Sentence Correction Idioms Flashcards
I value my ABILITY TO SING.
** ABILITY
Right
(Note: I CAN SING is preferred to I HAVE THE ABILITY TO SING.)
l value my ABILITY OF SINGING.
** ABILITY
Wrong
I value my ABILITY FOR SINGING.
** ABILITY
Wrong
I value the ABILITY FOR me TO SING.
** ABILITY
Wrong
The bay ACTED AS a funnel for the tide.
ACT
Right
(= functioned as)
My friend ACTED LIKE a fool.
ACT
Right
(= behaved in a similar manner)
The bay ACTED LIKE a funnel for the tide.
ACT
Suspect
Note: #66 in The Official Guide, 13th Edition tests this idiom. The explanation claims that ACT LIKE must be used only with people. This claim is contradicted by other published problems. The way to resolve this issue is to ask whether the author intends metaphorical comparison (= LIKE) or actual function (= AS). If “actual function” is
possible, use AS.
The new rules will AFFECT our performance.
AFFECT/EFFECT
Right
The new rules will HAVE AN EFFECT ON our performance.
AFFECT/EFFECT
Suspect
This construction is wordier
The new rules will CAUSE AN EFFECT ON our performance.
AFFECT/EFFECT
Wrong
AFTER the gold rush, the mining town collapsed.
AFTER
Right
FOLLOWING the gold rush, the mining town collapsed.
AFTER
Suspect
(ambiguous)
His behavior AGGRAVATED the problem.
AGGRAVATE
Right
(= made worse)
His behavior WAS AGGRAVATING TO the problem.
AGGRAVATE
Wrong
(= was annoying to)
They AGREE THAT electrons EXIST.
AGREE
Right
Electrons are particles THAT physicists AGREE EXIST.
AGREE
Right
There is AGREEMENT AMONG them THAT electrons exist.
AGREE
Suspect
They AGREE electrons EXIST.
AGREE
Suspect
(AGREE THAT is preferred)
Electrons are particles THAT physicists AGREE ON AS EXISTING.
AGREE
Suspect
There is AGREEMENT AMONG them TO THE FACT THAT electrons exist
AGREE
Wrong
Electrons are particles physicists AGREE THAT EXIST.
AGREE
Wrong
Electrons are particles physicists AGREE TO EXIST
AGREE
Wrong
She AIDS her neighbor.
AID
Right
She provides AID TO victims. AID FOR victims is available.
AID
Right
Her AID IN WALKING the dog was appreciated.
AID
Right
Her AID TO WALK the dog was appreciated.
AID
Wrong
We adopted new procedures AIMED AT REDUCING theft.
AIM
Right
We adopted new procedures WITH THE AIM OF REDUCING theft.
AIM
Right
We adopted new policies, THE AIM OF WHICH was TO REDUCE theft.
AIM
Suspect
We adopted new policies WITH THE AIM TO REDUCE theft.
AIM
Wrong
The holiday ALLOWS Maria TO WATCH the movie today.
** ALLOW
Right
(= permits)
Maria WAS ALLOWED TO WATCH the movie.
** ALLOW
Right
The demolition of the old building ALLOWS FOR new construction.
** ALLOW
Right
(= permits the existence of)
The holiday ALLOWED FOR Maria TO WATCH the movie.
** ALLOW
Wrong
The holiday ALLOWED Maria the WATCHING OF the movie.
** ALLOW
Wrong
The holiday ALLOWS THAT homework BE done (or CAN BE done).
** ALLOW
Wrong
Homework is ALLOWED FOR DOING BY Maria.
** ALLOW
Wrong
The ALLOWING OF shopping TO DO (or TO BE DONE).
** ALLOW
Wrong
We are concerned about the forests AND the oceans.
** AND
Right
We are concerned about the forests, the oceans, AND the mountains.
** AND
Right
We work all night, AND we sleep all day.
** AND
Right
(note the comma before AND)
We are concerned about the forests AND ALSO the oceans.
** AND
Suspect
We work all night AND we sleep all day.
** AND
Suspect
(link 2 clauses with comma + AND)
We are concerned about the forests, ALSO the oceans.
** AND
Wrong
His ANXIETY ABOUT his company’s future is ill-founded.
ANXIETY
Right
His ANXIETY THAT his company MAY BE SOLD is ill-founded.
ANXIETY
Right
His ANXIETY ABOUT his company MAYBE SOLD is ill-founded.
ANXIETY
Wrong
Imperfections APPEAR AS tiny cracks.
APPEAR
Right
(= show up as)
He APPEARS CONFUSED.
APPEAR
Right
(= seems)
The dinosaurs APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN relatively smart.
APPEAR
Right
IT APPEARS THAT the dinosaurs WERE smart.
APPEAR
Right
He APPEARS AS confused.
APPEAR
Wrong
The dinosaurs APPEARED AS smart.
APPEAR
Wrong
The rules APPLY TO all of us.
APPLY
Right
All of us ARE SUBJECT TO THE APPLICABILITY OF the rules.
APPLY
Wrong
AS I walked, I became more nervous.
** AS
Right
(= during)
AS I had already paid, I was unconcerned.
** AS
Right
(= because, since)
AS we did last year, we will win this year.
** AS
Right
(= in the same way)
JUST AS we did last year, we will win this year.
** AS
Right
(= in the same way)
AS the president of the company, she works hard.
** AS
Right
(= in the role of)
AS a child, I delivered newspapers.
** AS
Right
(= in the stage of being)
My first job was an apprenticeship AS a sketch artist.
** AS
Right
AS PART OF the arrangement, he received severance.
** AS
Right
ASA PART OF the arrangement, he received severance.
** AS
Suspect
My first job was an apprenticeship OF a sketch artist.
** AS
Wrong
They worked AS a sketch artist.
** AS
Wrong
(needs to agree in number.)
WHILE BEING a child, I delivered newspapers.
** AS
Wrong
AS BEING a child, I delivered newspapers.
** AS
Wrong
WHILE IN childhood, I delivered newspapers.
** AS
Wrong
Cheese is AS GREAT AS people say.
** AS… AS
Right
Cheese is NOT AS great AS people say.
** AS… AS
Right
We have AS MANY apples AS need to be cooked.
** AS… AS
Right
We have THREE TIMES AS MANY pears AS you.
** AS… AS
Right
We have AT LEAST AS MANY apples AS you.
** AS… AS
Right
We have 10 apples, ABOUT AS MANY AS we picked yesterday.
** AS… AS
Right
His knowledge springs AS MUCH from experience AS from schooling.
** AS… AS
Right
His knowledge springs NOT SO MUCH from experience AS from schooling.
** AS… AS
Right
He wins frequently, AS MUCH because he plays SO hard AS because he cheats.
** AS… AS
Right
Cheese is NOT SO great AS people say.
** AS… AS
Suspect
We have AS MANY apples AS OR MORE apples THAN you.
** AS… AS
Suspect
We have AS MANY apples AS THERE need to be cooked.
** AS… AS
Suspect
He wins frequently, AS MUCH because he plays AS hard AS because he cheats.
** AS… AS
Suspect
Cheese is SO great AS people say.
** AS… AS
Wrong
Cheese is SO great THAT people say.
** AS… AS
Wrong
Cheese is AS great THAT people say.
** AS… AS
Wrong
We have AS MANY apples THAN you.
** AS… AS
Wrong
We have SO MANY apples AS you.
** AS… AS
Wrong
We have AS MANY OR MORE apples THAN you.
** AS… AS
Wrong
We have THREE TIMES AS MANY MORE pears AS you.
** AS… AS
Wrong
We have 10 apples, ABOUT EQUIVALENT TO what we picked yesterday.
** AS… AS
Wrong
His knowledge springs NOT from experience AS from schooling.
** AS… AS
Wrong
I will leave, AS LONG AS it IS safe.
AS LONG AS
Right
I will leave, SO LONG AS it IS safe.
AS LONG AS
Right
I will leave, PROVIDED THAT it IS safe.
AS LONG AS
Right
I will leave, BUT it HAS TO BE safe.
AS LONG AS
Suspect
I will leave, BUT it BE safe.
AS LONG AS
Wrong
AS you practice, SO shall you play.
AS… SO
Right
(= in the same way; the situations are analogous)
JUST AS you practice, SO shall you play.
AS… SO
Right
(= in the same way; the situations are analogous)
JUST AS you practice piano regularly, you should study regularly.
AS… SO
Right
(= in the same way; the situations are analogous)
You practice, SO shall you play.
AS… SO
Wrong
JUST LIKE you practice, SO shall you play.
AS… SO
Wrong
I ASKED FOR his AID.
ASK
Right
He ASKED her TO GO to the store.
ASK
Right
He ASKED THAT she GO to the store, (subjunctive)
ASK
Right
He ASKED THAT she SHOULD GO to the store.
ASK
Wrong
We ATTRIBUTE the uprising TO popular discontent.
ATTRIBUTE
Right
We ATTRIBUTE the uprising AS popular discontent.
