Comparisons:
1) Use of that and which: Most often than not, in GMAT, which would be preceded by a comma in the sentence.
e.g. Get me the book, which is mine. Which is used to qualify the book i.e. which is mine. There may be many books in the room, but I want my book.
‘Which’ should always refer to a noun. E.g. Get me the book, which is mine. So, ‘which’ here refers to the noun ‘book’.
· Which should apply to things
e.g. Sales of United States manufactured goods to non-industrialized countries rose to $167 billion in 1992, which is 14 percent more than the previous year and largely offsets weak demand from Europe and Japan.
A) which is 14 percent more than the previous year
B) which is 14 percent higher than it was the previous year
C) 14 percent higher than the previous year's figure
D) an amount that is 14 percent more than the previous year was
E) an amount that is 14 percent higher than the previous year's figure
B is incorrect, because which should refer to a specific noun in the preceding clause. That noun does not exist ( Rise of sales). So, it is replaced by an amount that is 14 percent higher …
So, E is the correct answer (Similar to the UFO example in princeton)
That is a restrictive clause while which is a non restrictive clause.
2) Like v/s. As: Like is used to express similarity. It is normally used to show similarity between two nouns e.g. Lemons are like limes.
As on the other hand would normally compare two clauses and not two nouns. E.g. He looks as if he is drunk.
Such As: It is normally used to give examples. Compare the two sentences ‘I want you to buy fruits like lemons and limes’. However, if you want lemons and limes, you would say that ‘I want you to buy fruits such as lemons and limes’. The earlier sentence means you don’t want lemons and limes, but fruits like those.
Example of ‘Like v/s. As’
The ordinance is intended to force householders to separate such hazardous waste like pesticides, batteries, fertilizers, and oil-based paints from the general stream of household trash.
(A) to separate such hazardous waste like
(B) that they should separate such hazardous waste like
(C) separating such hazardous wastes as
(D) that they should separate such hazardous wastes as（E）
(E) to separate such hazardous wastes as
Example of Such as:
While the base salary for the top five officers of the company did not change from 1990 to 1991, cuts were made nonsalary compensation, as in allowances for overseas assignments and club memberships.
(A) cuts were made nonsalary compensation, as in
(B) cuts were made in such nonsalary compensation as
(C) cuts were made in such nonsalary compensation as those in
(D) cuts in nonsalary compensation were made in areas like（B）
(E) there were cuts made in nonsalary compensation, in areas like
B is the correct answer. It uses ‘such as’ to furnish 2 examples.
3) Compared to v/s. Compared with: To show comparison between unlike things, ‘compare to’ is used. To show comparison between like things, ‘compare with’ is used.
e.g. He compared her to a summer day.
Scientists compare the human brain to a computer. (Unlike thing)
The police compared the forged signature with the original. (Like things)
4) Because v/s. In That: When ETS puts ‘because’ and ‘in that’ in a sentence, more often than not, ‘in that’ would be correct. ‘In that qualifies’ the previous sentence, while ‘because’ is just used to show a simple causal relationship.
Example:
Teratomas are unusual forms of cancer because they are composed of tissues such as tooth and bone not normally found in the organ in which the tumor appears.
A. because they are composed of tissues such as tooth and bone
B. because they are composed of tissues like tooth and bone that are
C. because they are composed of tissues, like tooth and bone, tissues
D. in that their composition , tissues such as tooth and bone, is
E. in that they are composed of tissues such as tooth and bone, tissues
E is the correct answer.
5) Less v/s. Fewer: Less means ‘Not as much’, Fewer means ‘Not as many’
e.g. A shower takes less water than a bath, so take fewer baths and more showers.
6) Agree to v/s. Agree with: Agree with is used when a person is agreeing with another person. Agree to is used when a person is agreeing to something inanimate.
e.g. I agree to your proposal
I completely agree with you on this one.
7) Usual v/s. Is Usual: He is faster than is usual for any human being – Is correct.
He is faster than usual today – is correct
A Mercedes is more expensive than usual for a car – Incorrect
A Mercedes is more expensive than is usual for a car – Correct
When something is compared to a subgroup to which it belongs, is usual should be used. When something is compared to itself, usual is fine
e.g. He is nicer than usual.
