

All right

..believes that…is…
…is believed to be…
It is believed that…is…
…believes….to be..

Question 8

X BUT Y:

I study hard but I take naps.

I study hard but take breaks.

Answer 8

Parallelism marker too

Both are correct

Question 9

Both X AND Y:

She was interested in both plants and animals.

She was interested both in plants and in animals.

She was interested both in plants and animals.

Answer 9

Parallelism marker too –> for only TWO items (not more than 2)

First two are correct - x and y must be parallel.

Question 10

Can:

The plant has the possibility of causing damage.
The manager has the ability of running the plant.
The manager has the capability of running the plant.
The manager can run the plant.
The plant can cause damage.
The manager is capable of running the plant.

Answer 10

Last 3

Idiom is about CONCISSION

> “Can” is preferred to “possibility of” and “capability of” (wordy)
Don’t use the NOUN version of an adjective! (e.g., possibility, capability) —> not concise

Question 11

Consider:

Although Elizabeth Barrett Browning was considered among her contemporaries as a better poet than her husband, she was later overshadowed by his success

The judge considers the law as being illegal.
The law is considered illegal.
I consider illegal the law passed last week by the new regime.

Answer 11

Last two

> “as” is not associated with “consider”

Idiom:
X is considered Y
…consider Y X

See: declare
(“CD”)

Question 12

EITHER X OR Y:

Answer 12

Parallelism marker too

Verb tense should match the NEAREST noun

e.g., Either the Jonases or the Nixons ARE coming.

Either the pink flower or the blue flower is fine.

Question 13

Expect:

I expect something to happen.
I expect that something will happen.
It is expected that the price will fall.
There is an expectation that the price will fall.
It is expected that the price should fall.

Answer 13

First four

Idiom:
… expect … TO…
…. expect that … WILL
IT is expected THAT…WILL
There is an expectation that … WILL…

**predictions tend to have “will”
** related to “It is estimated that…will”

Question 14

From X TO Y

The price fell from 20 euros down to 2 euros.
The price fell from 20 euros to 2 euros.
Her grade increased from 80% up to 100%
Her grade increased from 80% to 100%.

Answer 14

Either direction is okay:

FROM X TO Y (fell from $20 to $4).
TO Y FROM X (e.g., fell to $4 from $20)

Other options are redundant.

Question 15

Has all but ____

It has all but disappeared

Answer 15

Very Nearly

e.g., something has very nearly disappeared, but there is some stuff left.

Question 16

Indicate:

A report indicates that unique bacteria live on our skin.
A report indicates unique bacteria live on our skin.

Answer 16

First one

Idiom:
…indicates THAT…
> Similar reasoning to: Subject-Verb-THAT-subject-verb

… (is/are) indicative OF …

**some exceptions to “that” rule (1% of the time)

Question 17

NOT X BUT Y:

A tomato is not a vegetable but a fruit.
A tomato is not a vegetable but rather a fruit.
She did not eat mangoes but ate other kinds of fruit.
She did not eat mangoes but other kinds of fruit.

Answer 17

Parallelism marker too

First three

Idiom: (verb clause) NOT X BUT (RATHER) Y
> can separate into two perfect sentences

e.g., she did not eat mangoes. She ate other kinds of fruit.
A tomato is not a vegetable. A tomato is a fruit.

**DIFFERENT idiom from “NOT SO MUCH x AS Y”

Question 18

X Rather Than Y:

He wrote with pencils rather than with pens.
He wrote with pencils instead of with pens.

Most of Portugal’s 250,000 university students boycotted classes in a one-day strike to protest a law that requires them to contribute $330 a year toward the cost of higher education, instead of the $7 per year required previously.

When to use “rather than” versus “instead of”?

Answer 18

Parallelism marker too

First one and last one
–> X rather than Y

> “Instead of with” is incorrect
“instead of” can only take a NOUN as its object.

Rather than can act as either a preposition (taking a noun) or a subordinate conjunction (followed by a full clause).

Question 19

So … As to:

The sauce was so hot as to burn my mouth.

Often major economic shifts are so gradual as to be indistinguishable at first from ordinary fluctuations in the financial markets.

Answer 19

Suspect Idiom –> could be wrong or correct.
> could mean LIKELY TO BE TRUE (vs. “so…that” = actually happens)

Idiom: so (adjective) AS TO (verb)

vs. so as to = in order to
so as not to

TO + verb also indicates intention
> check to ensure that the subject is capable of having an intention

Question 20

So that:

She gave money so that the school could offer scholarships.

She gave money so the school could offer scholarships.

Answer 20

First one:

So THAT —> a purpose
> Similar reasoning to: Subject-Verb-THAT-subject-verb

Second one has a different meaning

Question 21

Such as:

Matt drives Ferraris and the like.
Matt drives Ferraris and other cars such as these.
Matt enjoys intense activities, such as to drive fast cars.
Matt drives cars, such as Ferraris.
Matt enjoys driving such cars as Ferraris.
Matt enjoys intense activities, such as driving fast cars.

Answer 21

Last 3

Idioms: Y must be an example of X.
X, such as Y –> She likes watching movies, SUCH AS Shrek.
Such X as Y –> She likes watching SUCH movies AS Shrek.

Question 22

Whether…Or:

Whether they be trash or treasure, the recyclables must be picked up.

Whether trash or treasure, the recyclables must be picked up.

Whether they will scale back their orders to pre-2003 levels or stop doing business with us altogether depends on whether the changes that their management has proposed will be fully implemented.

I will be there whether or not I am prepared

Answer 22

Parallelism marker too

Last three

Idiom:
Whether X (or Y)
Whether X or NOT (*might be redundant)
> “Whether or not” should be used when one’s response is the same, regardless of the outcome
e.g., I will be there whether or not I am prepared

NOT Whether X…. or whether Y
NOT Whether it BE (old fashioned)

Question 23

Agree:

I agree that electrons exist.
I agree electrons exist.

Answer 23

Idiom (similar to “indicate”):
…agree THAT… –> subject-verb-that-subject-verb

**some exceptions to “that” rule (1% of the time)

Question 24

Aid:

Answer 24

Idiom:
Her AID (noun) IN walking the dog was appreciated.
She provided AID (noun) TO the victims.
AID (noun) FOR victims is available.
She AIDS (verb) her neighbour.

NOT:
aid TO + verb

Question 25

Aim:

We adopted new procedures with the aim of reducing theft.
We adopted new procedures with the aim to reduce theft.

Answer 25

First one

Idiom:
with the aim OF ___-ing (NOT with the aim TO).
Aimed AT

Question 26

As…So:

Just as you practice, so shall you play.
Just like you practice, so shall you play.

Answer 26

First one

Idiom: (just) AS…SO (not like)

Parallelism too: just as x, so y

Just as the English like their beer, so the French like their wine.

Another related parallelism:
JUST AS the Internet is today often called an “information superhighway,” the telegraph was described in its day as an “instantaneous highway of thought”

Question 27

Ban:

Answer 27

Idiom:
Ban PROHIBITING…( x FROM)….

Question 28

Based on:

Based on the evidence, the jury reached a verdict.
The jury reached a verdict based on the evidence.

Answer 28

Second one

Idiom: WATCH OUT for opening modifier-subject match
> The first one illogically states that the jury was “based on the evidence”

Question 29

Began/Begun:

The movement began as a protest.
The movement was begun from a protest.

Answer 29

First one

Idiom:
Began as
Began with

has BEGUN (is OK)
have BEGUN
had BEGUN

(NOT “WAS begun”)

Question 30

Claim:

She claims to be able to read minds.
She claims that she can read minds.
She claims being able to read minds.

Answer 30

First two

Idiom:
…claims TO BE
…claims TO BE ABLE TO….
…claims that …CAN…

“are able to” is not as good as “can”
But “to be able to” is OK

Question 31

Compared/Comparison

In comparison with the horses, zebras are..
When compared to the horses, zebras…
Zebras are more vicious compared to horses.

Answer 31

First one

Parallelism (comparison marker too (must compare apples to apples).