ATTRIBUTE
Wrong
Tech COMPANIES are as likely as the AVERAGE COMPANY to fail.
AVERAGE
Right
Tech COMPANIES are as likely as the INDUSTRY AVERAGE to fail.
AVERAGE
Wrong
AWARE OF the danger, he fled.
AWARE
Right
AWARE THAT danger was near, he fled.
AWARE
Right
WITH AN AWARENESS THAT danger was near, he fled
AWARE
Wrong
WITH AN AWARENESS OF the danger, he fled.
AWARE
Wrong
They passed a BAN PROHIBITING us FROM CARRYING bottles.
BAN
Right
They passed a BAN that we CANNOT CARRY bottles.
BAN
Wrong
The verdict was BASED ON the evidence.
BASED ON
Right
The jury reached a verdict BASED ON the evidence.
BASED ON
Right
BASED ON the evidence, the jury reached a verdict.
BASED ON
Wrong
(The jury was not itself BASED ON the evidence.)
BECAUSE the sun SHINES, plants grow.
** BECAUSE
Right
Plants grow BECAUSE the sun SHINES.
** BECAUSE
Right
BECAUSE OF the sun, plants grow.
** BECAUSE
Right
BY SHINING, the sun makes plants grow.
** BECAUSE
Right
Plants grow, FOR the sun shines.
** BECAUSE
Right
(grammatically correct but very formal)
Plants grow BECAUSE OF the sun, WHICH SHINES.
** BECAUSE
Suspect
Plants are amazing IN THAT they grow in the sun.
** BECAUSE
Suspect
(correct but wordy)
The growth of plants IS EXPLAINED BY THE FACT THAT the sun shines.
** BECAUSE
Suspect
(correct but wordy)
Plants grow BECAUSE OF the sun SHINING.
** BECAUSE
Wrong
Plants grow AS A RESULT OF the sun SHINING.
** BECAUSE
Wrong
BECAUSE OF SHINING, the sun makes plants grow.
** BECAUSE
Wrong
ON ACCOUNT OF SHINING or ITS SHINING, the sun makes plants grow.
** BECAUSE
Wrong
BECAUSE the sun SHINES IS the REASON that plants grow.
** BECAUSE
Wrong
The ABILITY OF plants TO grow IS BECAUSE the sun shines.
** BECAUSE
Wrong
BEING THAT the sun shines, plants grow.
** BECAUSE
Wrong
The growth of plants IS EXPLAINED BECAUSE OF the shining of the sun.
** BECAUSE
Wrong
The growth of plants IS EXPLAINED BECAUSE the sun shines.
** BECAUSE
Wrong
BEING infected does not make you sick.
** BEING
Right
The judges saw the horses BEING led to the stables.
** BEING
Right
BEING an advocate of reform, I would like to make a different proposal.
** BEING
Suspect
Note: The word BEING is often wordy or awkward. However, having caught on to the “BEING is wrong” shortcut, the GMAT problem writers have created a few problems
that force you to choose BEING. BEING appears in many more wrong answers than
right ones. But BEING can be used correctly as a gerund or as a participle. In the end,
you should pick a BEING answer only if you are 100% sure that the other answer
choices are wrong for clear grammatical reasons.
The movement BEGAN AS a protest.
BEGIN
Right
(= was born as)
The movement BEGAN WITH a protest.
BEGIN
Right
(= protest was the first part)
The protest BEGAN a movement.
BEGIN
Right
(= caused)
The movement WAS BEGUN FROM a protest.
BEGIN
Wrong
She BELIEVES THAT Gary IS right.
** BELIEVE
Right
She BELIEVES Gary TO BE right.
** BELIEVE
Right
IT IS BELIEVED THAT Gary IS right.
** BELIEVE
Right
Gary IS BELIEVED TO BE right.
** BELIEVE
Right
Gary IS BELIEVED BY her TO BE right.
** BELIEVE
Suspect
A battle ensued BETWEEN the reactionaries AND the radicals.
BETWEEN
Right
A skirmish ensued AMONG the combatants.
BETWEEN
Right
(more than 2 parties)
A battle ensued BETWEEN the reactionaries WITH the radicals.
BETWEEN
Wrong
A battle ensued AMONG the reactionaries AND the radicals.
BETWEEN
Wrong
A battle ensued AMONG the reactionaries WITH the radicals.
BETWEEN
Wrong
WITHIN the BORDERS of a country.
BORDERS
Right
IN the BORDERS of a country.
BORDERS
Wrong
INSIDE the BORDERS of a country.
BORDERS
Wrong
She was interested BOTH in plants AND in animals.
**BOTH… AND
Right
She was interested in BOTH plants AND animals.
**BOTH… AND
Right
She was interested BOTH in plants AND animals.
**BOTH… AND
Wrong
She was interested BOTH in plants AS WELL AS in animals.
**BOTH… AND
Wrong
She was interested BOTH in plants BUT ALSO in animals.
**BOTH… AND
Wrong
I STUDY hard BUT TAKE breaks.
** BUT
Right
I STUDY hard, BUT I TAKE breaks.
** BUT
Right
ALTHOUGH I TAKE frequent naps, I STUDY effectively.
** BUT
Right
DESPITE TAKING frequent naps, I STUDY effectively.
** BUT
Right
I TAKE frequent naps, YET I STUDY effectively.
** BUT
Right
DESPITE THE FACT THAT I TAKE frequent naps, I STUDY effectively.
** BUT
Suspect
ALTHOUGH a frequent napper, I STUDY effectively.
** BUT
Suspect
(ALTHOUGH should generally be followed by a clause.)
I STUDY effectively ALTHOUGH TAKING frequent naps.
** BUT
Wrong
ALTHOUGH I TAKE frequent naps, YET I STUDY effectively.
** BUT
Wrong
ALTHOUGH I TAKE frequent naps, AND I STUDY effectively.
** BUT
Wrong
DESPITE TAKING frequent naps, YET I STUDY effectively.
** BUT
Wrong
The manager CAN RUN the plant.
** CAN
Right
The plant CAN CAUSE damage.
** CAN
Right
The manager IS ABLE TO RUN the plant.
** CAN
Suspect
Note: ALL of these suspect forms are grammatically correct but wordier than CAN.
The manager IS CAPABLE OF RUNNING the plant.
** CAN
Suspect
Note: ALL of these suspect forms are grammatically correct but wordier than CAN.
The manager HAS THE ABILITY TO RUN the plant.
** CAN
Suspect
Note: ALL of these suspect forms are grammatically correct but wordier than CAN.
The manager HAS THE CAPABILITY OF RUNNING the plant.
** CAN
Suspect
Note: ALL of these suspect forms are grammatically correct but wordier than CAN.
It is POSSIBLE FOR the plant TO CAUSE damage.
** CAN
Suspect
Note: ALL of these suspect forms are grammatically correct but wordier than CAN.
The plant POSSIBLY CAUSES damage.
** CAN
Suspect
Note: ALL of these suspect forms are grammatically correct but wordier than CAN.
The plant HAS THE POSSIBILITY OF CAUSING damage.
** CAN
Suspect
Note: ALL of these suspect forms are grammatically correct but wordier than CAN.
I have ONE CHANCE IN A THOUSAND OF WINNING tonight.
CHANCE
Right
I have ONE CHANCE IN A THOUSAND FOR WINNING tonight.
CHANCE
Wrong
I have ONE IN A THOUSAND CHANCES TO WIN tonight.
CHANCE
Wrong
I have ONE CHANCE IN A THOUSAND THAT I WILL WIN tonight.
CHANCE
Wrong
I have ONE CHANCE IN A THOUSAND FOR ME TO WIN tonight.
CHANCE
Wrong
They CLAIM THAT they CAN read minds.
CLAIM
Right
They CLAIM TO BE ABLE to read minds.
CLAIM
Right
They CLAIM the ABILITY to read minds.
CLAIM
Suspect
They CLAIM they CAN read minds.
CLAIM
Suspect
They CLAIM BEING ABLE to read minds.
CLAIM
Wrong
Costs are rising, but incomes have not increased COMPARABLY.
COMPARABLE
Right
Costs are rising, but incomes have not increased TO A COMPARABLE EXTENT
COMPARABLE
Suspect
IN COMPARISON WITH (or TO) horses, zebras are vicious.
COMPARED / COMPARISON
Right
Note: The GMAT ignores the traditional distinction between COMPARED TO (emphasizing
similarities) and COMPARED WITH (emphasizing differences).
A zebra can be COMPARED TO a horse in many ways.
COMPARED / COMPARISON
Right
Note: The GMAT ignores the traditional distinction between COMPARED TO (emphasizing
similarities) and COMPARED WITH (emphasizing differences).
COMPARED WITH a horse, however, a zebra is very hard to tame.
COMPARED / COMPARISON
Right
Note: The GMAT ignores the traditional distinction between COMPARED TO (emphasizing
similarities) and COMPARED WITH (emphasizing differences).
AS COMPARED WITH (or TO) horses, zebras are vicious.