8) Between v/s. Among: Between used for a comparison between two things only. Among is used for more than 2 things.
9) If v/s. Whether: If introduces a condition, whether produces a choice
Whether to go or not to go.
If I go, he will come.
10) Who v/s. whom: If answer is in ‘HE’, use ‘WHO’. If answer is in ‘HIM’, use ‘WHOM’.
e.g. Who broke the glass (HE did, so ‘who’)
By whom was the glass taken? (By ‘HIM’, so ‘WHOM’)
11) Where v/s. When: Where is used to point to a region/area/place
When is used to point to a time.
Each of the factory towns which has pollution as a severe problem…
Each of the factory towns where the pollution problem is severe – is correct
12) Native of v/s. Native to: Native of can be used when referring to human beings.
Native to usage is otherwise correct.
13) Can v/s. Could: If you are just assuming something, ‘could’ should be used.
e.g. Artificial intelligence emerged during the late 1950's as an academic discipline based on the assumption that computers are able to be programmed to think like people.
(A) are able to be programmed to think like people
(B) were able to be programmed to think as people
(C) can be programmed to think as people can
(D) could be programmed to think like people
(E) are capable of being programmed to think like people do
Can is used for : General ability (I can speak English), opportunity (I can help her now), request (Can I have a glass of water?), possibility (Anyone can become rich and famous).
Could is used for: possibility (John could be the one who stole the money), condition (If I had more time, I could travel around the world), suggestion (You could spend your vacation here), polite request (Could I have something to drink?)
Notice the usage of modals in the following sentences:
I pay my taxes. | General declaration of fact. Paying taxes is something I normally do. |
I can pay my taxes. | Expresses ability. I have the means (funds) to pay. |
I might pay my taxes. | Expresses possibility, but not certainty. Maybe I will pay; maybe I won’t. |
I will pay my taxes. | Expresses future intent. I resolve to do it at some later time. |
I should pay my taxes. | Expresses mild obligation. It is required, and I expect to comply. |
I could pay my taxes. | Expresses possibility. If I have nothing else to do with the money, I might pay taxes. |
I would pay my taxes. | (In this case), expresses reservation. If I had the money (but I don’t).… |
I must pay my taxes. | Expresses strong obligation. I am required and have to comply. |
· Would is often used to show a condition in the past. E.g. I would have done it, if I had money then. (A thing that was not done but could have been done if money was available) OR
e.g.
In the mid-1920’s the Hawthorne Works of the Western Electric Company was the scene of an intensive series of experiments investigating the effects that changes in working conditions would have on workers’ performance (Changes in condition will have is wrong, it should be would have, as we are describing what the company had done and what they anticipated)
14) BECAUSE v/s. ON ACCOUNT OF: On GMAT, ‘Because’ is preferred over ‘on account of’. This is because ‘because’ can introduce an entire subordinate clause in the sentence (Golden crab is not fished, on account of living… - is not correct). Golden crab is not fished, because it lives… - is correct
15) CHIEF of WHICH v/s. CHIEF among which:
Jamieson's proposal was rejected for several reasons, the chief among which was cost.
(A) the chief among which was cost
(B) among which the chief was its cost
© the main one was cost
(D) the chief reason of which was its cost
(E) the chief of which was cost
chief means main or principal, and all three words mean the top one. And when we refer to a member of a group, we use of. For example, if we want to name our best friend, we'd say He is the best of my friends, but not He is the best among my friends.
Now, run these through your head to see how they sound:
- The main reason of all the reasons.
- The main reason among all the reasons.
I think the first sounds better and is more precise.
16) PRACTICE v/s. PRACTISE: Practise is a verb and practice is a noun. I practise piano is correct. Also, I had my piano practice for the day is correct.
The doctor practised for 20 years; his brother a lawyer had a 2 year practice.
17) Resumptive modifiers
Since the 1930’s aircraft manufacturers have tried to build airplanes with frictionless wings, shaped so smoothly and perfectly that the air passing over them would not become turbulent.
