GMAT Grammar

Agree to/ Agree with/ Agree on

2009-03-04T19:46:00.000-08:00

Agree to something: Give consent to; accede to
Agree to a suggestion, to agree to an action proposed by someone else.
e.g:
Russia and Spain agree to Cooperate In Energy Sector
We agreed to her suggestion

Agree with someone/ something: get on, be good for, suit; to approve of it
Agree with a person, opinion or policy
e.g:
The copy agrees with the original.
I don’t agree with some of the issues they have raised in the rating rationale

Agree on something:To come to terms, as in the details of a transaction, reach agreement on, settle on
Agree on a matter for decision, to agree on an action that is jointly worked out; have similar feelings about a specific matter
e.g:
Democrat Obama and Republican McCain agree on a range of issues that have divided the parties under Bush
Major EU states agree on tighter regulation

Among vs Between

2008-04-30T21:53:00.000-07:00

1) Use between with two items.
e.g:
Emily was standing between Sam and Adam.
Ram divided his property equally between his two children.

2) Between can be used to talk about distance and intervals.
e.g:
I will be at the college between eight and ten.
The distance between wooden studs in new houses in UK is 350mm

3) Between is used before each
e.g:
There seems to be less and less time between each event
Insert a space between each character
There are 9 lines between each centimeter

4) Use among with three or more items.
e.g:
Ram divided his property equally among his three children.
The letter is somewhere among these papers.

5) Use between when something/ someone is between several clearly separated thing/ people. Use among when something/ someone is in a group/ crowd/ mass which we cannot see separately.
e.g:
My villa is between the woods, the river and the village.
Your villa is hidden among the trees.

6) When talking about dividing and sharing things between or among more than two people or groups - can use any of the two
e.g:
Ram divided all his property between/ among his children and grandchildren - both between and among are correct
We shared the work between/ among four of us. - both between and among are correct

7) Generally between is used after difference.
e.g:
What's the difference between a Democrat and a Republican?
There are enormous differences between developing countries in burden of disease , financial resources, educational attainment, and health systems

Usual vs Is Usual

2008-04-04T11:02:00.000-07:00

When something is compared to itself, usual is fine.
When something is compared to a subgroup to which it belongs, is usual should be used.

For example:

1. He is nicer than usual

2. He is faster than is usual for any human being.

3. Ram is faster than usual today.

4. Emails are often written in a much formal way than is usual in writing.

5. The sun looks less brightly than usual to-day.

6. The new sports car is heavier than is usual for a performance automobile, but it is exceptional because of its high-powered engine .

7. Successful completion of Grammar course is not easy and requires more planning and preparation than is usual for normal course completion .

8. There was a higher ratio of comedy to drama than is usual in a one hour show.

9. I checked this article more carefully than usual for grammatical errors.

10. The gravel was damper than usual, since it rained heavily yesterday.

11. Today I was busier than usual at work.

GMAT Question example:

The Parthenon is larger than usual for a Doric temple, with eight columns on the short sides and seventeen on the long ones rather than the typical six and thirteen.

(A) usual

(B) is usual

(C) has been usual

(D) one usually is

(E) it is usual

Answer: B

Participles

2007-12-25T17:07:00.000-08:00

A participle is a verbal (verb form) which is used as an adjective.

There are three participles that are commonly used as adjective: the present participle(active voice); the past participle (passive voice) and the perfect participle (active voice).

* The present participle always ends in ing
* The past participle usually ends in ed, d, t, n, or en.The past participle of some of the verbs do not have distinctive endings: swum, gone, sung etc.
*The perfect participle is always formed by prefixing the word having to the past participle: having sung, having driven, having seen etc

Consider an example from GMAT Prep SC:

First discovered more than 30 years ago, Lina's sunbird, a four-and-a-half-inch animal found in the Phillippines and that resembles hummingbird, has shimmering metallic colors on its head; a brilliant orange patch, bordered with red tufts, in the center of its breast; and a red eye.

A. found in the Phillippines and that resembles
B. found in the Phillippines and that, resembling
C. found in the Phillippines and resembling
D. that is found in the Phillippines and it resembles
E. that is found in the Phillippines and that, resembling

OA : C

As we know :

Past participle ---- represents
1) a past condition, or
2) the passive voice or
3) a condition done onto the subject

Present participle ---- represents
1) a present condition, or
2) the active voice or
3) a condition performed by the subject

In the given sentence, we can clearly see that for the 1st participial phrase, the action of "found" happened in the past because Lina's sunbird was found more than 30 years ago. Further Lina's sunbird did not do any finding instead they were found by X not mentioned in the sentence so passive voice is right.

The second participial phrase starting with "resembling" implies that the "Lina's sunbird" is still resembling in the present(a present condition), so the use of present participle is better. We cannot say that the Lina's sunbird "resembled" because then this would illogically mean that they no longer resemble the humming bird.

The present and past participles are used to describe the "Lina's sunbird", they act as adjectives..

For more examples click on the link below:
GMAT Sentence Correction Questions

"Until" vs "As long as"

2007-11-12T23:26:00.000-08:00

Until can be used both as a preposition and as a conjunction. Until is used to express a point of time in the future

Until (preposition) -

Up to the time of: We danced until dawn.
Before (a specified time): She can't leave until Friday

Until (conjunction) -

Up to the time that: We walked until it got dark.
Before: You cannot leave until your work is finished.
To the point or extent that: I talked until I was hoarse

As long as means that one thing will occur while another thing is still true

As long as (conjunction) -

During the time that: I'll stay as long as you need me.
Since: As long as you've offered, I accept.
On the condition that: I will cooperate as long as I am notified on time.

Idiom

1. For the period of time that, as in You may keep the book as long as you want, that is, keep it for whatever time you wish to.
2. Also, so long as. Since, because, as in Please pick up some milk as long as you are going to the store, or So long as you're here, you might as well stay for dinner.
3. Also, so long as; just so. Provided that, as in As long as you don't expect it by tomorrow, I'll make the drawing, or So long as sales are greater than returns, the company will make a profit, or You may have another cookie, just so you don't take the last one.

Source: http://www.answers.com

1. In order to express a future idea. after as long as, we use a present tense.
e.g - As long as I live, I shall smoke no more cigarettes

2. Before a number, as long as can be used to suggest great length
e.g - The discussion can last as long as six hours

Verb, Infinitive, Gerund - 1

2007-10-30T03:18:00.000-07:00

Below is the list of Verbs generally followed by an infinitive with to

agree
appear - e.g Her health appeared to be worse
arrange
ask
attempt
care
claim
dare
decide - e.g We decided to go to Hawaii
demand
deserve
endeavor
expect
fail
get
grow
happen
hasten
help
hesitate
hope
hurry
intend
leap
learn
long
make (passive)
manage
neglect
offer
pay
plan - e.g We plan to go to India this year
pledge
pretend
refuse - e.g: I refuse(verb) to lie(infinitive) to my friends
resolve
say
seek
seem
struggle
swear
tend
vow
want
would like - e.g We would like to leave now
wish
yearn

Verbs + infinitive with to or a gerund:

attempt
begin - e.g He began singing; He began to sing
can't bear
continue
dread - e.g She dreaded taking the risk; She dreaded to think of the consequences of her actions
forget
go on
hate
intend
love - e.g She loves to dance; She loves dancing
mean
plan
prefer
propose
regret
remember
start
stop - e.g He stopped drinking; He stopped to rest for a few minutes
try

Verbs + object + infinitive with to or a gerund

admit
allow
consider
forbid
imagine
keep(in order to) - e.g The attackers kept hostages to prevent the police from entering; She kept talking.
need - e.g He need to call his boss; The house needs cleaning
permit
require

Usage of "One"

2007-06-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

In sentences that contain the phrase one of.....

1. In simple form one of or one of the, a singular verb is used.

e.g - One of the books is missing from my cupboard.

2. In sentences that contain phrases one of those who or one of the things that, a plural verb is used.

e.g - He is one of our employees who are always alert.

3. When only precedes one of /one of those, a singular verb is used. (Do not mix this rule with the 2nd rule stated above)

e.g - Ram is the only one of our employees who is always alert.

