Idioms Flashcards
(189 cards)
1
Q
Allow:
The holiday allowed for Maria to watch the movie.
The holiday allows Maria to watch the movie today
Globalization allows money placed in a bank in a less regulated jurisdiction to be transferred to a branch in a more regulated one.
A
Last two
Idiom: X ALLOW(s) Y TO (verb)
> permits an action
Different from X ALLOWS FOR Y (also correct if x and y are both nouns)
2
Q
As:
As a child, I delivered newspapers.
As being a child, I delivered newspapers
A
First one
> being is not necessary
> make sure nouns agree in number!
e.g., The students worked as SKETCH ARTISTS (not a sketch artist).
e.g., The workers used all-weather instruments such as the dredge or a 20-foot-long-implement known as A BULL RAKE (singular to match “implement”)
3
Q
As … As:
We have 10 apples, about as many as we picked yesterday.
We have 10 apples, about as much as we picked yesterday.
Wood now costs eight times as much as it did in 1960.
Wood now costs eight times as much as in 1960.
Sales of fund shares in July were not as low as what an industry trade group had previously estimated.
Sales of fund shares in July were not as low as an industry trade group had previously estimated.
Fewer than half as many multifamily housing units were produced in the 1990s as in each of the previous two decades.
Fewer than half as many multifamily housing units were produced in the 1990s as the previous two decades.
Although we were sitting in the bleachers, the baseball game was as exciting to us as to the people sitting behind home plate
Although we were sitting in the bleachers, the baseball game was as exciting to us as the people sitting behind home plate
Detroit has as small a population today as it did in 1920.
Detroit has as small a population today as 1920.
One study found that although government policy and the industrial sector in which the company operates can influence its productivity and financial strength, management decisions have at least as great an impact on a company’s performance.
Dirt roads cost twice as much to maintain as paved roads do
A
Maintain PARALLELISM in items compared and in VERBS
Idiom:
> The largest bull is as big as a small elephant (X is as __ as Y)
> There are as many apples as pears (as many X as Y)
> There are as many apples in 2010 as in 2020 (as many … IN … as IN )
> We have as much money as you do (X has as much as Y)
> The baseball game was as exciting to us as to the people sitting behind home plate (As X as Y)
First one in each pair.
> 10 apples, about as many as (the number of apples) we picked yesterday
> Wood costs eight times as much as (wood costs) in 1960
> Sales of fund shares in July were not as low as (THE SALES) an industry trade group had previously estimated
> dirt roads cost twice as much to maintain as paved roads [cost to maintain]
> Many is for countable items like apples; much is for non-countable items like money.
when comparing two different TIME PERIODS, we need to REPEAT THE VERB
e.g., wood now costs eight times as much as it DID in 1980.
Other notes:
Pay attention to verb tenses (they should be parallel but also match the correct time period)
e.g., Detroit HAS as small a population TODAY as it DID in 1920
** SOMETIMES WE DO NOT NEED THE SECOND “AS” IF WE HAVE ALREADY INTRODUCED THE COMPARISON ITEM
e.g., Although chocolate ice cream is very popular, vanilla ice cream has AS GREAT a following .
4
Q
Ability:
She has the ability to succeed.
The ability for her to succeed.
The manager has the ability of running the plant.
A
First one
Idiom: … the ability TO …
> NOT the ability OF or FOR
5
Q
Because:
The growth of plants is explained because of the shining of the sun.
Because of the sun, plants grow.
Plants grow because the sun shines.
A
2 and 3 are correct
Idiom: “because of …”
Idiom: “because …”
1 is redundant - “explained” and “because”
> also “reason” + “is because”
6
Q
Being:
Being infected does not make you sick.
The judges saw the horses being led to the stables
A
“Being” is OFTEN wordy or awkward
> But, statements with “being” are NOT automatically incorrect.
> Correct as a participle or gerund (noun phrase, e.g. being the team leader)
7
Q
Believe:
Gary is believed to be right.
She believes that Gary is right.
It is believed that Gary is right.
She believes Gary to be right.
A
All right
..believes that…is…
…is believed to be…
It is believed that…is…
…believes….to be..
8
Q
X BUT Y:
I study hard but I take naps.
I study hard but take breaks.
A
Parallelism marker too
Both are correct
9
Q
Both X AND Y:
She was interested in both plants and animals.
She was interested both in plants and in animals.
She was interested both in plants and animals.
A
Parallelism marker too –> for only TWO items (not more than 2)
First two are correct - x and y must be parallel.
10
Q
Can:
The plant has the possibility of causing damage.
The manager has the ability of running the plant.
The manager has the capability of running the plant.
The manager can run the plant.
The plant can cause damage.
The manager is capable of running the plant.
A
Last 3
Idiom is about CONCISSION
> “Can” is preferred to “possibility of” and “capability of” (wordy)
Don’t use the NOUN version of an adjective! (e.g., possibility, capability) —> not concise
11
Q
Consider:
Although Elizabeth Barrett Browning was considered among her contemporaries as a better poet than her husband, she was later overshadowed by his success
The judge considers the law as being illegal.
The law is considered illegal.
I consider illegal the law passed last week by the new regime.
A
Last two
> “as” is not associated with “consider”
Idiom:
X is considered Y
…consider Y X
See: declare
(“CD”)
12
Q
EITHER X OR Y:
A
Parallelism marker too
Verb tense should match the NEAREST noun
e.g., Either the Jonases or the Nixons ARE coming.
Either the pink flower or the blue flower is fine.
13
Q
Expect:
I expect something to happen.
I expect that something will happen.
It is expected that the price will fall.
There is an expectation that the price will fall.
It is expected that the price should fall.
A
First four
Idiom:
… expect … TO…
…. expect that … WILL
IT is expected THAT…WILL
There is an expectation that … WILL…
**predictions tend to have “will”
** related to “It is estimated that…will”
14
Q
From X TO Y
The price fell from 20 euros down to 2 euros.
The price fell from 20 euros to 2 euros.
Her grade increased from 80% up to 100%
Her grade increased from 80% to 100%.
A
Either direction is okay:
FROM X TO Y (fell from $20 to $4).
TO Y FROM X (e.g., fell to $4 from $20)
Other options are redundant.
15
Q
Has all but ____
It has all but disappeared
A
Very Nearly
e.g., something has very nearly disappeared, but there is some stuff left.
16
Q
Indicate:
A report indicates that unique bacteria live on our skin.
A report indicates unique bacteria live on our skin.
A
First one
Idiom:
…indicates THAT…
> Similar reasoning to: Subject-Verb-THAT-subject-verb
… (is/are) indicative OF …
**some exceptions to “that” rule (1% of the time)
17
Q
NOT X BUT Y:
A tomato is not a vegetable but a fruit.
A tomato is not a vegetable but rather a fruit.
She did not eat mangoes but ate other kinds of fruit.
She did not eat mangoes but other kinds of fruit.
A
Parallelism marker too
First three
Idiom: (verb clause) NOT X BUT (RATHER) Y
> can separate into two perfect sentences
e.g., she did not eat mangoes. She ate other kinds of fruit.
A tomato is not a vegetable. A tomato is a fruit.
**DIFFERENT idiom from “NOT SO MUCH x AS Y”
18
Q
X Rather Than Y:
He wrote with pencils rather than with pens.
He wrote with pencils instead of with pens.
Most of Portugal’s 250,000 university students boycotted classes in a one-day strike to protest a law that requires them to contribute $330 a year toward the cost of higher education, instead of the $7 per year required previously.
When to use “rather than” versus “instead of”?
A
Parallelism marker too
First one and last one
–> X rather than Y
> “Instead of with” is incorrect
“instead of” can only take a NOUN as its object.
Rather than can act as either a preposition (taking a noun) or a subordinate conjunction (followed by a full clause).
19
Q
So … As to:
The sauce was so hot as to burn my mouth.
Often major economic shifts are so gradual as to be indistinguishable at first from ordinary fluctuations in the financial markets.
A
Suspect Idiom –> could be wrong or correct.
