Sentence Correction Idioms Flashcards
(828 cards)
I value my ABILITY TO SING.
** ABILITY
Right
(Note: I CAN SING is preferred to I HAVE THE ABILITY TO SING.)
l value my ABILITY OF SINGING.
** ABILITY
Wrong
I value my ABILITY FOR SINGING.
** ABILITY
Wrong
I value the ABILITY FOR me TO SING.
** ABILITY
Wrong
The bay ACTED AS a funnel for the tide.
ACT
Right
(= functioned as)
My friend ACTED LIKE a fool.
ACT
Right
(= behaved in a similar manner)
The bay ACTED LIKE a funnel for the tide.
ACT
Suspect
Note: #66 in The Official Guide, 13th Edition tests this idiom. The explanation claims that ACT LIKE must be used only with people. This claim is contradicted by other published problems. The way to resolve this issue is to ask whether the author intends metaphorical comparison (= LIKE) or actual function (= AS). If “actual function” is
possible, use AS.
The new rules will AFFECT our performance.
AFFECT/EFFECT
Right
The new rules will HAVE AN EFFECT ON our performance.
AFFECT/EFFECT
Suspect
This construction is wordier
The new rules will CAUSE AN EFFECT ON our performance.
AFFECT/EFFECT
Wrong
AFTER the gold rush, the mining town collapsed.
AFTER
Right
FOLLOWING the gold rush, the mining town collapsed.
AFTER
Suspect
(ambiguous)
His behavior AGGRAVATED the problem.
AGGRAVATE
Right
(= made worse)
His behavior WAS AGGRAVATING TO the problem.
AGGRAVATE
Wrong
(= was annoying to)
They AGREE THAT electrons EXIST.
AGREE
Right
Electrons are particles THAT physicists AGREE EXIST.
AGREE
Right
There is AGREEMENT AMONG them THAT electrons exist.
AGREE
Suspect
They AGREE electrons EXIST.
AGREE
Suspect
(AGREE THAT is preferred)
Electrons are particles THAT physicists AGREE ON AS EXISTING.
AGREE
Suspect
There is AGREEMENT AMONG them TO THE FACT THAT electrons exist
AGREE
Wrong
Electrons are particles physicists AGREE THAT EXIST.
AGREE
Wrong
Electrons are particles physicists AGREE TO EXIST
AGREE
Wrong
She AIDS her neighbor.
AID
Right
She provides AID TO victims. AID FOR victims is available.
AID
Right