Aim to vs Aim at

2007-04-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

Aim to (idiom)

Meaning - Try or intend to do something.

e.g : We aim to please our customers, or She aims to fly to California.

Correct usage: aim to + verb

Aim at (idiom)

Meaning - Direct a missile or criticism at something or someone; to plan, intend or to have as one's purpose

e.g: In his last speech the President took aim at the opposition leader.
He aims at finishing tomorrow.

Correct usage: aim at + noun

Different from vs Different than

2007-03-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

Different from means not the same.

e.g -- Sara's taste is different from mine.

Different than -- In US English, than is an alternative to from before a clause.

e.g -- Sara's appearance was very different than I'd expected.

NOTE : On GMAT different than is generally always wrong when comparing two nouns. Different than is only correct when a sentence compares a noun and a clause.

Hence if on GMAT sentence correction you come across a question comparing two nouns and choice with the word different then look for a choice without the phrase different than

Editing Comma Splice

2007-01-22T22:22:00.000-08:00

Comma splice is the error of joining two independent clauses with nothing but a comma.

Comma splice has two main forms -

1). Run on sentence joined by a comma alone. (Run on sentences are independent clauses that have not been joined correctly).

e.g - Some gourmets like the new French cooking, others find it dull. - incorrect - comma splice run-on.

2). Run on sentence joined by a comma and a word that is not a coordinating conjunction.

e.g - Some gourmets like the new French cooking, however, others find it dull. - incorrect - comma splice run-on.

There are 4 ways to revise a run on sentence.

1). Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

e.g - Some gourmets like the new French cooking, but others find it dull. - Correct

2). Make the clauses into seperate sentences.

e.g - Some gourmets like the new French cooking. Others find it dull. - Correct

3). Restructure the sentence i.e convert an independent clause to subordinate/dependent clause.

e.g - Although some gourmets like the new French cooking, others find it dull. - Correct

4). Use a semicolon.

e.g -

Some gourmets like the new French cooking; others find it dull. - Correct

OR

Some gourmets like the new French cooking; however, others find it dull. - Correct.

OG 10th - Ques number 10 - Example of Comma splice run-on.

10. However much United States voters may agree that there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means, it is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state.

(A) However much United States voters may agree that
(E) There is agreement among United States voters that

A is the correct answer.

E - incorrect

E starts with an independent rather than a subordinate clause i.e
(There is agreement among United States voters that there is waste in
government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means)

and

separates its two independent clauses with a comma hence creates a run-on sentence.
There is agreement among United States voters that there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means -- Independent clause
It is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state. -- Independent clause

Would vs Used to

2006-09-26T23:30:00.001-07:00

1). Used to can refer to repeated actions and events in the past, in the same way as would.

e.g

Sometimes he used to bring me little presents without saying why.

Sometimes he would bring me little presents without saying why.

2). Only used to, not would can refer to past states.

e.g

I used to have an old Rolls-Royce. (NOT - I would have an old Rolls-Royce.)

3). We use used to, not would, to talk about regular and important habitual behaviour.

e.g

I used to smoke. (NOT- I would smoke.)

Would - Uses

2006-09-26T23:00:00.000-07:00

Would is a modal auxiliary verb.
Would is used as a softer less definite form of will, in some cases as past of will.

1). In indirect speech, would is used after past reporting verbs where will was used in direct speech.

e.g

Tomorrow will be fine - DIRECT
The forcast said the next day would be fine - INDIRECT

2). Future in past tense - Would is used to express the idea of "future in the past" - to talk about a past action which had not yet happened at the time we are talking about.

e.g

In Berlin, he first met the woman he would one day marry.
There was a chance that my letter would arrive in time.

3). Would is used in polite requests and offers as a softer form of will.

e.g

Would you open the window, please?
If you would come this way.....

4). Would can refer to past willingness of a general kind, but not to willingness to do something on a particular past occassion.

e.g

She would hoover, dust and iron, but she didn't like doing windows.
She agreed to come and see me . (NOT - She would come and see me)

But would not can be used to refer to a refusal on a particular past occassion.

e.g

I asked her very politely, but she wouldn't tell me.

5). Conditional auxiliary: I would....if - Would is often used as an auxiliary with verbs that refer to unnreal or uncertain situations - for example in sentences with if.

e.g

I would tell you if I knew.
It would have been nice if he'd thanked you.

6). Typical behaviour - Would is used as the past of will to talk about typical behaviour in the past.

e.g

When she was old, she would sit in the corner talking to herself for hours.

Sentences with stressed would can be used to criticise people's behaviour.

e.g

He was a nice boy, but he would talk about himself all the time.

Stressed would can also be used to criticise a single past action - the meaning is ' that's typical of you '

e.g

You would tell Sania about the party - I didn't want to invite her.

Ago vs Since

2006-09-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

Ago vs. Since

Both words speak of the past, and they are often used interchangeably.

Ago - from the present to the past. It is used after the word or phrase it modifies, especially with the simple past tense, not with the perfect tense.

e.g - It happened a few minutes ago.

Since - from the past to the present. It is used with the present or past perfect tense.

e.g - I haven't eaten since breakfast.

Compare to vs Compare with

2006-09-15T08:44:00.000-07:00

Compare to vs. Compare with

Compare to - is used to liken two things or to put them in the same category. You should use "compare to" when you intend to simply assert that two things are alike.Use "compared to" to illustrate that two things are similar

e.g -

1). The economy can be compared to a stallion charging at the gate.
2). I compare getting comments from students in class to pulling teeth.
3). She compared her work for women's rights to Susan B. Anthony's campaign for women's suffrage.

Compare with - is used to place two things side by side for the purpose of examining their similarities or differences. Use "compared with" to illustrate the differences a comparison draws

e.g -

1). The American economy can be compared with the European economy to note how military history impacts future economics.
2). It would be interesting to compare Purdue with Ohio State.
3). Ann has a 3.5 GPA, compared with Jim's 2.9.

Agreement of Verb with Collective Nouns

2006-09-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

In my post on Subject Verb Agreement I had already mentioned this rule. On request from many students, I am explaining this particular concept in detail.

A collective noun is a noun that represents a group or a collection of objects usually considered as a unit. Words like crowd, troop, herd, people, flock, and jury are collective nouns.

A collective noun that is singular in meaning requires a singular verb. A collective noun that is plural in meaning requires a plural verb.

If the collective noun in a particular sentence represents the individuals acting as a unit, the noun is singular. If the sentence indicates clearly that the individuals are acting seperately, the noun is plural.

e.g -

1). The committee is opposed to the plan. (acting as a unit)
2). The board of directors is in session. (as a unit)
3). The jury returned its verdict. (as a unit)
4). The jury have returned to their homes. (as individuals)
5). The family have given their contributions. (as individuals)

In most cases where the individuals composing a group are acting seperately, it is better to use such expressions as the members of the jury, the members of the family, etc. These expressions sound better and clearly indicate that the individuals are acting seperately.

1). The members of the jury have returned to their homes.
2). The members of the band wore their uniforms.
3). The people in the audience waved their hands.

Special case of Agreement

2006-08-24T00:43:00.000-07:00

The words like "half" , "part" etc are singular or plural according to the meaning of the sentence. When these words refer to a mass or a section, they are singular. When they refer to a number of individuals or things, they are plural.

e.g -

1. Half of the boys are in camp. (number -- plural)
2. Half of the pie is left. (mass or section -- singular)
3. Part of the roof was destroyed. (mass or section -- singular)
4. Part of the guests have arrived. (number -- plural)

Do vs Make

2006-08-19T11:16:00.000-07:00

1. Do - for indefinite activities e.g with words like thing, something, nothing, anything, what. e.g

a). Do something!
b). What shall we do?
c). Then Ram did a very strang thing.

2. Do - when we talk about work and jobs. e.g

a). I'm not going to do any work today.
b). It's time to do the accounts.
c). I would't like to do your job.