COMPARED / COMPARISON
Suspect
WHEN COMPARED TO horses, zebras are vicious.
COMPARED / COMPARISON
Wrong
Zebras are MORE vicious COMPARED TO horses.
COMPARED / COMPARISON
Wrong
We have CONFIDENCE THAT the market WILL RECOVER.
CONFIDENCE
Right
We have CONFIDENCE IN the market’s ABILITY TO RECOVER.
CONFIDENCE
Suspect
We have CONFIDENCE IN the market TO RECOVER.
CONFIDENCE
Wrong
He CONCEIVES OF architecture AS a dialogue.
CONCEIVE
Right
His CONCEPTION OF architecture IS AS a dialogue.
CONCEIVE
Suspect
He CONCEIVES OF architecture TO BE a dialogue.
CONCEIVE
Wrong
There is a strong CONNECTION BETWEEN his grades AND his effort.
CONNECTION
Right
There is a strong CONNECTION OF his grades AND his effort.
CONNECTION
Wrong
I CONSIDER her a friend.
** CONSIDER
Right
I CONSIDER her intelligent.
** CONSIDER
Right
I CONSIDER illegal the law passed last week by the new regime.
** CONSIDER
Right
The law IS CONSIDERED illegal.
** CONSIDER
Right
The judge CONSIDERS the law TO BE illegal.
** CONSIDER
Suspect
The judge CONSIDERS the law AS illegal (or AS BEING illegal).
** CONSIDER
Wrong
The judge CONSIDERS the law SHOULD BE illegal.
** CONSIDER
Wrong
The judge CONSIDERS the law AS IF IT WERE illegal.
** CONSIDER
Wrong
They CONTEND THAT they can decipher the code.
CONTEND
Right
They CONTEND they can decipher the code.
CONTEND
Wrong
They CONTEND the code TO BE decipherable.
CONTEND
Wrong
They CONTEND the ABILITY to decipher the code.
CONTEND
Wrong
The danger will CONTINUE TO GROW.
CONTINUE
Right
The danger will CONTINUE GROWING.
CONTINUE
Suspect
(correct but apparently not used)
The danger will CONTINUE ITS GROWTH.
CONTINUE
Wrong
The danger will CONTINUE GROWTH.
CONTINUE
Wrong
The danger will CONTINUE ITS GROWING.
CONTINUE
Wrong
IN CONTRAST WITH the zoo, the park charges no admission.
CONTRAST
Right
IN CONTRAST TO the zoo, the park charges no admission.
CONTRAST
Right
UNLIKE the zoo, the park charges no admission.
CONTRAST
Right
AS CONTRASTED WITH the zoo, the park charges no admission.
CONTRAST
Wrong
IN CONTRAST TO the zoo CHARGING admission, the park does not.
CONTRAST
Wrong
She was CONVINCED THAT she had been robbed.
CONVINCE
Right
She was OF THE CONVICTION THAT she had been robbed.
CONVINCE
Wrong
Pollution COSTS us billions IN increased medical bills.
CONVINCE
Right
The COST OF pollution TO us is billions IN increased medical bills.
CONVINCE
Suspect
Increased medical bills COST us billions BECAUSE OF pollution.
CONVINCE
Wrong
You COULD DO anything you want.
COULD
Right
You HAVE (or MAY HAVE) THE POSSIBILITY OF DOING anything you want.
COULD
Suspect
You COULD POSSIBLY DO anything you want.
COULD
Wrong
We WILL CREATE a team TO LEAD the discussion.
CREATE
Right
We WILL CREATE a team FOR LEADING the discussion.
CREATE
Wrong
Hugo CREDITS Sally WITH good taste.
CREDIT
Right
Sally IS CREDITED WITH good taste.
CREDIT
Right
Sally IS CREDITED FOR good taste (or FOR HAVING good taste).
CREDIT
Wrong
Sally IS CREDITED AS a person with good taste (or AS HAVING good taste).
CREDIT
Wrong
Sally IS CREDITED TO BE a person with good taste.
CREDIT
Wrong
We ARE IN DANGER OF FORGETTING the past.
DANGER
Right
We ARE ENDANGERED BY FORGETTING the past.
DANGER
Suspect
We ARE IN DANGER TO FORGET the past.
DANGER
Wrong
We HAVE A DANGER OF FORGETTING (or TO FORGET) the past.
DANGER
Wrong
They DATED the artifact AT three centuries old.
DATE
Right
The artifact WAS DATED AT three centuries old.
DATE
Right
The artifact WAS DATED TO BE three centuries old.
DATE
Wrong
The artifact WAS DATED AS BEING three centuries old.
DATE
Wrong
She DECIDED TO START a company.
DECIDE
Right
Her DECISION WAS TO START a company.
DECIDE
Suspect
I DECLARED the election a fraud. I DECLARED the referendum invalid.
DECLARE
Right
I DECLARED invalid the referendum that the new regime imposed.
DECLARE
Right
They DECLARED THAT the election was a fraud.
DECLARE
Right
They DECLARED the election was a fraud.
DECLARE
Suspect
(DECLARE THAT is preferred.)
The judge DECLARED the election TO BE a fraud.
DECLARE
Suspect
The judge DECLARED the election AS a fraud.
DECLARE
Wrong
The price of oil DECLINED. (or Oil DECLINED in price.)
DECLINE
Right
The DECLINE IN the price of oil was unexpected.
DECLINE
Right
My friends reputation DECLINED.
DECLINE
Right
My friend DECLINED in reputation.
DECLINE
Wrong
The DECLENSION IN the price of oil was unexpected.
DECLINE
Wrong
(obsolete meaning)
They DEMAND THAT the store BE closed.
DEMAND
Right
Their DEMAND THAT the store BE closed was not met.
DEMAND
Right
They DEMAND the store TO BE closed.
DEMAND
Wrong
They DEMANDED THAT the store SHOULD BE closed.
DEMAND
Wrong
The outcome DEPENDS ON WHETHER he CAN make friends.
DEPEND
Right
The outcome DEPENDS ON his ABILITY TO make friends.
DEPEND
Suspect
This window is DESIGNED TO OPEN.
DESIGN
Right
This window IS DESIGNED SO THAT IT OPENS.
DESIGN
Wrong
This window IS DESIGNED SO AS TO OPEN.
DESIGN
Wrong
The winner was DETERMINED BY a coin toss.
DETERMINE
Right
The winner was DETERMINED THROUGH (or BECAUSE OF) a coin toss.
DETERMINE
Wrong
The winner was DETERMINED FROM (or AS A RESULT OF) a coin toss.
DETERMINE
Wrong
The executive DEVELOPED her idea INTO a project.
DEVELOP
Right
The idea DEVELOPED INTO a project.
DEVELOP
Right
An idea DEVELOPED ITSELF INTO a project.
DEVELOP
Wrong
My opinion DIFFERS FROM yours.
Right
My opinion IS DIFFERENT FROM yours.
Right
My opinion IS DIFFERENT IN COMPARISON TO yours.
DIFFER /DIFFERENT
Wrong
Note: The form DIFFERENT THAN does not appear in the 10th, 11th, or 12th Editions
of the Official Guide. According to other style guides, you should use DIFFERENT
FROM, rather than DIFFERENT THAN, when you are comparing nouns.
There is a DIFFERENCE IN ability BETWEEN us.
DIFFERENCE
Right
There is a DIFFERENCE BETWEEN what you can do AND what I can do.
DIFFERENCE
Right
There are DIFFERENCES IN what you and I can do.
DIFFERENCE
Right
There are DIFFERENCES BETWEEN what you and I can do.
DIFFERENCE
Wrong
Quantum mechanics is DIFFICULT TO STUDY.
DIFFICULT
Right
Quantum mechanics is DIFFICULT FOR STUDY.
DIFFICULT
Wrong
I love the DISCOVERY THAT carbon CAN form soccer-ball molecules.
DISCOVERY
Right
I love the DISCOVERY OF carbons ABILITY TO form soccer-ball molecules.
DISCOVERY
Suspect
I love the DISCOVERY OF carbon BEING ABLE TO form soccer-ball molecules.
DISCOVERY
Wrong
She IS DISINCLINED TO WRITE to her parents.
DISINCLINED
Right
She HAS A DISINCLINATION TO WRITE to her parents.
DISINCLINED
Wrong
There ISA DISINCLINATION ON HER PART TO WRITE to her parents.
DISINCLINED
Wrong
Her busy schedule BRINGS OUT A DISINCLINATION IN HER TO WRITE to her
parents.
DISINCLINED
Wrong
The investor DISTINGUISHED BETWEEN trends AND fads.
DISTINGUISH / DISTINCTION
Right
There is a DISTINCTION BETWEEN trends AND fads.
DISTINGUISH / DISTINCTION
Right
The investor DISTINGUISHED trends FROM fads.
DISTINGUISH / DISTINCTION
Suspect
The investor DISTINGUISHED trends AND fads.
DISTINGUISH / DISTINCTION
Wrong
The investor DISTINGUISHED BETWEEN trends FROM fads.