> could mean LIKELY TO BE TRUE (vs. “so…that” = actually happens)
Idiom: so (adjective) AS TO (verb)
vs. so as to = in order to
so as not to
TO + verb also indicates intention
> check to ensure that the subject is capable of having an intention
20
Q
So that:
She gave money so that the school could offer scholarships.
She gave money so the school could offer scholarships.
A
First one:
So THAT —> a purpose
> Similar reasoning to: Subject-Verb-THAT-subject-verb
Second one has a different meaning
21
Q
Such as:
Matt drives Ferraris and the like.
Matt drives Ferraris and other cars such as these.
Matt enjoys intense activities, such as to drive fast cars.
Matt drives cars, such as Ferraris.
Matt enjoys driving such cars as Ferraris.
Matt enjoys intense activities, such as driving fast cars.
A
Last 3
Idioms: Y must be an example of X.
X, such as Y –> She likes watching movies, SUCH AS Shrek.
Such X as Y –> She likes watching SUCH movies AS Shrek.
22
Q
Whether…Or:
Whether they be trash or treasure, the recyclables must be picked up.
Whether trash or treasure, the recyclables must be picked up.
Whether they will scale back their orders to pre-2003 levels or stop doing business with us altogether depends on whether the changes that their management has proposed will be fully implemented.
I will be there whether or not I am prepared
A
Parallelism marker too
Last three
Idiom:
Whether X (or Y)
Whether X or NOT (*might be redundant)
> “Whether or not” should be used when one’s response is the same, regardless of the outcome
e.g., I will be there whether or not I am prepared
NOT Whether X…. or whether Y
NOT Whether it BE (old fashioned)
23
Q
Agree:
I agree that electrons exist.
I agree electrons exist.
A
Idiom (similar to “indicate”):
…agree THAT… –> subject-verb-that-subject-verb
**some exceptions to “that” rule (1% of the time)
24
Q
Aid:
A
Idiom:
Her AID (noun) IN walking the dog was appreciated.
She provided AID (noun) TO the victims.
AID (noun) FOR victims is available.
She AIDS (verb) her neighbour.
NOT:
aid TO + verb
25
Aim:
We adopted new procedures with the aim of reducing theft.
We adopted new procedures with the aim to reduce theft.
First one
Idiom:
with the aim OF ___-ing (NOT with the aim TO).
Aimed AT
26
As...So:
Just as you practice, so shall you play.
Just like you practice, so shall you play.
First one
Idiom: (just) AS...SO (not like)
Parallelism too: just as x, so y
Just as the English like their beer, so the French like their wine.
Another related parallelism:
JUST AS the Internet is today often called an "information superhighway," the telegraph was described in its day as an "instantaneous highway of thought"
27
Ban:
Idiom:
Ban PROHIBITING...( x FROM)....
28
Based on:
Based on the evidence, the jury reached a verdict.
The jury reached a verdict based on the evidence.
Second one
Idiom: WATCH OUT for opening modifier-subject match
> The first one illogically states that the jury was "based on the evidence"
29
Began/Begun:
The movement began as a protest.
The movement was begun from a protest.
First one
Idiom:
Began as
Began with
has BEGUN (is OK)
have BEGUN
had BEGUN
(NOT "WAS begun")
30
Claim:
She claims to be able to read minds.
She claims that she can read minds.
She claims being able to read minds.
First two
Idiom:
...claims TO BE
...claims TO BE ABLE TO....
...claims that ...CAN...
"are able to" is not as good as "can"
But "to be able to" is OK
31
Compared/Comparison
In comparison with the horses, zebras are..
When compared to the horses, zebras...
Zebras are more vicious compared to horses.
First one
Parallelism (comparison marker too (must compare apples to apples).
Idiom: similar to "Unlike X, Y" ---> NOUNS
Opening mod: Compared to/with X, Y
Opening mod: In comparison to/with X, Y
Not "when compared to..." (at the start of a sentence)
Sometimes "as compared to..." is okay if it is a modifier
(e.g., "..., as compared to y")
32
X AND Y versus X AS WELL AS Y
Both are Parallelism markers!
> don't use "as well as" between parallel items in a LIST
HOWEVER, don't immediately rule out "as well as" -> could connect two disparate thoughts/lists
> verb X AS WELL AS Y (nouns)
e.g., Examples of "tulipomania," a term coined from the seventeenth-century tulip craze in the Netherlands, INCLUDE speculative bubbles in South Seas trading rights in the 1720s, Victorian real estate in the 1880s, AND the U.S. stock market in the 1920s, AS WELL AS the obsession for Beanie Babies in the 1990s.
e.g., Early administrative decisions in China's Ming Dynasty eventually CAUSED A drastic fall in tax revenues, a reduction in military preparedness, AND the collapse of the currency system, AS WELL AS A failure to make sufficient investment in vital transportation infrastructure.
e.g., Open to the public and operated like conventional hotels, condominium hotels permit buyers to ACQUIRE A specific room OR suite, AS WELL AS A proportionate interest in the rest of the establishment.
OTHER USE:
> comma as well as -ING (verb)
e.g., Diesel engines burn as much as 30% less fuel than gasoline engines of comparable size, AS WELL AS EMITTING far less carbon dioxide gas and far fewer of the other gasses that have been implicated in global warming.
33
Conceive:
Idiom: CONCIEVE(s) OF x AS y
> NOT "to be"
He conceives of architecture as a dialogue.
Means envision or forming a mental image of something that is not present
34
Confidence:
We have confidence in the market to recover.
We have confidence that the market will recover.
Second one
Idiom: ...confidence THAT...WILL...
NOT we have confidence in you.
35
Contrast:
In contrast to/with the zoo, the park charges no admission.
As contrasted with the zoo, the park charges no admission.
First one
Parallelism (comparison) marker too
Idiom:
IN contrast TO/WITH X, Y
Unlike X, Y
36
Cost:
The cost of pollution to us is billions in increased medical bills.
Pollution costs us billions in increased medical bills.
Second one
Idiom:
COST(s) ... IN ... (functions as a VERB)
37
Create:
Idiom: ...create ... TO...
(NOT FOR)
e.g., We will create a team to lead the discussion.
38
Credit:
Hugo credits Sally with good taste.
Sally is credited with good taste.
Sally is credited as having good taste.
Sally is credited for having good taste.
Sally is credited to be a person with good taste.
First two
Idiom:
X credits Y WITH ...
Y IS CREDITED WITH ...
> mean to consider someone to have particular qualities.
39
Danger:
Idiom:
danger OF __ing
e.g., Danger OF FORGETTING.
NOT danger TO FORGET
40
Date:
They dated the artifact at three centuries old.
The artifact was dated at three centuries old.
The artifact has been dated at three centuries old.
The artifact was dated back at least a thousand years old.
The artifact was dated to be three centuries old.
The artifact was dated as being three centuries old.
The artifact was dated back to at least a thousand years.
First four
Idiom:
...dated .... AT (NOT to be)
...WAS dated AT ...
...has/have BEEN dated AT ...
... DATING back ... (NO to)
... date/dates back ... (no to)
e.g., "the use of fire could date back almost two million years"
e.g., comma both communities dating back at least a thousand of years
e.g., each community dates back at least a thousand of years.
41
Declared:
I declared invalid the referendum that the new regime imposed.
They declared that the election was a fraud.
The judge declared the election as a fraud.
First two
Idiom:
X declared THAT ...
X is declared y
> "as" is not associated with "declared" (just like "consider")
See "consider"
("CD")
42
Demand:
They demanded that the store be closed.
They demanded that the store should be closed.
First one
Subjunctive verb form Idiom:
demand THAT .... Infinitive Verb Form
e.g., order, demand, mandate, necessary, vital, proposed, recommend, request, require, on condition
e.g., (to) be
Verb could be in -ing form
e.g., suggesting THAT work be done early
43
Design:
The window is designed so that it opens.
The window is designed to open.
Second one
Idiom:
... designed TO (verb - purpose)
> it is redundant to say "so that"
44
Determined:
The winner was determined....a coin toss.
by
through
because of
from
as a result of
Idiom:
...determined BY...