Idiom: similar to “Unlike X, Y” —> NOUNS

Opening mod: Compared to/with X, Y
Opening mod: In comparison to/with X, Y

Not “when compared to…” (at the start of a sentence)
Sometimes “as compared to…” is okay if it is a modifier
(e.g., “…, as compared to y”)

Question 32

X AND Y versus X AS WELL AS Y

Answer 32

Both are Parallelism markers!

> don’t use “as well as” between parallel items in a LIST

HOWEVER, don’t immediately rule out “as well as” -> could connect two disparate thoughts/lists
> verb X AS WELL AS Y (nouns)

e.g., Examples of “tulipomania,” a term coined from the seventeenth-century tulip craze in the Netherlands, INCLUDE speculative bubbles in South Seas trading rights in the 1720s, Victorian real estate in the 1880s, AND the U.S. stock market in the 1920s, AS WELL AS the obsession for Beanie Babies in the 1990s.

e.g., Early administrative decisions in China’s Ming Dynasty eventually CAUSED A drastic fall in tax revenues, a reduction in military preparedness, AND the collapse of the currency system, AS WELL AS A failure to make sufficient investment in vital transportation infrastructure.

e.g., Open to the public and operated like conventional hotels, condominium hotels permit buyers to ACQUIRE A specific room OR suite, AS WELL AS A proportionate interest in the rest of the establishment.

OTHER USE:
> comma as well as -ING (verb)

e.g., Diesel engines burn as much as 30% less fuel than gasoline engines of comparable size, AS WELL AS EMITTING far less carbon dioxide gas and far fewer of the other gasses that have been implicated in global warming.

Question 33

Conceive:

Answer 33

Idiom: CONCIEVE(s) OF x AS y
> NOT “to be”

He conceives of architecture as a dialogue.

Means envision or forming a mental image of something that is not present

Question 34

Confidence:

We have confidence in the market to recover.

We have confidence that the market will recover.

Answer 34

Second one

Idiom: …confidence THAT…WILL…

NOT we have confidence in you.

Question 35

Contrast:

In contrast to/with the zoo, the park charges no admission.

As contrasted with the zoo, the park charges no admission.

Answer 35

First one

Parallelism (comparison) marker too

Idiom:
IN contrast TO/WITH X, Y
Unlike X, Y

Question 36

Cost:

The cost of pollution to us is billions in increased medical bills.
Pollution costs us billions in increased medical bills.

Answer 36

Second one

Idiom:
COST(s) … IN … (functions as a VERB)

Question 37

Create:

Answer 37

Idiom: …create … TO…
(NOT FOR)

e.g., We will create a team to lead the discussion.

Question 38

Credit:

Hugo credits Sally with good taste.
Sally is credited with good taste.
Sally is credited as having good taste.
Sally is credited for having good taste.
Sally is credited to be a person with good taste.

Answer 38

First two

Idiom:
X credits Y WITH …
Y IS CREDITED WITH …

> mean to consider someone to have particular qualities.

Question 39

Danger:

Answer 39

Idiom:
danger OF __ing

e.g., Danger OF FORGETTING.

NOT danger TO FORGET

Question 40

Date:

They dated the artifact at three centuries old.
The artifact was dated at three centuries old.
The artifact has been dated at three centuries old.
The artifact was dated back at least a thousand years old.
The artifact was dated to be three centuries old.
The artifact was dated as being three centuries old.
The artifact was dated back to at least a thousand years.

Answer 40

First four

Idiom:
…dated …. AT (NOT to be)

…WAS dated AT …

…has/have BEEN dated AT …

… DATING back … (NO to)

… date/dates back … (no to)

e.g., “the use of fire could date back almost two million years”

e.g., comma both communities dating back at least a thousand of years
e.g., each community dates back at least a thousand of years.

Question 41

Declared:

I declared invalid the referendum that the new regime imposed.

They declared that the election was a fraud.

The judge declared the election as a fraud.

Answer 41

First two

Idiom:

X declared THAT …
X is declared y

> “as” is not associated with “declared” (just like “consider”)

See “consider”
(“CD”)

Question 42

Demand:

They demanded that the store be closed.
They demanded that the store should be closed.

Answer 42

First one

Subjunctive verb form Idiom:

demand THAT …. Infinitive Verb Form

e.g., order, demand, mandate, necessary, vital, proposed, recommend, request, require, on condition
e.g., (to) be

Verb could be in -ing form
e.g., suggesting THAT work be done early

Question 43

Design:

The window is designed so that it opens.
The window is designed to open.

Answer 43

Second one

Idiom:
… designed TO (verb - purpose)

> it is redundant to say “so that”

Question 44

Determined:

The winner was determined….a coin toss.

by
through
because of
from
as a result of

Answer 44

Idiom:
…determined BY…

Also FOR DETERMINING is OK
But compare to “TO DETERMINE” (often better)

e.g., More research was needed TO DETERMINE whether balloon angioplasty preceded by ultrasound is any better for heart attack patients than the balloon procedure by itself.

Question 45

Difference:

There are differences between what you and I can do.

There is a difference between what you can do and what I can do.

There is a difference in ability between us.

There are differences in what you and I can do.

Answer 45

Last three

Idiom:

… A difference BETWEEN X and Y.
… A difference IN Z BETWEEN X and Y.
…. DIFFERENCES IN …

(NOT differences BETWEEN X and Y).

Question 46

Distinguish/distinction:

Trends have a distinction from fads.
There is a distinction between trends with fads.

Answer 46

Neither one is right (btw neither is singular)

Idiom:
Distinguish BETWEEN X AND Y
A distinction BETWEEN X AND Y

Others:
distinguish A from B
The distinction of A from B

Question 47

Doubt:

We do not doubt that Jan will arrive on time.
She doubts whether Jan will arrive on time.
She doubts that Jan will arrive on time.
We have no doubt whether the apples are ripe.

Answer 47

First two are definitely correct; second one is suspect. Last one is wrong.

Idiom:

… DO NOT DOUBT THAT …. (negative statement)
… DOUBT WHETHER…. (positive statement)

Question 48

Due to:

Due to the fact that politicians spend money, we have a deficit.

The deficit is due to overspending.

Our policy will not cover damage due to fire.

Answer 48

Last two

Idiom:
(noun) was/is/were/are DUE TO …

> NOT “due to the fact that”

Question 49

Elect:

e.g., She elected ____ her money early.

Answer 49

Idiom:
elect TO (verb)

e.g., she elected to withdraw her money early.

Question 50

Enough:

The book was short enough for me to read in a night.
The book was short enough so that I could read it in a night.
The book was short enough that I could read it in a night.
The book was short enough for it to be read in a night

Answer 50

First one

Idiom:

…. ENOUGH TO …

> NOT “enough so that” or “enough that”

Question 51

Ensure:

He ensures that deadlines are met.
He ensures that deadlines will be met.
He ensures that deadlines must be met.
He ensures that deadlines should be met.

Answer 51

First two

Idiom (similar to “expect”):

ensure THAT … WILL or ARE/IS

Question 52

Equipped:

Answer 52

Idiom:

Equipped TO (do something)
e.g., you are equipped to run a marathon

> NOT equipped FOR something

Question 53

Estimates:

I estimate the cost to be 10 dollars.

The cost is estimated to be 10 dollars.

With a cost estimated at 10 dollars, the trip is inexpensive.

I estimate the cost at 10 percent less than it was last year.

Wolves have declined to an estimated 200,000 in 57 countries

Answer 53

First three and last one

Idiom:
estimate X TO BE
X is estimatED TO BE
WITH X estimatED AT
AN estimatED (#) —-> NOT an estimate OF

Same with: “projected TO BE”

Question 54

Ever/never:

The economy is more fragile than ever before.
The economy is more fragile than never before.
The economy is more fragile as never before.
The economy is more than ever before fragile.

Answer 54

Only the first one

Idiom:
….than EVER before.