DISTINGUISH / DISTINCTION
Wrong
There is a DISTINCTION BETWEEN trends WITH fads.
DISTINGUISH / DISTINCTION
Wrong
There is a DISTINCTION OF trends TO fads.
DISTINGUISH / DISTINCTION
Wrong
Trends HAVE a DISTINCTION FROM fads.
DISTINGUISH / DISTINCTION
Wrong
I did not eat the cheese, but my mother DID (or DID SO).
DO
Right
I did not eat the cheese, but my mother DID IT (or DID THIS).
DO
Wrong
We DO NOT DOUBT THAT the apples are ripe.
DOUBT
Right
We HAVE NO DOUBT THAT the apples are ripe.
DOUBT
Right
She DOUBTS WHETHER Jan will arrive on time.
DOUBT
Right
She DOUBTS THAT Jan will arrive on time.
DOUBT
Suspect
(The GMAT claims that DOUBT, used in a positive statement without NOT or NO,
should be followed by WHETHER or IF, not THAT.)
We DO NOT DOUBT WHETHER the apples are ripe.
DOUBT
Wrong
We HAVE NO DOUBT WHETHER the apples are ripe.
DOUBT
Wrong
The deficit IS DUE TO overspending.
DUE TO
Right
(= results from)
Our policy will not cover damage DUE TO fire.
DUE TO
Right
(= resulting from)
BECAUSE politicians SPEND money, we have a deficit.
DUE TO
Right
DUE TO politicians SPENDING money, we have a deficit
DUE TO
Wrong
DUE TO THE FACT THAT politicians SPEND money, we have a deficit.
DUE TO
Wrong
The rise in gasoline prices has an ECONOMIC impact on consumers.
ECONOMIC
Right
Our new car is more ECONOMICAL than our last.
ECONOMIC
Right
(= efficient)
The rise in gasoline prices has an ECONOMICAL impact on consumers.
ECONOMIC
Wrong
I will take EITHER the subway OR the bus.
EITHER… OR
Right
I will take EITHER the subway AND the bus.
EITHER… OR
Wrong
She ELECTED TO WITHDRAW her money early.
ELECT
Right
She ELECTED early WITHDRAWAL OF her money.
ELECT
Suspect
She ELECTED WITHDRAWING her money early.
ELECT
Wrong
The book was SHORT ENOUGH TO READ in a night.
ENOUGH
Right
The book was SHORT ENOUGH FOR me TO READ in a night.
ENOUGH
Right
The power plant has found a way to generate energy at an unprecedented scale, ENOUGH FOR powering and entire city.
ENOUGH
Suspect
The book was SHORT ENOUGH THAT I could read it in a night.
ENOUGH
Wrong
The book was SHORT ENOUGH FOR IT TO BE read in a night.
ENOUGH
Wrong
The book was SHORT ENOUGH SO THAT I could read it in a night.
ENOUGH
Wrong
The book was SHORT ENOUGH AS TO BE read in a night.
ENOUGH
Wrong
He ENSURES THAT deadlines ARE met (or WILL BE met).
ENSURE
Right
He ENSURES THAT deadlines MUST BE met (or SHOULD BE met).
ENSURE
Wrong
They are EQUIPPED TO FIGHT on any terrain.
EQUIPPED
Right
They are EQUIPPED FOR FIGHTING on any terrain.
EQUIPPED
Wrong
She ESTIMATES the cost TO BE ten dollars.
ESTIMATE
Right
The cost IS ESTIMATED TO BE ten dollars.
ESTIMATE
Right
She ESTIMATES the cost AT ten dollars.
ESTIMATE
Wrong
I am EVEN RICHER THAN a prince.
EVEN
Right
I earn AS MUCH money AS EVEN the wealthiest king.
EVEN
Right
I am RICHER EVEN THAN a prince.
EVEN
Wrong
I earn EVEN AS MUCH money AS the wealthiest king.
EVEN
Wrong
The economy is MORE fragile THAN EVER BEFORE.
EVER
Right
The economy is MORE fragile THAN NEVER BEFORE.
EVER
Wrong
The economy is MORE fragile AS NEVER BEFORE.
EVER
Wrong
The economy is MORE THAN EVER BEFORE fragile.
EVER
Wrong
FOR EVERY dollar SAVED, THREE dollars ARE WASTED.
EVERY
Right
FOR EVERY dollar SAVED, you WASTE THREE dollars.
EVERY
Suspect
FOR EVERY dollar SAVED WASTES THREE dollars.
EVERY
Wrong
EXCEPT FOR a final skirmish, the war was over.
Right
BESIDES a final skirmish, the war was over.
EXCEPT
Suspect
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF a final skirmish, the war was over.
EXCEPT
Suspect
EXCEPTING a final skirmish, the war was over.
EXCEPT
Suspect
We EXPECT the price TO FALL. ( or The price IS EXPECTED TO FALL.)
** EXPECT
Right
We EXPECT THAT the price WILL FALL.
** EXPECT
Right
IT IS EXPECTED THAT the price WILL FALL.
** EXPECT
Right
Inflation rose more than we EXPECTED.
** EXPECT
Right
There IS an EXPECTATION THAT the price will fall.
** EXPECT
Right
There IS an EXPECTATION the price WILL FALL.
** EXPECT
Suspect
There IS an EXPECTATION OF the price FALLING.
** EXPECT
Suspect
Inflation rose more than we EXPECTED IT TO.
** EXPECT
Suspect
Inflation rose more than we EXPECTED IT WOULD.
** EXPECT
Suspect
The price IS EXPECTED FOR IT TO FALL.
** EXPECT
Wrong
IT IS EXPECTED THAT the price SHOULD FALL.
** EXPECT
Wrong
We EXPEND energy ON neighborhood development.
EXPEND
Right
We EXPEND energy FOR neighborhood development.
EXPEND
Wrong
We enjoyed the film TO some EXTENT.
EXTENT
Right
“Thumbs part up” is the EXTENT TO WHICH we enjoyed the film.
EXTENT
Right
“Thumbs part up” is the EXTENT THAT we enjoyed the film.
EXTENT
Wrong
It is important to recognize THAT our strategy is working.
FACT THAT
Right
We have succeeded BECAUSE we work hard.
FACT THAT
Right
It is important to recognize THE FACT THAT our strategy is working.
FACT THAT
Suspect
THE FACT THAT our strategy is working is important to recognize.
FACT THAT
Suspect
We have succeeded DUE TO THE FACT THAT we work hard.
FACT THAT
Wrong
The criminals ARE AT FAULT FOR BREAKING the law.
FAULT
Right
BREAKING the law IS THE FAULT OF the criminals.
FAULT
Suspect
THAT the criminals BROKE the law IS AT FAULT.
FAULT
Wrong
IT IS THE FAULT OF the criminals WHO BROKE the law.
FAULT
Wrong
The scientist FOUND THAT the reaction WAS unusual.
FIND
Right
The scientist FOUND the reaction TO BE unusual.
FIND
Suspect
The scientist FOUND the reaction WAS unusual.
FIND
Wrong
The law FORBIDS any citizen TO VOTE twice.
FORBID
Right
The law FORBIDS any citizen FROM VOTING twice.
FORBID
Wrong
The price fell FROM 10 euros TO 3 euros.
FROM… TO
Right
The price fell TO 3 euros FROM 10 euros.
FROM… TO
Right
The price fell FROM 10 euros DOWN TO 3 euros.
FROM… TO
Wrong
The price rose FROM 3 euros UP TO 10 euros.
FROM… TO
Wrong
The GOAL IS TO EXPAND the company.
GOAL
Right
The GOAL IS EXPANSION OF the company.
GOAL
Suspect
The GOAL IS EXPANDING the company.
GOAL
Wrong
She HEARD THAT her investment HAD PAID off.
HEAR
Right
She HEARD OF her investment PAYING off.
HEAR
Wrong
He HELPS RAKE the leaves.
HELP
Right
He HELPS TO RAKE the leaves.
HELP
Right
He HELPS me RAKE the leaves.
HELP
Right
He HELPS me TO RAKE the leaves.
HELP
Right
His HELP IN RAKING the leaves has been welcome.
HELP
Right
He HELPS me IN RAKING the leaves.
HELP
Wrong
I need him AS HELP TO RAKE the leaves.
HELP
Wrong
The law HOLDS THAT jaywalking is illegal.
HOLD
Right
The law HOLDS jaywalking TO BE illegal.
HOLD
Suspect
The law HOLDS jaywalking is illegal.
HOLD
Wrong
Inflation can hurt profits IF costs increase.
IF
Right
(IF = condition)
I can eat ice cream, PROVIDED THAT my doctor approves.
IF
Right
(= ONLY IF)
Inflation can hurt profits WHEN costs increase.
IF
Suspect
(WHEN= time period)
I can eat ice cream, PROVIDED my doctor approves.
IF
Wrong
(requires THAT)
She drank coffee IN ORDER TO STAY awake.
** IN ORDER TO
Right
She drank coffee TO STAY awake.