Also FOR DETERMINING is OK
But compare to "TO DETERMINE" (often better)
e.g., More research was needed TO DETERMINE whether balloon angioplasty preceded by ultrasound is any better for heart attack patients than the balloon procedure by itself.
45
Difference:
There are differences between what you and I can do.
There is a difference between what you can do and what I can do.
There is a difference in ability between us.
There are differences in what you and I can do.
Last three
Idiom:
... A difference BETWEEN X and Y.
... A difference IN Z BETWEEN X and Y.
.... DIFFERENCES IN ...
(NOT differences BETWEEN X and Y).
46
Distinguish/distinction:
Trends have a distinction from fads.
There is a distinction between trends with fads.
Neither one is right (btw neither is singular)
Idiom:
Distinguish BETWEEN X AND Y
A distinction BETWEEN X AND Y
Others:
distinguish A from B
The distinction of A from B
47
Doubt:
We do not doubt that Jan will arrive on time.
She doubts whether Jan will arrive on time.
She doubts that Jan will arrive on time.
We have no doubt whether the apples are ripe.
First two are definitely correct; second one is suspect. Last one is wrong.
Idiom:
... DO NOT DOUBT THAT .... (negative statement)
... DOUBT WHETHER.... (positive statement)
48
Due to:
Due to the fact that politicians spend money, we have a deficit.
The deficit is due to overspending.
Our policy will not cover damage due to fire.
Last two
Idiom:
(noun) was/is/were/are DUE TO ...
> NOT "due to the fact that"
49
Elect:
e.g., She elected ____ her money early.
Idiom:
elect TO (verb)
e.g., she elected to withdraw her money early.
50
Enough:
The book was short enough for me to read in a night.
The book was short enough so that I could read it in a night.
The book was short enough that I could read it in a night.
The book was short enough for it to be read in a night
First one
Idiom:
.... ENOUGH TO ...
> NOT "enough so that" or "enough that"
51
Ensure:
He ensures that deadlines are met.
He ensures that deadlines will be met.
He ensures that deadlines must be met.
He ensures that deadlines should be met.
First two
Idiom (similar to "expect"):
ensure THAT ... WILL or ARE/IS
52
Equipped:
Idiom:
Equipped TO (do something)
e.g., you are equipped to run a marathon
> NOT equipped FOR something
53
Estimates:
I estimate the cost to be 10 dollars.
The cost is estimated to be 10 dollars.
With a cost estimated at 10 dollars, the trip is inexpensive.
I estimate the cost at 10 percent less than it was last year.
Wolves have declined to an estimated 200,000 in 57 countries
First three and last one
Idiom:
estimate X TO BE
X is estimatED TO BE
WITH X estimatED AT
AN estimatED (#) ----> NOT an estimate OF
Same with: "projected TO BE"
54
Ever/never:
The economy is more fragile than ever before.
The economy is more fragile than never before.
The economy is more fragile as never before.
The economy is more than ever before fragile.
Only the first one
Idiom:
....than EVER before.
55
Can versus Able
The methods proposed are not able to be used successfully
The methods proposed cannot successfully be used
Accidents, weather conditions that are not foreseeable, and pilot errors often cause much larger deposits of spray than anticipated
Accidents, weather conditions that cannot be foreseen, and pilot errors often cause much larger deposits of spray than anticipated
Second one in each pair
"are not", "are able to" and "are not able to" are wordy and suggests that "methods" have the ability to do something.
Use "can" or "cannot" instead
"to be able to" is OK
56
Expend:
Idiom: expend ___ ON
e.g., We have to expend energy working ON our marriage
(not FOR)
57
Extent:
We enjoyed the film to some extent.
The extent to which we enjoyed the film was moderate.
To the extent that your example is relevant, it supports my conclusion.
The extent that we enjoyed the film was moderate
First 3
Idiom:
extent TO WHICH
TO ... extent
58
Found:
Idiom: found THAT
Similar to indicate, agree, hold
> Subject-Verb-THAT-subject-verb
**some exceptions to "that" rule (1% of the time)
59
Forbid
Idiom: forbid TO
e.g., I forbid you to run away.
(not FROM)
60
Help
He helps rake the leaves
He helps to rake the leaves.
His help in raking the leaves has been appreciated.
He helps me in raking the leaves
First three
Idiom:
...help TO (verb)... **to is not needed
... help (verb)...
... help IN (verb-ing)... (NOUN)
61
Hold:
Idiom: Hold THAT
e.g., the law holds that jaywalking is illegal.
Similar to indicate, agree, found
> Subject-Verb-THAT-subject-verb
**some exceptions to "that" rule (1% of the time)
62
Influence:
His example was an influence on me.
His example was influential on me.
His example influenced me.
Last one
Idiom: influence (as a VERB)
> not "ON" --> not as concise as the verb
63
Instance:
(For/As an) instance ?
Idiom: FOR instance
64
Instead versus Rather:
They avoided the arcade and (rather/instead) went to the movies.
Instead shows a REPLACEMENT
Rather shows a PREFERENCE (often used in place of "quite")
65
Interaction:
The interaction where two nuclei collide releases energy.
The interaction of two nuclei colliding releases energy.
Second one
Idiom: the interaction OF ___ -ing
> not WHERE
66
Invest:
She invested funds into research to study cancer.
She invested funds in research to study cancer.
Second one
Idiom: invest IN ... TO ...
67
Isolated
Idiom: isolated FROM
68
Lack
Old gadgets lack of features.
Old gadgets lack features.
Old gadgets are lacking in features.
Last two
Idiom:
lack ___ (verb)
(are/is) lacking IN ____ (verb)
the lack of ___ (NOUN)
69
Lie
Tenses?
Present: Lie IN or lies IN (comes from)
e.g., Our strength lies IN numbers.
Past: Lay IN (came from)
e.g., Yesterday, our strength LAY IN numbers
Present Participle: lying
Present: Lay (place)
e.g., I lose my books whenever I LAY them down.
(past would be "laid")
past: Laid
70
Loss
I have suffered a loss in strength.
I have suffered a loss of strength.
Second one
Idiom: loss OF (something) --> (decline of something)
e.g., I am at a loss OF words
71
Mass:
The truck has 10 times the mass of a small car.
The truck is 10 times the mass of a small car.
First one
Idiom: HAS/HAVE ... mass
> an object HAS MASS
72
Means:
Music education is a means for improved cognition.
Music education is a means of improved cognition.
Music education is a means to improved cognition.
Last one
Idiom: A means TO
e.g., a means to an end.
73
More:
We observed a 10 percent increase in robberies last month.
More and more, we have observed violent robberies on weekends.
Increasingly, we have observed violent robberies on weekends.
The spacecraft will slowly move closer to the surface of the object to make ever more precise measurements.
All correct
"more and more"
"increasingly"
"ever more" ***
Related:
"more so" = to a greater degree or extent
e.g., Women who took new jobs after retiring from their primary careers reported high marital satisfaction, more so than those who retired completely.
74
Most:
He was the second most attractive and the most powerful.
He was the second most attractive and most powerful.
First one
Most is a superlative (must be comparing more than two items and stating the one is the best/worst)
This example also has parallelism --> X and Y = THE second most attractive and THE MOST powerful
75
Native
Idiom:
...a native TO... (for animals and plants) --> not IN
...a native OF ... (for PEOPLE)
76
Number
Idiom:
THE NUMBER OF (dogs) IS/HAS.... (singular)
A NUMBER OF (cats) ARE (plural)
(similar to A PROPORTION OF...ARE)
NOT:
> ...have fallen in number or have risen in number
77
Once versus One Time
We might once have seen that band.
We might at one time have seen that band.
Once is preferred
78
Only
Her performance is exceeded only by theirs.
Her performance is ONLY exceeded by theirs.
I have only seven questions left.
I only have seven questions left.
First one in each pair
Only = "all there is"
Placement of ONLY --> should be BEFORE the words it is meant to MODIFY
> usually NOT BEFORE THE VERB!
e.g., All there is is THEIR PERFORMANCE vs All there is is exceeded by theirs.
e.g., All that's remaining is SEVEN questions vs All there is is having seven questions.