Question 55

Can versus Able

The methods proposed are not able to be used successfully

The methods proposed cannot successfully be used

Accidents, weather conditions that are not foreseeable, and pilot errors often cause much larger deposits of spray than anticipated

Accidents, weather conditions that cannot be foreseen, and pilot errors often cause much larger deposits of spray than anticipated

Answer 55

Second one in each pair

“are not”, “are able to” and “are not able to” are wordy and suggests that “methods” have the ability to do something.

Use “can” or “cannot” instead

“to be able to” is OK

Question 56

Expend:

Answer 56

Idiom: expend ___ ON

e.g., We have to expend energy working ON our marriage

(not FOR)

Question 57

Extent:

We enjoyed the film to some extent.
The extent to which we enjoyed the film was moderate.
To the extent that your example is relevant, it supports my conclusion.
The extent that we enjoyed the film was moderate

Answer 57

First 3

Idiom:
extent TO WHICH
TO … extent

Question 58

Found:

Answer 58

Idiom: found THAT

Similar to indicate, agree, hold
> Subject-Verb-THAT-subject-verb

**some exceptions to “that” rule (1% of the time)

Question 59

Forbid

Answer 59

Idiom: forbid TO

e.g., I forbid you to run away.

(not FROM)

Question 60

Help

He helps rake the leaves
He helps to rake the leaves.
His help in raking the leaves has been appreciated.
He helps me in raking the leaves

Answer 60

First three

Idiom:
…help TO (verb)… **to is not needed
… help (verb)…
… help IN (verb-ing)… (NOUN)

Question 61

Hold:

Answer 61

Idiom: Hold THAT

e.g., the law holds that jaywalking is illegal.

Similar to indicate, agree, found
> Subject-Verb-THAT-subject-verb

**some exceptions to “that” rule (1% of the time)

Question 62

Influence:

His example was an influence on me.
His example was influential on me.
His example influenced me.

Answer 62

Last one

Idiom: influence (as a VERB)
> not “ON” –> not as concise as the verb

Question 63

Instance:

(For/As an) instance ?

Answer 63

Idiom: FOR instance

Question 64

Instead versus Rather:

They avoided the arcade and (rather/instead) went to the movies.

Answer 64

Instead shows a REPLACEMENT

Rather shows a PREFERENCE (often used in place of “quite”)

Question 65

Interaction:

The interaction where two nuclei collide releases energy.

The interaction of two nuclei colliding releases energy.

Answer 65

Second one

Idiom: the interaction OF ___ -ing
> not WHERE

Question 66

Invest:

She invested funds into research to study cancer.

She invested funds in research to study cancer.

Answer 66

Second one

Idiom: invest IN … TO …

Question 67

Isolated

Answer 67

Idiom: isolated FROM

Question 68

Lack

Old gadgets lack of features.
Old gadgets lack features.
Old gadgets are lacking in features.

Answer 68

Last two

Idiom:
lack ___ (verb)
(are/is) lacking IN ____ (verb)
the lack of ___ (NOUN)

Question 69

Lie

Tenses?

Answer 69

Present: Lie IN or lies IN (comes from)
e.g., Our strength lies IN numbers.

Past: Lay IN (came from)
e.g., Yesterday, our strength LAY IN numbers

Present Participle: lying

Present: Lay (place)
e.g., I lose my books whenever I LAY them down.
(past would be “laid”)

past: Laid

Question 70

Loss

I have suffered a loss in strength.
I have suffered a loss of strength.

Answer 70

Second one

Idiom: loss OF (something) –> (decline of something)

e.g., I am at a loss OF words

Question 71

Mass:

The truck has 10 times the mass of a small car.
The truck is 10 times the mass of a small car.

Answer 71

First one

Idiom: HAS/HAVE … mass
> an object HAS MASS

Question 72

Means:

Music education is a means for improved cognition.
Music education is a means of improved cognition.
Music education is a means to improved cognition.

Answer 72

Last one

Idiom: A means TO

e.g., a means to an end.

Question 73

More:

We observed a 10 percent increase in robberies last month.

More and more, we have observed violent robberies on weekends.

Increasingly, we have observed violent robberies on weekends.

The spacecraft will slowly move closer to the surface of the object to make ever more precise measurements.

Answer 73

All correct

“more and more”
“increasingly”
“ever more” ***

Related:
“more so” = to a greater degree or extent
e.g., Women who took new jobs after retiring from their primary careers reported high marital satisfaction, more so than those who retired completely.

Question 74

Most:

He was the second most attractive and the most powerful.

He was the second most attractive and most powerful.

Answer 74

First one

Most is a superlative (must be comparing more than two items and stating the one is the best/worst)

This example also has parallelism –> X and Y = THE second most attractive and THE MOST powerful

Question 75

Native

Answer 75

Idiom:
…a native TO… (for animals and plants) –> not IN
…a native OF … (for PEOPLE)

Question 76

Number

Answer 76

Idiom:
THE NUMBER OF (dogs) IS/HAS…. (singular)
A NUMBER OF (cats) ARE (plural)
(similar to A PROPORTION OF…ARE)

NOT:
> …have fallen in number or have risen in number

Question 77

Once versus One Time

We might once have seen that band.

We might at one time have seen that band.

Answer 77

Once is preferred

Question 78

Only

Her performance is exceeded only by theirs.
Her performance is ONLY exceeded by theirs.

I have only seven questions left.
I only have seven questions left.

Answer 78

First one in each pair

Only = “all there is”

Placement of ONLY –> should be BEFORE the words it is meant to MODIFY
> usually NOT BEFORE THE VERB!

e.g., All there is is THEIR PERFORMANCE vs All there is is exceeded by theirs.

e.g., All that’s remaining is SEVEN questions vs All there is is having seven questions.

Question 79

Orders:

The state orders taxes collected.
The state orders that the agency collect taxes.
The state orders the agency to collect taxes.

Answer 79

Last two

Idiom:
…orders THAT … subjunctive form (collect)
…orders…TO verb

Question 80

Pay:

The employer pays the same for this job as for that one.

The employer pays the same in this job as in that one.

Answer 80

First one

Idiom: pays (the same) FOR …

Question 81

Persuade:

He persuaded her in going with him.
He persuaded her to go with him

Answer 81

Second one:

Idiom: persuade (someone) TO (do something)

Question 82

At the time versus During

Answer 82

Pick one or the other if they are in the same part of the sentence

e.g., Despite Japan’s relative isolation from world trade AT THE TIME, the prolonged peace DURING the Tokugawa shogunate…

is preferred to….

Despite Japan’s relative isolation from world trade at the time during the Tokugawa shogunate, prolonged peace…

Question 83

When do you use “as a result”?

Answer 83

To introduce a separate clause

“and as a result…”

Many acres of trees have been lost and as a result wood now costs eight times as much to collect and distribute as it did in 1960.

Question 84

Potentially

A tornado is potentially overwhelming.

A tornado can potentially be overwhelming.

Answer 84

First one

> “can” + “potentially” is redundant

Question 85

Probably/May be/Maybe

This situation is maybe as bad as it can get.
This situation is probably as bad as it can get.
This situation may be as bad as it can get.
Maybe this situation is as bad as it can get.

Answer 85

Last 3

Distinguish between “maybe” and “may be”

Question 86

Prohibit

Answer 86

Idiom:
prohibit FROM __-ing
prohibiting ___

e.g., The company required each employee to sign a confidentiality agreement prohibiting disclosure of its water purification methods to any company using an analogous purification process.

NOT subjunctive mood

Question 87

Pronounce:

She pronounced the book a triumph.
She pronounced the book as a triumph.

Answer 87

First one

Idiom (verb): pronounced __

(No AS)

e.g., He pronounced him dead (not as dead).

Question 88

Proposed:

The attorneys proposed that a settlement be reached.
The attorneys proposed a settlement to be reached.
The attorneys proposed a settlement is to be reached.

Answer 88

First one

Idiom (subjunctive): …proposed THAT….(verb form: be)
..proposed TO…
…proposed A…

Question 89

Rank

Answer 89

Idiom:
ranks AS…

E.g., this problem ranks as one of the worst we have seen.