(A) wings, shaped so smoothly and perfectly
(B) wings, wings so smooth and so perfectly shaped
(C) wings that are shaped so smooth and perfect
(D) wings, shaped in such a smooth and perfect manner（B）
(E) wings, wings having been shaped smoothly and perfectly so
B is the correct answer.
Wings is required to unambiguously convey the meaning of the sentence.
A resumptive modifier picks up a word or phrase from a sentence that seems to be finished and then adds information and takes the reader into new territory of thought.
In a crowded, acquisitive world, the disapperance of lifestyles such as those once followed by southern Africa's Bushmen and Australia's aborigines, requiring vast wild spaces and permitting little accumulation of goods, seem inevitably doomed.
(B) requiring vast wild spaces and permitting little accumulation of goods, seems to be inevitably doomed
© which require vast wild spaces and permit little accumulation of goods, seems to be inevitably doomed
(D) life-styles that require vast wild spaces and permit little accumulation of goods, seem inevitable
(E) life-stlyes requiring vast wild spaces and permitting little accumulation of goods, seems inevitable
E is the correct answer.
- The Swiss watchmakers' failure to capitalize on the invention of the digital timepiece was both astonishing and alarming — astonishing in that the Swiss had, since the beginnings of the industrial revolution in Europe, been among the first to capitalize on technical innovations, alarming in that a tremendous industrial potential had been lost to their chief competitors, the watchmakers of Japan.
- The defensive coaches taught risk-taking, ball-hawking, and perpetual movement — three strategies that bewildered the opposition and resulted in many bad passes, steals, and easy fastbreak baskets.
Another example in the same league…
Proponents of artificial intelligence say they will be able to make computers that can understand English and other human languages, recognize objects, and reason as an expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these.
(A) as an expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these
(B) as an expert does, which may be used for purposes such as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan
(C) like an expert—computers that will be used for such purposes as diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan
(D) like an expert, the use of which would be for purposes like the diagnosis of equipment breakdowns or the decision whether or not a loan should be authorized（C）
(E) like an expert, to be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan or not, or the like
C is the answer.
18) EACH v/s. EVERY: Each refers to ‘2 times’, every refers to ‘More than 2 times’
The dog has bitten my younger son twice, and each time, he has had to be sent to his kennel.
each time, he has had to be sent to his
every time, it has had to be sent to his
each time, it has had to be sent to its
every time, it has had to be sent to its
each time, he has had to be sent to its
‘Each time’ because it has bitten only twice. The use of the pronoun "he" is unclear here - does it refer to the dog or to the son? In fact, tracing our way back along the sentence, we find that we come across the word "son" before we come across the word "dog", which rather implies that it is the son who owns, and is sent to, the kennel.
The way to get round this ambiguity is to use "it" followed by "its" (no apostrophe!). This limits the choices to (C) and (D). The only difference between these options is the fact that one uses the word "every" and the other uses the word "each". Since these refer to the two times that the dog bit the son, we shouldn't use "every" (that refers to three or more times). The correct option is therefore (C).
17) Economic v/s. Economical:
Economic means "having to do with the economy or the study of economics."
Economical means "careful or prudent in managing finances, money- saving."
The supply of oil being finite has become an economical and political consideration of the first magnitude for all modern industrial nations.
(A) The supply of oil being finite has become an economical
(B) The finite supply of oil has become an economical
(C) That the supply of oil is finite has become an economical
(D) The supply of oil being finite has become an economic（E）
(E) That the supply of oil is finite has become an economic - OA
18) Not/But vs. rather than:
The key here is to realize that not... but... is conjunction. We use conjunctions when we
want to join things that are "linguistically equivalent." Help much? No, probably not.
How about some examples?
• Pucci is not a dog but a cat.
• Not Todd but Taka will be studying with us today.
• I not was sad but happy to learn that Megumi was moving to Paris for abetter job.
You should notice that the words in bold are "linguistically equivalent," or, as we
sayin class, "parallel."
Now compare one of these sentences if I try to use rather than:
Pucci is a cat rather than a dog.
Doesn't this sentence sound crazy? It should; the meaning is all wrong.
Now, let's look at a similar sentence, one in which rather than is okay:
I want a cat rather than a dog.