79
Orders:
The state orders taxes collected.
The state orders that the agency collect taxes.
The state orders the agency to collect taxes.
Last two
Idiom:
...orders THAT ... subjunctive form (collect)
...orders...TO verb
80
Pay:
The employer pays the same for this job as for that one.
The employer pays the same in this job as in that one.
First one
Idiom: pays (the same) FOR ...
81
Persuade:
He persuaded her in going with him.
He persuaded her to go with him
Second one:
Idiom: persuade (someone) TO (do something)
82
At the time versus During
Pick one or the other if they are in the same part of the sentence
e.g., Despite Japan's relative isolation from world trade AT THE TIME, the prolonged peace DURING the Tokugawa shogunate...
is preferred to....
Despite Japan's relative isolation from world trade at the time during the Tokugawa shogunate, prolonged peace...
83
When do you use "as a result"?
To introduce a separate clause
"and as a result..."
Many acres of trees have been lost and as a result wood now costs eight times as much to collect and distribute as it did in 1960.
84
Potentially
A tornado is potentially overwhelming.
A tornado can potentially be overwhelming.
First one
> "can" + "potentially" is redundant
85
Probably/May be/Maybe
This situation is maybe as bad as it can get.
This situation is probably as bad as it can get.
This situation may be as bad as it can get.
Maybe this situation is as bad as it can get.
Last 3
Distinguish between "maybe" and "may be"
86
Prohibit
Idiom:
prohibit FROM __-ing
prohibiting ___
e.g., The company required each employee to sign a confidentiality agreement prohibiting disclosure of its water purification methods to any company using an analogous purification process.
NOT subjunctive mood
87
Pronounce:
She pronounced the book a triumph.
She pronounced the book as a triumph.
First one
Idiom (verb): pronounced __
(No AS)
e.g., He pronounced him dead (not as dead).
88
Proposed:
The attorneys proposed that a settlement be reached.
The attorneys proposed a settlement to be reached.
The attorneys proposed a settlement is to be reached.
First one
Idiom (subjunctive): ...proposed THAT....(verb form: be)
..proposed TO...
...proposed A...
89
Rank
Idiom:
ranks AS...
E.g., this problem ranks as one of the worst we have seen.
90
Rate
Idiom:
Rate OF (speed)
Rates FOR (prices)
91
Rebel
Idiom: rebelled AGAINST
92
Recognize:
He recognized the entrance fee as a bargain.
He recognized the entrance fee to be a bargain.
He recognized that the entrance fee was a bargain.
All 3
Idiom:
..recognized THAT...WAS
...recognized ...TO BE...
...recognized ...AS...
93
"Most" versus "almost"
, most all of whom play as well as their instructors
, almost all of whom play as well as their instructors
"Almost" is preferred to "most" when expressing a quantity JUST SHORT OF EVERYTHING
94
Recommend
Idiom (subjunctive): recommend THAT ... (verb form)
e.g., we recommended that she stay at home
95
Reduction
Idiom:
reduction IN
(not OF)
e.g., there was a REDUCTION IN the prices
96
Refer:
Referring to the controversy, the politician asked for calm.
In reference to the controversy, the politician asked for calm.
First one
Idiom:
refer TO
referring TO
(not in reference to)
97
Regard:
Idiom
regard X AS Y
X is regarded AS Y
is regarded AS HAVING (e.g., He is regarded as having good taste).
98
Require
She requires that her friend do the work.
She requires of her friend that work be done.
She requires time to finish the work.
Time is required to finish the work.
All right
Idiom:
require THAT ... (verb form) - subjunctive
requires OF ... THAT .. (verb form) - subjunctive
requires __ TO _verb__
is required TO _ verb__
99
Restrictions
Idiom: impose restrictions ON
100
Result
x5
Idiom:
... results FROM ... (success results from hard work).
--> VERB
... results IN ... (Hard work results in success).
--> VERB
... IS A result OF... (Success is a result of hard work).
--> NOUN
....AS A RESULT OF....
--> NOUN
THE RESULT OF ... WAS THAT ...
101
Rise:
A rise in oil prices has led to inflation.
Rising prices are hurting consumers.
The rising of the sun always lifts my spirits.
A rising of prices is hurting consumers.
Rising prices is hurting consumers.
First three
Idiom:
rise/rose (verb)
A RISE IN X (singular action noun)
RISING X (ADJECTIVE) ---> singular/plural depends on X
THE RISING OF X (noun - complex gerund)
102
Rule:
The judge ruled the plaintiff to be in contempt.
The judge ruled on the plaintiff who was in contempt.
The judge ruled that the plaintiff was in contempt.
Last one
Idiom:
ruled THAT ... was
(subject - verb - that - subject - verb)
103
Seem:
It seems as if the result demonstrates the new theory.
It seems that the result demonstrates the new theory.
The results seem to demonstrate the new theory.
The results seem as if they demonstrates the new theory.
First three
Idiom:
seem TO ...
It seems THAT ...
It seems AS IF ...
104
Show
Idiom:
... SHOWS THAT... (is)
e.g., A discovery shows that an object is quite large.
... SHOWS... TO BE...
e.g., a discovery shows an object TO BE quite large.
NOT AS
105
Similar
Each company has similar issues.
Every company has similar issues.
All companies have similar issues
Last one
COMPARISON requires PLURAL
106
Since
Up to now
e.g., Xingo is the most successful new product since 1967.
107
So Too/So Have:
Bellbottoms are coming back in style, and so too are vests.
Bellbottoms are coming back in style, and so too vests.
First one
Parallelism marker with "comma and" (independent clause)
> need verb after "so too" and "so have"
X AND so too Y
Other similar idioms:
X BUT so have Y
108
Substitute
Idiom:
...substituted X FOR Y (get more X and less Y)
NOT "in place of"
109
Succeed:
She succeeded in reaching the summit.
She succeeded to reach the summit.
First one
Idiom: Succeeded IN __-ing
110
Such
You may enjoy chemistry and physics, but I hate such subjects.
You may enjoy chemistry and physics, but I hate these subjects.
Such = These, except "such" is more GENERAL
Both are correct
111
Suggest
A study suggests that more work is needed.
A study suggests that more work will be needed.
We suggest that he be promoted.
This artwork suggests great talent.
This artwork is suggestive of great talent.
First four
Idiom:
suggest THAT...(verb form) -- subjunctive
suggests THAT ... (is/will be)
suggests ... (indicates)
NOT "suggestive of"
112
Surface
Idiom: ... ON THE SURFACE
NOT "at"
113
Think:
She thinks of them as heroes.
She is thought to be secretly wealthy.
They are thought of by her as heroes
She thinks of them to be heroes
First two
Idiom:
thinks OF ... AS ...
(is/are) THOUGHT TO BE
> NOT "(is/are) thought OF"
> NOT "thinks of ... to be"
Other examples:
A consumer may not THINK OF household cleaning products AS hazardous substances
114
Train
She was trained for running a division.
She was trained in running a division.
She was trained to run a division.
Idiom:
...trained TO (do something)
NOT trained FOR or trained IN
115
Try
They will try to build a company.
They will try and build a company.
First one
Idiom: try TO (verb) --> intent or purpose.
116
Twice versus Double
He is twice as tall as Alex [is]
He is twice as tall than Alex [is]
Leaves fall twice as quickly as they grow.
Leaves fall twice as quickly as their rate of growth
Naomi wrote twice as many letters as Sara [did]
Naomi wrote double the letters that Sara did.
Naomi's income doubled in three years.
Naomi's income increased by twice in three years.
The total amount of pollutant emitted annually by vehicles is twice that emitted annually by all motor vehicles in the area.
The total amount of pollutant emitted annual by vehicles is twice as much as that which is being emitted annually by all motor vehicles in the area.
First one in each pairing
Idiom:
X is twice AS ... AS Y (not than, not "double as ... as ...")
> parallelism too
almost twice the ___
...twice THAT ... ("that" refers to a noun, e.g., "the amount")
...doubled (in)... (verb)
*Twice as SMALL doesn't make sense
117
Variation
There are variations among sunspot frequency and strength over time.