Question 90

Rate

Answer 90

Idiom:

Rate OF (speed)
Rates FOR (prices)

Question 91

Rebel

Answer 91

Idiom: rebelled AGAINST

Question 92

Recognize:

He recognized the entrance fee as a bargain.
He recognized the entrance fee to be a bargain.
He recognized that the entrance fee was a bargain.

Answer 92

All 3

Idiom:
..recognized THAT…WAS
…recognized …TO BE…
…recognized …AS…

Question 93

“Most” versus “almost”

, most all of whom play as well as their instructors
, almost all of whom play as well as their instructors

Answer 93

“Almost” is preferred to “most” when expressing a quantity JUST SHORT OF EVERYTHING

Question 94

Recommend

Answer 94

Idiom (subjunctive): recommend THAT … (verb form)

e.g., we recommended that she stay at home

Question 95

Reduction

Answer 95

Idiom:
reduction IN
(not OF)

e.g., there was a REDUCTION IN the prices

Question 96

Refer:

Referring to the controversy, the politician asked for calm.

In reference to the controversy, the politician asked for calm.

Answer 96

First one

Idiom:
refer TO
referring TO

(not in reference to)

Question 97

Regard:

Answer 97

Idiom

regard X AS Y
X is regarded AS Y
is regarded AS HAVING (e.g., He is regarded as having good taste).

Question 98

Require

She requires that her friend do the work.
She requires of her friend that work be done.
She requires time to finish the work.
Time is required to finish the work.

Answer 98

All right

Idiom:
require THAT … (verb form) - subjunctive
requires OF … THAT .. (verb form) - subjunctive
requires __ TO _verb__
is required TO _ verb__

Question 99

Restrictions

Answer 99

Idiom: impose restrictions ON

Question 100

Result
x5

Answer 100

Idiom:
… results FROM … (success results from hard work).
–> VERB
… results IN … (Hard work results in success).
–> VERB
… IS A result OF… (Success is a result of hard work).
–> NOUN
….AS A RESULT OF….
–> NOUN
THE RESULT OF … WAS THAT …

Question 101

Rise:

A rise in oil prices has led to inflation.
Rising prices are hurting consumers.
The rising of the sun always lifts my spirits.
A rising of prices is hurting consumers.
Rising prices is hurting consumers.

Answer 101

First three

Idiom:
rise/rose (verb)
A RISE IN X (singular action noun)
RISING X (ADJECTIVE) —> singular/plural depends on X
THE RISING OF X (noun - complex gerund)

Question 102

Rule:

The judge ruled the plaintiff to be in contempt.
The judge ruled on the plaintiff who was in contempt.
The judge ruled that the plaintiff was in contempt.

Answer 102

Last one

Idiom:
ruled THAT … was
(subject - verb - that - subject - verb)

Question 103

Seem:

It seems as if the result demonstrates the new theory.
It seems that the result demonstrates the new theory.
The results seem to demonstrate the new theory.
The results seem as if they demonstrates the new theory.

Answer 103

First three

Idiom:

seem TO …
It seems THAT …
It seems AS IF …

Question 104

Show

Answer 104

Idiom:
… SHOWS THAT… (is)
e.g., A discovery shows that an object is quite large.

… SHOWS… TO BE…
e.g., a discovery shows an object TO BE quite large.

NOT AS

Question 105

Similar

Each company has similar issues.
Every company has similar issues.
All companies have similar issues

Answer 105

Last one

COMPARISON requires PLURAL

Question 106

Since

Answer 106

Up to now

e.g., Xingo is the most successful new product since 1967.

Question 107

So Too/So Have:

Bellbottoms are coming back in style, and so too are vests.

Bellbottoms are coming back in style, and so too vests.

Answer 107

First one

Parallelism marker with “comma and” (independent clause)
> need verb after “so too” and “so have”

X AND so too Y

Other similar idioms:
X BUT so have Y

Question 108

Substitute

Answer 108

Idiom:
…substituted X FOR Y (get more X and less Y)

NOT “in place of”

Question 109

Succeed:

She succeeded in reaching the summit.

She succeeded to reach the summit.

Answer 109

First one

Idiom: Succeeded IN __-ing

Question 110

Such

You may enjoy chemistry and physics, but I hate such subjects.

You may enjoy chemistry and physics, but I hate these subjects.

Answer 110

Such = These, except “such” is more GENERAL

Both are correct

Question 111

Suggest

A study suggests that more work is needed.
A study suggests that more work will be needed.
We suggest that he be promoted.
This artwork suggests great talent.
This artwork is suggestive of great talent.

Answer 111

First four

Idiom:
suggest THAT…(verb form) – subjunctive
suggests THAT … (is/will be)
suggests … (indicates)

NOT “suggestive of”

Question 112

Surface

Answer 112

Idiom: … ON THE SURFACE

NOT “at”

Question 113

Think:

She thinks of them as heroes.
She is thought to be secretly wealthy.
They are thought of by her as heroes
She thinks of them to be heroes

Answer 113

First two

Idiom:
thinks OF … AS …

(is/are) THOUGHT TO BE

> NOT “(is/are) thought OF”
NOT “thinks of … to be”

Other examples:
A consumer may not THINK OF household cleaning products AS hazardous substances

Question 114

Train

She was trained for running a division.
She was trained in running a division.
She was trained to run a division.

Answer 114

Idiom:
…trained TO (do something)

NOT trained FOR or trained IN

Question 115

Try

They will try to build a company.
They will try and build a company.

Answer 115

First one

Idiom: try TO (verb) –> intent or purpose.

Question 116

Twice versus Double

He is twice as tall as Alex [is]
He is twice as tall than Alex [is]

Leaves fall twice as quickly as they grow.
Leaves fall twice as quickly as their rate of growth

Naomi wrote twice as many letters as Sara [did]
Naomi wrote double the letters that Sara did.

Naomi’s income doubled in three years.
Naomi’s income increased by twice in three years.

The total amount of pollutant emitted annually by vehicles is twice that emitted annually by all motor vehicles in the area.
The total amount of pollutant emitted annual by vehicles is twice as much as that which is being emitted annually by all motor vehicles in the area.

Answer 116

First one in each pairing

Idiom:
X is twice AS … AS Y (not than, not “double as … as …”)
> parallelism too

almost twice the ___

…twice THAT … (“that” refers to a noun, e.g., “the amount”)

…doubled (in)… (verb)

*Twice as SMALL doesn’t make sense

Question 117

Variation

There are variations among sunspot frequency and strength over time.

There are variations in sunspot frequency and strength over time.

Answer 117

Second one

Idiom: Variations IN

NOT “variations OF” or “variations AMONG”

Similar to: differences IN

Question 118

View

Answer 118

Idiom: view … AS

> not LIKE
not view … to be…

Question 119

Way:

We proposed a way for reaching the goal.
The best way to reach the goal is focusing one’s energy.
We proposed a way of reaching the goal.
The best way to reach the goal is to focus one’s energy.
The way in which we discussed the idea was position.
This process was to achieve the target.

Answer 119

Last 4

Idiom:
…(a/the) way TO (do A) is TO (do B)…
…a way OF ___-ing …
… (a/the) way IN WHICH …

e.g., let’s find a way of getting out

Question 120

Weigh

My laptop weighs lighter than a suitcase.
My laptop is lighter than a suitcase.
My laptop weighs less than a suitcase.

Answer 120

Last 2

Idiom: weighs LESS/MORE THAN (NOT weighs lighter)

Also “weight” cannot be lighter either

*similar to how “speed” cannot be described as “faster” or “slower”
e.g., the speed is faster (wrong)
e.g., she ran at a faster speed (right - adjective)

Question 121

Where

The incident represents a case where I would call the police.

The incident represents a case in which I would call the police.

Answer 121

Second one

“Where” is used to modify PLACES rather than a situation

“In which” can still be used to modify places

e.g., Sussex is the only county where pomegranates grow in this state.
Sussex is the only county in which pomegranates grow.

Question 122

Whose/Whom/Who

The officer (whose/whom) task was to be here did not show up.

The company (whose/whom) growth leads the industry is XYZ, Inc.

The board consists of 12 members, each of whom is responsible for following the law.