3. We use do...... ing structure to talk about activities that take a certain time, or are repeated. Usually there is a determiner (e.g the, my, some ) before the -ing form. Verb after do cannot have object in this structure.But do can be used with a compound noun that includes verb + object. e.g

a). During the holidays I'm going to do some walking and a lot of reading.
b). I'm going to watch some TV.
c). I want to do some bird-watching this weekend.

4. Make - we use make to talk about constructing, building, creating etc.e.g

a). My father and I once made a boat.
b). Let's make a plan.

5. Common fixed expressions

do good, harm, business, one's best, a favour, sport, exercise, one's hair, one's teeth, one's duty.

make a journey, an offer, arrangements, a suggestion, a decision, an attempt, an effort, an excuse, an exception, a mistake, a noise, a phone call, money, a profit, a fortune, peace, love, war, bed, a fire, progress.

6. After make + object, we use the infinitive without to. e.g

I made her cry. (not - I made her to cry. or I made her crying)

The infinitive must follow the object. e.g

I can't make the television work. ( not - I can't make work the television)

In passive constructions the infinitive with to is used. e.g

Ram was made to repeat the whole story.

7. In some cases make can be followed by myself, yourself etc and a past participle. This structure is common with understood and heard. e.g

She had to shout to make herself heard.

8. We can talk about an effect or change with make + object + adjective/noun . e.g

The rain made the grass wet. ( not - The rain made wet the grass).

We do not use make ... be in this structure.

You have made me a happy man. ( not - You have made me be a happy man).

Do - Substitute verb

2006-08-19T11:05:00.000-07:00

Do - Substitute Verb - (auxiliary verb + do) - In British English (but not American), do can be used alone as a substitute verb after an auxiliary verb. e.g

a). He smokes more than he used to - American english
He smokes more than he used to do.- British English

b). Do you think Phil will come? ~ He might.- American english
Do you think Phil will come? ~ He might do.- British English

Do - auxiliary verb

2006-08-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

The auxiliary verb "do" - followed by infinitives without "to". It has several uses, one of them -- Ellipsis

In cases where an auxiliary verb is used instead of a whole verb phrase, "do" is common in affirmative clause, questions and negatives. e.g

a). She doesn't like singing , but I do.
b). You saw Ram, didn't you?
c). Emil thinks there's something wrong with Ann, and so do I.

NOTE -

An auxiliary verb combines with another verb to help form the tense, mood, voice, or condition of the verb it combines with.
The verbs to have, to be, to do, will, shall, would, should, can, may, might, and could are the common auxiliary verbs in English.
Auxiliary verbs are sometimes called helping verbs.

Ellipsis - We often leave out words to avoid repetition, or in other cases when the meaning can be understood without them. This is called ellipsis.

Less vs Fewer

2006-08-18T11:16:00.000-07:00

1). Less and Fewer -- Difference -

Less is the comparative of little ( used especially before uncountable nouns).

e.g - I earn less money than you.

Whereas

Fewer is the comparative of few ( used before plural nouns)

e.g - I've got fewer problems than I used to have.

2). Less of and fewer of - used before determiners such as the,, my, this and before pronouns.

e.g - At the college reunions, there are fewer of us each year.
I'd like to spend less of my time answering mails.

* Before nouns without determiners, of is not used.

e.g - If you want to lose weight, eat less food. (NOT less of food)

3). Nouns can be dropped after less and fewer if the meaning is clear.

e.g - Some people go to church, but less/fewer than 20 years ago

* Less can be used as an adverb (the opposite of adverb more)

e.g - I worry less than I used to.

4). Lesser - used to mean "smaller" or "not so much"

e.g - the lesser of two evils.

GMAT Examples - Sentence No 49 at the link below
http://gmatsentencecorrection.blogspot.com

5) Use less when referring to statistical or numerical expressions.
e.g:
Sara is less than five feet tall
Your issue essay should be a thousand words or less

NOTE: It's possible to regard the quantities as sums of countable measures

When to use the Passive voice ????

2006-07-31T11:12:00.000-07:00

Active voice is the better form to use. As a rule, the active voice is preferred for business writing, and for any other form of writing that requires the direct approach. The use of active voice increases vividness.

However, the passive voice is generally used when the subject of the sentence is indefinite, general, or unimportant. In the sentence, They mine coal in Pennysylvania, the subject is so indefinite that it is not clear what is meant by they. It might mean the miners, the people, or the companies.This sentence, and sentences like it, are improved by putting the verb in the passive voice.

They mine coal in Pennysylvania. (Poor)
Coal is mined in Pennysylvania. (Better)

They grow wheat in many of our states. (Poor)
Wheat is grown in many of our states. (Better)

The passive voice is also used when what was done is more important than doer of the action. Study the following sentences:

The play, "Man and Superman," was written by Shaw. (Passive)
Shaw wrote the play "Man and Superman." (Active)

America was discovered by Columbus. (Passive)
Columbus discovered America. (Active)

In the first sentence, if you wish to emphasize the play more than the author, put the verb in the passive voice. In the third sentence , if you wish to emphasize the discovery more than the discoverer, put the verb in the passive voice.

The use of the passive voice is generally used when you want to emphasize the receiver rather than the doer. However, in the majority of cases the active voice is more effective than the passive voice.

Note - In general, one should avoid passive voice in GMAT, passive voice form may appear in a correct answer choice - especially in science, medical and technical writing styles.

The passive voice is required when the non - underlined part of the sentence contains the person or agent performing the action preceded by the word by.

e.g - The shuttle launch seen around the world by people of all ages, all races, and all religions.

This sentence is missing a verb, and it is therefore a fragment. Because the people who are seeing the launch are at the end of the sentence, preceded by the word by, we must use the passive voice to complete this sentence:

The shuttle launch WAS seen sround the world by people of all ages, all races, and all religions.

The link below also deals with usage of passive in GMAT sentence correction
Link to test magic forum - passive construction on GMAT

Forms of Verb 1 - Infinitive

2006-07-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

What is infinitive form of verb? - It is of the form to + simple form of verb.e.g - to take ; to surprise.

Uses of the Infinitive -

1). After a verb - Verbs such as want, promise, plan, manage, forget, choose, prove, hope, pretend, need, expect, decide are followed immediately by an infinitive.

They expect to win the game.
She needs to apply for a scholarship.

2). After verb and object - With verbs that take an object, such as force, allow, believe, need, persuade, urge, expect, want, the infinitive follows the object.

She persuaded us to wait.
She urged her supporters not to leave.

3). After certain adjectives and nouns - Adjectives such as anxious, sorry, easy, difficult, right, wrong, can be followed by infinitives.

It is easy (for you) to get to my house.
He was eager to meet his new boss.

Some nouns (such as way, place, time, decision, job, aim) are frequently followed by an infinitive.

He has no place to relax.
It is time to go.

4). To express purpose

He is working at night (in order) to earn more money.

The Infinitive Without to

The infinitive form without to is used in the following idiomatic expressions.

1). After a causative make, let , have + object

He made his sister drive the whole way.
He had her pay for the gas, too.

2). After the verb help

They helped us solve the problem.

"Whether" vs "If"

2006-07-13T07:48:00.000-07:00

Using ---- Whether and If

1). After Prepositions , we use only whether.

I haven't settled the question of whether I'll go back home.
There was a big argument about whether we should move to a new house.

2). Whether, but not if, is used before infinitives.

They can't decide whether to get married now or wait.

3). When a question-word clause is a subject or complement, whether is preferred.

Whether we can stay with my mother is another matter. - (Subject)
The question is whether the man can be trusted. - (Complement)

The question is if the man can be trusted. - Correct but less preferred.

4). If an indirect question is fronted , whether is used.

Whether I'll have time I'm not sure at the moment.

5). Whether is generally preferred in a two - part question with or.

The Directors have not decided whether they will recommend a dividend or reinvest the profits.

6). After verbs that are more common in a formal style, whether is preferred.

We discussed whether we should close the shop.

7). Whether and if both can introduce indirect questions.

I'm not sure whether / if I'll have time.

8). Yes / No questions are reported with if or whether.

I don't know if / whether I can help you.