There are variations in sunspot frequency and strength over time.
Second one
Idiom: Variations IN
NOT "variations OF" or "variations AMONG"
Similar to: differences IN
118
View
Idiom: view ... AS
> not LIKE
> not view ... to be...
119
Way:
We proposed a way for reaching the goal.
The best way to reach the goal is focusing one's energy.
We proposed a way of reaching the goal.
The best way to reach the goal is to focus one's energy.
The way in which we discussed the idea was position.
This process was to achieve the target.
Last 4
Idiom:
...(a/the) way TO (do A) is TO (do B)...
...a way OF ___-ing ...
... (a/the) way IN WHICH ...
e.g., let's find a way of getting out
120
Weigh
My laptop weighs lighter than a suitcase.
My laptop is lighter than a suitcase.
My laptop weighs less than a suitcase.
Last 2
Idiom: weighs LESS/MORE THAN (NOT weighs lighter)
Also "weight" cannot be lighter either
*similar to how "speed" cannot be described as "faster" or "slower"
e.g., the speed is faster (wrong)
e.g., she ran at a faster speed (right - adjective)
121
Where
The incident represents a case where I would call the police.
The incident represents a case in which I would call the police.
Second one
"Where" is used to modify PLACES rather than a situation
"In which" can still be used to modify places
e.g., Sussex is the only county where pomegranates grow in this state.
Sussex is the only county in which pomegranates grow.
122
Whose/Whom/Who
The officer (whose/whom) task was to be here did not show up.
The company (whose/whom) growth leads the industry is XYZ, Inc.
The board consists of 12 members, each of whom is responsible for following the law.
The teachers, most of whom have tenure, are negotiating their contract.
The teachers, most of which have tenure, are negotiating their contract.
The teachers that are most helpful are not here today.
First 4
Whom is used to modify PEOPLE
> whom is the OBJECT (him, her, us, them)
Whose is used to modify THINGS
> also possessive
> The task was the officer's
Who is meant to be a SUBJECT
NEVER use "which" or "that" to refer to a PERSON
> "mosh of whom" or "most of them"
> "the teachers WHO are most helpful are not here today"
123
Worry
Idiom: worry ABOUT
not OVER
124
Depends
Idiom: depends ON
125
Appears to have or has? What about "appear as"?
Idiom: Singular Subject appears to HAVE (made/been...)
or past tense: AppearED to have been
Idiom: WHAT appears to be or have been
or WHAT are now ___
NOT:
appears to HAS
appears to HAD been
appears AS
126
Whereas
Almost always comes at the START of a sentence
> similar meaning to WHILE (both show a contrast!!)
> Shouldn't have whereas and while in the same sentence
Idiom: Whereas X, Y
> X and Y are parallel yet contrasting
> NOT whereas x and y
"WHEREAS the use of synthetic fertilizers has greatly expanded agricultural productivity in many parts of the world, an increase in their use can create serious environmental problems such as water pollution, AND their substitution for more traditional fertilizers may accelerate soil structure deterioration and soil erosion".
127
Flat - adverb or adjective?
BOTH - do not need -ly to denote Adverb
e.g., The rug was flat.
e.g., My clothes were packed flat.
Other examples:
- late (I arrived LATE to the meeting)
- fast (I ran fast to class)
- hard (The bag was hit hard)
- close (The door slammed close to me)
- deep (The hole was dug deep)
128
So...that
e.g., At one time, the majestic American chestnut was so prevalent that it was said a squirrel could jump from tree to tree without once touching the ground between NY and Georgia.
e.g., So dogged were Frances Perkins’ investigations of the garment industry, so persistent her lobbying for wage and hour reform, that Alfred E. Smith and Franklin D. Roosevelt recruited Perkins to work within the government, rather than as a social worker.
Idiom: So _(adjective)__ THAT
129
That as the SUBJECT
That Bob showed up was fortunate.
Idiom:
"It was fortunate that Bob showed up." = "That Bob showed up was fortunate."
130
Equally important
Equally likely
NO "as" or "to" at the end or
X and Y are equally important (versus equally important to)
as likely to... as .... (versus equally likely)
e.g., Drivers will be AS likely to exceed the proposed speed limit AS they are the current one.
131
Special Compared Idiom:
Compared pound for pound with adults, children breath twice as much air, drink two and a half times as much water, eat three to four times as much food, and have more skin surface area.
Pound for pound, children compared to adults will...
First one
Still better to start a sentence with COMPARED WITH X, Y ...
> just ignore "pound for pound"
132
Better
X is a better poet than Y.
X is the better poet.
X is the better poet than Y.
First two
Idiom:
X IS THE better ___. (NO "than")
X is A better ___ THAN
133
Unable versus Cannot
Sometimes "unable to" is considered awkward over "cannot"
e.g., they are unable to be distinguished < they cannot be distinguished
134
Attribute
Idiom: attribute ___ TO ___
135
Between
Idiom: Between X and Y
> x and y could agree in number or not agree in number!
> as long as x and y refer to TWO separate things, you can use "between" rather than "among" (more than 2 items)
e.g., Linking arrangements between secondary SCHOOLS and the WORKPLACE never evolved in the US
e.g., between the atmosphere and the OCEANS AND LANDS ... (compound subject, treated as one entity)
136
Proof
Idiom:
proof THAT ... (assertion)
e.g., Joseph Banks Rhine claimed statistical proof THAT subjects could identify a card in the dealer's hand by using thought transference
137
Appear
The Neanderthals appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path
The Neanderthals appear to have been equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their path.
Second one
Idiom: appear(ed) TO HAVE BEEN ___
(not appear AS)
138
X is to Y (what/similar to) A is to B
Idiom X is to Y WHAT A is to B
139
Plan
X plans to convert...
X plans on converting...
First one
Idiom: plans TO (do something)
140
Admiration
Idiom: Admiration FOR (someone) --> NOT "of"
e.g., Their admiration FOR each other was genuine
141
Is "and also" appropriate
No --> redundant
However, other conjunctions + also are okay
e.g., but he was also...
142
Without:
I was able to enjoy nature without the restrictions of passenger trains and railroad timetables or the formalities, expenses, and impersonality of hotels.
I was able to enjoy nature without the restrictions of passenger trains and railroad timetables or with the formalities, expenses, and impersonality of hotels.
First one
Parallelism X or Y
143
What is an example of an appropriate time to use "having been" as a modifier? Or "comma having"
Having been: Following "after"
e.g., after having been...
An eight-inch plaster model believed to have been used by Michelangelo for his sculpture of David has been discovered AFTER HAVING BEEN lost for nearly 300 years.
Without "after", it is usually wrong
Exception: comma having indicates a CAUSE-EFFECT relationship
e.g., He felt sick, having eaten too much.
144
Double modifier
The number of people flying first class on domestic flights rose sharply in 1990, doubling the increase of the previous year.
The number of people flying first class on domestic flights rose sharply in 1990, double as much as the increase of the previous year.
The number of people flying first class on domestic flights rose sharply in 1990, twice as many as the increase in the previous year.
Employment costs rose 2.8 percent in the 12 months that ended in September, slightly less than they did in the year that ended in the previous quarter.
Employment costs rose 2.8 percent in the 12 months that ended in September, slightly lower than in the year that ended in the previous quarter.
According to the National Science Foundation, in 2003 there were 198,113 female science and engineering graduate students, almost 42% of the graduate students in those fields, double the figure for 1981.
According to surveys by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 20 percent of young adults used cocaine in 1979, twice the number reported in the 1977 survey.
Companies in the US are providing job training and general education for nearly eight million people, about as many AS ARE enrolled in the nation's four-year colleges and universities.
A recent United States Census Bureau report shows that there are more than three times as many households where the children and grandchildren are living in their grandparents’ home AS THERE ARE households where the grandparents are living in their children’s or grandchildren’s home.
First one and last 5
Idiom for double (VERB):
.. doubled...
