Sentence Correction 2 Spidey notes

Question 1

Not/But vs. rather than

Answer 1

The key here is to realize that not… but… is conjunction.

We use conjunctions when we want to join things that are “linguistically equivalent.” Help much? No, probably not. How about some examples?
* Pucci is not a dog but a cat.
* Not Todd but Taka will be studying with us today.
* I not was sad but happy to learn that Megumi was moving to Paris for abetter job.

You should notice that sad but happy, Todd but Taka, dog but a cat are parallel and linguistically equivalent

Question 2

Rather than

Answer 2

Now compare one of these sentences if I try to use rather than:

Pucci is a cat rather than a dog.

Doesn’t this sentence sound crazy? It should; the meaning is all wrong.

Now, let’s look at a similar sentence, one in which rather than is okay:

I want a cat rather than a dog.

This sentence is okay because we are expressing a preference for one thing over another thing.

I need X, not Y = I need X but not Y = I need not Y but X “I need X rather than Y” does not connote “I need not Y”

Question 3

Targeted at is the correct idiom

Answer 3

Targeted at is the correct idiom

Targeted to is WRONG

Question 4

idioms 1

Answer 4

Rates for
Estimated to be.
Everyone is singular.

Question 5

Due to

Answer 5

Due to means “caused by” It should only be used if it can be substituted with “caused by” It does not mean the same thing as “because of.”

Incorrect: The game was postponed due to rain.

Correct: The game was postponed because of rain.
Correct: The game’s postponement was due to rain.

Question 6

Neither … Nor

Answer 6

Neither the prosecutor’s eloquent closing argument nor the mountains of incriminating evidence were able to convince the jury to find the defendant guilty.

In neither … nor sentences, the verb has to agree with the subject following nor - in this case mountains, which is plural. Likewise in either .. or sentences, the verb must agree with the subject following or.

When you see .. neither .. or .. nor in a sentence, see if it fits this sequence Neither (A or B), nor C !!! also, not (A or B), nor C is fine too.

Question 7

So [adjective] as to [verb]

Answer 7

So [adjective] as to [verb]

Correct: Her debts are so extreme as to threaten the future of the company “So as” is never correct on the GMAT
Incorrect: He exercises everyday so as to build his stamina
Correct: He exercises everyday in an effort to build his stamina

Question 8

“Compare to” vs. “Compare with”

Answer 8

Compare usually takes the preposition to when it refers to. the activity of describing the resemblances between unlike things:

• He compared her to a summer day.
• Scientists sometimes compare the human brain to a computer.

Compare takes with when it refers to the act of examining two like things in order to discern their
similarities or differences:

• The police compared the forged signature with the original.
• The committee will have to compare the Senate’s version of the bill with the version that was passed by the House.

Question 9

“Compare to” vs. “Compare with” 2

Answer 9

When compare is used to mean “to liken” (one) with another, with is traditionally held to be the correct preposition: That little bauble is not to be compared with (not to) this enormous jewel. But “to” is frequently used in this context and is not incorrect.

Rule 1: Compare to compares unlike things, whereas compare with compares like things.
Rule 2: Compare to is used to stress the resemblance. Compare with can be used to show either
similarity or difference but is usually used to stress the difference.

There is a difference between compare to and compare with; the first is to liken one thing to another;
the second is to note the resemblances and differences between two things.

Question 10

Whether vs. if

Answer 10

On the GMAT, whether will (almost) always beat if

Incorrect: Her client didn’t tell her if he had sent his payment yet.
Correct: Her client didn’t tell her whether he had sent his payment yet.

Question 11

Each

Answer 11

This question tests one use of “each” which most of us ignore.
The traditional rule still holds true i.e. “the subject of a sentence beginning with each is grammatically singular”.

But there is another rule which says that: When each follows a plural subject, the verb and subsequent pronouns remain in the plural: e.g. the apartments each have their own private entrances (not has its own private entrance)

1. Three cats each eat …
2. Three cats, each of which eats …,
   In 1, each is postpositive Adj, whereas in 2, it is distributive determiner.

Television can be superficial, as when three major networks each broadcast exactly the same.

Adverb clause of manner with temporal adverb clause:

Television can be superficial, as [TV is superficial] when three networks each broad cast the same

Question 12

each 2

Although it claims to delve into political issues, television can be superficial such as when each of the three major networks broadcast exactly the same statement from a political candidate.

(A) superficial such as when each of the three major networks
(B) superficial, as can sometimes occur if all of the three major networks (C) superficial if the three major networks all
(D) superficial whenever each of the three major networks
(E) superficial, as when the three major networks each

Answer 12

First of all, each, if it’s a pronoun (as it is in A), is singular. In fact, each is almost always singular, but there’s at least one exception, which we will see in just a minute. So, A can be faulted for using a plural verb, broadcast, with a singular subject, each.

