SC

Ultimate SC
Strategies for
the GMAT
by Sandeep Gupta (Ivy-GMAT,
Koramangala Bangalore)
sandeepgupta01@gmail.com
9739561394
Sandeep Gupta Ivy-GMAT, Koramangala Bangalore. sandeepgupta01@gmail.com, 9739561394
Further Resources:
1. Preparation for SC (by Sandeep Gupta (Ivy-GMAT))
2. Sandeep SC Notes (by Sandeep Gupta (Ivy-GMAT))
3. Manhattan GMAT SC Guide 4th Edition
4. 700-800 SC Questions a set of 150 GMAT SC Questions (by
Sandeep Gupta (Ivy-GMAT)) Must Solve
5. GMAT latest SC questions a set of 277 GMAT SC Questions (by
6. OG 12, 11, 10, OG Verbal Review 1st and 2nd Editions
7. Platinumgmat.com (for Idiom review)
8. GMAT-Prep Verbal Forum Questions from ManhattanGMAT.com
9. 1000 SC (not necessary, though)

SC Strategies
Note:
Refer to the NOTES at the bottom of each slide for
explanations. Wherever there are no explanations, the
statement on the slide will be correct.

SC Tips
RULES RULE: Intuition is your last resort So any choice that seems
right, feels right, sounds right, smells right, etc. may not be the right
answer.
It is not about conventional Grammar. It is about GMAT-specific SC
Questions. Understand the Examiners mindset. The most important
thing
POE: Dont try to select the correct answer eliminate wrong ones
SCAN: Use Horizontal / Vertical Scanning to look for differences in the
choices
Paper: Use a tick cross system with a pencil
SPLIT: Look for a 2/3 or a 3/2 split. Most likely you are likely to narrow
down to two choices.
TRAP: Choice A can be the right choice in a substantial number of
questions. So dont reject an answer only because it is A.

SC General Techniques
You must read the full sentence even the non-
underlined portion no exception to this rule.
LOCATION of Errors:
Most of the errors on GMAT-SC occur at four potential places
The Beginning of the Underlined Portion

The End of the Underlined Portion
After the Comma
One word / phrase before the underlined portion

LET us see these thumb-
rules in application on
some real GMAT
Questions

1. With companies spending large parts of their advertising budgets
online, the market for content such as feature articles and opinion
essays created by a professional writer, a blogger, and by individual
users, are expanding rapidly.
A. the market for content such as feature articles and opinion essays
created by a professional writer, a blogger, and by individual users,
are expanding
B. the market for content such as feature articles and opinion essays
created by professional writers, bloggers, and by individual users, are
expanding
C. the market for content such as feature articles and opinion essays
created by a professional writer, a blogger, and individual users, is
expanding
D. the market for content such as feature articles and opinion essays
created by professional writers, bloggers, and individual users, are
expanding
E. the market for content such as feature articles and opinion essays
created by professional writers, bloggers, and individual users, is
expanding
2. Consumption of bread products made from ergot-infected grains often
trigger severely debilitating symptoms such as muscle contractions,
seizures and gangrene but, at a proper dose, also cause a significant
reduction in maternal bleeding after childbirth.
A. bread products made from ergot-infected grains often trigger severely
debilitating symptoms such as muscle contractions, seizures and
gangrene but, at a proper dose, also cause a significant reduction in
B. products made from ergot-infected grains often trigger severely
gangrene but, at a proper dose, also cause significantly reduced
C. bread products made from ergot-infected grains often triggers severely
gangrene but, at a proper dose, also causes a significant reduction in
D. bread made from ergot-infected grains often triggers severely
gangrene but, at a proper dose, also cause a significant reduction in
E. bread products made from ergot-infected grains often trigger severely
gangrene but, at a proper dose, also causes a significantly reduced

3. Responding to growing demand for high-end vehicles, the
interiors of the newest models are so luxurious that they sell
for nearly twice the price of last year's models.
A. the interiors of the newest models are so luxurious that they
sell
B. the interiors of the newest models are so luxurious that the
cars are sold
C. auto makers have installed interiors in the newest models
that are so luxurious that they sell
D. the interior of the newest models are so luxurious that they
are sold
E. auto makers have installed such luxurious interiors in the
newest models that these cars sell

4. Unsolicited electronic junk mail, also termed spam, has
hurt companies by both draining company resources used
to combat the problem and diminishing employee
productivity.
A. both draining company resources used to combat the
problem and diminishing employee productivity
B. draining both company resources used to combat the
problem and diminishing employee productivity
C. draining both company resources used to combat the
problem and diminishing how productive its employees are
D. both draining company resources used to combat the
problem and the productivity of employees is diminished
E. both draining company resources used to combat the
problem and diminishing how productive its employees are

5. From the Civil War to soldiers in Vietnam, Smith &
Wesson, the legendary arms maker, equipped both the
soldiers and the sailors who have fought Americas wars.
A. the Civil War to soldiers in Vietnam, Smith & Wesson, the
legendary arms maker, equipped both the soldiers and
B. the Civil War to the Vietnam war, Smith & Wesson, the
C. soldiers in the Civil War and soldiers in Vietnam, Smith &
soldiers and
D. soldiers in the Civil War to soldiers in Vietnam, Smith &
soldiers to
E. the Civil War and the Vietnam war, Smith & Wesson, the