... , doubling ... ---> the preceding CLAUSE is what is being modified rather than a particular noun or number
.... , double the ... --> modifies the preceding NOUN (e.g., number, percent, 198,113 female students)
Idiom for twice: (two times)
... twice as many as IN ... (not much for countable nouns)
... , twice THE NUMBER IN ... ---> modifies the preceding NOUN (e.g., number, percent)
Idiom for other comparisons:
> there are (more than) three times AS many households ... AS there are (households) ...
In general for FIGURE modifiers:
> make sure you are modifying the PRECEDING NOUN
> Third one is incorrect because of a meaning issue (the INCREASE in the number of people flying first class was double the increase of the previous)
> There was a rise sharp in the number of specific passengers. This rise doubled the increased witnessed the previous year. Hence there is no error in this sentence.
145
Tough Comparisons Examples
Experts estimate that ten times as much petroleum exists in [such sources as tar sands, heavy oil, and perhaps even shale as] in conventional reservoirs.
Soaring television costs accounted for more than half the spending in the presidential campaign of 1992, [a greater proportion than] in any previous election.
In no other historical sighting did Halley's comet cause such a worldwide sensation as [in its return of 1910–1911]
A recent review of pay scales indicates that, on average, CEO’s now earn 419 times the pay of blue-collar workers, [as compared to 42 times their pay, the ratio] in 1980
More than three times as many independent institutions of higher education charge tuition and fees of under $8,000 a year [as charge] over $16,000.
Traffic safety officials predict that drivers will be as likely to exceed the proposed speed limit as they are the current one
Parallel comparisons
> Whenever you see a COMPARISON question on the GMAT, PARALLELSIM is a great place to start.
> are you comparing NOUNS or ACTIONS? (nouns ... nouns... versus Action...Action)
> if you are comparing two nouns, you can DROP the verbal comparison (elliptical is logically understood; otherwise you need to include the verb)
e.g., A is taller than B
Experts estimate that ten times as much petroleum exists in [such sources as tar sands, heavy oil, and perhaps even shale as] in conventional reservoirs.
> comparing the amount of petroleum in the list to the amount of petroleum in conventional reservoirs
> "as much...as in" is correct
Soaring television costs accounted for more than half the spending in the presidential campaign of 1992, [a greater proportion than] in any previous election.
> comparing the proportion of spending in 1992 to the proportion of spending in any previous election
> "greater...than in" is correct
In no other historical sighting did Halley's comet cause such a worldwide sensation as [in its return of 1910–1911]
> comparing the impact of the comet's sighting in its return of 1910-1911 to the impact of the comet's sighting in other times.
> "as in" is correct
A recent review of pay scales indicates that, on average, CEO’s now earn 419 times the pay of blue-collar workers, [as compared to 42 times their pay, the ratio] in 1980
> comparing 419 times the pay of blue-collar workers now to 42 times the pay of blue-collar workers in 1980
More than three times as many independent institutions of higher education charge tuition and fees of under $8,000 a year [as charge] over $16,000.
> More than three times as many independent institutions charge x as charge y
> comparing the # of schools that charge under 8000 a year to the # of schools that charge over 16000 a year
Traffic safety officials predict that drivers will be as likely to exceed the proposed speed limit as they are the current one
> comparing the likelihood that drivers will exceed the proposed speed limit to the likelihood that drivers will exceed the current speed limit (two CLAUSES)
> not "equally likely to"
> need to repeat the noun "they" = "drivers" so that the sentence is unambiguous
> "as they are [TO EXCEED] the current one"
146
Greater or More
The number of cats in this house is more than 20.
The number of cats in this house is greater than 20.
Second one
Idiom: number...greater
147
Times
The car's mass is four times the mass of an adult.
The drug is being sold for three times the price that the drug maker charges for another product with the same active ingredient.
He is five times as old as his grandson.
Americans are four times more likely than Canadians to vacation over Christmas break.
First three
Idiom: COMPARSION by multiplication
X is # times THE _X__ OF _Y_ (parallel)
X is # times THE _X_ THAT (maintain parallel comparison items)
X is # times AS ___ AS _Y__
# times AS many X AS Y
or # times AS many things DO X as DO Y
NOT "x times MORE"
> should be "Americans are four times as likely as Canadians to vacation over Christmas break"
But "x times greater than" is OK
148
Threat
Idiom: ... threat OF ....
(not threat FROM)
e.g., the threat of a rival's multibiollion-dollar patent-infringement suit worried investors
149
Synchronize
Idiom: synchronize WITH
(not TO)
150
Prefer
Idiom: prefer X TO Y
e.g., Elephants tend to prefer cultivated crops TO wild vegetation as a food source.
151
Attempt
Idiom:
Attempt TO
NOT attempt at
152
Enable
Idiom:
[has] enabled PERSON/AGENT [to do something he/she couldn't do before)
> need to have an OBJECT with enable
e.g., The study of the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled SCIENTISTS to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.
153
Than:
His books are more impressive (than/as) those of other writers.
The LAWS in Pakistan are more restrictive than the LAWS in India.
When do you add the helping verb (e.g., do, does, did, so, were, have, are) or noun (it, that, those)?
e.g., Pennsylvania has less land than does Georgia.
Pennsylvania has less land than Georgia.
e.g., Maple trees shed their leaves earlier than oak trees
e.g., On the number line, z is closer to 10 than x.
e.g., Only seven people have been killed by the great white shark, fewer than have been killed by bee stings.
e.g., Wild animals have less total fat than livestock fed on grain and more of a kind of fat thought to be good for cardiac health
e.g., In 1998 Massachusetts became the first state in which more babies were born to women over the age of thirty than under it.
Idiom: Comparison words need to be followed by "THAN"
More than
Less than
Greater than
Higher than
Fewer than
Do and does replaces verbs
***READ LITERALLY to see if the comparison makes sense or if it is vague (usually without the helping verb, it is vague)
> Add helping verb or noun (depending on whether you are comparing nouns or actions)
> Tip: "circular" test
(sometimes you can omit these helping verbs and nouns)
> determine if you are comparing mainly nouns or actions
e.g., John's score is higher than his brother's score [no is].
e.g., John jumps higher than his brother JUMPS (actions)
e.g., Pennsylvania has less land than does Georgia.
> Or: Pennsylvania has less land than Georgia has
> Test: Georgia has less land than Pennsylvania has.
e.g., Maple trees shed their leaves earlier than oak trees --> incorrect comparison (implies that maple trees shed their leaves earlier than they shed oak trees)
SHOULD BE: Maple trees shed their leaves earlier than oak trees shed their leaves
or Maple trees shed their leaves earlier than oak trees do
> Test: Oak trees shed their leaves earlier than maple trees shed their leaves.
e.g., On the number line, z is closer to 10 than x --> incorrect comparison (vague - is z closer to 10 than it is to x? Or is z closer to 10 than x is to 10?)
SHOULD BE: Z is closer to 10 than it is to x.
> Test: Z is closer to x than it is to 10.
eg., CORRECT Only seven people have been killed by the great white shark, fewer [people] than have been killed by bee stings.
> Test: The number of people that have been killed by bee stings is fewer than have been killed by the great white shark
e.g., CORRECT e.g., Wild animals have less total fat than livestock fed on grain and more of a kind of fat thought to be good for cardiac health
> compares "wild animals" to "livestock fed on grain" (would have been better with "than do livestock fed on grain" or "than livestock fed on grain have")
> Test: Livestock fed on grain have less total fat than wild animals have
e.g., CORRECT e.g., In 1998 Massachusetts became the first state in which more babies were born to women over the age of thirty than under it.
> "more babies were born to women... THAN [to women] under it."
> NOT "than born" because it is missing "were" - incorrectly imply that babies were born UNDER the age of 30
154
Comma and
How do you tell if the parallelism marker is for parallel items in a list or for two independent sentences?