What I really like about A is that it uses such as, which we use to give examples. All the other incorrect answer choices use words that mean something different from for example.

The best answer, E, maintains the same meaning as A, and corrects the subject/verb agreement problem. Please note that one of the accepted meanings of as is for instance, and with this meaning, as is an adverb and can therefore be followed by parts of speech other than simply nouns.

B is not only awkward, it also incorrectly uses if in the subordinate clause connected
with can in the main clause.

Question 13

each 3 cnt.

Although it claims to delve into political issues, television can be superficial such as when each of the three major networks broadcast exactly the same statement from a political candidate.

(A) superficial such as when each of the three major networks
(B) superficial, as can sometimes occur if all of the three major networks (C) superficial if the three major networks all
(D) superficial whenever each of the three major networks
(E) superficial, as when the three major networks each

Answer 13

I think this is the part that is confusing people (it certainly is what has confused TestMagic students in the past), so let’s flip the sentence around to see a bit more clearly that it’s not correct to use if with can:

If all of the three major networks broadcast the same statement, television can be superficial.

This sentence should read:

If all of the three major networks broadcast the same statement, television will be superficial.

In other words, it’s not correct to use can after if (in the context of what we’ve been talking about). Let’s look at a simpler example:

If the temperature drops below 0 degrees celsius, distilled water can or will freeze. Please post back with questions if you need clarification on this.

Finally, it’s better to use each than it is to use all, since each network is operating independently–all implies that the networks were working together.

Question 14

X has half the chance that Y has.

Answer 14

important pattern

Think of x as y —– correct idiom (not ‘to be’)
The other thing–which must replace a noun, not a sentence or idea.

Question 15

‘So’ is used to replace a Verb in a Sentence whereas ‘It’ is used to replace a Noun.

Answer 15

First, memorize the pattern:
no sooner + inversion + than + sentence

Second, “curfew” is a singular count noun and therefore requires a determiner (the).

I agree with you that skill can be both a count noun as well as a non-count noun.

it all depends upon the context.

Have a look at the example below:
1. Harry knows quite a few driving skills.
Conversely, if were to ask Harry about his driving skills, I would ask.
2. How much skill do you have in driving a car, Harry?
So you see, the word “skill” remains the same but depending on the context, skill can be a non-count or a count noun?
Concerned for = worried or anxious.
Concerned with = related to.
so the correct one should be “He is concerned for investor relations “
This is concerned with investor relations is probably the right usage.

Question 16

as such

Answer 16

such = nominal equivalent to the foregoing clause.
Clause1 and as such, Clause2 = clause1, and as clause1, clause2.
Caesarea was Herod’s city, founded as a Romanized counterweight to Hebraic Jerusalem, and as such it was regarded with loathing by the devout.
The meaning of the above sentence is similar to the following:
Because Caesarea was Herod’s city, founded as a Romanized counterweight to Hebraic Jerusalem, it was regarded with loathing by the devout.

Question 17

Reduced Costs = Reduction IN costs (result of reduction)

Answer 17

“Reduction of” is used when reducing by a certain amount. e.g. reduction of 20%.

Question 18

for all means despite, and along with means in addition to.

I’m sure you’ll agree that the meanings are different

Answer 18

for ex:
I haven’t visited Bora Bora, and neither has Kerry [visited Bora Bora].

In this case, I can omit visited Bora Bora because it already appears in the sentence. Let’s look at another example:
I haven’t visited Bora Bora, and I probably never will visit Bora Bora .
This is wrong, at least on the GMAT, since visited and visit are different.

Question 19

Schliemann determined at the age of seven to find the site of ancient Troy and (devoted his subsequent career to do it).
a)…
b) has devoted his subsequent career to do that
c) devoted his subsequent career to such an end d) has devoted his subsequent career for that
e) devoted his subsequent career to that end

Answer 19

Schliemann determined at the age of seven to find the site of ancient Troy and (devoted his subsequent career to do it).
a)…
b) has devoted his subsequent career to do that
c) devoted his subsequent career to such an end d) has devoted his subsequent career for that
e) devoted his subsequent career to that end
Hi, Linda! Nice to see you here!!

Every single time you see a pronoun, especially the word “it,” you MUST CHECK THE ANTECEDENT.

This question is a favorite one–using “it” to replace a sentence. In GMATland, “it” must always replace a noun.
For example, this sentence would be wrong in GMATland:

My little brother said I took his cookies, but I didn’t do it.
“it” doesn’t replace any noun; it “tries” to replace a sentence: “I took his cookies.”