The link below further clarifies the use of "whether" and "if"
whether vs if

Note - The word IF does not always signal a conditional sentence. In such cases, the GMAT prefers "whether" instead of "if"

I don't know if I will go to the dance. (Incorrect)
I don't know whether I will go to the dance. (Correct)

Click on link below and view sentence no. 45 and 46 for the above rule.
http://gmatsentencecorrection.blogspot.com

"because" vs "because of"

2006-07-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

1). Because - is a conjunction, used at the beginning of a clause, before a subject and verb.

We were late because it rained.
I'm happy because I met you.

2). Because of - is a two - word preposition, used before a noun or a pronoun.

We were late because of the rain.
I'm happy because of you.

Note : Because and its clause can go after or before the main clause.

I finished early because I worked fast.
Because I worked fast, I finished early.

View sentence number 48 at the link below
http://gmatsentencecorrection.blogspot.com

It -- as subject of a sentence

2006-07-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

The Third Person It as Subject of a sentence

It as a subject of a sentence can be used in two different ways.

1). As an empty or meaningless word in expressions that concern the time or the weather:

It is one o'clock.
It is raining.
It will soon be supper time.
It is frosty.

2). As the formal subject of a sentence, referring to the deferred real subject that follows the verb:

It is useless to wait. (deferred subject - to wait)
It is a pity that you must go. (deferred subject - that you must go)

In sentences where it refers to a deferred subject, the latter can be moved to the normal position preceding the verb;

To wait is useless.
That you must go is a pity.

Below is a link that further explains usage of It in simple language.
Using It

In spite of vs Despite

2006-07-04T00:56:00.000-07:00

In spite of - used to express the idea of contrast.

A). In spite of - is used as a preposition. In spite of + noun means almost same as although + clause.

e.g - We went out in spite of the rain. ( = .... although it was raining.)

B). In spite of is the opposite of because of .

e.g - She passed her exams in spite of her teacher. => (She had a bad teacher)

She passed her exams because of her teacher. => (She had a good teacher).

C). In spite of cannot be followed directly by a that - clause. Instead we can use in spite of the fact that

e.g - He is a good company in spite of the fact that he talks all the time.

Note - In formal English, despite can be used in the same way as in spite of.

e.g

Sita went on working in spite of feeling unwell.-- Correct
Sita went on working despite feeling unwell.-- Correct

Using the Colon

2006-07-03T00:47:00.000-07:00

Use a colon

1). To introduce a list coming at the end of sentence

Her house has four rooms: a kitchen, a parlor, a bedroom, and a bath-room.

2). To introduce an example or an explanation related to something just mentioned

The miser had only one desire: to see his gold coins.

3). To introduce a quotation (usually of more than one line) in an essay

4). After the salutation in a formal letter

5). To seperate hours from minutes when the time of day is shown in numerals.

Misusing the Colon

Do not use a colon

1). After such as or including

All of the old gang were there, including : Mush Head, Beaver, Sparky, and Mole.- Incorrect colon use

2). Directly after a form of verb be

The three most popular composers of classical music, according to the poll, are : Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven.- Incorrect colon use

3). Between a verb and its object or between a preposition and its object.

The tourists went to: Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec.- Incorrect colon use

Using the Semicolon

2006-07-03T00:33:00.000-07:00

Use a semicolon

1). To join two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning

Some visitors thrive on activities; others seldom leave the lounge.

2). To join two independent clauses when the second begins with or includes a conjunctive adverb, such as however, for example, or in addition

Everyone agrees that nuclear warfare is horrible; several nations, however, continue to manufacture nuclear weapons.

3). To seperate main clauses linked by a conjunction if commas appear in the clauses

Early in the play, Samson, tormented by his bondage to the Phillistines, his blindness, and his fall from glory, laments his condition; but he is careful to blame himself, not God.

4). Between items in a series when one or more of the items include commas

The furniture consisted of a bed, with four large, shapeless pillows; five matching wooden chairs with upright backs; and a corner cupboard imported from Bristol, England.

Misusing Semicolons

Do not use semicolon

1). Between a phrase and the clause to which it belongs

We tinkered with the wiring of the loudspeakers; to increase the volume - Use of semiclon is incorrect here.

2). Between a subordinate clause and the main clause

Even though I was exhausted; I listened to his complaints for two hours.- Use of semicolon is incorrect here, we must use a comma here.

3). A semicolon to introduce a list

Her house has four rooms; a kitchen, a parlor, a bedroom, and a bathroom.- Use of semicolon is incorrect here, we must use a colon here.

Even if vs even though

2006-06-30T06:36:00.000-07:00

Even if - means whether or not and has to do with the conditions that may apply. Even if is used as a conjunction.(even alone cannot act as a conjunction).

Even though - Even though means despite the fact that and is a more emphatic version of though and although.

The link below clearly explains the difference between even though and even if.
even though vs even if

Rather than vs Instead of

2006-06-28T22:43:00.000-07:00

Rather than - shows preference. This expression is generally used in 'parallel' structures. e.g - with two nouns, adjectives, adverbs, infinitives or -ing forms.

e.g

1). We ought to invest in machinery rather than buildings.
2). I prefer starting early rather than leaving things to the last minute.

When the main clause has a to - infinitive, rather than is usually followed by an infinitive without to or -ing form.

e.g - I decided to write rather than phone/phoning.

Instead of - suggests that one person, thing or action replaces another. Instead is not used alone as a preposition; we use the two words instead of.
Instead of is not usually followed by an infinitive.

e.g

1). I'll have tea instead of coffee, please.
2). I stayed in bed all day instead of going to work.
3). Amit was invited to the reception, but he was ill, so Akash went instead of him.

Note - Instead (without of) is an adverb. It begins or ends a clause usually.

e.g - She didn't go to Greece after all. Instead , she went to America.

NOTE :
Usage --- instead of + noun phrase. Instead of is only a preposition and can introduce only a phrase i.e no verb
Usage --- rather than + verb (or) rather than + noun. Further rather than can act as a preposition and can introduce a prepositional phrase or can act as a conjunction and introduce a clause

To understand the use of the above concept view questions 22 and 23 by clicking on the link below.
http://gmatsentencecorrection.blogspot.com/

Although vs Though vs Even though

2006-06-28T22:19:00.000-07:00

Although - linking word - expresses the idea of contrast.

e.g - Although Amit has a car, he doesn't often drive it.

The clause with although can come at the end.

e.g - Although the cafe was crowded, we found a table. OR We found a table, although the cafe was crowded.

Though - is informal. It means the same as although.

e.g - Though / Although I liked the sweater, I decided not to buy it.

We can use though at the end of a sentence.

e.g - I liked the sweater. I decided not to buy it, though.

Even though - is stronger, more emphatic than although.

e.g -

1). Ram looked quite fresh, even though he'd been playing cricket.

2). Even though you dislike Sanya, you should try to be nice to her.

Note - We can use in spite of the fact (that) in the same way as although.

e.g -

I'm no better, although I've taken the pills.

OR

I'm no better in spite of the fact that I've taken pills.

Quick Tip only for GMAT -- Applicable most of the times but not always ...

Even though -- when the condition given is negative but the outcome/result is positive

eg -- Even though Ram hadn't studied, he passed the exam.

Although -- when the condition given is positive but the outcome/result is negative

eg -- Although Ram had studied very hard, he did not score well.

Using Absolute Phrases

2006-06-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

An absolute phrase -- is a modifier generally made from a noun or noun phrase and a participle. It can modify a noun or pronoun or the whole of the base sentence to which it is attached.

e.g - Teeth chattering, we waited for hours in the bitter cold.
Sails flapping, the boat tugged at its mooring.

The participle may be expanded into a participle phrase --

Sails flapping in the brisk morning breeze, the boat tugged at its mooring.

An absolute phrase with other combinations

1). Noun and adverb phrase - Ram sat back comfortable, feet up on the desk.

2). Noun and adjective - Muscles taut, he hefted the barbells to his chest.

3). Noun and adjective phrase - She waved to the crowd, her face radiant with triumph.

4). Noun and adverb - Shoulders hunched, Ronaldo zigzagged past the linebacker.

We can use various absolute phrases in succession - Hair golden, eyes blue, body slender and tanned, he personified the California look.