** IN ORDER TO
Right
(infinitive TO STAY indicates purpose.)
She drank coffee IN ORDER THAT or SO THAT she MIGHT stay awake.
** IN ORDER TO
Suspect
She drank coffee SO AS TO STAY awake.
** IN ORDER TO
Suspect
She drank coffee FOR STAYING awake.
** IN ORDER TO
Wrong
Coffee was drunk by her IN ORDER TO STAY awake or TO STAY awake.
** IN ORDER TO
Wrong
Note: the subject COFFEE is not trying TO STAY awake.
A report INDICATES THAT unique bacteria LIVE on our skin.
** INDICATE
Right
A report INDICATES the presence o f unique bacteria on our skin.
** INDICATE
Suspect
(Note: this correct form seems to be avoided in right answers.)
A report IS INDICATIVE OF the presence o f unique bacteria on our skin.
** INDICATE
Suspect
A report INDICATES unique bacteria LIVE on our skin.
** INDICATE
Wrong
(THAT is needed.)
A report IS INDICATIVE THAT unique bacteria LIVE on our skin.
** INDICATE
Wrong
A report INDICATES unique bacteria AS present on our skin.
** INDICATE
Wrong
A report INDICATES unique bacteria TO LIVE on our skin.
** INDICATE
Wrong
His example INFLUENCED me.
INFLUENCE
Right
His example WAS INFLUENTIAL TO me (or AN INFLUENCE ON me).
INFLUENCE
Suspect
His example WAS INFLUENTIAL ON me.
INFLUENCE
Wrong
His example INSPIRED me.
INSPIRE
Right
His example WAS INSPIRATIONAL TO me (or AN INSPIRATION TO me).
INSPIRE
Suspect
We eat out often; FOR INSTANCE, last week we ate out every night.
INSTANCE
Right
We eat out often; AS AN INSTANCE, last week we ate out every night.
INSTANCE
Wrong
They avoided the arcade and INSTEAD went to a movie.
INSTEAD
Right
They avoided the arcade and RATHER went to a movie.
INSTEAD
Wrong
They avoided the arcade, RATHER going to a movie.
INSTEAD
Wrong
I went with the INTENT (or INTENTION) OF LEAVING soon.
INTENT
Right
I went with the INTENT TO LEAVE soon.
INTENT
Right
I went with the INTENT THAT I WOULD LEAVE soon.
INTENT
Suspect
These groups often INTERACT WITH ONE ANOTHER (or EACH OTHER).
INTERACT
Right
These groups often INTERACT AMONG ONE ANOTHER.
INTERACT
Wrong
These groups often INTERACT WITH THEMSELVES.
INTERACT
Wrong
The INTERACTION OF two nuclei COLLIDING releases energy.
INTERACTION
Right
The INTERACTION BETWEEN two nuclei COLLIDING releases energy.
INTERACTION
Suspect
The INTERACTION WHERE two nuclei COLLIDE releases energy.
INTERACTION
Wrong
She INVESTED funds IN research TO STUDY cancer.
INVEST
Right
She INVESTED funds INTO or FOR research TO STUDY cancer.
INVEST
Wrong
She INVESTED funds IN research FOR STUDYING cancer.
INVEST
Wrong
The culture was ISOLATED FROM outside CONTACT.
ISOLATED
Right
The culture was IN ISOLATION.
ISOLATED
Suspect
The culture was IN ISOLATION FROM outside CONTACT
ISOLATED
Wrong
We KNOW her TO BE brilliant. (or She is KNOWN TO BE brilliant.)
KNOW
Right
We KNOW him AS “Reggie.”
KNOW
Right
He is KNOWN AS “Reggie.”
KNOW
Right
We KNOW her AS brilliant.
KNOW
Wrong
(KNOW AS = named)
Old gadgets ARE LACKING IN features.
LACK
Right
Old gadgets LACK features.
LACK
Right
The LACK OF features is upsetting.
LACK
Right
There is A LACK OF engineers TO BUILD new gadgets.
LACK
Suspect
Old gadgets LACK OF features.
LACK
Wrong
It is hard to build bridges LACKING engineers.
LACK
Wrong
Our utilities add up to LESS THAN 10% of our income.
LESS
Right
Our utilities add up to LOWER THAN 10% of our income.
LESS
Wrong
My doctor LETS me SWIM in the ocean.
LET
Right
My doctor LEAVES me SWIM in the ocean.
LET
Wrong
The surgery WILL LEAVE me TO SWIM in the ocean.
LET
Wrong
Our strength LIES IN numbers.
LIE
Right
(= resides in)
Yesterday, our strength LAY IN numbers.
LIE
Right
(= resided in)
Tomorrow, our strength WILL LIE IN numbers.
LIE
Right
I lose my books whenever I LAY them down, (present tense of different verb)
LIE
Right
Tomorrow, our strength WILL LAY IN numbers.
LIE
Wrong
LIKE his sister, Matt drives fast cars.
** LIKE
Right
(= both drive fast cars)
Matt drives fast cars LIKE his sister.
** LIKE
Right
(= both drive fast cars, OR both drive fast cars in the same way)
Matt drives fast cars LIKE his sisters.
** LIKE
Right
(= both drive similar cars, OR, less optimally, one of the cars he drives is his sisters)
Matt drives fast cars LIKE his sister does.
** LIKE
Wrong
LIKE his sister, SO Matt drives fast cars.
** LIKE
Wrong
My friend IS LIKELY TO EAT worms.
** LIKELY
Right
IT IS LIKELY THAT my friend WILL EAT worms.
** LIKELY
Right
My friend is MORE LIKELY THAN my enemy [is] TO EAT worms.
** LIKELY
Right
My friend is TWICE AS LIKELY AS my enemy [is] TO EAT worms.
** LIKELY
Right
MORE THAN LIKELY, my friend WILL EAT worms.
** LIKELY
Right
My friend IS LIKELY THAT he WILL EAT worms.
** LIKELY
Wrong
RATHER THAN my enemy, my friend is THE MORE LIKELY to EAT worms.
** LIKELY
Wrong
I have suffered a LOSS OF strength.
LOSS
Right
(= decline of a quality)
They have suffered a LOSS IN the euro.
LOSS
Right
(= decline of an investment)
I have suffered a LOSS IN strength.
LOSS
Wrong
The general MANDATED THAT a trench BE dug.
Right
subjunctive
We HAVE A MANDATE TO CALL an election soon.
MANDATE
Suspect
(= have authority)
The general MANDATED a trench TO BE dug.
MANDATE
Wrong
The general MANDATES THAT a trench WILL BE dug.
MANDATE
Wrong
We HAVE A MANDATE FOR an election in the near future.
MANDATE
Wrong
The leader MADE the resistance POSSIBLE.
MAKE
Right
The leader MADE IT POSSIBLE TO RESIST oppression.
MAKE
Right
The leader MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR us TO RESIST oppression.
MAKE
Right
(Note: The IT properly refers to the infinitive TO RESIST.)
Windshields ARE MADE resistant to impact.
MAKE
Right
The leader MADE POSSIBLE the resistance.
MAKE
Suspect
Windshields ARE MADE TO BE resistant to impact.
MAKE
Suspect
The leader MADE POSSIBLE TO RESIST oppression.
MAKE
Wrong
The truck HAS ten TIMES THE MASS of a small car.
MASS
Right
The truck IS ten TIMES THE MASS of a small car.
MASS
Wrong
Music education is A MEANS TO improved cognition.
MEANS
Right
Music education is A MEANS OF improved cognition.
MEANS
Wrong
Music education is A MEANS FOR improved cognition.
MEANS
Wrong
My spouse HAS MISTAKEN me FOR a wealthier person.
MISTAKE
Right
My spouse HAS MISTAKEN me AS a wealthier person.
MISTAKE
Wrong
My spouse HAS MISTAKEN me TO a wealthier person.
MORE
Wrong
We observed A 10% INCREASE IN robberies last month.
MORE
Right
MORE AND MORE we have observed violent robberies on weekends.
MORE
Right
INCREASINGLY we have observed violent robberies on weekends.
MORE
Right
We observed 10% MORE robberies last month.
MORE
Suspect
OF ALL the Greek gods, Zeus was THE MOST powerful.
MOST
Right
(superlative)
He was THE SECOND MOST attractive AND THE MOST powerful.
MOST
Right
OF ALL the Greek gods, Zeus was THE MORE powerful.
MOST
Wrong
He was THE SECOND MOST attractive AND MOST powerful.
MOST
Wrong
The kangaroo is NATIVE TO Australia.
NATIVE
Right
(said of animals, plants)
My friend is A NATIVE OF Australia.
NATIVE
Right
(said of people)
The kangaroo is NATIVE IN Australia.
NATIVE
Wrong
She DID NOT EAT mangoes BUT ATE other kinds of fruit.
** NOT… BUT
Right
She DID NOT EAT mangoes BUT LIKED other kinds of fruit AND later BEGAN to like kiwis, too.
** NOT… BUT
Right
A tomato is NOT a vegetable BUT a fruit.