Question 20

The correct phrase is

helpful ……
help to……

Answer 20

The correct phrase is helpful in demonstrating help to demonstrate

Question 21

The domesticated camel, which some scholars date around the twelfth century B.C., was the key to the development of the spice trade in the ancient world.
a. The domesticated camel, which some scholars date
b. The domesticated camel, which some scholars have thought to occur
c. Domesticating the camel, dated by some scholars at
d. The domestication of the camel, thought by some scholars to have occurred
e. The camel’s domestication, dated by some scholars to have been

Answer 21

The domesticated camel, which some scholars date around the twelfth century B.C., was the key to the development of the spice trade in the ancient world.
a. The domesticated camel, which some scholars date
b. The domesticated camel, which some scholars have thought to occur
c. Domesticating the camel, dated by some scholars at
d. The domestication of the camel, thought by some scholars to have occurred
e. The camel’s domestication, dated by some scholars to have been
In D, it seems that “thought by some scholars…” modifies camel, rather than domestication

Okay, I checked out the other topic, and there was no explanation of the answer.
Okay, to be honest, I didn’t catch the mistake in E the very first time I read the question, either. I picked D, because somehow it sounded better, but I wasn’t sure why.
Later, when a student asked me specifically what was wrong with E, I looked at the question a little more carefully. E has a classic mistake, albeit a well disguised one!
The camel’s domestication was around the twelfth century B.C….
GMAT cleverly hides this mistake by using “to have been” instead of a simple be-
verb, but “to have been” is one of the many variants of was, were, is, are, am, etc.

The funny thing is that GMAT uses the classic correction as well:
domestication… occurred… when…
Finally, I just have to comment: I imagine that if GMAT had to explain this grammar point, they would say in their typical, cryptic fashion something like this:
E incorrectly uses an adverb clause as the noun complement of the subject “domestication.”

Question 22

The domesticated camel, which some scholars date around the twelfth century B.C., was the key to the development of the spice trade in the ancient world.
a. The domesticated camel, which some scholars date
b. The domesticated camel, which some scholars have thought to occur
c. Domesticating the camel, dated by some scholars at
d. The domestication of the camel, thought by some scholars to have occurred
e. The camel’s domestication, dated by some scholars to have been

answer cnt

Answer 22

D is correct bc….
The greatest change in my life was when I immigrated to the US.
This sentence means that “change” and “when I immigrated…” are the same thing; they in fact are not.
Like I said, this is a classic mistake, and the classic correction is:
The greatest change in my life occurred/happened when I immigrated to the US. (Do you see where I’m heading now???)
So, in our original question, E says:
The camel’s domestication was around the twelfth century B.C….
GMAT cleverly hides this mistake by using “to have been” instead of a simple be-
verb, but “to have been” is one of the many variants of was, were, is, are, am, etc.
The funny thing is that GMAT uses the classic correction as well:
domestication… occurred… when…

E incocrectly uses an advcerb clause as the noun complment of hte subject domestication

Question 23

NOUN + BE-VERB + NOUN/ADJECTIVE

Answer 23

NOUN + BE-VERB + NOUN/ADJECTIVE

For example:
The change was good for me.

The change was a good one for me.

The change was an important step for me in my life. BUT NEVER

The change was when I came to the US.

In other words, noun complements (the words that come after a be-verb and modify nouns) should only be nouns or adjectives (although we often use adverbs when we want to describe location, but more on that later, if you like; this explanation is getting pretty long!!).

I think that’s it. I hope what I’ve said makes sense and is clear, but please be sure to post back with questions or doubts!!

Question 24

The central issue before the court was how far the regulatory agencies should go in requiring better working conditions in factories.

a. in requiring better working conditions in factories
b. as far as requiring better working conditions in factories
c. in their requirement that factories should have better working conditions
d. as far as requiring that factories should have better working conditions
e. to require factories to have better working conditons

Answer 24

Whew! What a tricky question! Both A and E are grammatically correct, but they have a very slight difference in meaning. For this question, we most likely want the meaning in A, not the meaning in E. And, whenever we have two options that are both grammatically correct, and the only difference is one of meaning, we MUST go with the original meaning. In other words, if A is grammatically correct, not wordy, redundant, awkward, etc., and another answer choice is also grammatically correct, not wordy, redundant, awkward, etc., we must go with A.
But I’m sure you want to know the meaning difference and the rule, right? Okay, here you go:
I know you won’t like this, but with this meaning, we use “in.” For example:
I want to know how far you will go in helping me.
I think you remember from class that we talked about “helpful” + “in,” right? Well, this is very similar–“helping me” is a process. In this sentence, I am wondering how long you would stay with me while you are helping me, how many different things you would do to help me. For example, would you break the law while you are helping me if you thought I would benefit? Would you ignore your friends and family while you are helping me? Again: During the process, how much would you do?
(A) has a similar meaning in this sentence. Let’s now look at the meaning of E.
I want to know how far you will go to help me.
In this sentence, we are using the infinitive of purpose, which we use to express a goal. If I use this structure, I am wondering how much effort you would expend to help me. In other words, would you come to me at midnight? Would you travel 50 miles, 100 miles, 1,000 miles to help me? Would you spend all your time and money to come to help me? Would you give up your job, health, and family to help me?
Again: How much would you do to be able to be in a situation to help me??
I know that these two are very, very close in meaning, but read what I’ve written very carefully, and be sure to post back with any further questions!

