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