** NOT… BUT
Right
A tomato is NOT a vegetable BUT RATHER a fruit.
** NOT… BUT
Right
The agency is NOT a fully independent entity BUT INSTEAD derives its authority from Congress.
** NOT… BUT
Right
(note that the verbs is and derives are parallel)
She DID NOT EAT mangoes; INSTEAD, she ate other kinds of fruit.
** NOT… BUT
Right
She DID NOT EAT mangoes BUT other kinds of fruit.
** NOT… BUT
Wrong
She DID NOT EAT mangoes; RATHER other kinds of fruit.
** NOT… BUT
Wrong
We wore NOT ONLY boots BUT ALSO sandals.
** NOT ONLY… BUT ALSO
Right
We wore NOT ONLY boots, BUT ALSO sandals.
** NOT ONLY… BUT ALSO
Right
(comma is optional)
We wore NOT JUST boots BUT ALSO sandals.
** NOT ONLY… BUT ALSO
Right
We wore NOT ONLY boots BUT sandals.
** NOT ONLY… BUT ALSO
Suspect
Note: The GMAT has used this construction in correct answers.
We wore NOT ONLY boots BUT sandals AS WELL.
** NOT ONLY… BUT ALSO
Suspect
We wore boots AND ALSO sandals.
** NOT ONLY… BUT ALSO
Suspect
We wore NOT ONLY boots AND ALSO sandals.
** NOT ONLY… BUT ALSO
Wrong
We wore NOT ONLY boots BUT, AS WELL, sandals.
** NOT ONLY… BUT ALSO
Wrong
A NUMBER OF dogs ARE barking.
NUMBER
Right
THE NUMBER OF dogs IS large.
NUMBER
Right
THE NUMBER OF dogs HAS FALLEN, but THE NUMBER OF cats HAS RISEN.
NUMBER
Right
The grey oyster nearly vanished, but ITS NUMBERS have rebounded.
NUMBER
Right
There HAS BEEN A DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF dogs.
NUMBER
Suspect
THE NUMBERS OF dogs HAVE fallen.
NUMBER
Wrong
Dogs HAVE FALLEN IN NUMBER, but cats HAVE RISEN IN NUMBER.
NUMBER
Wrong
We OBJECT TO these proceedings.
OBJECT
Right
We HAVE AN OBJECTION TO these proceedings.
OBJECT
Suspect
We might ONCE have seen that band.
ONCE
Right
We might AT ONE TIME have seen that band.
ONCE
Wrong
Her performance is exceeded ONLY by theirs.
ONLY
Right
(modifies by theirs)
Her performance is ONLY exceeded by theirs.
ONLY
Wrong
(technically modifies exceeded)
Note: ONLY should be placed just before the words it is meant to modify. In both speech
and writing, we ojten place ONLY before the verb, but this placement is generally wrong,
according to the GMAT, since we rarely mean that the verb is the only action ever performed
by the subject.
I do NOT want water OR milk.
OR
Right
I do NOT want water AND milk.
OR
Suspect
(implies the combination)
The state ORDERS THAT the agency COLLECT taxes.
ORDER
Right
(subjunctive)
The state ORDERS the agency TO COLLECT taxes.
ORDER
Right
The state ORDERS THAT the agency SHOULD COLLECT taxes.
ORDER
Wrong
The state ORDERS the agency SHOULD (or WOULD) COLLECT taxes.
ORDER
Wrong
The state ORDERS the agency COLLECTING taxes.
ORDER
Wrong
The state ORDERS the agency the COLLECTION OF taxes.
ORDER
Wrong
The state ORDERS the COLLECTION OF taxes BY the agency.
ORDER
Wrong
The state ORDERS taxes collected.
ORDER
Wrong
He OWES money TO the government FOR back taxes.
OWE
Right
He OWES money TO the government BECAUSE OF back taxes.
OWE
Suspect
The employer PAYS the same FOR this JOB as for that one.
PAY
Right
The employer PAYS the same IN this JOB as in that one.
PAY
Wrong
He PERSUADED her TO GO with him.
PERSUADE
Right
He PERSUADED her IN GOING with him.
PERSUADE
Wrong
He PERSUADED THAT she GO (or SHOULD GO) with him.
PERSUADE
Wrong
A tornado IS POTENTIALLY overwhelming.
POTENTIALLY
Right
A tornado CAN POTENTIALLY BE overwhelming.
POTENTIALLY
Wrong
(redundant)
The academy gave senior cadets DANCING PRIVILEGES.
PRIVILEGE
Right
The academy gave senior cadets THE PRIVILEGE OF DANCING.
PRIVILEGE
Suspect
The academy gave senior cadets THE PRIVILEGE TO DANCE.
PRIVILEGE
Wrong
This situation IS PROBABLY as bad as it can get.
PROBABLY
Right
This situation MAY BE as bad as it can get.
PROBABLY
Right
(less certain than PROBABLY)
PERHAPS (or MAYBE) this situation IS as bad as it can get.
PROBABLY
Right
IT MAY BE THAT this situation IS as bad as it can get.
PROBABLY
Suspect
This situation IS MAYBE as bad as it can get.
PROBABLY
Wrong
The law PROHIBITS any citizen FROM VOTING twice.
PROHIBIT
Right
The law PROHIBITS any citizen TO VOTE twice.
PROHIBIT
Wrong
The law PROHIBITS THAT any person VOTE (or VOTES) twice.
PROHIBIT
Wrong
She PRONOUNCED the book a triumph.
PRONOUNCE
Right
She PRONOUNCED the book AS a triumph.
PRONOUNCE
Suspect
The attorneys PROPOSED THAT a settlement BE reached.
PROPOSE
Right
(subjunctive)
The attorneys PROPOSED a new venue.
PROPOSE
Right
The attorneys PROPOSED TO MEET for lunch.
PROPOSE
Right
The attorneys PROPOSED THAT a settlement IS reached.
PROPOSE
Wrong
The attorneys PROPOSED a settlement BE (or TO BE) reached.
PROPOSE
Wrong
The attorneys PROPOSED a settlement IS TO BE reached.
PROPOSE
Wrong
His emotions RANGED FROM anger TO joy.
RANGE
Right
His WIDELY RANGING emotions are hard to deal with.
RANGE
Right
(= changing over time)
His WIDE RANGE of accomplishments is impressive.
RANGE
Right
(= a variety)
His emotions RANGED FROM anger AND joy.
RANGE
Wrong
FROM anger AND TO joy. (or FROM anger WITH joy.)
RANGE
Wrong
FROM anger IN ADDITION TO joy.
RANGE
Wrong
His WIDELY RANGING accomplishments are impressive.
RANGE
Wrong
This problem RANKS AS one of the worst we have seen.
RANK
Right
This problem HAS THE RANK OF one o f the worst we have seen.
RANK
Wrong
The RATES FOR bus tickets are good for commuters.
RATE
Right
(= prices)
The RATE OF theft has fallen.
RATE
Right
(= frequency or speed)
The RATES OF bus tickets are good for commuters.
RATE
Wrong
The RATE FOR theft has fallen.
RATE
Wrong
He wrote with pencils RATHER THAN with pens.
RATHER THAN
Right
He wrote with pencils INSTEAD OF pens.
RATHER THAN
Suspect
Note: The GMAT seems to avoid INSTEAD OF even when it is correct.
He wrote with pencils, BUT NOT pens.
RATHER THAN
Suspect
He wrote with pencils INSTEAD OF with pens.
RATHER THAN
Wrong
I have A REASON TO DO work today.
REASON
Right
She has A REASON FOR the lawsuit.
REASON
Right
This observation indicates a REASON THAT he is here.
REASON
Right
This observation indicates a REASON WHY he is here.
REASON
Suspect
This observation indicates a REASON he is here.
REASON
Wrong
The REASON he is here IS BECAUSE he wants to be.
REASON
Wrong
The colonists REBELLED AGAINST tyranny.
REBEL
Right
The colonists’ REBELLION WAS AGAINST tyranny.
REBEL
Suspect
They RECOGNIZED THAT the entrance fee WAS a bargain.
RECOGNIZE
Right
They RECOGNIZED the entrance fee TO BE a bargain.
RECOGNIZE
Right
They RECOGNIZED the entrance fee AS a bargain.
RECOGNIZE
Right
They RECOGNIZED the entrance fee AS BEING a bargain.
RECOGNIZE
Wrong
We RECOMMENDED THAT the shelter BE opened.
RECOMMEND
Right
We RECOMMENDED THAT the shelter SHOULD BE opened.
RECOMMEND
Wrong
The coalition REDUCED prices.
REDUCE
Right
The coalition was considering A REDUCTION IN prices.
REDUCE
Right
The coalition MADE (or CAUSED) A REDUCTION IN prices.
REDUCE
Suspect
The coalition MADE A REDUCTION OF prices.
REDUCE
Wrong
This term REFERS TO a kind of disease.
REFER
Right
REFERRING TO the controversy, the politician asked for calm.
REFER
Right
This term IS USED TO REFER TO a kind of disease.