This sentence is okay because we are expressing a preference for one thing over
another thing.
I need X, not Y = I need X but not Y = I need not Y but X
"I need X rather than Y" does not connote "I need not Y"
WHO v/s. THAT v/s. WHICH
Who refers to people. That and which refer to groups or thing(team, army etc. are referred to by that or which).
| Examples | Glen is the one who rescued the bird. |
Georgia is on the team that won first place.
She belongs to an organization that specializes in saving endangered species.
As a result of medical advances, many people that might at one time have died as children of such infections as diphtheria, pneumonia, or rheumatic fever now live well into old age.
(A) that might at one time have died as children
(B) who might once have died in childhood
(C) that as children might once have died
(D) who in childhood might have at one time died（B）
(E) who, when they were children, might at one time have died
People, so who is required. Hence B is the answer.
In spite of Vs Although:
"in spite of", "despite" are prepositions and "although", "though", "even though" are conjunction.
So correct usage will be:
"in spite of", "despite" + noun
"although", "though", "even though" + clause
Examples -
Although it is warm outside, she insists on keeping her coat on.
Despite warm weather, she kept her coat on.
"is spite of" and "despite" can also be used as adverbial constructions with -ing. Ex -
I managed to pass my exam, despite going out four times a week during the revision period.
1) Although needs to be used to contrast two parallel noun phrases or phrases. "X although Y" X and Y needs to be in parallel form.
2) One of the requirements of a restrictive clause is that the sentence wouldn't make sense or mean the same thing without it. Ex - "That remains stationary" mentioned below:
The Peaks of a mountain range, acting like rocks in a streambed, produce ripples in the air flowing over them; the resulting flow with crests and troughs that remain stationary although the air that forms them is moving rapidly, are pattern, known as "standing waves".
A. crests and troughs that remain stationary although the air that forms them is moving rapidly, are
B. crests and troughs that remain stationary although they are formed by rapidly moving air ,are
C. crests and troughs that remain stationary although the air that forms them is moving rapidly, is
D. stationary crests and troughs although the air that forms them is moving rapidly, are
E. stationary crests and troughs although they are formed by rapidly moving air ,is
19. When using the term distinction to indicate difference, the correct preposition to use is BETWEEN (distinction between).
20. Even if Vs Even though
Even if - means whether or not and has to do with the conditions that may apply. Even if is used as a conjunction (Even though cannot act as a conjunction). Remember, you need a subject after Even if.
a. Even if I had time, I wouldn't watch that programme.
b. Even if Mark told the truth, I wouldn't believe him.
c. For most consumers, the price of automobile insurance continues to rise annually, even if free of damage claims and moving violations.
(A) even if
(B) despite being
(C) even if they are
(D) although they may be
(E) even if remaining
d. For many people, household labor remains demanding even if able to afford household appliances their grandparents would find a miracle.
(A) even if able to afford household appliances their grandparents would find a miracle
(B) despite being able to afford household appliances their grandparents would find a miracle
(C) even if they can afford household appliances their grandparents would have found miraculous
(D) although they could afford household appliances their grandparents would find miraculous
(E) even if they are able to afford household appliances which would have been a miracle to their grandparents
Even though - Even though means despite the fact that and is a more emphatic version of though and although. It is primarily concessive.
a. Even though I had time, I didn't watch that programme.
b. Even though Mark told the truth, I didn't believe him.
The differences can be appreciated in this sentence.
1. I'm going out, even if it rains
2. I'm going out, even though it's going to rain
In (1), we do not know whether it will rain or not in (1) so we use even if and in (2) we know that it is going to rain but we are going out anyway.
Because of Vs Due to:
Because of - use this only if you can replace it with "as a result of". In other words, a cause (cause-effect) should follow it (Because X happened Y happened).
“Because of” functions as an adverbial phrase and is used to modify a verb or a verb phrase.
Correct: He failed because of his laziness.
Incorrect: He failed due to his laziness.
Due to - Use this only if you can replace it with "Caused by". In GMAT we should choose Because of if compared with Due to. In any case, a quick rule of thumb is that "due to" is normally preceded by a form of "to be," as evident in the example in the link above.
“Due to” functions as an adjectival phrase and is used to modify a noun.