The teachers, most of whom have tenure, are negotiating their contract.

The teachers, most of which have tenure, are negotiating their contract.

The teachers that are most helpful are not here today.

Answer 122

First 4

Whom is used to modify PEOPLE
> whom is the OBJECT (him, her, us, them)

Whose is used to modify THINGS
> also possessive
> The task was the officer’s

Who is meant to be a SUBJECT

NEVER use “which” or “that” to refer to a PERSON
> “mosh of whom” or “most of them”
> “the teachers WHO are most helpful are not here today”

Question 123

Worry

Answer 123

Idiom: worry ABOUT

not OVER

Question 124

Depends

Answer 124

Idiom: depends ON

Question 125

Appears to have or has? What about “appear as”?

Answer 125

Idiom: Singular Subject appears to HAVE (made/been…)

or past tense: AppearED to have been

Idiom: WHAT appears to be or have been
or WHAT are now ___

NOT:
appears to HAS
appears to HAD been
appears AS

Question 126

Whereas

Answer 126

Almost always comes at the START of a sentence

> similar meaning to WHILE (both show a contrast!!)
Shouldn’t have whereas and while in the same sentence

Idiom: Whereas X, Y
> X and Y are parallel yet contrasting
> NOT whereas x and y

“WHEREAS the use of synthetic fertilizers has greatly expanded agricultural productivity in many parts of the world, an increase in their use can create serious environmental problems such as water pollution, AND their substitution for more traditional fertilizers may accelerate soil structure deterioration and soil erosion”.

Question 127

Flat - adverb or adjective?

Answer 127

BOTH - do not need -ly to denote Adverb

e.g., The rug was flat.

e.g., My clothes were packed flat.

Other examples:
- late (I arrived LATE to the meeting)
- fast (I ran fast to class)
- hard (The bag was hit hard)
- close (The door slammed close to me)
- deep (The hole was dug deep)

Question 128

So…that

e.g., At one time, the majestic American chestnut was so prevalent that it was said a squirrel could jump from tree to tree without once touching the ground between NY and Georgia.

e.g., So dogged were Frances Perkins’ investigations of the garment industry, so persistent her lobbying for wage and hour reform, that Alfred E. Smith and Franklin D. Roosevelt recruited Perkins to work within the government, rather than as a social worker.

Answer 128

Idiom: So _(adjective)__ THAT

Question 129

That as the SUBJECT

That Bob showed up was fortunate.

Answer 129

Idiom:
“It was fortunate that Bob showed up.” = “That Bob showed up was fortunate.”

Question 130

Equally important

Equally likely

Answer 130

NO “as” or “to” at the end or

X and Y are equally important (versus equally important to)

as likely to… as …. (versus equally likely)

e.g., Drivers will be AS likely to exceed the proposed speed limit AS they are the current one.

Question 131

Special Compared Idiom:

Compared pound for pound with adults, children breath twice as much air, drink two and a half times as much water, eat three to four times as much food, and have more skin surface area.

Pound for pound, children compared to adults will…

Answer 131

First one

Still better to start a sentence with COMPARED WITH X, Y …

> just ignore “pound for pound”

Question 132

Better

X is a better poet than Y.
X is the better poet.
X is the better poet than Y.

Answer 132

First two

Idiom:
X IS THE better ___. (NO “than”)
X is A better ___ THAN

Question 133

Unable versus Cannot

Answer 133

Sometimes “unable to” is considered awkward over “cannot”

e.g., they are unable to be distinguished < they cannot be distinguished

Question 134

Attribute

Answer 134

Idiom: attribute ___ TO ___

Question 135

Between

Answer 135

Idiom: Between X and Y

> x and y could agree in number or not agree in number!
as long as x and y refer to TWO separate things, you can use “between” rather than “among” (more than 2 items)

e.g., Linking arrangements between secondary SCHOOLS and the WORKPLACE never evolved in the US

e.g., between the atmosphere and the OCEANS AND LANDS … (compound subject, treated as one entity)

Question 136

Proof

Answer 136

Idiom:
proof THAT … (assertion)

e.g., Joseph Banks Rhine claimed statistical proof THAT subjects could identify a card in the dealer’s hand by using thought transference

Question 137

Appear

The Neanderthals appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path

The Neanderthals appear to have been equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their path.

Answer 137

Second one

Idiom: appear(ed) TO HAVE BEEN ___

(not appear AS)

Question 138

X is to Y (what/similar to) A is to B

Answer 138

Idiom X is to Y WHAT A is to B

Question 139

Plan

X plans to convert…

X plans on converting…

Answer 139

First one

Idiom: plans TO (do something)

Question 140

Admiration

Answer 140

Idiom: Admiration FOR (someone) –> NOT “of”

e.g., Their admiration FOR each other was genuine

Question 141

Is “and also” appropriate

Answer 141

No –> redundant

However, other conjunctions + also are okay

e.g., but he was also…

Question 142

Without:

I was able to enjoy nature without the restrictions of passenger trains and railroad timetables or the formalities, expenses, and impersonality of hotels.

I was able to enjoy nature without the restrictions of passenger trains and railroad timetables or with the formalities, expenses, and impersonality of hotels.

Answer 142

First one

Parallelism X or Y

Question 143

What is an example of an appropriate time to use “having been” as a modifier? Or “comma having”

Answer 143

Having been: Following “after”

e.g., after having been…

An eight-inch plaster model believed to have been used by Michelangelo for his sculpture of David has been discovered AFTER HAVING BEEN lost for nearly 300 years.

Without “after”, it is usually wrong

Exception: comma having indicates a CAUSE-EFFECT relationship
e.g., He felt sick, having eaten too much.

Question 144

Double modifier

The number of people flying first class on domestic flights rose sharply in 1990, doubling the increase of the previous year.

The number of people flying first class on domestic flights rose sharply in 1990, double as much as the increase of the previous year.

The number of people flying first class on domestic flights rose sharply in 1990, twice as many as the increase in the previous year.

Employment costs rose 2.8 percent in the 12 months that ended in September, slightly less than they did in the year that ended in the previous quarter.

Employment costs rose 2.8 percent in the 12 months that ended in September, slightly lower than in the year that ended in the previous quarter.

According to the National Science Foundation, in 2003 there were 198,113 female science and engineering graduate students, almost 42% of the graduate students in those fields, double the figure for 1981.

According to surveys by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 20 percent of young adults used cocaine in 1979, twice the number reported in the 1977 survey.

Companies in the US are providing job training and general education for nearly eight million people, about as many AS ARE enrolled in the nation’s four-year colleges and universities.

A recent United States Census Bureau report shows that there are more than three times as many households where the children and grandchildren are living in their grandparents’ home AS THERE ARE households where the grandparents are living in their children’s or grandchildren’s home.

Answer 144

First one and last 5

Idiom for double (VERB):
.. doubled…
… , doubling … —> the preceding CLAUSE is what is being modified rather than a particular noun or number
…. , double the … –> modifies the preceding NOUN (e.g., number, percent, 198,113 female students)

Idiom for twice: (two times)
… twice as many as IN … (not much for countable nouns)
… , twice THE NUMBER IN … —> modifies the preceding NOUN (e.g., number, percent)

Idiom for other comparisons:
> there are (more than) three times AS many households … AS there are (households) …

In general for FIGURE modifiers:
> make sure you are modifying the PRECEDING NOUN

> Third one is incorrect because of a meaning issue (the INCREASE in the number of people flying first class was double the increase of the previous)
There was a rise sharp in the number of specific passengers. This rise doubled the increased witnessed the previous year. Hence there is no error in this sentence.

Question 145

Tough Comparisons Examples

Experts estimate that ten times as much petroleum exists in [such sources as tar sands, heavy oil, and perhaps even shale as] in conventional reservoirs.

Soaring television costs accounted for more than half the spending in the presidential campaign of 1992, [a greater proportion than] in any previous election.

