Modifiers Flashcards
Adj that have been observed alternating with their corresponding adv in released GMAT problems
corresponding, frequent, independent, rare, recent, seeming, separate, significant, supposed, usual
ask yourself what the word is modifying before proceeding.
what’s the difference between “due to” and “because of”?
“Due to” is used to modify a noun (e.g., His failure was due to his laziness).
“Because of” is used to modify a verb or verb phrase (e.g., He failed because of his laziness).
The teacher is confident her students mastered the lesson.
What’s wrong with the sentence above?
missing the word “that”. Technically, the lack of “that” makes the sentence ambiguous.
The teacher is confident that her students mastered the lesson.
Any -ing words that are not verbs and not separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma will either be a ______ or a _________
Noun: Playing soccer is fun
Noun Mods: The girl playing soccer is my sister
GREATER and LESS express what?
They signal a comparison between two things.
The price of silver is five dollars GREATER than t he price of copper.
Use ______ to modify a noun place, such as area, site, country or Nevada
Use ______ to modify a “metaphorical” place such as condition, situation, case, circumstances, or arrangement.
use WHERE to modify a noun place
use IN WHICH to modify a metaphorical place
Common subordinator markers include (12):
although, before, unless, because, that, so that
if, yet, after, while, since, when
Pay attention to the chosen word and ensure that the sentence reflects the meaning of the chosen word: although -> contrast
Having lived in Tahiti for several years, where life was slow and relaxed, it was difficult for Paul Gauguin to readjust to the hectic pace of Paris upon returning.
A Having lived for several years in Tahiti, where life was slow and relaxed, Paul Gauguin had difficulty readjusting to the hectic pace of Paris upon his return.
B Having lived for several years in Tahiti, where life was slow and relaxed, Paul Gauguin had difficulty readjusting upon returning to Paris because of the hectic pace.
C Having lived in Tahiti for several years, where life was slow and relaxed, Paul Gauguin had difficulty readjusting to the hectic pace of Paris upon his return.
A.
B - the placement of “because of the hectic place” refers to “returning” instead of “readjusting”
C - “where life…” incorrectly modifies years
Least is countable/uncountable?
uncountable
Least greed
Jim is trying to reduce the number of soda that he drinks, at last night’s party, however, his resolve to drink fewer soda was sorely tested, he found himself quaffing many of sodas
Fix this sentence.
- number –> amount. soda is uncountable here because otherwise it would’ve been “sodas”
- first comma –> semicolon.
- fewer soda –> less. soda is uncountable here because otherwise it would’ve been “sodas”
- insert “and” after last comma
- many –> number. “sodas” indicate soda is now thought of as countable - servings of soda. Use “A number of” is an appropriate modifier for countable things.
Citizens of many countries are expressing concern about the environmental damage caused by the widespread release of greenhouse gases may be impossible to reverse.
What’s wrong with the sentence?
The verb phrase “may be impossible to reverse” has no subject (env. damage is part of a prep. phrase and can’t be a subject). Introduce a subordinator to fix this issue.
Citizens of many countries are expressing concern THAT the environmental damage…may be impossible to reverse.
Use _______ to modify a noun event or time such as period, age, 1987, or decade
WHEN
What are the two broad categories of modifiers
- Noun modifiers
2. Adverbial modifiers
The CAT owned by Sue is playful.
“owned by Sue” is a ________
Past Participle, modifies CAT (whose cat?)
any “comma -ing” structures are ________
Adverbial mods
In the seventh century BC, the Roman alphabet was adapted from the Etruscan alphabet, which in turn had been adapted in the previous century from a western Greek alphabet, [which itself had been adapted earlier] in the same century from the Phoenician alphabet.
A. which itself had been adapted earlier B. adapting itself earlier C. itself being adapted earlier D. having been earlier adapted itself E. earlier itself having been adapted
A.
Which signals a noun modifier, so the form in answer (A) is fine. An –ing word, such as adapting in answer (B), creates a comma –ing modifier, which modifies the main subject and verb of the clause (sentence) to which it is attached. In this case, the main clause is the Roman alphabet was adapted. The second modifier is not talking about the Roman alphabet; it should be referring to the Greek alphabet. Answers (C), (D), and (E) repeat this error (using the –ing words being and having, respectively). Eliminate (B), (C), (D), and (E).
use less/fewer with unit nouns such as “dollar”?
LESS… even though unit nouns are countable by nature.
furniture is countable/uncountable?
uncountable
Researchers discovered that the most common risk factor resulting in cholera epidemics is the lack of a clean water supply.
common –> adj, mods risk factor
resulting in cholera epidemics –> signals a noun modifier, modifies risk factor
of a clean water supply –> prepositional phrase, modifies the noun lack
Most is countable/uncountable?
BOTH
most people, most furniture
Differentiating THAT
- a noun followed immediately by THAT means:
- a verb followed immediate by THAT means:
- a noun modifier
- a more complex sentence structure. THAT is a “reset” that signals a new subject - verb - object (subordinating conjunction)
Between VS Among
When to use which?
Between - two things or people
Among - three or more things or people
When to use subjunctive mood on GMAT?
- hypothetical statements (or statements contrary to fact) that involve the pairing of were and would.
- My brother would have better grades in math if he were a more conscientious student. - sentences that express demands or suggestions. So keep an eye out for verbs such as insist, recommend, demand, suggest, require, request, mandate, propose,
- The contract mandates that the publisher respect Kim’s copyright.
WHICH or WHOM can follow prepositions.
True/False?
True.
The canal through which water flows
The senator for whom we worked
