Verbal

Question 1

Independent clause

Answer 1

Contains subject and finite verb
Can stand alone as a sentence
Every sentence on GMAT must have at least 1 independent clause

Question 2

Absolute phrase

Answer 2

Phrase comprised of a noun and its modifiers that modifies an entire clause, adding info that is descriptive or explanatory

Question 3

When comparing statistics, use “greater than”

Answer 3

The standard deviation of the test scores of the students in group A was greater than that of the test scores of the students in group B

Question 4

Future tense

Answer 4

Used when discussing events that have not yet occurred but will occur in the future.

The little boy will go to kindergarten next year

The form “to be” + “going to” can be used to create future tense expressions. The future tense expressed in this way is generally used in sentences about future events that are planned or seem likely to occur

I am going to go to the beach later today

Question 5

When “since” means “from the time of? or “from the time when”, the present perfect tense, or the past perfect tense, is strongly preferred

Answer 5

Since he went to that seminar last week, he has been much more motivated.

She has worked with a vocal coach ever since her early years as a singer

Question 6

“THE number of…” vs “A number of…”

Answer 6

Subjects that begin with “THE number of take singular verbs”

Subjects that begin with “A number of take plural verbs”

Question 7

What precedes the first part of a CC is understood to carry over

Answer 7

Carry over begins after the “but also” or whatever the second part of the CC is

Matt eats not only avocados but also bananas

She wrote him not only a love letter but also a poem

Elements that follow the first part like “not only” are not understood to carry over to after the “but also”

Question 8

Verbs that are in different tenses can be parallel

Answer 8

The school opened to voters at 7AM and has been packed all day

Question 9

Present Tense

Answer 9

Typically use present tense to describe things that happen routinely or to discuss facts and universal truths that dont change over time

Also used to discuss events in a literary book

The dogs enjoy running in the woods
In The Canterbury Tales, the Monk is a fat, gluttonous character

Question 10

Nouns that name quantities of time, money, or weight are treated as uncountable nouns

Answer 10

Ten minutes is generally too much time to spend on one quant question when one is taking the GMAT.

Eight kilograms is not much more than the weight of an average sized cat

Question 11

Other structures that demand parallelism

Answer 11

X rather than Y
mistake X for Y
prefer X to Y
range from X to Y
more X than Y (in certain contexts)

The team traveled by rail rather than flew to the tournament

Question 12

In a 3 part list, when the third element is not parallel with the first 2, one way to fix the broken sentence is to take the 3rd element out of the list. If the 3rd element is no longer in the list, it need not be parallel to other items. Make it a nested list

Answer 12

Incorrect: Kelly is my best friend because she is smart, loyal, and keeps my secrets.

Correct: Kelly is my best friend because she is smart and loyal and keeps my secrets

Question 13

Greater than vs more than

Answer 13

“greater than” is used to compare sizes, levels, degrees, magnitudes, or extents of things. It is synonymous with “larger than” or “higher than”

Sara has more space than Olivia has.

The amount of space that sara has is greater than the amount of space that olivia has

Question 14

The word “like” is strictly a comparison word and cannot be used to introduce examples. To introduce examples, we can use “such as” or “including”

Answer 14

When traveling through the everglades, one may see animals, such as/including snakes, mammals, and alligators.

Question 15

If a sentence is about the units of time, money, or weight, then the nouns are countable

Answer 15

How many minutes are left?

Many Euros have been spent on the repairs of the cathedral

Question 16

Plural indefinite pronouns always take on plural verbs (4)

Answer 16

Both, few, many, several

Question 17

Imperative mood

Answer 17

Used in giving commands and supplying directions

Question 18

Future in the past

Answer 18

Used when sentences about past events refer to events that were in the future when past events occurred

Can be formed either via the use of the past tense (would) or via the use of a paste tense form of “to be” +going to (was going to)

At the rally, the candidate said that he would take campaign donations only from individuals.

The cast was going to have a party after the final show

It is acceptable to use simple future in the past if the prediction made in the past is about events expected to occur in a time period that is after the time in which the statement is made

The head of the organization said that they will be able to restore the wetland without using any public financial resources.