In no other historical sighting did Halley’s comet cause such a worldwide sensation as [in its return of 1910–1911]

A recent review of pay scales indicates that, on average, CEO’s now earn 419 times the pay of blue-collar workers, [as compared to 42 times their pay, the ratio] in 1980

More than three times as many independent institutions of higher education charge tuition and fees of under $8,000 a year [as charge] over $16,000.

Traffic safety officials predict that drivers will be as likely to exceed the proposed speed limit as they are the current one

Answer 145

Parallel comparisons
> Whenever you see a COMPARISON question on the GMAT, PARALLELSIM is a great place to start.
> are you comparing NOUNS or ACTIONS? (nouns … nouns… versus Action…Action)
> if you are comparing two nouns, you can DROP the verbal comparison (elliptical is logically understood; otherwise you need to include the verb)
e.g., A is taller than B

Experts estimate that ten times as much petroleum exists in [such sources as tar sands, heavy oil, and perhaps even shale as] in conventional reservoirs.
> comparing the amount of petroleum in the list to the amount of petroleum in conventional reservoirs
> “as much…as in” is correct

Soaring television costs accounted for more than half the spending in the presidential campaign of 1992, [a greater proportion than] in any previous election.
> comparing the proportion of spending in 1992 to the proportion of spending in any previous election
> “greater…than in” is correct

In no other historical sighting did Halley’s comet cause such a worldwide sensation as [in its return of 1910–1911]
> comparing the impact of the comet’s sighting in its return of 1910-1911 to the impact of the comet’s sighting in other times.
> “as in” is correct

A recent review of pay scales indicates that, on average, CEO’s now earn 419 times the pay of blue-collar workers, [as compared to 42 times their pay, the ratio] in 1980
> comparing 419 times the pay of blue-collar workers now to 42 times the pay of blue-collar workers in 1980

More than three times as many independent institutions of higher education charge tuition and fees of under $8,000 a year [as charge] over $16,000.
> More than three times as many independent institutions charge x as charge y
> comparing the # of schools that charge under 8000 a year to the # of schools that charge over 16000 a year

Traffic safety officials predict that drivers will be as likely to exceed the proposed speed limit as they are the current one
> comparing the likelihood that drivers will exceed the proposed speed limit to the likelihood that drivers will exceed the current speed limit (two CLAUSES)
> not “equally likely to”
> need to repeat the noun “they” = “drivers” so that the sentence is unambiguous
> “as they are [TO EXCEED] the current one”

Question 146

Greater or More

The number of cats in this house is more than 20.
The number of cats in this house is greater than 20.

Answer 146

Second one

Idiom: number…greater

Question 147

Times

The car’s mass is four times the mass of an adult.

The drug is being sold for three times the price that the drug maker charges for another product with the same active ingredient.

He is five times as old as his grandson.

Americans are four times more likely than Canadians to vacation over Christmas break.

Answer 147

First three

Idiom: COMPARSION by multiplication
X is # times THE _X__ OF Y (parallel)
X is # times THE X THAT (maintain parallel comparison items)
X is # times AS ___ AS _Y__
# times AS many X AS Y
or # times AS many things DO X as DO Y

NOT “x times MORE”
> should be “Americans are four times as likely as Canadians to vacation over Christmas break”

But “x times greater than” is OK

Question 148

Threat

Answer 148

Idiom: … threat OF ….
(not threat FROM)

e.g., the threat of a rival’s multibiollion-dollar patent-infringement suit worried investors

Question 149

Synchronize

Answer 149

Idiom: synchronize WITH
(not TO)

Question 150

Prefer

Answer 150

Idiom: prefer X TO Y

e.g., Elephants tend to prefer cultivated crops TO wild vegetation as a food source.

Question 151

Attempt

Answer 151

Idiom:
Attempt TO

NOT attempt at

Question 152

Enable

Answer 152

Idiom:
[has] enabled PERSON/AGENT [to do something he/she couldn’t do before)

> need to have an OBJECT with enable

e.g., The study of the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled SCIENTISTS to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.

Question 153

Than:

His books are more impressive (than/as) those of other writers.

The LAWS in Pakistan are more restrictive than the LAWS in India.

When do you add the helping verb (e.g., do, does, did, so, were, have, are) or noun (it, that, those)?

e.g., Pennsylvania has less land than does Georgia.
Pennsylvania has less land than Georgia.

e.g., Maple trees shed their leaves earlier than oak trees

e.g., On the number line, z is closer to 10 than x.

e.g., Only seven people have been killed by the great white shark, fewer than have been killed by bee stings.

e.g., Wild animals have less total fat than livestock fed on grain and more of a kind of fat thought to be good for cardiac health

e.g., In 1998 Massachusetts became the first state in which more babies were born to women over the age of thirty than under it.

Answer 153

Idiom: Comparison words need to be followed by “THAN”

More than
Less than
Greater than
Higher than
Fewer than

Do and does replaces verbs

***READ LITERALLY to see if the comparison makes sense or if it is vague (usually without the helping verb, it is vague)
> Add helping verb or noun (depending on whether you are comparing nouns or actions)
> Tip: “circular” test
(sometimes you can omit these helping verbs and nouns)
> determine if you are comparing mainly nouns or actions
e.g., John’s score is higher than his brother’s score [no is].
e.g., John jumps higher than his brother JUMPS (actions)

e.g., Pennsylvania has less land than does Georgia.
> Or: Pennsylvania has less land than Georgia has
> Test: Georgia has less land than Pennsylvania has.

e.g., Maple trees shed their leaves earlier than oak trees –> incorrect comparison (implies that maple trees shed their leaves earlier than they shed oak trees)

SHOULD BE: Maple trees shed their leaves earlier than oak trees shed their leaves
or Maple trees shed their leaves earlier than oak trees do
> Test: Oak trees shed their leaves earlier than maple trees shed their leaves.

e.g., On the number line, z is closer to 10 than x –> incorrect comparison (vague - is z closer to 10 than it is to x? Or is z closer to 10 than x is to 10?)
SHOULD BE: Z is closer to 10 than it is to x.
> Test: Z is closer to x than it is to 10.

eg., CORRECT Only seven people have been killed by the great white shark, fewer [people] than have been killed by bee stings.
> Test: The number of people that have been killed by bee stings is fewer than have been killed by the great white shark

e.g., CORRECT e.g., Wild animals have less total fat than livestock fed on grain and more of a kind of fat thought to be good for cardiac health
> compares “wild animals” to “livestock fed on grain” (would have been better with “than do livestock fed on grain” or “than livestock fed on grain have”)
> Test: Livestock fed on grain have less total fat than wild animals have

e.g., CORRECT e.g., In 1998 Massachusetts became the first state in which more babies were born to women over the age of thirty than under it.
> “more babies were born to women… THAN [to women] under it.”
> NOT “than born” because it is missing “were” - incorrectly imply that babies were born UNDER the age of 30

Question 154

Comma and

How do you tell if the parallelism marker is for parallel items in a list or for two independent sentences?

Answer 154

If at least items separated by commas + “, and” + incomplete clause => list
e.g., A, B, and C
> typically elements are of EQUAL WEIGHT
NOT: A, and C (this is WRONG)
e.g., “is responsible for advancing studies of x, and the formation of Earth’s magnetic field”

If “, and” + independent clause (with a subject) => independent sentence
> two ENTIRELY SEPARATE things going on

e.g., For the farmer who takes care to keep them cool, provided with high-energy feed, and milked regularly, Holstein cows will produce an average of 2,275 gallons of milk each per year. —> list

Rare case: “A, and C” because A is a compound subject (“and” can be replaced with “as well as”)
> e.g., Widespread changes in agriculture, known as the agrarian revolution, involved the large-scale introduction of enclosed fields and of new farming techniques and crops, and the substitution of commercial for subsistence farming.

Question 155

Intention

Answer 155

Idiom:
With the intention OF -ing (not to)
With the sole INTENT OF -ing

e.g., He had the intention of running for president.

Question 156

On condition that

Answer 156

Idiom: subjunctive!!

e.g., Several financial officers of the company spoke on condition THAT they NOT BE NAMED in the press reports.