Correct: His failure was due to his laziness.
Incorrect: His failure was because of his laziness.
So rule of thumb:
If modify a noun, use "due to"; otherwise, use "because of".
Example –
Due to her nagging, he killed himself. (Incorrect)
Not He killed himself due to her nagging. It'd be 'he killed himself because of her nagging'. (Correct)
Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times, and because of the economy's continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.
A. because of the economy's continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will
B. with the economy's strength continuing, analysts predicted for weeks that the target
C. because the economy continues strong, analysts predicted for weeks that the target would
D. due to the economy's continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target
E. due to the fact of the economy's continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will
48. Native of is used for human beings.
Native to is used for things such as animals, plants, insects, etc.
In general, "native to" is used when you want to say that the subject is a natural part of the surroundings such as the "species is native to".
The Komodo dragon is large lizard-like animal native to the islands of Indonesia.
“like” means similar to, and “such as” means for example.
· Can you buy me some fruit like oranges or grapefruit?
This sentence would mean that you do NOT want oranges or grapefruit; instead, you'd prefer some fruit similar to oranges and grapefruit. For example, you may want pomelo, lemons, or limes.
· Can you buy me some fruit such as oranges or grapefruit?
Oranges and grapefruit are examples of the type of fruit we want.
As business grows more complex, students majoring in specialized areas like those of finance and marketing have been becoming increasingly successful in the job market.
a) majoring in specialized areas like those of finance and marketing have been becoming increasingly
b) who major in such specialized areas as finance and marketing are becoming more and more
c) who majored in specialized areas such as those of finance and marketing are being increasingly
d) who major in specialized areas like those of finance and marketing have been becoming more and more
e) having majored in such specialized areas as finance and marketing are being increasingly
OA is B (OG 223)
Note: “Such” is also preferable to “these” for presenting examples or instances.
Participle: A verb used as an adjective. There are two kinds of participles. The past participle has the past form of the verb which would go with the verb have and would usually end in -ed. The present participle ends in -ing.
Participial phrase: It consists of participle plus modifier(s), object(s), and/or complement(s).
Astronomers have theorized that the Big Bang governs the behavior of interstellar dust, particles that comprise the atoms and molecules created in the progenitive explosion and persisting in even the emptiest regions of space
A. persisting
B. persists
C. persisted
D. they persist
E. are persisting
OA is A
This sentence basically has two participial phrases:
1. created in the progenitive explosion
2. persisting in even the emptiest regions of space. Both modifying "atoms and molecules"
So, you can maintain parallelism only by using the two participles "created" (past participle) and "persisting" (present participle).
The two verbs are not always interchangeable. You can use either should or would in the first person to express the future from the point of view of the past. The same principle applies to the verb in sentences that express a future condition.
· He swore that I should (or would) pay for the remark.
· If I had known that, I would (or more formally, should) have answered differently.
In the second and third persons, however, you only use would:
· She assured us that she would (not should) return.
· If he had known that, he would (not should) have answered differently.
Only should is correct: To express duty or obligation, you use should as the equivalent of ought to: I (or you or he) should go.
Only would is correct: You use would (and not should) to express willingness or promise (I agreed that I would do it) and to express habitual action in the past (We would walk along the canal at night). Would also has the advantage of being a polite substitute for will in requests: Would you lend me a dollar?
Infinitive: the root of a verb plus the word to. To sleep, perchance to dream.
The present infinitive describes a present condition: "I like to sleep."
The perfect infinitive describes a time earlier than that of the verb: "I would like to have won that game."
Split Infinitive: An infinitive is said to be "split" when a word (often an adverb) or phrase sneaks between the “to” of the infinitive and the root of the verb: "to boldly go,"
Split infinitive is not considered acceptable in standard American English.
If present metal prices continue to sharply rise, the value of the copper in a penny will soon be greater than the face value of the coin.
a. If present metal prices continue to sharply rise,
b. If present metal prices are continuing their sharp rise,
c. Should present metal prices continue their sharp rise,
d. Continuation of sharply rising metal prices should mean that
e. Metal prices’ sharp rise continuing should mean that
OA is C
What’s wrong with A?