Question 19

Abstract Appositives

Answer 19

Rather than rename and modify specific words or phrases, they rename and modify entire ideas presented in clauses

Question 20

Lookout for something that is mistakenly compared with itself

Answer 20

Incorrect: Julie is more skilled at singing than any singer I’ve encountered

Question 21

A list consists of 2 or more items in a series, often separated by commas. The items must be parallel

Answer 21

When a list is introduced, each of the elements must work logically with the part of the sentence that introduces the list.

Question 22

Future perfect tense is used for indicating that a future event will have occurred by the time another event occurs.

Answer 22

The fear of many scientists is that, by the time the reductions are fully realized, a catastrophic rise will have already occurred.

Question 23

The subjunctive form of the verb “to be” used in command sentences is always “be”. Additionally, certain expressions followed by “that” should be followed by command subjunctive

Answer 23

I demand that you be respectful.
I insist that he respect me at dinner tonight

The general requires you be at your command post

Question 24

Correlative Conjunctions

Answer 24

Both...and
not only...but also
not only...but...as well
not...but
either...or
neither...nor

Both parts must appear in a sentence in which the CC is used. Do not accept correct sentences that partially use CC’s

Must always be on the lookout for errors in parallel structures

Question 25

When connecting a word or phrase such as "once", "as soon as", "as long as", "until", "when", "after", or "before" is used to connect a present tense clause to a future tense clause, the present tense clause is understood to be about a condition that will exist in the future, and the future clause is about an even related to that condition

Answer 25

As soon as the bride arrives, the procession will start. The team will keep working until the problem is solved. Our hope is that the archeologists will be able to retrieve the artifacts before they are destroyed by the elements

Question 26

Items must be logically compared. Locate the items compared and make sure it is logical to compare these items

Answer 26

Incorrect: The cost of summer camp is much higher than summer school

Question 27

Abstract Appositives

Answer 27

Rather than rename and modify specific words or phrases, they rename and modify entire ideas presented in clauses

Question 28

Relative clauses "that" vs "which"

Answer 28

"That" introduces restrictive clauses. It somehow restricts the meaning of the noun "Which" introduces nonrestrictive clauses. It does not restrict the meaning of the noun To determine the right one, eliminate it from the sentence. If it can be eliminated without the meaning of the sentence changing, it will be nonrestrictive (which). Non restrictive clauses must always be set off by a comma and followed by a comma or period

Question 29

Relative clauses

Answer 29

Clauses that relate or connect parts of a sentence to each other and begin with relative pronouns Common RP's-that, which, who, whom, whose That and which refer to nouns that represent things other than people. Who and whom are used only to refer to people. Entities like groups or teams are considered things and use "that" and "which"

Question 30

Sometimes, in order for a sentence including a list to clearly convey a logical meaning, it's necessary to repeat the word "that" by placing it before every item

Answer 30

Breck said that John will be the new class president and that Peter will be the new secretary.

Question 31

A subject that begins with "THE percent of..."

Answer 31

Always takes on singular verb

Question 32

Relative clause (7)

Answer 32

That, which, who, whom, whose, where, when Unable to stand alone as a sentence Relative pronoun acting as a subject + finite verb Relative pronoun non acting as subject + subject + finite verb

Question 33

Relative clauses "who" vs "whom"

Answer 33

The subject pronoun "who" performs the action in a clause. The object pronoun "whom" is acted upon. Who is a subject and whom is used as an object

Question 34

Another form of the subjunctive that can appear is formed via the combination of "were" and an infinitive

Answer 34

You act as if getting off were the end of the world If Sheri were to arrive early, the surprise would be ruined Bankruptcy could be avoided if the city were to manage its finances better If the owner were to decide to fix it up, the entire neighborhood would benefit

Question 35

Noun clause vs relative clause

Answer 35

A clause that follows a noun and modifies that noun is a relative clause A clause that acts as a noun is a noun clause

Question 36

Appositives restrict vs nonrestrict

Answer 36

To determine, remove from the sentence to see if sentence still works. If it still works, it is nonrestrictive and requires to be set off by a comma