Question 157

By:

e.g., acquired by ___
e.g., is a process by which ___
e.g., understood by ____

Answer 157

Turn into active voice to see if it makes sense

e.g., characteristics acquired by cows —> cows acquired characteristics (doesn’t really make sense in the literal sense)

Question 158

That versus those

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have continually struggled to meet the expectations of their major stakeholders but neglected that of their intended beneficiaries in the developing world

Answer 158

That and Those are both PRONOUNS

That - singular antecedent
Those - plural antecedent

Figure out what “that” and “those” replace (must be WRITTEN NOUN)
> sometimes you have to add “the” before the noun it is replacing
> “that” and “those” DO NOT need to be followed with “of”
> “that of” and “those of” are used if we are comparing something belonging to something else (possessive)
> e.g., “The total amount of pollutant emitted annually by vehicles is twice that emitted annually by all motor vehicles in the area.”

“that of” is incorrect –> “those” = “the expectations”

Question 159

With:

The lions growled, with their fur standing on end.

The Anasazi settlements were built on a spectacular scale, with more than 75 carefully engineered structures, of up to 600 rooms each, connected by a complex regional systems of roads.

With only 25 percent of the student body, seniors get 50 percent of the resources.

With x and y, …
With x and with y, …

Answer 159

Idiom
> either after comma or no comma

COMMA WITH –> “with” clause modifies the main clause and describes additional information about the main clause.

no comma WITH –> many meanings, including doing an action WITH something
> many illogical errors happen here

> Generally don’t start a sentence with “with”
the second sentence is generally ambiguous

Exception: “with the COST estimated at $100, …”
(some other exceptions are ok if there are no other better answers)
“With the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the United States acquired…”
“With California expected to see severe electricity shortfalls and perhaps blackouts on as many as 30 days this summer, the administration has grown increasingly concerned about public health and safety there”

If you do start with “with” and there is “and”, determine where is the stem
> with x and with y indicates two separate subjects
> with x and y indicates a compound subject that shares a common stem

e.g., With its network and the patience of its customers STRAINED TO THE BREAKING POINT, ….

Question 160

AND

When is it ambiguous?

With the patience of its customers and its network strained to the breaking point, the company….
With its network and the patience of its customers strained to the breaking point, the company…

Answer 160

Pay attention to possible parallel elements:

-OF X and Y

THAT X and THAT Y

List: X, Y, and Z.

IDENTIFY THE STEM (could be placed before or after the parallel elements)

Independent clauses: X, and Y

Question 161

In that

Jack is wise in that he stays calm under pressure

The final movement of Brahms‘ Fourth Symphony is different from the final movement of virtually every other symphony in the classical repertoire in that it is a passacaglia.

Answer 161

Similar meaning to “because”, except it does not illustrate a CAUSE and EFFECT
> “in that” is EXPLANATORY and LIMITING (implies NO MORE than what is explained after “in that”)

Rather, “in that” illustrates an intrinsic property of something

**decide whether in that or because makes most sense
> generally when in that is very wrong, because is correct
> but, when “in that” and “because” can both work, “in that” likely works better

Question 162

Likelihood

They have twice the likelihood of getting osteoarthritis of the knee as do White women.

They are twice as likely as White women to get osteoarthritis of the knee
They are twice as likely to get osteoarthritis of the knee as they are to get muscle pain.

A long-term study of some 1,000 physicians indicates that the more coffee these doctors drank, the greater was their likelihood of having coronary disease

Answer 162

last three

Idiom: Likelihood OF _-ing
Likelihood can only be HIGH or LOW, GREATER OR LOWER (not “more likelihood”)

Likelihood THAT …

> Likelihood CANNOT be used with “twice”
You also cannot “have a likelihood”

Instead use “likely”

Question 163

Which in prepositions

With which
By which
for which
under which
in which
wherein
from which

Answer 163

Which needs to refer back to a NOUN (can be singular or plural)
> helpful to INVERT the sentences
> “which” cannot be used to refer to a PERSON

With which: USING the noun referred to
e.g., I need a reliable car with which I can get to work. (which = reliable car)
> invert: I can get to work WITH a reliable car

By which: By the noun
e.g., The process by which you get accepted is very tedious
(which = process)
> Invert: You get accepted BY a process that is very tedious

For which: For the noun
e.g., Medicare does not pay for nonhospital services, for which beneficiaries must pay 20% of the costs
(which = nonhospital services)
> Invert: the beneficiaries must pay FOR nonhospital services

Under which: Under the noun
e.g., The agreement is a formal protocol under which every country must reduce GHG emissions by 2050.
(which = protocol)
> Invert: Every country must reduce GHG emissions by 2050 UNDER the protocol

In which: alternative to “where” and “wherein”

From which: From the noun
e.g., Students are encouraged to pursue only those extracurricular activities from which stems success in college applications
OR from which success in college applications stems
> Invert: Success in college applications stems from only those extracurricular activities
> It is OK for the subject to COME AFTER the verb (just invert it to subject-verb to double check subject-verb agreement)

Question 164

Support

Answer 164

Idiom: (noun)
Support FOR (something)
Support FOR -ING
Supported BY

(NOT TO)

e.g., the best support for a camera is a tripod.

e.g., She provided compelling support FOR classifying Africa’s forest elephants and its savanna elephants as separate species.

Question 165

Efficiency
Efficient

Answer 165

Efficiency Idiom: Noun
Efficiency IN -ing (NOT of)

e.g., Improved efficiency IN converting harvest trees into wood products may reduce harvest rates.

Efficient Idiom: Adjective
Efficient AT -ing
efficient in (may be correct)

e.g., fluorescent lamps are efficient AT converting electricity into light

Question 166

Standard

Answer 166

Idiom: Noun
Standard FOR something (NOT of)

e.g., I have high STANDARDS FOR my grades

e.g., the medicine was the STANDARD (treatment) for the disease.

Question 167

Recognition

Answer 167

Idioms:
IN recognition OF …
recognition FROM (someone)
recognition THAT

e.g., I received the gold medal IN RECOGNITION of my high academics

Question 168

Subgroup modifier

In little more than a decade, Argentina has become the world’s leading exporter of honey, with nearly 90,000 tons a year sold to foreign markets, almost half of which going to the United States.

In little more than a decade, Argentina has become the world’s leading exporter of honey, selling nearly 90,000 tons a year sold to foreign markets, with almost half going to the United States.

This model explains all known particles, some of which only recently discovered.

This model explains all known particles, some of which were only recently discovered.

The Acoma and Hopi are probably the two oldest surviving Pueblo communities, and each has dated back at least a thousand years.

The Acoma and Hopi are probably the two oldest surviving Pueblo communities, both dating back at least a thousand years.

Answer 168

Second one in each pair

Idiom:
some of which WERE only … —-> this one needs a WORKING verb
some only…
some of them only…

*Subgroup modifiers start with: SANAM and Quantity word
> SANAM: Some, Any, None, All, Most/More
> Quantity: Many, few, each, both, either, neither, half one

** comma both -ing is OK

Question 169

To [one’s] satisfaction

If negotiations do not conclude to the United States government’s satisfaction, the government will impose sanctions.

Eat to one’s satisfaction

Work was not done to my satisfaction

Answer 169

Idiom: TO one’s satisfaction

Can think of: “conclude according TO the United States government’s satisfaction”

NOT conclude “by” –> suggests someone is DOING the CONCLUDING

Question 170

Not so much

e.g., The distinction between our intelligence and that of other primates may lie not so much in any specific skill as in our ability to extend knowledge gained in one context to new and different ones.

e.g., Most insomnia is not an illness or a physical condition so much as a symptom of another problem that may simply be a reaction to certain medications, anxiety about travel, or stress before a job interview.

Answer 170

Idiom: Not so much IN x AS IN y

Idiom: Not SO MUCH X AS y

Idiom: Not X SO MUCH AS y

Question 171

Each as a pronoun (subject)

The Mojave lived in open-sided, flat-topped dwellings known as shades, each a roof of poles and arrowweed supported by posts set in a rectangle.

A different variety of tortoise lives on every island, each with its own unique shell colour.