Question 25

Q5 from gmat formal online practice questions

Answer 25

Q. 5 this is an example of in which vs by which
* That he written remains of Greek letter could be gathered IN BUT cannot have in at the end so must be moved to the middle of sentence
* Not allowed to have a preposition like in or by at the end of the sentence
* Cannot end with In
* So has to be IN WHICH the written remains of Greek literature could b fathered together….
* By which or whereby are basically the same exact thing and don’t make sense would not be by which the written remains of Greek litear… etc doesn’t make sense it is IN the library not by the library
* By which you are not gathering written remains by the library, you are gathering remains IN the library you!!!
* Correct for by which: “I did a process by which I could make gold or through which we could make gold.”
* For whereby and by which mean the exact same thing we created a government whereby people could be represented and safe”… etc

Question 26

Q37 from gmat formal online practice questions

Answer 26

Q37. Answer has to be focused first on the end of the underlined portion with both and by
* Has to be INFLUENCED BY it is not influenced with
* Elon musk is influenced BY his brother correct
* So cannot be both by has to be influenced by both …. And
* Next you have to be careful with the comma, you have to say commercial crafts, cmmerical crafts so comparing Unlike X to Y, have to be comparing the same things, cannot do crafts compared to a country has to be structurally correct
* Compare crafts in other countries to crafts in Thailand need crafts to compare crafts

Question 27

Q from gmat online practice questions 1 and 2
went through with demmer 11.21.23

Answer 27

THIS IS ABOUT pronouns it!!!
there is no their/ them!! if a pronoun is mentioned you have to be Super super specific about it

Question 28

Q from online practice questions packet 1
sentence correction with demmer 11.24.23
Q48

Answer 28

rate is redundant here
do not need to write rate again

the rate is not “a lower rate” is redundant to say rate again need to be short and right and concise, always want more concise answer ambiguity is about nouns not parallel strucutre. ambiguity is not tested in parallel structure!!!! dont need to repeat rate wan you wan a short structure that makes most sense

Question 29

Q from online practice questions packet 1
sentence correction with demmer 11.24.23
Q60

Answer 29

absenteeism is was because has to be, it is singular!!!!
first problem, second problem can only have was “onlu a faith of that of men” not correct
“either just like that of hte moon “
or “the moon’s”

so has to be was only a fifth of men’s (absenteeism implied) OR
was only a fifth of that of men

d is wrong bc has to be 1/5 of men’s abseteeism, E wrong if it say “was only a fifth of that of men” would be correct

Question 30

Q from online practice questions packet 1
sentence correction with demmer 11.24.23
Q47

Answer 30

Question 31

Q from online practice questions packet 1
sentence correction with demmer 11.24.23
Q62

Answer 31

ex of Either X or Either Y
so a. are ill suited either to humans or are so … NO has to be either X or either Y
B. are either ill suited to h…. or THey are NO
C. either ill suited to or are … NO
D. either are….. or so NO
E. either are ill suited… or ARE so sonerous…. YES PARALLELISM for Eitehr X or Y has to be the same either on…. or on…..

Question 32

Q from online practice questions packet 1
sentence correction with demmer 11.24.23
Q38

Answer 32

typical of is correct

typical in is not correct

Question 33

Q from online practice questions packet 1
sentence correction with demmer 11.24.23
Q39

Answer 33

as must be used to compare verbs!
MUST USE AS can’t use That and then need verb
E. will do is werid

Question 34

Q from online practice questions packet 1
sentence correction with demmer 11.24.23
Q41

Answer 34

which is very specifically used on gmat
SUPER SPECIFIC
- which grabs word before it adn uses it as a subject so here which grabs onto lower prices before it
lower prices, which

not clear what the subject is for which boosts for for my answer C so the answer is a
which is too ambiguous here
which has to be after the noun it is about immediately before it as it is the subejct and it has to be clear that is what you are talking about!!!!
BE CAREFUL OF PRONOUNS

Question 35

Q from online practice questions packet 1
sentence correction with demmer 11.24.23
Q42

Answer 35

must be very careful of pronouns

whose can be used for anything does not just have to be for ppl only, only can use that for those to avoid using a noun in your parallel structure for ex.

Subject Object Possessive
who whom whose
which which whose
that that whose