Question 37

Logical comparisons can be created via the substitution of "does" or "do" for repeated present tense verbs and "did" for past tense

Answer 37

FDR held the office of president for longer than Teddy Roosevelt did (did is substituted for held the office)

Question 38

Past perfect tense can be used to indicate that an event occurred before a specific date or time period in the past

Answer 38

By this time, something had occurred If a sentence in the past is not about an action or event completed by a time in the past, it can use another tense If a sentence makes clear the time sequence of past events without the use of past perfect, the use of past perfect is not necessary

Question 39

Plural indefinite pronouns always take on plural verb (4)

Answer 39

Both, few, many, several

Question 40

Squinting modifiers

Answer 40

modifiers between 2 words or phrases, either of which the modifier could modify People who train consistently achieve score increases

Question 41

Singular indefinite pronouns always take on singular verbs (16)

Answer 41

anybody, anyone, anything, each everybody, everyone, everything neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one somebody, someone, something, whoever

Question 42

Participle phrases that modify specific nouns generally modify these nouns restrictively, meaning the phrases somehow further define the noun

Answer 42

The flowers growing in the field are violets

Question 43

Limiting adverb

Answer 43

Frequently appear in misplaced modifiers Only, just, even, almost, merely, simply, exactly, nearly, hardly Generally, the best placement of a limiting adverb is immediately before the word or phrase its meant to modify

Question 44

Simple past tense

Answer 44

Used to describe events that occurred and ended in the past. He finished his paper just before his deadline (the action has ended)

Question 45

Number vs amount

Answer 45

"Number" works with countable nouns and "amount" works with uncountable nouns The number of species worldwide is declining The amount of enthusiasm on display at the candidate's rally was shocking

Question 46

Sometimes, in order for a sentence including a list to clearly convey a logical meaning, it's necessary to repeat a preposition by placing the preposition before every item in the list

Answer 46

For the expedition, we need bags for our supplies, for the cameras, and for the laptops

Question 47

The verb in a clause or sentence containing "either...or" or "neither...nor" must agree with the subject noun to which it is closest

Answer 47

Neither the bread nor potatoes look appealing

Question 48

A conditional sentence about a condition and a consequence that may be actual in the present or future uses the indicative mood in both the dependent clause about the condition and the main clause about the consequence

Answer 48

If the boat is repaired, it will be seaworthy. If coconut oil becomes warm, it melts The archaeological experts may be able to tell us the purpose of this building if they have seen one like it before

Question 49

A structure built around the FANBOYS must be parallel

Answer 49

Having walked miles almost daily for months, the trekkers were tired, but they would soon be home. In order to succeed at this company, team members must be empathetic and open minded

Question 50

Dependent clause

Answer 50

Cannot constitute a sentence on their own | Fulfill specific functions within sentences and serve to enhance or modify the meaning

Question 51

Past participle

Answer 51

Usually end in -ed or -en Ruined castle, laminated copy, swollen foot

Question 52

Subjunctive mood

Answer 52

Used in statements that describe hypothetical or conditional situations, dreams, wishes, desires, or doubts. It is also used in specific command situations, such as making a request of suggestion Hypothetical situations take "were" If I were a millionaire, I would buy my dream house. "If" clauses that describe hypothetical situations must use the subjunctive mood. The past subjunctive form of the verb "to be" is "were" and "were" is often used in sentences about hypothetical situations.

Question 53

Carrying over

Answer 53

Refers to the concept that certain elements of a structure involving a list are understood to be repeated, although these elements are not explicitly rewritten. Members post their comments, complaints, and suggestions on the appropriate message boards. Whatever is connected to or introduces a list is understood to carry over to each of the elements in the list. Thus, each of the elements in the list must work logically with the structure that introduces the list.

Question 54

Present perfect tense can also be used in sentences that include a proposition such as "in", "within", "for", "during", or "over" immediately followed by the phrase "the past [x amount of time]

Answer 54

Over the past year, Lydia has visited Mexico, Thailand, and Cuba. Within the past few days, the sales of the book have reached an all time, and the book has climbed to the top of the Amazon bestseller list

Question 55

Participle

Answer 55

Verb that functions as a modifier. The noun associated with a participle can be either: 1. Agent- agent doing the action of the participple 2. Receiver- receiver of the effect of the participle A participle can never function as the main (finite) verb.