If at least items separated by commas + ", and" + incomplete clause => list
e.g., A, B, and C
> typically elements are of EQUAL WEIGHT
NOT: A, and C (this is WRONG)
e.g., "is responsible for advancing studies of x, and the formation of Earth's magnetic field"
If ", and" + independent clause (with a subject) => independent sentence
> two ENTIRELY SEPARATE things going on
e.g., For the farmer who takes care to keep them cool, provided with high-energy feed, and milked regularly, Holstein cows will produce an average of 2,275 gallons of milk each per year. ---> list
Rare case: "A, and C" because A is a compound subject ("and" can be replaced with "as well as")
> e.g., Widespread changes in agriculture, known as the agrarian revolution, involved the large-scale introduction of enclosed fields and of new farming techniques and crops, and the substitution of commercial for subsistence farming.
155
Intention
Idiom:
With the intention OF -ing (not to)
With the sole INTENT OF -ing
e.g., He had the intention of running for president.
156
On condition that
Idiom: subjunctive!!
e.g., Several financial officers of the company spoke on condition THAT they NOT BE NAMED in the press reports.
157
By:
e.g., acquired by ___
e.g., is a process by which ___
e.g., understood by ____
Turn into active voice to see if it makes sense
e.g., characteristics acquired by cows ---> cows acquired characteristics (doesn't really make sense in the literal sense)
158
That versus those
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have continually struggled to meet the expectations of their major stakeholders but neglected that of their intended beneficiaries in the developing world
That and Those are both PRONOUNS
That - singular antecedent
Those - plural antecedent
Figure out what "that" and "those" replace (must be WRITTEN NOUN)
> sometimes you have to add "the" before the noun it is replacing
> "that" and "those" DO NOT need to be followed with "of"
> "that of" and "those of" are used if we are comparing something *belonging* to something else (possessive)
> e.g., "The total amount of pollutant emitted annually by vehicles is twice that emitted annually by all motor vehicles in the area."
"that of" is incorrect --> "those" = "the expectations"
159
With:
The lions growled, with their fur standing on end.
The Anasazi settlements were built on a spectacular scale, with more than 75 carefully engineered structures, of up to 600 rooms each, connected by a complex regional systems of roads.
With only 25 percent of the student body, seniors get 50 percent of the resources.
With x and y, ...
With x and with y, ...
Idiom
> either after comma or no comma
COMMA WITH --> "with" clause modifies the main clause and describes additional information about the main clause.
no comma WITH --> many meanings, including doing an action WITH something
> many illogical errors happen here
> Generally don't start a sentence with "with"
> the second sentence is generally ambiguous
Exception: "with the COST estimated at $100, ..."
(some other exceptions are ok if there are no other better answers)
"With the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the United States acquired..."
"With California expected to see severe electricity shortfalls and perhaps blackouts on as many as 30 days this summer, the administration has grown increasingly concerned about public health and safety there"
If you do start with "with" and there is "and", determine where is the stem
> with x and with y indicates two separate subjects
> with x and y indicates a compound subject that shares a common stem
e.g., With its network and the patience of its customers STRAINED TO THE BREAKING POINT, ....
160
AND
When is it ambiguous?
With the patience of its customers and its network strained to the breaking point, the company....
With its network and the patience of its customers strained to the breaking point, the company...
Pay attention to possible parallel elements:
-OF X and Y
THAT X and THAT Y
List: X, Y, and Z.
IDENTIFY THE STEM (could be placed before or after the parallel elements)
Independent clauses: X, and Y
161
In that
Jack is wise in that he stays calm under pressure
The final movement of Brahms‘ Fourth Symphony is different from the final movement of virtually every other symphony in the classical repertoire in that it is a passacaglia.
Similar meaning to "because", except it does not illustrate a CAUSE and EFFECT
> "in that" is EXPLANATORY and LIMITING (implies NO MORE than what is explained after "in that")
Rather, "in that" illustrates an intrinsic property of something
**decide whether in that or because makes most sense
> generally when in that is very wrong, because is correct
> but, when "in that" and "because" can both work, "in that" likely works better
162
Likelihood
They have twice the likelihood of getting osteoarthritis of the knee as do White women.
They are twice as likely as White women to get osteoarthritis of the knee
They are twice as likely to get osteoarthritis of the knee as they are to get muscle pain.
A long-term study of some 1,000 physicians indicates that the more coffee these doctors drank, the greater was their likelihood of having coronary disease
last three
Idiom: Likelihood OF _-ing
Likelihood can only be HIGH or LOW, GREATER OR LOWER (not "more likelihood")
Likelihood THAT ...
> Likelihood CANNOT be used with "twice"
> You also cannot "have a likelihood"
Instead use "likely"
163
Which in prepositions
With which
By which
for which
under which
in which
wherein
from which
Which needs to refer back to a NOUN (can be singular or plural)
> helpful to INVERT the sentences
> "which" cannot be used to refer to a PERSON
With which: USING the noun referred to
e.g., I need a reliable car with which I can get to work. (which = reliable car)
> invert: I can get to work WITH a reliable car
By which: By the noun
e.g., The process by which you get accepted is very tedious
(which = process)
> Invert: You get accepted BY a process that is very tedious
For which: For the noun
e.g., Medicare does not pay for nonhospital services, for which beneficiaries must pay 20% of the costs
(which = nonhospital services)
> Invert: the beneficiaries must pay FOR nonhospital services
Under which: Under the noun
e.g., The agreement is a formal protocol under which every country must reduce GHG emissions by 2050.
(which = protocol)
> Invert: Every country must reduce GHG emissions by 2050 UNDER the protocol
In which: alternative to "where" and "wherein"
From which: From the noun
e.g., Students are encouraged to pursue only those extracurricular activities from which stems success in college applications
OR from which success in college applications stems
> Invert: Success in college applications stems from only those extracurricular activities
> It is OK for the subject to COME AFTER the verb (just invert it to subject-verb to double check subject-verb agreement)
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Support
Idiom: (noun)
Support FOR (something)
Support FOR -ING
Supported BY
(NOT TO)
e.g., the best support for a camera is a tripod.
e.g., She provided compelling support FOR classifying Africa's forest elephants and its savanna elephants as separate species.
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Efficiency
Efficient
Efficiency Idiom: Noun
Efficiency IN -ing (NOT of)
e.g., Improved efficiency IN converting harvest trees into wood products may reduce harvest rates.
Efficient Idiom: Adjective
Efficient AT -ing
efficient in (may be correct)
e.g., fluorescent lamps are efficient AT converting electricity into light
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Standard
Idiom: Noun
Standard FOR _something_ (NOT of)
e.g., I have high STANDARDS FOR my grades
e.g., the medicine was the STANDARD (treatment) for the disease.
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Recognition
Idioms:
IN recognition OF ...
recognition FROM (someone)
recognition THAT
e.g., I received the gold medal IN RECOGNITION of my high academics
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Subgroup modifier
In little more than a decade, Argentina has become the world’s leading exporter of honey, with nearly 90,000 tons a year sold to foreign markets, almost half of which going to the United States.
In little more than a decade, Argentina has become the world’s leading exporter of honey, selling nearly 90,000 tons a year sold to foreign markets, with almost half going to the United States.
This model explains all known particles, some of which only recently discovered.
This model explains all known particles, some of which were only recently discovered.
The Acoma and Hopi are probably the two oldest surviving Pueblo communities, and each has dated back at least a thousand years.
The Acoma and Hopi are probably the two oldest surviving Pueblo communities, both dating back at least a thousand years.
Second one in each pair
Idiom:
some of which WERE only ... ----> this one needs a WORKING verb
some only...
some of them only...
*Subgroup modifiers start with: SANAM and Quantity word
> SANAM: Some, Any, None, All, Most/More
> Quantity: Many, few, each, both, either, neither, half one
** comma both -ing is OK
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To [one's] satisfaction
If negotiations do not conclude to the United States government's satisfaction, the government will impose sanctions.
Eat to one's satisfaction
Work was not done to my satisfaction
Idiom: TO one's satisfaction
Can think of: "conclude according TO the United States government's satisfaction"
NOT conclude "by" --> suggests someone is DOING the CONCLUDING
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Not so much
e.g., The distinction between our intelligence and that of other primates may lie not so much in any specific skill as in our ability to extend knowledge gained in one context to new and different ones.
e.g., Most insomnia is not an illness or a physical condition so much as a symptom of another problem that may simply be a reaction to certain medications, anxiety about travel, or stress before a job interview.