Note - We can put an absolute phrase at the beginning of a sentence or at the end, setting it off with a comma.

We can also put an absolute phrase in the middle.

e.g - The speaker, his voice trembling with rage, denounced the hecklers. (note the pair of commas)

See the sentence number 14 at the link below

gmatsentencecorrection

Tenses - 1

2006-06-27T03:28:00.000-07:00

If an action began in the past and continues into the present, use the present perfect tense.(Present Perfect = HAVE/ HAS + Past participle).

e.g - We have lived in a big mansion for five days.
(We lived in a big mansion for five days and still live there today)

If an action precedes an earlier past action, use the past perfect tense.(Past Perfect = HAD + Past Participle)

e.g - The play had started by the time we arrived at the theater.
(The earlier past action -- had started - is in the past perfect tense, while the later past action - arrived - is in the simple past tense.)

Otherwise, stick to simple tenses - as GMAT prefers simplicity.

e.g -

Incorrect - I think that ancient people HAD BELIEVED in many Gods.

Correct - I think that ancient people BELIEVED in many Gods.

In the above sentence the past perfect (had believed) is unnecessary because the sentence involves only one action in the past tense. Therefore, the simple past (believed) is correct.

Note the difference in meanings in the two sentences stated below

When I switched the TV on, the programme started. I was just in time.

When I switched the TV on, the programme had started. I missed the beginning.

Though ..... yet

2006-06-26T01:25:00.000-07:00

1). When though is used with a verb in the subjunctive mood (expressing doubt, a condition contrary-to-fact, a wish, a concession) is followed by yet and not by but;

Though he might not have recognized me, yet it is rude of him.
Though she disallowed me, yet I will go to her.
Though he is poor, yet he is respected.

2). When though is used with a verb in indicative mood (expressing a fact or making a statement) a comma is used in place of yet.

Though he is my relation, I shall not spare him.
Though she is known to me, I shall not favour her.

Since vs For

2006-06-26T00:36:00.000-07:00

Since / For

Since -- indicates a point in time.(since + starting point)

e.g - I have lived in Bangalore since 1991.
e.g - It's been raining since the beginning of the month.

For -- indicates the length of a period of time.(for + period of time)

e.g - I have lived in Bangalore for ten years
e.g - My mother will be in Delhi for the next ten days.

She'd been working there since a long time - Incorrect
She'd been working there for a long time - Correct

Few quick tips

2006-06-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

1). There is -- considered wordy and may be frequently be omitted to create a more concise sentence.

2). When more is used in the comparative form of an adjective (more difficult) or adverb (more likely), it is followed by than.

3). They or it should not be used without definite antecedents. It must always be able to replace a noun.

e.g -- In that store they make a customer feel stupid.--- they is referring to whom? Here use of they is incorrect as there is no antecedent for they in this sentence so instead of they a proper noun should be used.

Note:In expressions of time and weather antecedent of it is not given.

e.g -- It is too hot today.

4). Subject form of pronoun always comes after ‘than’ or ‘as’.

e.g -- Peggy is smaller than I (am).

5). Because of is not same as caused by. An adverbial phrase beginning with because of answers the question "why" ?

e.g -- He is distrusted because of his deviousness. Here because of his deviousness is an adverbial phrase.

Why is he distrusted ? because of his deviousness.

6). Due to means caused by - Use due to only if it can be substituted by caused by.

7). Even if is used in conditional sentences to mean 'it doesn't matter if'.

e.g -- I will go on a tour of Europe next year even if none of you want to come with me.

8). We use a singular verb with the phrase the number of.

e.g -- The number of club members has increased this year.

9). We use a plural verb with the phrase a number of.

e.g -- A number of students were absent today.

10). Use of IN

i). IN + year / month / season

e.g -- in 1988 ; in september ; in winter ; in 21st century

ii). IN + a week or more

e.g -- in the easter holiday ; in the summer term

iii). IN + part of day

e.g -- in the morning ; in the evening

11). Use of ON

i). ON + day / date

e.g -- on wednesday ; on 15 April ; on that day

ii). ON + a single day

e.g -- on Easter monday ; on Christmas Day

iii). ON + day + part of day

e.g -- on Friday morning ; on Tuesday evening

12). Use of AT

i). AT + clock time / meal time

e.g -- at three o'clock ; at lunch (- time) ; at that time ; at the moment

ii). AT + two or three days

e.g -- at Easter / Christmas ; at the weekend (US : on the weekend)

Note - Exceptions - I woke up in the night (= in the middle of the night) ; It happened on Monday night ; I can't sleep at night (= when it is night)

13). We do not use in, on, or at before every, last, next, this, tomorrow and yesterday.

14). In time means 'early enough'

15). On time means at the right time , on schedule

I will keep updating this post .

If... Then construction

2006-06-23T04:24:00.000-07:00

Tip for SC -- Conditional Rule

Whenever you come across the If .. Then construction in the sentence -- Follow the rule below.

IF Clause Then Clause

Present will + Base Verb

If Ram wins... he will give ...........

Past would/could + Base verb

If Ram won... he would give........

Past Perfect would/could + have + Participle

If Ram had won... he would have given.....

Sentence number 20 at below link shows the use of this rule.

GmatSC

"Like" vs "As"

2006-06-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

Like - used to compare two nouns.

e.g

Incorrect - Gita and Sita, as their mother Reema, are extremely smart.
Correct - Gita and Sita, like their mother Reema, are extremely smart.

As - used to compare two clauses. (A clause is a phrase that includes a verb).

Incorrect - Just like swimming is good exercise, running is a way to burn calories.
Correct - Just as swimming is good exercise, running is a way to burn calories.

Note : Do not use Like when you mean for example.

Gmat Sentence Correction Example - Click on the link below and see sentence number 38
http://gmatsentencecorrection.blogspot.com/

It vs It's

2006-06-21T23:37:00.000-07:00

Never confuse It with It's

A). Its - is a possessive determiner. (Possessive Pronoun)

Meaning - belonging to or associated with a thing previously mentioned or easily identified.

e.g - Turn the camera on its side.

B). It's - short form for either it is or it has.(Contraction)

e.g - 1). It's my fault. 2). It's been a hot day.

If you have trouble keeping them straight, try remembering this phrase:

Use its like his ; use it's like he's.

1). His tact impressed us. --- He's tactful.
2). Its beauty pleased us. --- It's beautiful.

Like vs Such As

2006-06-19T22:37:00.000-07:00

What's the difference between like and such as?

Common mistake we make in there use -

Can you buy me some fruit like apples or pomegranate?

Why the above sentence is wrong?

Use of like in the above sentence mistakenly suggests that the speaker does not wants apples or pomegranate, but rather some other fruit that is similar to apples or watermelon.

In GMAT, like means similar to, and such as means for example.

e.g

Can you buy me some fruit like apples or watermelon?

In GMAT, this sentence implies that the speaker does NOT want apples or watermelon; instead, he prefers some fruit similar to apples and watermelon.

Correct - Can you buy me some fruit such as apples or watermelon?
apples and watermelon are examples of the type of fruit we want.

I would like you to buy such fruit as apples and watermelon for me.
This is simply a variation -- notice how such and as are separated.

Subjunctive Verbs

2006-06-16T22:50:00.000-07:00

Subjunctive Verbs

A subjunctive verb is used to express -

(1) conditional tenses, most of which involves would and were.

(2) wishes and demands, the construction of which follows two strict rules
(a) that always comes right after the verb, and
(b) the second verb is always in the infinitive form and should is always omitted.

The second use of a subjunctive construction

1). The following verbs are used --- with such a construction to express importance (in such moods only).
Also remember that such verbs have other forms of usage (followed by to infinitive, for example) when used in other moods.

ask
propose
demand
recommend
desire
request
insist
require
prefer
suggest .
urge

e.g

The Indian government demanded that the UK pay compensations for damages of the Indian embassy.

2. Nouns derived from subjunctive verbs above are also used with the construction.

demand
recommendation
insistence
request
preference
request
proposal
suggestion

e.g

The UK is considering the proposal that it pay compensations for damages of the Indian embassy.