REFER
Suspect
This term IS IN REFERENCE TO a kind of disease.
REFER
Wrong
IN REFERENCE TO the controversy, the politician asked for calm.
REFER
Wrong
He REGARDS the gold ring AS costly.
REGARD
Right
The gold ring IS REGARDED AS costly.
REGARD
Right
He IS REGARDED AS HAVING good taste.
REGARD
Right
The gold ring IS REGARDED THAT IT IS costly.
REGARD
Wrong
They were RELUCTANT TO SAY anything.
RELUCTANT
Right
They were RELUCTANT ABOUT SAYING anything.
RELUCTANT
Wrong
A study HAS REPORTED THAT bees ARE DISAPPEARING rapidly.
REPORT
Right
A study HAS REPORTED bees AS DISAPPEARING rapidly.
REPORT
Wrong
I REQUEST THAT he BE removed.
REQUEST
Right
(subjunctive)
I REQUEST him TO BE removed.
REQUEST
Wrong
She REQUIRES time TO WRITE (or IN ORDER TO WRITE).
REQUIRE
Right
She REQUIRES her friend TO DO work.
REQUIRE
Right
Her friend IS REQUIRED TO DO work.
REQUIRE
Right
She REQUIRES THAT her friend DO work.
REQUIRE
Right
(subjunctive)
She REQUIRES OF her friend THAT work BE done.
REQUIRE
Right
(subjunctive)
In this hostel, there is a REQUIREMENT OF work.
REQUIRE
Suspect
There is a REQUIREMENT THAT work BE done.
REQUIRE
Suspect
She REQUIRES her friend DO work (or MUST DO) work.
REQUIRE
Wrong
She REQUIRES her friend TO HAVE TO DO work.
REQUIRE
Wrong
She REQUIRES OF her friend TO DO work.
REQUIRE
Wrong
She REQUIRES THAT her friend DOES work (or SHOULD DO) work.
REQUIRE
Wrong
She REQUIRES THAT her friend IS TO DO work.
REQUIRE
Wrong
She REQUIRES DOING work (or THE DOING OF work).
REQUIRE
Wrong
She REQUIRES her friend DOING work.
REQUIRE
Wrong
In this hostel, there is a REQUIREMENT OF work BY guests.
REQUIRE
Wrong
A neighbor of mine RESEMBLES my father.
RESEMBLE
Right
A neighbor of mine HAS A RESEMBLANCE TO my father.
RESEMBLE
Suspect
The government imposed RESTRICTIONS ON the price of gasoline.
RESTRICTION
Right
The government imposed RESTRICTIONS FOR the price of gasoline.
RESTRICTION
Wrong
Wealth RESULTS FROM work.
RESULT
Right
Work RESULTS IN wealth.
RESULT
Right
Wealth IS A RESULT OF work.
RESULT
Right
Wealth grows AS A RESULT OF work.
RESULT
Right
AS A RESULT OF our work, our wealth grew.
RESULT
Right
The RESULT OF our work WAS THAT our wealth grew.
RESULT
Right
We worked WITH THE RESULT OF wealth.
RESULT
Wrong
We worked WITH A RESULTING growth of wealth.
RESULT
Wrong
RESULTING FROM our work, our wealth grew.
RESULT
Wrong
BECAUSE OF THE RESULT OF our work, our wealth grew.
RESULT
Wrong
The RESULT OF our work WAS our wealth grew.
RESULT
Wrong
(THAT is needed)
The growth of wealth RESULTS.
RESULT
Wrong
The analysis REVEALED THAT the comet WAS mostly ice.
REVEAL
Right
The analysis REVEALED the comet WAS mostly ice.
REVEAL
Suspect
The analysis REVEALED the comet TO HAVE BEEN mostly ice.
REVEAL
Wrong
Oil prices ROSE sharply last year.
RISE
Right
A RISE IN oil prices has led to inflation.
RISE
Right
RISING prices at the gas pump are hurting consumers.
RISE
Right
The RISING OF the SUN always lifts my spirits.
RISE
Right
Oil prices WERE RAISED sharply last year.
RISE
Suspect
(implies intent and control)
A RAISE IN oil prices has led to inflation.
RISE
Wrong
(RAISE = bet or pay increase)
A RISING OF PRICES at the gas pump is hurting consumers.
RISE
Wrong
The judge RULED THAT the plaintiff WAS in contempt.
RULE
Right
The judge RULED the plaintiff WAS in contempt.
RULE
Suspect
The judge RULED the plaintiff TO BE in contempt.
RULE
Wrong
The judge RULED ON the plaintiff WHO WAS in contempt.
RULE
Wrong
The car looks THE SAME TO me AS TO you.
SAME
Right
I drove to the store AT THE SAME TIME AS you [did].
SAME
Right
The car looks THE SAME TO me AS you.
SAME
Wrong
(ambiguous)
I drove to the store AT THE SAME TIME you did.
SAME
Wrong
Our authority IS SECURE.
SECURE
Right
We ARE SECURE ABOUT our authority.
SECURE
Wrong
This result SEEMS TO DEMONSTRATE the new theory.
SEEM
Right
IT SEEMS THAT this result DEMONSTRATES the new theory.
SEEM
Right
IT SEEMS AS IF this result DEMONSTRATES the new theory.
SEEM
Right
This result SEEMS TO BE A DEMONSTRATION OF the new theory.
SEEM
Suspect
This result SEEMS DEMONSTRATIVE OF the new theory.
SEEM
Suspect
This result SEEMS LIKE A DEMONSTRATION OF the new theory.
SEEM
Suspect
This result SEEMS AS IF IT DEMONSTRATES the new theory.
SEEM
Wrong
This result SEEMS LIKE IT DEMONSTRATES the new theory.
SEEM
Wrong
A car SHOULD BE TAKEN to the mechanic frequently.
SHOULD
Right
(= obligation)
A car SHOULD PASS every two hours.
SHOULD
Wrong
(= probability)
The owner REQUESTED THAT the car SHOULD BE TAKEN to the mechanic.
SHOULD
Wrong
(use the subjunctive BE TAKEN instead)
A discovery SHOWS THAT an object IS strange.
SHOW
Right
A discovery SHOWS an object TO BE strange.
SHOW
Right
A discovery SHOWS an object IS strange.
SHOW
Suspect
A discovery SHOWS an object AS strange (or AS BEING) strange.
SHOW
Wrong
Your edits HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED the book.
SIGNIFICANT
Right
Your edits HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN the book.
SIGNIFICANT
Suspect
Your edits HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT IN IMPROVING the book.
SIGNIFICANT
Wrong
Your edits HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT IN AN IMPROVEMENT OF the book.
SIGNIFICANT
Wrong
ALL companies HAVE SIMILAR issues.
SIMILAR
Right
(comparison requires plural)
EACH company HAS SIMILAR issues.
SIMILAR
Wrong
EVERY company HAS SIMILAR issues.
SIMILAR
Wrong
Xingo is THE MOST successful new product SINCE 1997.
SINCE
Right
(= up to now)
It is the best new beverage SINCE Prune Cola.
SINCE
Right
Xingo is the best new beverage FOLLOWING Prune Cola.
SINCE
Suspect
Xingo is THE MOST successful new product AFTER 1997.
SINCE
Wrong
The sauce was SO hot AS TO burn my mouth.
SO… AS TO
Suspect
Note: The GMAT has an inconsistent position on this idiom. Question #39 in The
Official Guide, 13th Edition claims that this idiom is “incorrect” with no further explanation.
However, a problem in GMAT Prep has this idiom in a correct answer choice.
Other authorities consider this idiom correct, and we agree. Nevertheless, you should
be wary of its use.
The sauce had SUCH heat AS TO burn my mouth.
SO… AS TO
Wrong
The sauce had SO MUCH heat AS TO burn my mouth.
SO… AS TO
Wrong
The book was SO SHORT THAT I could read it in one night.
** SO…THAT
Right
The book was SHORT ENOUGH FOR me TO READ in one night.
** SO…THAT
Right
Note: These two expressions have slightly different emphases, but it is unlikely that
you will need to choose an answer solely on this basis.
The book was SO SHORT I could read it.
** SO…THAT
Suspect
(THAT is preferred.)
The book was OF SUCH SHORTNESS THAT I could read it.
** SO…THAT
Suspect
The book had SO MUCH SHORTNESS THAT I could read it.
** SO…THAT
Suspect
SUCH was the SHORTNESS of the book THAT I could read it.
** SO…THAT
Suspect
The book was OF SUCH SHORTNESS, I could read it.
** SO…THAT
Wrong
The book was SHORT TO SUCH A DEGREE AS TO ALLOW me to read it.
** SO…THAT
Wrong
She gave money SO THAT the school could offer scholarships.
** SO THAT
Right
(= purpose)
She gave money, SO the school was grateful.
** SO THAT
Suspect
(= result)
She gave money SO the school could offer scholarships.
** SO THAT
Wrong
Bellbottoms ARE coming back in style, and SO TOO ARE vests.