Idiom: Not so much IN x AS IN y
Idiom: Not SO MUCH X AS y
Idiom: Not X SO MUCH AS y
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Each as a pronoun (subject)
The Mojave lived in open-sided, flat-topped dwellings known as shades, each a roof of poles and arrowweed supported by posts set in a rectangle.
A different variety of tortoise lives on every island, each with its own unique shell colour.
Idiom: comma "each"
> figure out the antecedent of "each" (pronoun)
> Might follow "appositive" structure --> modifies a noun and sits next to another noun to rename it or to describe it in another way
> each is SINGULAR (needs "its")
First example: "each [shade]" (appositive structure)
Second example: "each variety"
Modifier part after the comma isn't a complete sentence.
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List of comparison markers that go with:
A) Countable nouns
B) Non-countable nouns
COUNTABLE nouns (i.e., people, things)
> many
> fewer than
> few ** (e.g., there are few services in this town)
UNCOUNTABLE nouns (i.e., money, mass/weight quantity)
> much
> less
> amount
> little ** (e.g., he had little food in the house)
> a little bit of
SANAM can modify countable and uncountable nouns (depending on context) and can be plural or singular
BOTH:
> a lot of/lots of
> plenty of
> enough
EXAMPLE:
There are few services and little available water
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While
Many airline carriers are attempting to increase profitability while keeping overhead low by using larger planes.
Because of the sharp increases in the price of gold and silver, the value of Monica Taylor’s portfolio rose while that of her daughter-in-law’s dropped
Industrialization and modern methods of insect control have improved the standard of living around the globe while at the same time introducing some 100,000 dangerous chemical pollutants that have gone virtually unregulated since they were developed more than 50 years ago.
All correct
Two meanings:
> to indicate CONTRAST (usually at the beginning, but can also be in the middle of a sentence)
> to indicate AT THE SAME TIME
Idiom:
While x, y
x while y
x while at the same time -ing
> including: -ing while -ing or while -ing
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As
You should jump as she wants you to jump.
Many airlines are offering the same number of flights as last year
Salt deposits and moisture threaten to destroy the Mohenjo-Daro excavation in Pakistan, the site of an ancient civilization that flourished at the same time as the civilizations in the Nile Delta and the river valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates.
Comparison: (versus "like")
> This type of comparison does NOT need another "as"
> If a CLAUSE, Subject + VERB, is being compared, then use "AS"
> Can omit some nouns or verbs:
e.g., Many airlines are offering the same number of flights as [they did] last year
*other types of single "as" is to show EQUALITY
e.g., As your friend, xxx
e.g., You should run as he did.
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"what" as a pronoun
His studies of ice-polished rocks in his Alpine home land, far outside the range of present-day glaciers, led Louis Agassiz in 1837 to propose the concept of an age in which great ice sheets existed in WHAT ARE now temperate areas.
An archaeological excavation at WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN a workshop where statues were reproduced yielded 1,532 fragments of human figures.
WHAT appears to be or have been
Make sure the tense and plurality is right on the VERB after "what"
> temperature areaS = "what ARE"
You can remove "what" and the sentence should still be correct
e.g., Louis Agassiz proposed the concept of an age in which great ice sheets existed IN TEMPERATE AREAS
e.g., An archaeological excavation AT A WORKSHOP
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Each other vs One Another
Two Entities:
> each other
> other
More than two entities:
> one another
> another
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Aware:
Aware of the danger, he fled.
With an awareness of the danger, he fled.
Aware that the danger was near, he fled.
With an awareness that the danger was near, he fled.
First one in each pair
Idiom:
...aware OF...
...aware THAT...
(not "with an awareness")
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Subject
Idiom:
Active voice - subject(s)
Passive voice - subject TO, subjected TO (not of)
179
Assign
Idiom:
assign(ed) TO (indicates a PURPOSE)
e.g., In 1994 the white house named Dr RuthR. Faden chairperson of the federal advisory committee of experts it assigned to do a report on the history and ethics of the government’s radiation experiments on humans in the 1950’s and 1960’s .
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Unique modifier structure
Only a few feet wide but spanning a continent, the railroad changed history.
Lina's sunbird, a four-and-a-half-inch animal found in the Philippines and resembling a hummingbird, has shimmering metallic colors on its head
A mastodon carcass, thawed only once and still fresh, is on display
Modifier elements are PARALLEL in meaning and structure because they both DESCRIBE the noun
(both are adjectives)
> even though they don't "sound" the same
Test via inverting --> make modifier clause an opening modifier if it isn't already
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Is "this" automatically vague?
NO
> you need something after this though
e.g., THIS JOB, THIS VANTAGE POINT
NOT: this represents
e.g., "the pay for this job is better than the pay for the other job"
e.g., "Because she knew many of the leaders of colonial America and the American Revolution personally, Mercy Otis Warren was continually at or near the center of political events from 1765 to 1789, and this vantage point, combined with her talent for writing, made her one of the most valuable historians of the era ---> "this" refers back to the preceding CLAUSE (which is OK)
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Possessive nouns
In South Korea in the early 2000s, growth in the nation’s ten largest companies’ assets was fueled by the companies’ rapid expansion into new lines of business: they had a total of 592 subsidiaries in 2011, nearly twice as many as in 2002.
Pronouns CANNOT refer back to possessive nouns (e.g., companies')
Should be:
In the early 2000s, South Korea’s ten largest companies experienced rapid asset growth, fueled by their rapid expansion into new lines of business: they had a total of 592 subsidiaries in 2011, nearly twice as many as in 2002.
> "They" clearly refers to "companies"
183
Authority
Idiom:
authority ON (not about)
184
When can "which" and "that" refer to nouns not immediately preceding it?
Rare exception to the "touch rule" is when the noun modifier to reach behind a PREP PHRASE (not verbs or clauses)
> must be for the sake of preserving the meaning
Prep phrases are like: (recall: place these words before "the house" as a test)
-of __
-to __
-under__
-behind __
-about __
-by__
-at__
-with __
-from __
e.g., The first-class airline tickets TO Antarctica THAT were purchased using Amber’s retirement savings were worth every penny.
> "that" pulls back to the noun, "tickets"
185
What can "that" function as in a sentence?
1) Pronoun (replaces a noun)
> "that" or "those"
> "that of" or "those of"
2) Article (comes before a noun; used to specify which nouns)
e.g., that book, that restaurant
> basically the same as "the"
3) Modifier (of a noun; usually right after a noun, but not always! - touch rule)
e.g., My favourite place to eat dinner is a sushi restaurant that offers veggie rolls
4) Subordinating clause + "that"
> recall subjunctive verbs need "that"
186
When do you need "other"
The market for paper is growing faster than it is for all other major wood products
The market for paper is growing faster than it is for all major wood products
The tenure of Steve Jobs, which was memorable as much for his dictatorial management style as for his groundbreaking product innovations, the growth of Apple exceeded that of any other large technology company
The tenure of Steve Jobs, which was memorable as much for his dictatorial management style as for his groundbreaking product innovations, the growth of Apple exceeded that of any large technology company
Need other when comparing two things, one of which includes the first thing
e.g., Apple is a large tech company
e.g., Paper is a type of wood product
So you need "other" to differentiate the first thing from other similar things
Otherwise, you end up saying paper IS a major wood product. So how can the market for paper alone grow faster than the market for ALL wood products?
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Took / take _(noun)__ to task for ____
To criticize or correct (someone) for a shortcoming or fault
Take (noun) to task for ___
e.g., The author took computationalism to task for assuming something incorrect
e.g., The aunt had quarrelled years before with her brother-in-law, taking him to task for the manner in which he brought up his three girls
188
_____ Is not as much how X as how Y
Meaning: it is not X, it is Y
e.g., The difference in these situations is not as much [how you treat him] as [how you treat yourself]
189
As it is / As it was when
As it is = in the existing circumstances
e.g., Leave my room AS IT IS
As it was = in past circumstances
e.g., Hector remembers San Francisco AS IT WAS WHEN he left ten years ago