3. The adjectives below are also used to express subjunctive moods -

essential
imperative
important
necessary

e.g:

It is essential that the UK pay compensation for the Indian government for the damages of the Indian embassy.

How to apply on Gmat questions:

The Forton-Dodd bill requires that a bank disclose to their customers how long they will delay access to funds from deposited checks.

A.that a bank disclose to their customers how long they will delay access to funds from deposited checks

B. a bank to disclose to their customers how long they will delay access to funds from a deposited check.

C. that a bank disclose to its customers how long it will delay access to funds from deposited checks

D. a bank that it should disclose to its customers how long it will delay access to funds from a deposited check

E. that banks disclosed to customers how long access to funds from their deposited check is to be delayed

Answer and Explanation -

Ans - C.
D, E - Subjunctive mood rules violated. In D, requires a bank that it should is ungrammatical; requires that a bank is the appropriate idiom. In E, the use of the passive construction is to be delayed is less informative than the
active voice because the passive does not explicitly identify the bank as the agent responsible for the delay
B, like D and E, illogically shifts from the plural customers and funds to the singular check, as if the customers were jointly depositing only one check
A, C - are all fine in the subjunctive rules while B conforms with the use of require someone to do something.
The next point to choose the answer is a pronoun reference. Their and they in A and B do not agree with singular noun bank so these two choices get eliminated also.

See sentence number 47 at the link below
http://gmatsentencecorrection.blogspot.com

Gmat Idioms

2006-06-16T03:10:00.000-07:00

Most frequently used Idioms and idiomatic usages in Gmat questions -

allow for
argue over
at a disadvantage
attribute to
between A and B
capable of
consider (without as, to be etc.)
consist of
contribute to
cost of something
cost to someone
be credited with
be given credit for - e.g Hipparchus, a Greek astronomer and mathematician, is credited with designating positions on Earth.Hipparchus, a Greek astronomer and mathematician, is given credit for designating positions on Earth.
debate over
define as
different from
distinguish A from B
distinguish between A and B
either A or B
forbid to
from A to B
in danger of
just as + clause, so too + clause
mistake for
model after
a native of
be native to
neither A nor B
not A but Bnot only A but also B (also observe parallelism)
not so much as
prevent from
prohibit from
persuade to
range from A to B
regard as
require to
required of
see as
so + adj. + as to
so + adj./adv. + that + clause
substitute A for B
view as
whether (not if and without or not)

Here are few more IDIOMS

able to do something
ability to do something
ability in something
absent from
acclaim to be
acclaim as
act as
accede to
accepted into + group
accepted to + college/ university
accepted at + college/ university
access to
accustom to
according to
account for
accuse of
acquaint with
adapt from
adapt to something
addicted to something
admit of something
advantage of something
afraid of
afflicted with
agree with
X agree on + doing something X (change to agree to do something)
agree on + something
agree to something
agree to do something
aid + somebody/ something
aid something + in + doing something
allow for
amount to
angry at/ with
appeal to somebody
appear to
apply to
approach (the noun, not the verb) to something
approve of
argue over
argue with
argue about something
argue for something
arrive at
as __ as
ask of
associate with
assure that
at a disadvantage
attempt to
attend to
attention to
attest to
attribute to
available to
averse to
aiming to
aim at
aware of
aversion to/ for/ toward something

based on
because of
believe to be
between [a] and [b]

call for
craving for
choice of
choose from
choose to
claim to
collaborate with
conclude that
consequence of
consider
consistent with
continue to
contrast with
contribute to
convert to
cost to/of
credit with
comply with
conform to
consider to be
composed of
compare with/to
consist in
consist with
consist of
correspond to
correspond with

date from
deal with
debate over
decide to
defend against
define as
delighted by
demonstrate that
depend on
depict as
descend from
different from
difficult to
distinguish [a] from [b]
draw on
due to
desirous of
divergent from
decide on

[in an] effort to
either…or
enamored with
encourage to
estimate to be
expose to
extend to
extent of
equal to
expected to

fear that
fluctuations in
forbid to
force to
frequency of
from [a] to [b]
fail in hypothesize that

in contrast to
in danger of
in order to
in violation of
inclined to
infected with
instead of
introduce to
isolate from
intent to
in search of
inside
increase in

just as…so too
just as...so

less than
likely to
liken to mistake for

model after
more than
move away from
meet with

[a] native of
native to
neither…nor
not [a] but [b]
not only…but also
not so much…as
necessity of
necessity for
name
negotiations with

on account of
opportunity for
opportunity to
opposed to
opposite of
ought to

prejudiced against
permit to
persuade to
predisposed to
pressure to
prevent from
prized by
prohibit from
protect against
provide with
preferable to
prior to
partake of
practice for
practice to
practice of

question whether

range from [a] to [b]
rather than
regard as
replace with
require to
required of
[the] responsibility to
responsible for
result from, result in
rule that
result of

[the] same as
see as, send to
sense of so…that
spend on
subject to
substitute [a] for [b]
suffer from
superior to
supplant by
suspicious of
sympathy for
sympathize with
separate from

target at
think of…as
threaten to
train to
transit to
try to
type of
tamper with
tie to
tend to
to seek support from

use as
[the] use of

view as
vote for

willing to
worry about

Problems with comparatives

2006-06-16T01:33:00.000-07:00

Problems with Comparatives

Basics

1. Specific similarlity = as + adj./adv. + as

2. Comparative = adj./adv.: more + adj./adv. + than or
adj.er /adv.er + than

3. Superlative = adj./adv.: the most + adj./adv. or
the adj.est/adv.est

Always remember some irregular adjectives/adverbs like these -

good - better - best
far - farther or further - farthest or furthest
little - less - least
many/much - more - most
bad - worse - worst

Points to remember

1). Be sure that you make a comparison with logically comparable nouns. You cannot compare a company in India with USA but you can compare a company in India and a company in USA.

You usually use "that of" or "those of" instead of repeating a noun to express a logical comparative.

e.g

Incorrect: A car in India is much different from USA
Correct: A car in India is much different from that of USA

Incorrect: The question whether to divest themselves of stock in companies that do business in South Africa is particularly troublesome for the nations 16 private Black colleges because their economic bases are often more fragile than most predominantly White colleges.

Correct: The question whether to divest themselves of stock in companies that do business in South Africa is particularly troublesome for the naiton’s 16 private Black colleges because their economic bases are often more fragile than those of most predominantly White colleges.

You’re comparing between economic bases of Black colleges and economic bases of White colleges.

2). Take care while using these pairs of similar words -

the same as - the same
similar to - similar
different from - different
like - alike

The formers are always followed by noun while the latters aren’t.

e.g

American cultures are (the same as/similar to/different from/like) those of England.
or
American cultures and those of England are (the same/similar/different/alike).

3). Multiple numbers (half/twice/three times/ten times etc.) are always used with as much/many as

e.g

USA has roughly twice as many people as India (does).

4). Fewer than and less than - Always use fewer than with a countable noun and leave an uncountable noun for less than. Fortunately you don’t have a problem between more (many) than and more (much) than!

e.g.

There are fewer people in Japan than there are in India. People in Japan spend less time at home than do Americans.

5). Double comparatives - Remember this structure; The more ..........., the more........

e.g

Incorrect: Dr. Hakuta’s research among Hispanic children in the United States indicates that the more the children use both Spanish and English , their intellectual advantage is greater in skills underlying reading ability and nonverbal logic.

Correct: Dr. Hakuta’s research among Hispanic children in the United States indicates that the more the children use both Spanish and English , the greater their intellectual advantage in skills underlying reading ability and nonverbal logic.

Pronoun Errors

2006-05-16T23:49:00.000-07:00

GMAT Verbal Section -- Pronoun Errors

Pronoun Errors

A pronoun is a word that stands for a noun.This noun is termed as antecedent of pronoun.

(1). Pronouns must agree with their antecedant in both number (singular or plural) and person (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.).

Definite Pronouns - Has antecedents.
Indefinite Pronouns - Has no antecedents.