A uses split infinitive, if A had said “to rise sharply” it would have been acceptable.
Rule 1: Compare to compares unlike things, whereas compare with compares like things.
Rule 2: Compare to is used to stress the resemblance. Compare with can be used to show either similarity or difference but is usually used to stress the difference.
Compare with: To evaluate things relative to each other; for example, “I'm thinking of buying either a Honda Accord or a Toyota Camry, so I'm comparing each with the other, trying to figure out which to buy.” This meaning is much more common.
Compare takes with when it refers to the act of examining two like things in order to discern their similarities or differences:
• The police compared the forged signature with the original.
• The committee will have to compare the Senate's version of the bill with the version that was passed by the House.
Compare to: To say that one thing is like another thing, often to try to explain what one is like, but sometimes as an insult; for example, “My friend didn't know what a pomelo was, so I compared it to a grapefruit. Then she was able to understand what it was.” or “My friend got mad at the way I handled her bags, so she compared me to a gorilla.” This meaning is less common.
Compare usually takes the preposition to when it refers to the activity of describing the resemblances between unlike things:
• He compared her to a summer day.
• Scientists sometimes compare the human brain to a computer.
Although, though and even though are all conjunctions, whilst in spite of and despite are both prepositions. So usage requires:
although + clause
though + clause
even though + clause
despite + noun
in spite of + noun
Although and though can be used in the same way. Though is perhaps more common in informal speech and writing, whereas although can be used in a wide variety of styles.
· Our new neighbors are quite nice, though their dog is a bit of a nuisance.
· She insisted on keeping her coat on, although it was extremely warm in the house as the central heating was on.
· Although she was commended for completing the Millennium Dome project on time and within budget, management felt that it was now time for a new person with different talents to take over.
Even though: Though is often used with “even” in order to give emphasis:
· I managed to get good results in my exams, even though I went out four times a week when I was supposed to be revising.
Despite might be thought more formal than in spite of but there is really very little difference in usage between the two:
· Despite the appalling weather, they succeeded in walking to the top of Ben Nevis.
· They decided to get married in spite of the huge differences in their ages.
Despite and in spite of are normally used as prepositions, they can also be used in adverbial constructions with -ing, thus:
· I managed to pass my exams, despite going out four times a week during the revision period.
· In spite of feeling terribly sick, I went to work every day that week.
· Despite being severely handicapped, he managed to complete the race.
Concrete things such as tables, students, bottle, person etc are count nouns.
While others which refer to abstract ideas such as air, beauty, money, water, furniture, information, soap etc are non-count nouns. Non-count nouns do not usually pluralize. For instance while plural of bottle is bottles, there is no plural of water.
To quantify these words different words are used for count and non-count nouns.
· If there were fewer cars on the road, there would be less traffic.
· The number of cars on the road contributes to the amount of traffic.
· There’s too much traffic on this road because there are too many cars.
Countable: number, few, fewer, many, majority, several
Not countable: amount or quantity, little, less, much, any, a lot of
Exception: When referring to time or money, less is often used even with numbers. Specific units of time or money use fewer only in cases where individual items are referred to.
Non count nouns generally take singular verbs and count nouns take singular or plural depending on the number.
Ex: Most people are; Most of the water is
Percentages and fractions take plural verb if referring to count nouns. Exception to this would if the percentage or fraction results in a single quantity.
· A quarter of my homework remains to be done.
· Two thirds of the students were familiar with the question.
Use "who" when someone is the SUBJECT of a sentence, clause, or phrase.
Ex: Who called the meeting?
Use "whom" when someone is the OBJECT of a verb or preposition.
Ex: Whom did you invite to the meeting?
Note: Try the question test. If you answer the question with “he” or “they” pick “who” if you answer the question with “him” or “them” pick “whom”.
Presenters at the seminar, one who is blind, will
demonstrate adaptive equipment that allows visually impaired people to use computers.
(A) one who
(B) one of them who
(C) and one of them who
(D) one of whom
(E) one of which
OA is D
In this statement, you are trying to say one of the presenters is blind. (ie: one of them is blind) When in doubt substitute the “whom” with “them” or “they”.
