Spideys Revision Flashcards
Not……..????
Rather ……?????
When to use these two.
Not…..but
Rather ….. Than
Not…but is used without any preference.
Rather than has a preference
Targetted…….
Targetted at is correct
Targeted to is wrong
Estimated ??????
Estimated to be
Everyone is ?????
Everyone is singular
Using Due to
Due to means caused by and can be replaced by caused by
It does not mean because of
Example: the game was postponed due to rain - incorrect
Example the game was postponed because of the rain.
Example: the game,s postponement was due to rain.
Neither….????
Either…..
Neither…nor
Either…. Or
Always check if the verbs agree after or / nor
Neither the prosecutors argument nor the mountains of evidence were able to convince the jury
Verb has to agree with subject following nor
Not (a or b) nor c is also ok
So ……??????
So (adj) as to (verb)
So..as to structure is used as a comparative.
If you can replace so as to with in order to then the structure is wrong.
Correct: her debts are so extreme as to threaten the future of the company.
So as is never correct in GMAT
Incorrect: he exercises everyday so as to build his stamina.
Correct: he exercises everyday in an effort to build his stamina.
Compare to vs compare with
Compare to usually refers describing the resemblance between unlike things
He compared her to sa summer day
Scientists sometimes compare the human brain to a computer
Compare with refers to examining two like things
The police compared the forged signature with the original.
Whether vs. if
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.
Whethervs.If
Whether”iscorrectwhenasentencedescribesalternatives
CORRECT: “Whethertovoteornot.”“If”iscorrectwhenasentencedescribesahypotheticalsituation. CORRECT: “Ifheweretoparticipate,hewould
Each
Each
From: http://www.testmagic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5164
www.TestMagic.com
www.sentencecorrection.com
Powered by TestMagic
- 5 –
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
————————————————————————————————————
quote:
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
oks wrote:
How can E be correct if each broadcasts, not broadcast??
IMO “E”…
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
Each…..broadcast…S-V mismatch.
(B) superficial, as can sometimes occur if all of the three major networks
Although X, Y….Here X, Y should be complete clause….which is not the case.
(C) superficial if the three major networks all
Although X, Y….Here X, Y should be complete clause….which is not the case….because of if.
(D) superficial whenever each of the three major networks
Each…..broadcast…S-V mismatch.
(E) superficial, as when the three major networks each
Since subject is Networks….not each….so “each” following subject has no bearing on the verb…as opposed to A, and D where “each” is the subject.
X has half the chance……..y has
X has half the chance that Y has.
So vs it
‘So’ is used to replace a Verb in a Sentence whereas ‘It’ is used to replace a Noun.
Curfew is ……
Second, “curfew” is a singular count noun and therefore requires a determiner (the).
Skill is…….
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 vs concerned with
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.
As such
As Such
[often with negative] in the exact sense of the word:
it is possible to stay overnight here although there is no guest house as such
Usually used for speech rather than written.
Reduced vs reduction
Reduced Costs = Reduction IN costs (result of reduction)
“Reduction of” is used when reducing by a certain amount. e.g. reduction of 20%.
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
E
Schliemann determined at the age of seven to find the site of ancient Troy and devoted his subsequent career to do it.
A. devoted his subsequent career to do it
Not idiomatic and it is used very ambiguously . TO DO SO is preferable
B. has devoted his subsequent career to do that
has means he is still devoting and not parallel with determined
C. devoted his subsequent career to such an end
Awkward
D. has devoted his subsequent career for that
wrong tense
E. devoted his subsequent career to that end[/quote]
correct tense and use of THAT END, which clearly refers to the first part of the sentence
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
IMO: D
(A) The domesticated camel, which some scholars date
Doesn’t make sense. One cannot date a domesticated camel, unless they are into that sort of thing.
(B) The domesticated camel, which some scholars having thought to occur
Sounds weird
(C) Domesticating the camel, dated by some scholars at
“Domesticating” does not agree with tense
(D) The domestication of the camel, thought by some scholars to have occurred
Now this one looks pretty good. Tenses agree and it is clear that we are talking about the impact of the domestication of the camel.
(E) The camel’s domestication, dated by some scholars to have been
“Have been” is present perfect, but our sentence deals with the past.
_________________
I don’t know what to say, really. Three minutes to the biggest battle of our professional lives. You find out life’s this game of inches, so is football. Because in either game - life or football - the margin for error is so small. I mean, one half a step too late or too early and you don’t quite make it. One half second too slow, too fast and you don’t quite catch it. I’ll tell you this, in any fight it’s the guy whose willing to die whose gonna win that inch. That’s football guys, that’s all it is. Now, what are you gonna do?
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
A
The sentence tricks you to believe that its a subjunctive case and hence you should pick the base form of the verb that is REQUIRE.
As require can be used with TO : We require you TO BE in the office.
Or with THAT : The boss requires THAT John be in the office.
But read the sentence carefully do we really need a subjunctive case here ? No
The central issue before the court was how far the regulatory agencies should go .
Should in the original sentence indicates that this is not a subjunctive case and we dont need to use the base form of the verb.