Always singular Indefinite Pronoun - Anybody, either, one, each, neither, another, some one, each one,anything, nobody,somebody,no-one, something, everybody, nothing, everyone, whatever, everything, whichever, whoever.

Always plural Indefinite Pronouns - Both, few, others, several.

Sometimes singular sometimes plural Indefinite Pronouns -All, many, some, any, most.

e.g

Everything was in its place.
Everyone at the meeting voiced his/her opinion.

(2). Singular or plural depends on number of word or phrase to which it refers.

e.g

Some of the grass has lost its colour.
Some of the flowers have lost their petals.

(3). A pronoun should refer to one and only one noun or compound noun. This is the most common error in test questions. If a pronoun follows two nouns, it is often unclear which of the nouns the pronoun refers to.

Incorrect - The destabilization of the economy has left unstable stocks in the hands of frightened investors. It is imperative that they be more tightly controlled.

Should the unstable stocks be controlled or the frightened investors?

Either interpretation is possible from the structure of the sentence.

Correct - The destabilization of the economy has left unstable stocks in the hands of frightened investors. It is imperative that the unstable stocks be more tightly controlled.

(4). Subjects and objects:Objects that come in end of prepositional phrases:

Subject Form --------- Object Form

I --------------------------- Me
You -----------------------You
He ------------------------Him
She ---------------------- Her
It ------------------------- It
We ---------------------- Us
They -------------------- Them

Incorrect - Her and me fought over the tea.
Correct - She and I fought over the tea.

(5). "They" or "it" should not be used without definite antecedents.

e.g

In that store they make a customer feel stupid.---Here use of they is incorrect as there is no antecedent for "they" in this sentence so instead of they a proper noun should be used.

Note:In expressions of time and weather antecedent of it is not given.

e.g

It is too hot today.

(6). A pronoun must also agree with its antecedent in person

Incorrect - When atheletes break training rules,we sometimes pay with poor performances.
Correct - When atheletes break training rules,they sometimes pay with poor performances.

(7). Subject form of pronoun always comes after ‘than’ or ‘as’.

eg

Peggy is smaller than I (am).

(8). Indefinite pronouns which are always singular require singular verbs.

eg

Somebody has left her purse.
Everyone has done his/her homework.

(9) Pronouns either and neither require singular verbs even if seem to refer,in a sense two things.

eg

Neither of the two traffic lights is working.

Misplaced Restricters

2006-05-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

GMAT Verbal Section -- Misplaced Restricters

Restricters are one word modifiers , they limit the meaning of other words or phrases.Restricters include almost, exactly, even, just, nearly, hardly, merely and scarcely.

Restricter is placed directly before the word or phrase it modifies.

Example of misplaced restricter

My roommate only smiles on weekends.

Literally the sentence suggests that on weekends the roomate does nothing except smiling - he/she does not eats,talks etc.
Since this unlikely the restricter should be placed before its actual headword.There are 3 ways to edit the above example .

Edited 1 - My roommate smiles only on weekends. => He/ She does notsmile on Monday through Friday.

Edited 2 - My only roommate smiles on weekends. => The writer has one roommate, period.

Edited 3 - Only my roommate smiles on weekends. => All the other people the writer knows or sees never smile on weekends.

Squinting Modifiers

2006-05-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

GMAT Verbal Section -- Squinting Modifiers

Squinting modifiers create uncertainity by appearing to either of two possible headwords
OR
Squinting modifiers are those modifiers that are placed between two words so that they could be understood to modify either word. e.g

The sight of teenagers hitting each other violently upset an elderly couple.

To clarify the statement, we should move violently, placing it before hitting if that is the correct meaning, or after couple -

Edited A- The sight of teenagers violently hitting each other upset an elderly couple.

Edited B - The sight of teenagers hitting each other upset an elderly couple violently.

Similarly below is another example -

To exercise regularly results in aches and pains.

Edited A - Regular exercise results in aches and pains.

Edited B - To exercise results regularly in aches and pains.

Link -
Squinting modifier

Dangling Modifiers

2006-05-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

GMAT Verbal Section -- Dangling Modifiers

A dangling modifier is a modifier without a headword - a word or phrase that it can modify. Since a modifier always needs a headword, it will attach itself to a false one if the true one is not present in the sentence. The result will be a sentence like this:

Listening to the sad news, my eyes filled with tears.

Here the sentence opens with a modifier - the participle phrase Listening to the sad news.After the modifier , there must be a headword naming the person(s) who did the listening.But instead we come across my eyes.As a result, the sentence seems to say that eyes heard some sad news .(The presence of my hints at the identity of the true headword , but my itself is not a headword.It is a modifier of eyes.).

To clarify the sentence,the writer can do one of two things - rewrite the word group following the modifier, or rewrite the modifier:

Edited A - Listening to the sad news, I felt my eyes filled with tears.

Edited B- As I listened to the sad news, my eyes filled with tears.

For Gmat example of Dangling modifier click on the link below view sentence 24

http://gmatsentencecorrection.blogspot.com

Links:
Dangling Modifier Link 1
Dangling modifier Link 2

Misplaced Modifiers

2006-05-08T11:05:00.000-07:00

GMAT Verbal Section -- Misplaced Modifier

Placing modifiers - In general a modifier must be placed close to its headword - that is the phrase or word it modifies.But different kinds pf modifiers are placed at different positions.

1). Predicate adjectives follow linking verbs.

e.g

i). The days were cloudy.---- Here linking verb is "were" and cloudy is predicate adjective .

ii). The ball was large and red.---- Here linking verb is "was" and large and red is the predicate adjective.

2). Adjective phrases usually follow their headword.

e.g

i). A duffel bag with white lettering was left behind.---- Here "duffel bag" is the headword and with white lettering is the adjective phrase.

3). Adjectives and determiners usually precede their headword.

e.g

i). The child was bouncing a large, red ball.---- Here "the" and "a large, red" are the determiner and adjective preceding their headword "child" and "ball".

4). Adverbs can appear in various places near or next to their headwords.

e.g

i). He always handles the eggs carefully.---- Here the adverbs are "always" and "carefully".

5). Adverb phrases belong near their headword.

e.g

i). They will work on the roof until sundown.---- Here the adverb phrase is "on the roof until sundown" and its headword is "work".

6). Appositives usually belong next to their headword.

e.g

i). One of his jokes, a story about two fisherman lost in Chennai, leaves an audience gasping for breath.---- Here headword is "jokes" and "a story about two fisherman lost in Chennai" is the appositive.

7). Absolute phrases can precede or follow the noun they modify.

e.g

i). Its old timbers shifting, the house creaked.

OR

ii). The house, its old timbers shifting, creaked.

OR

iii). The house creaked, its old timbers shifting.---- In all 3 sentences the noun is "house" and absolute phrase is "Its old timbers shifting".

8). Like adjectives, single participles normally precede their headword.

e.g

i). A piece of broken glass glittered on the path.---- Here "broken" is the single participle before its headword "glass".

9). Participle phrases can appear in various positions.

e.g

i). Waving to reporters, the President looked jubliant.---- Here participle phrase is "waving to reporters" and its headword is "president".

10). Infinitives and infinitive phrases follow the noun or adjective they modify.

e.g

i). Sacket is definitely one film to see.---- Here "to see" to see" is the infinitive phrase following the noun "one film".

Editing misplaced modifiers

Misplaced modifiers do not point clearly to their headwords - the words or phrases they modify.The result is a misleading, confusing sentence.To edit the mistake, move the modifier next to its headword.

e.g

i). Incorrect - There was a pumpkin on the porch witha a
smiling face.
Correct - There was a pumpkin with a smiling face on the
porch.

ii). Incorrect - The final scene two characters who, in the
beginning,had hated each other in a convincing
way.
Correct - The final scene unites in a convincing way two
characters who, in the beginning, had hated
each other.

Tomorrow I will introduce Dangling modifiers, editing of squinting modifiers editing of misplaced restricters, and avoiding of split infinitive with examples.Any queries you are most welcome to ask.

