SC: Common Idioms & Rules

Question 1

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

Ok? If not, what should change?

Answer 1

“,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.

Question 2

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

Ok? If not, what should change?

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

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

Answer 3

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

Question 4

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

Ok? If not, what should change?

Answer 4

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!

Question 5

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)

Answer 5

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”

Question 6

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

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

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.

Answer 7

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.”

Question 8

Washington grows (more/greater) apples than (Idaho)

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

Answer 8

1) more. Only use “greater” when the noun itself is a number. _(_such as price, %, population, cost, distance, etc)

(The area of Alaska is greater than that of Oregon)

2) that of Norway. We are comparing Sweden’s rate to Norway’s rate.
3) fewer. Use “less” for uncountable, use “fewer” for countable. Laps are countable. Note: this is a common mistake in real life – for example, “10 items or less” sign at grocery store.

Question 9

This is taking too (much/many) time.

This is taking too (much/many) hours.

Answer 9

1) much for uncountable
2) many for countable

Question 10

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

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

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

Answer 11

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

Question 12

You are different (from/than) John.

Answer 12

from

X IS DIFFERENT FROM Y

Question 13

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

Answer 13

to jump. NEITHER X NOR Y - parallel marker

Question 14

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

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

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

Answer 15

No.

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

Question 16

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

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

Answer 16

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.*

Question 17

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

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

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.

Answer 18

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