SO TOO
Right
Bellbottoms ARE coming back in style, and ALSO vests.
SO TOO
Suspect
Bellbottoms ARE coming back in style, and SO TOO vests.
SO TOO
Wrong
We SUBSTITUTED Parmesan cheese FOR mozzarella.
SUBSTITUTE
Right
We SUBSTITUTED Parmesan cheese IN PLACE OF mozzarella.
SUBSTITUTE
Wrong
She SUCCEEDED IN REACHING the summit.
SUCCEED
Right
She SUCCEEDED TO REACH the summit.
SUCCEED
Wrong
You may enjoy chemistry and physics, but I hate SUCH subjects.
SUCH
Right
You may enjoy chemistry and physics, but I hate THESE subjects.
SUCH
Right
Note: THESE means “these specifically.” SUCH is more general.
You may enjoy chemistry and physics, but I hate subjects OF THIS KIND.
SUCH
Wrong
You may enjoy chemistry and physics, but I hate subjects LIKE THESE.
SUCH
Wrong
Matt drives fast cars, SUCH AS Ferraris.
** SUCH AS
Right
(= example)
Matt enjoys driving SUCH cars AS Ferraris.
** SUCH AS
Right
Matt enjoys intense activities, SUCH AS DRIVING fast cars.
** SUCH AS
Right
Matt drives fast cars LIKE Ferraris.
** SUCH AS
Suspect
(= similar to, but “example” is implied.)
Note: The GMAT has backed off from claiming that like cannot introduce examples, but it is probable that the use of like with examples will continue to be avoided.
Matt drives Ferraris AND THE LIKE.
** SUCH AS
Wrong
Matt drives Ferraris AND OTHER cars SUCH AS THESE.
** SUCH AS
Wrong
Matt trains in many ways SUCH AS BY DRIVING on racetracks.
** SUCH AS
Wrong
Matt enjoys intense activities, SUCH AS TO DRIVE fast cars.
** SUCH AS
Wrong
A study SUGGESTS THAT more work IS needed (or WILL BE) needed.
SUGGEST
Right
We SUGGEST THAT he BE promoted.
SUGGEST
Right
(subjunctive)
This artwork SUGGESTS great talent.
SUGGEST
Right
This artwork IS SUGGESTIVE OF great talent.
SUGGEST
Suspect
Craters have been seen ON THE SURFACE OF the moon.
SURFACE
Right
Craters have been seen AT THE SURFACE OF the moon.
SURFACE
Suspect
This intervention is TARGETED AT a specific misbehavior.
TARGETED
Right
This intervention is TARGETED TO a specific misbehavior.
TARGETED
Wrong
His books are MORE impressive THAN those of other writers.
** THAN
Right
This paper is LESS impressive THAN that one.
** THAN
Right
This paper is NO LESS impressive THAN that one.
** THAN
Right
This newspaper cost 50 cents MORE THAN that one.
** THAN
Right
MORE THAN 250 newspapers are published here.
** THAN
Right
Sales are HIGHER this year THAN last year.
** THAN
Right
His books are MORE impressive AS those of other writers.
** THAN
Wrong
This paper is MORE impressive RATHER THAN that one.
** THAN
Wrong
This paper is MORE impressive INSTEAD OF that one.
** THAN
Wrong
This paper is NO LESS impressive AS that one.
** THAN
Wrong
This paper is NONE THE LESS impressive THAN that one.
** THAN
Wrong
This newspaper cost 50 cents AS MUCH AS that one.
** THAN
Wrong
AS MANY AS OR MORE THAN 250 newspapers are published here.
** THAN
Wrong
Sales are HIGHER this year OVER last years.
** THAN
Wrong
She THINKS OF them AS heroes.
THINK
Right
She IS THOUGHT TO BE secretly wealthy.
THINK
Right
They ARE THOUGHT OF BY her AS heroes.
THINK
Wrong
She THINKS OF them TO BE heroes.
THINK
Wrong
She THINKS OF them BEING heroes.
THINK
Wrong
We have a TOOL FOR MAKING progress.
TOOL
Right
We have a TOOL TO MAKE progress.
TOOL
Right
Note: The GMAT does not seem to require WITH, although one makes progress
WITH a tool.
She WAS TRAINED TO RUN a division.
TRAIN
Right
She WAS TRAINED FOR RUNNING (or IN RUNNING) a division.
TRAIN
Wrong
They WILL TRY TO BUILD a company.
TRY
Right
(= intent or purpose)
We TRIED BREAKING the door down.
TRY
Suspect
(= experiment)
They WILL TRY AND BUILD a company.
TRY
Wrong
They WILL TRY THAT THEY BUILD a company.
TRY
Wrong
He is TWICE AS tall AS Alex [is].
TWICE
Right
Leaves fall TWICE AS quickly AS they grow.
TWICE
Right
Naomi wrote TWICE AS MANY letters AS Sara [did].
TWICE
Right
Naomi wrote ten letters, DOUBLE THE NUMBER THAT Sara wrote.
TWICE
Right
Naomi’s income DOUBLED in three years.
TWICE
Right
Naomi DOUBLED her income in three years.
TWICE
Right
He is TWICE AS tall THAN Alex [is].
TWICE
Wrong
Leaves fall TWICE AS quickly AS their rate of growth.
TWICE
Wrong
Naomi wrote DOUBLE THE LETTERS THAT Sara did.
TWICE
Wrong
Naomi’s income INCREASED BY TWICE in three years.
TWICE
Wrong
UNLIKE the spiny anteater, the aardvark is docile.
** UNLIKE
Right
UNLIKE WITH the spiny anteater, the aardvark is docile.
** UNLIKE
Wrong
He USES the hammer TO BREAK a board.
USE
Right
He BREAKS a board WITH the hammer.
USE
Right
His hammer BREAKS a board.
USE
Right
He USES the hammer AS a weapon.
USE
Right
He USES a hammer FOR BREAKING a board.
USE
Wrong
He USES the hammer LIKE a weapon.
USE
Wrong
He USES the hammer TO BE a weapon.
USE
Wrong
There are VARIATIONS IN sunspot frequency and strength over time.
VARIATION
Right
There are VARIATIONS OF sunspot frequency and strength over time.
VARIATION
Wrong
There are VARIATIONS AMONG sunspot frequency and strength over time.
VARIATION
Wrong
I VIEWED this process AS a mistake.
VIEW
Right
I VIEWED this process TO BE a mistake (or LIKE) a mistake.
VIEW
Wrong
We proposed a WAY OF REACHING the goal.
WAY
Right
The WAY IN WHICH we discussed the idea was positive.
WAY
Right
The best WAY TO REACH the goal IS TO FOCUS one’s energy.
WAY
Right
This process was developed TO ACHIEVE the target.
WAY
Right
This process was developed AS A WAY OF ACHIEVING the target.
WAY
Suspect
We proposed a WAY FOR REACHING the goal.
WAY
Wrong
The best WAY TO REACH the goal IS FOCUSING ones energy.
WAY
Wrong
My laptop WEIGHS LESS THAN a suitcase.
WEIGH
Right
My laptop IS LIGHTER THAN a suitcase.
WEIGH
Right
My laptop WEIGHS LIGHTER THAN a suitcase.
WEIGH
Wrong
Sussex is the only county WHERE pomegranates grow in this state.
WHERE
Right
Sussex is the only county IN WHICH pomegranates grow in this state.
WHERE
Right
This incident represents a case IN WHICH I would call the police.
WHERE
Right
This incident represents a case WHERE I would call the police.
WHERE
Wrong
I do not know WHETHER I will go.
WHETHER
Right
I do not know WHETHER OR NOT I will go.
WHETHER
Suspect
I do not know IF I will go.
WHETHER
Wrong
(IF requires a consequence)
I decided to eat the food, WHETHER it was tasty OR NOT.
WHETHER… OR
Right
WHETHER trash OR treasure, the recyclables must be picked up.
WHETHER… OR
Right
WHETHER trash OR ALSO treasure, the recyclables must be picked up.
WHETHER… OR
Wrong
WHETHER THEY BE trash OR treasure, the recyclables must go.
WHETHER… OR
Wrong
The officer WHOSE task was to be here did not show up.
WHOSE/WHOM
Right
The company WHOSE growth leads the industry is XYZ, Inc.
WHOSE/WHOM
Right
The officer, THE task OF WHOM was to be here, did not show up.
WHOSE/WHOM
Suspect
The lions growled, WITH their fur STANDING on end.
WITH
Right
WITH only 25% o f the student body, seniors get 50% of the resources.
WITH
Wrong
The committee was WORRIED ABOUT increased prices.
WORRY
Right
The committee’s WORRY CONCERNING increased prices was well-founded.
WORRY
Suspect
The committee was WORRIED OVER increased prices.
WORRY
Wrong
Pollution COSTS us billions IN increased medical bills.
COST
Right
The COST OF pollution TO us is billions IN increased medical bills.
COST
Suspect
Increased medical bills COST us billions BECAUSE OF pollution.
COST
Wrong