Parallelism

2006-05-01T06:02:00.000-07:00

GMAT Verbal Section -- Sentence correction

Parallelism or Parallel structure

Parallelism is the coordination of words, clauses and phrases in a sentence. Parallelism heightens the relation between connected elements by lining up noun with noun, phrase with phrase, and verb with verb.In Parallelism all linked words should match in form. e.g

1). Write injuries in dust, benefits in marble.

2). A living dog is better than a dead lion.

3). Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust.

In the 3rd example, the construction of the second sentence is fully parallel with the construction of the second.The similarity in form helps to dramatize the difference between uplifts and degrades, and between just and unjust.

a). Situations in which we should make use of parallel constructions:

1). LIST

She was a personality before she became a person – she was simple, complex, generous, selfish, unattractive, beautiful, lazy, and driven.

There are 8 adjectives used in the above sentence since all are adjectives parallelism is maintained.

2). SERIES

A fool’s brain digests philosphy into folly, science into superstition, and art into pedantry.

There are 3 matching phrases consisting of a noun plus a prepositional phrase.

3). CONTRAST

They marched slowly but steadily.

Slowly and steadily show parallelism as both are adverbs.

4). SERIES PLUS CONTRAST

Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.

Use of 4 nouns show parallelism.

5). CHOICE

We can repair the roof now, or we can replace the entire house in a year.

There are 2 independent clauses with the same subject and similar predicates.

6). STATEMENT OF EQUIVALENCE

A life without festivities is a long road without inns.

Here there are 2 nouns plus a matching prepositional phrases.

7). CLASSIFICATION/DEFINITION

Economy is the art of making the most of life.

There is a noun and a noun phrase.

8). STATEMENT OF EVALUATION

For most men the love of justice is only the fear of suffering injustice.

There are 2 noun phrases ,thus it shows parallelism.

9). COMPARISON

Walking in dust can be more rewarding than sitting on silk.

Here there are matching verbal nouns and prepositional phrases.

b). Using Correlatives with Parallelism

Correlatives are words or phrases used in pairs to join words, phrases, or clauses. Correlatives include:

Both…..and
Not only…..but also
Either…..or
Neither …..nor
Whether …..or

Examples:

1). Most tourists are willing to travel either by bus or by train.

2). They found mice not only in the cupboard but also under the sink.

3). Michelangelo was both a great sculptor and a great painter.

NOTE: Besides placing correlatives properly, be careful to use a parallel structure after each one:

Editing faulty parallelism

1). Incorrect – Janice’s way of reading menus is better than most people.
Correct – Janice’s way of reading menus is better than most people’s.
Or
Correct – Janice’s way of reading menus is better than that of most people.
Or
Correct – Janice’s way of reading menus is better than the way of most people.

2). Incorrect – The farmers will either find ways to cut their costs, or the banks will lower the interest
rate on loans.
Correct – Either the farmers will find ways to cut their costs, or the banks will lower the interest
rate on loans.

c). Other rules for forming parallel structure

1). When two adjectives modify the same noun, they should have similar forms.e.g

Incorrect - Brenda treated the patient swiftly and calm.
Correct - Brenda treated the patient swiftly and calmly.

2). When a series of clauses is listed, the verbs in each clause must have the same form.e.g

Incorrect - On sunny days many like to skate on the village pond or sledding on Mount
Knox.
Correct - On sunny days many like skating on the village pond or sledding on Mount
Knox.
OR
Correct - On sunny days many like to skate on the village pond or to sled on Mount
Knox.

3). Both halves of a sentence should have the same structure.e.g

Incorrect - To acknowledge Divine wisdom is taking the first step to nirvana.
Correct - Acknowledging Divine wisdom is taking the first step to nirvana.
Correct - To acknowledge Divine wisdom is to take the first step to nirvana.

Subject Verb Agreement

2006-04-29T01:48:00.000-07:00

GMAT Verbal Section -- Sentence Correction

Subject - Verb Agreement

The Verbal section of the GMAT includes about 14 Sentence Correction questions. These questions test your grammar skills and the use of proper words. It also tests your knowledge of punctuation.

Each question is a sentence which has been underlined partly or wholly. The answer choices represent different ways of expressing the underlined part.Choice A is always the repetition of the original words stated in the question.The right answer corrects all of the errors without introducing any new mistakes.

Subject verb agreement is one of the most important categories of grammer employed in sentence correction questions.

The subject of the sentence must agree with the verb of the sentence.They must agree in number ( singular or plural ) and person ( first, second or third).e.g

1). He and his friends are at college.
He and his friends--(plural subject).
are---(Plural verb).

2). The pen or the pencil is in the drawer.
The pen--( singular subject)
The pencil--(singular subject)
is---(singular verb)

The following are the situations where subject verb disagreement is there but it is difficult to spot:-

1). Compound subjects

i). When the subject of a sentence is formed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by "and",we use a plural verb.e.g

Gold and silver are precious metals.
gold and silver--(plural subject)
are---(plural verb).

Note: Exception to the above rule is --- when the compound subjects are preceded by “every,” “no,” or “nothing”

ii). When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by "or" or "nor", we use a singular verb.e.g

The book or the dictionary is in the last drawer of the table.
The book or the dictionary --( two singular nouns connected by "or")
is---(singular verb)

iii). If the subjects are joined by “nor” or “or,” the verb agrees with the subject closer to the verb i.e (the last one).e.g

Neither Peter's relatives nor his wife agrees with his decision.
"his wife" is the subject closer to verb "agree "
his wife --(singular).
agrees---(Verb with s-ending).

Neither Peter's wife nor his relatives agree with his decision.
"his relatives" is the subject closer to verb "agree".
his relatives--(plural subject)
agree---(verb without s- ending:in diction form)

2). "Doesn't" is a contracted form of "does not" , so it should be used only with a singular subject. "Don't" is a contracted form of "do not" . It should be used only with a plural subject.
The exception to this rule-- in the case of the first person and second person, pronouns "I " and "you" as with these pronouns, the contraction "don't" should be used.e.g

I don't want it.
I--(singular pronoun)
don't is used.

He doesn't want it
He--(singular pronoun apart from I and you)
doesn't is used.

3). Intervening phrases and clauses do not affect the subject-verb agreement.The verb agrees with the subject, not with a noun or pronoun in the phrase or the sentence.e.g

One of the books is costly.
One--(singular subject)
is---(singular verb)

The people who appreciate art are many.
The people--(plural subject)
are---(plural verb)

4). The indefinite pronouns somebody, someone, each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody, and no-one are singular and require a singular verb.e.g

Each of these recipies is delicious.
Each---( indefinite singular pronoun)
is---(singular verb)

5). Plural indefinite pronouns both, few, many, several require a plural verb.e.g

Many of the riders were skinny, bold boys.
Many--(indefinite plural pronoun)
were---(plural verb)

6). A noun meaning one thing is always third -person singular, even if it ends in -s:

The news was shattering.
news---(singular noun)
was---(singular verb)

Mumps is a painful disease.
Mumps--(singular noun)
is---(singular verb)

Note: When talking about an amount of money, the word "dollars" requires a singular verb, but when referring to the dollars themselves, a plural verb is required.

7). In sentences starting with there or here, the subject follows the verb.e.g

There were three cars outside the office.
Cars---(plural subject)
were---(plural verb)

8). Collective nouns are singular when they refer to a unit and plural when they refer to the individuals or elements of a unit.
The committee meets every friday evening.
Committee---(it is singular)
meets---(verb with s- ending)

9). The number of modified noun and pronoun depends on the noun or pronoun itself--- not on the modifiers attached to it.

The clouds that hovered over Delhi were thick.
Clouds---(plural subject)
were---(plural verb)

The President, accompanied by his wife, is travelling to New York.
The President--(singular subject)
is---(singular verb)

10). Pronouns variable in number include all, any, many, more, most, some ,that,which and who.The number of these pronouns depend on the number of the word or phrase to which they refer.e.g

Some of the ice was melting.
ice--(Singular)
was---(singular verb)

11). Phrases such as together with, as well as, and along with are not the same as and. The phrase introduced by as well as or along with will modify the earlier word (chief in this case), but it does not compound the subjects (as the word and would do).

The chief as well as his supporters is going to prison.
The chief and his supporters are going to jail.