Question 56

Fewer vs less

Answer 56

"Fewer" modifies a countable noun and "less" modifies an uncountable noun You have fewer apples than John has. You have less juice than John has.

Question 57

Additive phrases do not create plural verbs (6)

Answer 57

Along with, as well as, in addition to, as well as, includes, accompanied by

Question 58

Past Perfect tense

Answer 58

"had" + past participle of a verb. Used to describe a past action that occurred before another past action The tour guide directed the boat toward a location where the whales had surfaced She skipped the popcorn at the movies because she had eaten a big dinner

Question 59

Semicolon

Answer 59

When a semicolon is used as a sub for a comma and coordinating conjunction, an independent clause must be found on both sides

Question 60

When the subject of a clause performs the action, the corresponding verb is in the active voice

Answer 60

The dog caught the ball

Question 61

Continuous tenses

Answer 61

Used in discussing events that are continuous, or are, were, or will be in progress. The children are playing outside. The children were playing outside yesterday. The children will be playing outside tomorrow Use the simple present rather than the present continuous in stating events that occur, if the point of the sentence is not to express that events are ongoing at the present time

Question 62

Adjectives can modify only nouns or pronouns. Adverbs can modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs

Answer 62

The most common use of an adverb is to modify an adverb. It provides more information about a verb in a sentence. A word ending in "-ly" will not modify a noun

Question 63

Past participle phrase

Answer 63

Used in 2 ways 1. Used to restrictively modify nouns, in which cases the phrases are placed directly before or after the nouns that they modify and are not separated from the nouns by a comma 2. Used to non-restrictively modify nouns, in which cases the phrases may appear directly before or after the noun that they modify and are separated from the nouns and other sentence elements by a comma

Question 64

Present perfect tense

Answer 64

Used in describing an event that began in the past and continues into the present, or one that happened in the past and continues to affect the present I have lived here for 5 years. Since 1904, the club has served as a meeting point and unifying force for explorers and scientists worldwide.

Question 65

Subjects that begin with "half", "one-fourth", or that use "percent of"

Answer 65

Can take on singular or plural depending on what the fraction is a fraction of

Question 66

When the subject of a sentence has an action being done to it, the corresponding verb is in the passive voice

Answer 66

The ball was caught by the dog

Question 67

Compound sentence structure

Answer 67

Independent clause + , + coordinating conjunction + Independent clause Comma is required

Question 68

When we see a comparison that employs "unlike", the rules governing such a comparison are fairly strict and that the two elements related by "unlike" have to be rather similar.

Answer 68

Unlike Stacy, Jovan enjoys photography. Incorrect: Unlike computers made today, using a computer made fifty years ago required a fair amount of technical knowledge

Question 69

Present participle phrase

Answer 69

Used to restrictively modify specific nouns. PPP's that appear at the beginning of or in the middle of clauses are non-restrictive, and can be treated as noun modifiers. PPP's that appear at the end of clauses usually, but not always, modify the preceding clause PPP that appears at the beginning or in the middle of c clause and is set off from the rest of the clause by a comma can be treated as non-restrictive noun modifiers

Question 70

Many vs much

Answer 70

"Many" is used with uncountable nouns and "much" is used with countable nouns. She has much love in her heart. There are many ways to get to Moscow from Seoul.

Question 71

Subjects in the forms of infinitives (to swim), gerunds (swimming), noun phrases (what I want)

Answer 71

Always take on singular verbs

Question 72

Subordinating Conjunction (16)

Answer 72

Since, although, because. after, before, until, once, while, although, whereas, if, unless, though, as much, just as, rather than

Question 73

List of coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)

Answer 73

For, and, nor, but, or, yes, so

Question 74

Colon

Answer 74

When you have a colon, whatever precedes it must be able to stand alone as a complete sentence. It can be followed by an independent clause or example or series of examples

Question 75

Nested list

Answer 75

A list within a nest. The presence of more than one "and" is a hallmark of a nested list. Please leave your name and your number and explain why you called The managing partner instructed the traders to sell the financial stocks, purchase precious metal stocks and technology stocks, and determine the yield to maturity of ten year government bonds.