Answer 171

Idiom: comma “each”
> figure out the antecedent of “each” (pronoun)
> Might follow “appositive” structure –> modifies a noun and sits next to another noun to rename it or to describe it in another way
> each is SINGULAR (needs “its”)

First example: “each [shade]” (appositive structure)

Second example: “each variety”

Modifier part after the comma isn’t a complete sentence.

Question 172

List of comparison markers that go with:
A) Countable nouns
B) Non-countable nouns

Answer 172

COUNTABLE nouns (i.e., people, things)
> many
> fewer than
> few ** (e.g., there are few services in this town)

UNCOUNTABLE nouns (i.e., money, mass/weight quantity)
> much
> less
> amount
> little ** (e.g., he had little food in the house)
> a little bit of

SANAM can modify countable and uncountable nouns (depending on context) and can be plural or singular

BOTH:
> a lot of/lots of
> plenty of
> enough

EXAMPLE:
There are few services and little available water

Question 173

While

Many airline carriers are attempting to increase profitability while keeping overhead low by using larger planes.

Because of the sharp increases in the price of gold and silver, the value of Monica Taylor’s portfolio rose while that of her daughter-in-law’s dropped

Industrialization and modern methods of insect control have improved the standard of living around the globe while at the same time introducing some 100,000 dangerous chemical pollutants that have gone virtually unregulated since they were developed more than 50 years ago.

Answer 173

All correct

Two meanings:
> to indicate CONTRAST (usually at the beginning, but can also be in the middle of a sentence)
> to indicate AT THE SAME TIME

Idiom:
While x, y
x while y
x while at the same time -ing
> including: -ing while -ing or while -ing

Question 174

As

You should jump as she wants you to jump.

Many airlines are offering the same number of flights as last year

Salt deposits and moisture threaten to destroy the Mohenjo-Daro excavation in Pakistan, the site of an ancient civilization that flourished at the same time as the civilizations in the Nile Delta and the river valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates.

Answer 174

Comparison: (versus “like”)
> This type of comparison does NOT need another “as”
> If a CLAUSE, Subject + VERB, is being compared, then use “AS”
> Can omit some nouns or verbs:

e.g., Many airlines are offering the same number of flights as [they did] last year

*other types of single “as” is to show EQUALITY
e.g., As your friend, xxx
e.g., You should run as he did.

Question 175

“what” as a pronoun

His studies of ice-polished rocks in his Alpine home land, far outside the range of present-day glaciers, led Louis Agassiz in 1837 to propose the concept of an age in which great ice sheets existed in WHAT ARE now temperate areas.

An archaeological excavation at WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN a workshop where statues were reproduced yielded 1,532 fragments of human figures.

WHAT appears to be or have been

Answer 175

Make sure the tense and plurality is right on the VERB after “what”
> temperature areaS = “what ARE”

You can remove “what” and the sentence should still be correct

e.g., Louis Agassiz proposed the concept of an age in which great ice sheets existed IN TEMPERATE AREAS

e.g., An archaeological excavation AT A WORKSHOP

Question 176

Each other vs One Another

Answer 176

Two Entities:
> each other
> other

More than two entities:
> one another
> another

Question 177

Aware:

Aware of the danger, he fled.
With an awareness of the danger, he fled.

Aware that the danger was near, he fled.
With an awareness that the danger was near, he fled.

Answer 177

First one in each pair

Idiom:
…aware OF…
…aware THAT…

(not “with an awareness”)

Question 178

Subject

Answer 178

Idiom:

Active voice - subject(s)

Passive voice - subject TO, subjected TO (not of)

Question 179

Assign

Answer 179

Idiom:
assign(ed) TO (indicates a PURPOSE)

e.g., In 1994 the white house named Dr RuthR. Faden chairperson of the federal advisory committee of experts it assigned to do a report on the history and ethics of the government’s radiation experiments on humans in the 1950’s and 1960’s .

Question 180

Unique modifier structure

Only a few feet wide but spanning a continent, the railroad changed history.

Lina’s sunbird, a four-and-a-half-inch animal found in the Philippines and resembling a hummingbird, has shimmering metallic colors on its head

A mastodon carcass, thawed only once and still fresh, is on display

Answer 180

Modifier elements are PARALLEL in meaning and structure because they both DESCRIBE the noun
(both are adjectives)
> even though they don’t “sound” the same

Test via inverting –> make modifier clause an opening modifier if it isn’t already

Question 181

Is “this” automatically vague?

Answer 181

NO

> you need something after this though
e.g., THIS JOB, THIS VANTAGE POINT
NOT: this represents

e.g., “the pay for this job is better than the pay for the other job”

e.g., “Because she knew many of the leaders of colonial America and the American Revolution personally, Mercy Otis Warren was continually at or near the center of political events from 1765 to 1789, and this vantage point, combined with her talent for writing, made her one of the most valuable historians of the era —> “this” refers back to the preceding CLAUSE (which is OK)

Question 182

Possessive nouns

In South Korea in the early 2000s, growth in the nation’s ten largest companies’ assets was fueled by the companies’ rapid expansion into new lines of business: they had a total of 592 subsidiaries in 2011, nearly twice as many as in 2002.

Answer 182

Pronouns CANNOT refer back to possessive nouns (e.g., companies’)

Should be:
In the early 2000s, South Korea’s ten largest companies experienced rapid asset growth, fueled by their rapid expansion into new lines of business: they had a total of 592 subsidiaries in 2011, nearly twice as many as in 2002.
> “They” clearly refers to “companies”

Question 183

Authority

Answer 183

Idiom:
authority ON (not about)

Question 184

When can “which” and “that” refer to nouns not immediately preceding it?

Answer 184

Rare exception to the “touch rule” is when the noun modifier to reach behind a PREP PHRASE (not verbs or clauses)
> must be for the sake of preserving the meaning

Prep phrases are like: (recall: place these words before “the house” as a test)
-of __
-to __
-under__
-behind __
-about __
-by__
-at__
-with __
-from __

e.g., The first-class airline tickets TO Antarctica THAT were purchased using Amber’s retirement savings were worth every penny.
> “that” pulls back to the noun, “tickets”

Question 185

What can “that” function as in a sentence?

Answer 185

1) Pronoun (replaces a noun)
> “that” or “those”
> “that of” or “those of”

2) Article (comes before a noun; used to specify which nouns)
e.g., that book, that restaurant
> basically the same as “the”

3) Modifier (of a noun; usually right after a noun, but not always! - touch rule)

e.g., My favourite place to eat dinner is a sushi restaurant that offers veggie rolls

4) Subordinating clause + “that”
> recall subjunctive verbs need “that”

Question 186

When do you need “other”

The market for paper is growing faster than it is for all other major wood products
The market for paper is growing faster than it is for all major wood products

The tenure of Steve Jobs, which was memorable as much for his dictatorial management style as for his groundbreaking product innovations, the growth of Apple exceeded that of any other large technology company
The tenure of Steve Jobs, which was memorable as much for his dictatorial management style as for his groundbreaking product innovations, the growth of Apple exceeded that of any large technology company

Answer 186

Need other when comparing two things, one of which includes the first thing

e.g., Apple is a large tech company
e.g., Paper is a type of wood product

So you need “other” to differentiate the first thing from other similar things

Otherwise, you end up saying paper IS a major wood product. So how can the market for paper alone grow faster than the market for ALL wood products?

Question 187

Took / take _(noun)__ to task for ____

Answer 187

To criticize or correct (someone) for a shortcoming or fault

Take (noun) to task for ___

e.g., The author took computationalism to task for assuming something incorrect

e.g., The aunt had quarrelled years before with her brother-in-law, taking him to task for the manner in which he brought up his three girls

Question 188

_____ Is not as much how X as how Y

Answer 188

Meaning: it is not X, it is Y

e.g., The difference in these situations is not as much [how you treat him] as [how you treat yourself]

Question 189

As it is / As it was when

Answer 189

As it is = in the existing circumstances

e.g., Leave my room AS IT IS

As it was = in past circumstances
e.g., Hector remembers San Francisco AS IT WAS WHEN he left ten years ago