Prepositions
Prepositions Any questions? Ask TestMagic! Jump to: • Rule • Be careful!! • List of prepositions Rule Back to top the most important rule for prepositions is: preposition + noun This is the TestMagic list of most of the prepositions you will ever see on the TOEFL. There are a few more prepositions in English that are not listed here, but you will probably not see them on the TOEFL since they are fairly uncommon. This list is very important-you should know at least 90% of this list. And don't forget, after every preposition, we must have a noun, and only a noun; NEVER can we have a verb after a preposition. Be careful!! Back to top Six (6) of these prepositions can also be subordinating conjunctions . In other words, they can be followed by a noun or by a sentence, depending on the meaning. Huh? Can you show me some examples?? www.TestMagic.com www.sentencecorrection.com Powered by TestMagic - 14 – Sure, no problem. Look: • After lunch, I felt sleepy. o In this sentence, After is a preposition and is therefore followed by only one noun, lunch (no verb here!!). • After I worked twelve hours, I felt tired. o In this sentence, After is a subordinating conjunction and is followed by a sentence, I worked twelve hours. • I worked until midnight. o Here, until is a preposition and is followed by a noun, midnight. No verbs, please!!! • I worked until I felt tired. o In this sentence, until is a subordinating conjunction and is followed by a sentence, I felt tired. List Back to top 1. aboard 2. about 3. above 4. absent 5. according to 6. across 7. after (This one can also be a subordinating conjunction . In other words, it can be followed by a noun or a sentence, depending on the meaning). www.TestMagic.com www.sentencecorrection.com Powered by TestMagic - 15 – 8. against 9. ahead of 10. all over 11. along 12. alongside 13. amid or amidst 14. among 15. around 16. as (This one can also be a subordinating conjunction . In other words, it can be followed by a noun or a sentence, depending on the meaning). 17. as of 18. as to 19. as + ADVERB OF TIME + as 20. as early as 21. as late as 22. as often as 23. as much as 24. as many as, etc. 25. aside 26. astride 27. at 28. away from 29. bar www.TestMagic.com www.sentencecorrection.com Powered by TestMagic - 16 – 30. barring 31. because of 32. before (This one can also be a subordinating conjunction . In other words, it can be followed by a noun or a sentence, depending on the meaning). 33. behind 34. below 35. beneath 36. beside 37. besides 38. between 39. beyond 40. but 41. by 42. by the time of 43. circa 44. close by 45. close to 46. concerning 47. considering 48. despite 49. down 50. due to 51. during www.TestMagic.com www.sentencecorrection.com Powered by TestMagic - 17 – 52. except 53. except for 54. excepting 55. excluding 56. failing 57. for (This one can also be a subordinating conjunction . In other words, it can be followed by a noun or a sentence, depending on the meaning). 58. for all (this means despite) 59. from 60. given 61. in 62. in between 63. in front of 64. in keeping with 65. in place of 66. in spite of 67. in view of 68. including 69. inside 70. instead of 71. into 72. less 73. like 74. minus 75. near www.TestMagic.com www.sentencecorrection.com Powered by TestMagic - 18 – 76. near to 77. next to 78. notwithstanding 79. of 80. off 81. on 82. on top of 83. onto 84. opposite 85. other than 86. out 87. out of 88. outside 89. over 90. past 91. pending 92. per 93. plus 94. regarding 95. respecting 96. round 97. save 98. saving 99. similar to www.TestMagic.com www.sentencecorrection.com Powered by TestMagic - 19 – 100. since (This one can also be a subordinating conjunction . In other words, it can be followed by a noun or a sentence, depending on the meaning). 101. TestMagic List © 2002 102. than 103. thanks to (this means because of) 104. through 105. throughout 106. till 107. to 108. toward or towards (both forms are correct, but toward is considered slightly more formal) 109. under 110. underneath 111. unlike 112. until (This one can also be a subordinating conjunction . In other words, it can be followed by a noun or a sentence, depending on the meaning). 113. unto 114. up 115. upon 116. up to 117. versus 118. via 119. wanting 120. with 121. within www.TestMagic.com www.sentencecorrection.com Powered by TestMagic - 20 – 122. without
Although about 99 percent of the more than 50 million Turks are Muslims, the republic founded by Mustafa Kemal
Ataturk in 1923 is resolutely secular.
a…
b. Although about 99 percent of over 50 million of the
c. Although about 99 percent of more than 50 million
d. Despite the fact that about 99 percent of more than 50 million
e. Despite the fact that about 99 percent of over 50 million
A
Whew! This is one of the most commonly asked questions… I think it’s going to take
a while to explain, and I don’t think I can do it tonight since I’ve got class in the
morning.
Here’s the short answer: if we use “the,” we are saying that there are only 50 million
Turks in the whole world; if we don’t use “the,” we are saying that there are possibly
more than 50 million Turks in the world.
This one’s similar to the one in the Official Guide, the one about the “Thomas
Jefferson… setting free the more than 500 slaves…”
All things being equal, I’d have to say that “invest in” is slightly preferable to “invest
into.”
I think there’s also a very slight difference in meaning–“invest in” would be the
better choice for such traditional investments as stocks and bonds, while “invest
into” could be used in more metaphorical investments, such as the time, energy, and
love you might shower upon your children.
www.TestMagic.com
www.sentencecorrection.com
Powered by TestMagic
- 21 –
Like vs as
Just as vs “in the same way that”
1) My Siamese cat moved across the floor just like / as a lion stalking its prey.
2) My Siamese cat moved across the floor just as / like a lion stalking its prey moves
Like vs As
Use like when you want to focus on two nouns;
Use as when you want to focus on two nouns doing two actions.
Another little trick is that “just as” can replace “in the same way that…”
Let’s compare two very similar sentences that could cause confusion:
1) My Siamese cat moved across the floor just like a lion stalking its prey.
here like is better because we are compareing cat with lion. we cannot compare move with stalking as both actions are different.
2) My Siamese cat moved across the floor just as a lion stalking its prey moves.
This one sounds very good to me; it explains how a my cat moved.