Question 76

The sentence elements that carry over to items in a list must be the same for every one of the items in a list

Answer 76

Incorrect: Kelly is a good friend because she is smart, loyal, and keeps my secrets Incorrect: The barista made two double espressos, three caramel macchiatos, and he made a soy cappuccino

Question 77

Relative clauses "that" vs "which"

Answer 77

"That" introduces restrictive clauses. It somehow restricts the meaning of the noun "Which" introduces nonrestrictive clauses. It does not restrict the meaning of the noun. On the GMAT, "which" generally will not refer to an entire preceding clause (as opposed to a specific noun) in a correct answer To determine the right one, eliminate it from the sentence. If it can be eliminated without the meaning of the sentence changing, it will be nonrestrictive (which). Non restrictive clauses must always be set off by a comma and followed by a comma or period

Question 78

Present participle

Answer 78

Always ending in -ing. Modifies the noun Jumping crickets, singing men, running dogs.

Question 79

Noun clause (9)

Answer 79

That, which, how, who, whom, whose, whether, what, why Clause that plays role of a noun Subject of a sentence could be a noun clause Can serve as direct object

Question 80

When items appear in a series, verb voice can change from active to passive without violating the rules of parallelism, as long as each element in the list works logically with the essential elements that introduce the list

Answer 80

Having hit her GMAT target, Aisha applied to her choice school, was invited for an interview, and was accepted.

Question 81

Future perfect tense

Answer 81

It is used to describe a future event that will be completed before another future event or before a specific time in the future I will have worked for 35 years by the time I retire. By Monday, he will have a week to complete the assignment.

Question 82

Subordinate clause

Answer 82

When a subordinating conjunction is placed at the beginning of a sentence, is becomes a subordinate clause

Question 83

"Like" can only be used in comparisons of nouns or pronouns. It cannot be used to connect verbs or clauses. In a comparison of clauses, "as" must be used

Answer 83

The teacher acts as though she were a drill sergeant. The teacher acts like a drill sergeant

Question 84

Misplaced modifiers

Answer 84

"On the tables at the event were nutritious trays of fruit" "The farmer showed up at my house with a freshly-picked crate full of zucchini"

Question 85

The word "like" is strictly a comparison word and cannot be used to introduce examples. To introduce examples, we can use "such as" or "including"

Answer 85

When traveling through the everglades, one may see animals, such as/including snakes, mammals, and alligators.

Question 86

Stacked modifiers

Answer 86

2 modifiers one after the other. Sometimes convey a clear message but have to look out for a unclear meaning

Question 87

Look out for incomplete comparisons

Answer 87

This tent is just as waterproof. The project will cost less.

Question 88

Dangling modifier

Answer 88

the noun that the modifier is supposed to describe is completely absent. Such a sentence is always incorrect

Question 89

Coordinating Conjunction

Answer 89

Connect 2 independent clause

Question 90

A repeating element that is essential to what introduces a list must either appear once before the first item in the lost, OR appear in every one of the items in the list. Such a repeating element cannot appear haphazardly in the list

Answer 90

Incorrect: The members of the committee decided to reduce marketing expenditures, increase headcount, and to change the schedule A repeating element that is not essential to what introduces a list does not have to carry over to or appear before every item in the list The groom was congratulated by his friends, by his parents, and by guests he was meeting for the first time,

Question 91

Indicative mood

Answer 91

used in giving commands, stating facts, assertions, and observations The flowers smell good Tomorrow, we will go to the beach

Question 92

Common comparison words

Answer 92

In the same way, similar to, than, correspondingly, at the same rate, much as, so, whereas, while, nevertheless, nonetheless, by the same token, similarly, just as, likewise, in a similar fashion, as...as

Question 93

Look out for ambiguous comparisons.

Answer 93

Incorrect: Sara loves shark diving more than Scott.