SC what to watch out for?
The following are crucial (in the respective

order of importance)
Grammar
Idiom (long list has to be memorized very
crucial for success on GMAT-SC)
Meaning Clarity
Concision (short vs. long)
GMAT favorites (long list has to be
memorized)

Grammar Topics
Subject Verb Agreement
Modifier
Parallelism
Comparisons
Pronouns
Verbs
Prepositions, Idioms and Numerical Idioms
Punctuation
Style Short V/s Long sentences, Meaning Clarity
Miscellaneous errors

List of GMAT-Idioms cant
do without
Idioms are expressions that are the way they are
There can be no explanations / reasoning for
idioms
You have to memorize a list, e.g.,
Forbid to do NOT from doing
Cope with NOT cope up with
Comprise NOT comprise of
Mistake A for B NOT mistake A as B
Consider NOT consider to be or consider as The
list continues list in GMAT Book

Meaning Clarity
The meaning of the sentence should make

sense. For example:
ONLY those passengers carrying an
Identification will be allowed to board the
plane. Right Meaning
Passengers carrying ONLY an
plane. Wrong Meaning

Concision
AVOID USE
Despite the fact Although
that Can
Have the capability Same
Exactly the same Near
In close proximity Experience
to Outcome
Past experience
Final Outcome ..Long list
GMAT favorites
AVOID USE
Instead of Rather than
Due to Because of
2 times Double / Twice
Being Lack of being
Compare to Compare with
Do it Do so
May be Perhaps
If Whether
Hopefully It is hoped
As well as And
Enough So

GMAT favorites
AVOID USE
Ability Able
Capability Can
As a result of Result from
One time Once
4 times Quadruple
Economical Economic
Try and Try to
Liable Likely
Ought to Should
But Although
Which after the comma Avoid which after the comma

GMAT SC cases to avoid
Just like Hopefully

Such like Not any
Occurring And also
Due to Requirement
Seeming Reduction
On account of Being
Owing to Noun Forms
Lesser Apostrophe /
possessive forms
SC Error Type 1: Parallelism
Parallel Structure means

CONSISTENCY in writing.
Parallelism figures in more than

half of GMAT sentences the
single most important type of
ERROR on the test.
List (String) Parallelism
1. Noun + noun + noun: He likes roses, violets, and
bicycles.
2. Verb + verb + verb: When she was on stage, she

danced, sang, and acted like an angel.
3. Adjective + adjective + adjective: My teacher is

fussy, picky, and hard-headed.
4. Infinitive + infinitive + infinitive: I like to sing, (to)

draw, and (to) write poetry.
Here one has to write to either only once or in all the

parts.

List (String) Parallelism
5. Phrase + phrase: With his arms akimbo and
in a state of bliss, he leaped off the cliff.
6. Clause + clause: If she capitulates and when

she apologizes, we will forgive her blunders
and unforgettable actions.

Exercise
7. Mumbai houses 20 million people, the cultural
capital of India, and has a lot of potential for a
newcomer with dreams.
8. Non-traditional students often study long

hours, get limited sleep, and up again with the
sunrise.
9. The volume of business depends on an

institutions delivery method, production time,
and whether or not it is open or closed.

Exercise
10. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to a

bee sting may include dizziness, hives or
rashes, swelling of the wound, difficulty in
breathing, intense itching, and losing
consciousness.
11. The new employee will be responsible for filing

paperwork, answering phones, and will take
new orders.

Exercise
12. Doctors Without Borders is a private organization that
arranges medical treatment in foreign lands,
particularly in nations with an endemic outbreak of
disease, states at war, and in poverty-stricken
countries.
13. Air Force One, the President's main mode of cross-

country travel, is not like any ordinary plane; it has
rooms for exercising, meeting with staff, operating in
case of medical emergency and a place to tape
interviews.

String Special case
Sometimes the last element in a string may
actually not belong to the string it may
contain something contradictory / out of sync
14. Since the teacher introduced the classroom

reward system, students have begun paying
closer attention, completing homework,
following directions, and have stopped
causing disruptions during lessons.

String Special case
WRONG: Since the teacher introduced the classroom
reward system, students have begun paying closer
attention, completing homework, following directions,
and have stopped causing disruptions during lessons.
Here, the list of begun includes only 3 things the fourth item
is stopped so the word and has to come before the last
element in the string and to make begun and stopped
parallel, we need one more and.
RIGHT: Since the teacher introduced the classroom

reward system, students have begun paying closer
attention, completing homework, AND following
directions, and have stopped causing disruptions during
lessons.
String Special case
Consider the following sentence:
15.The diet of the ordinary Greek in

classical times was largely
vegetarianvegetables, fresh
cheese, oatmeal, and meal cakes,
and meat rarely.

String Special case
WRONG: The diet of the ordinary Greek in classical
times was largely vegetarianvegetables, fresh cheese,
oatmeal, and meal cakes, and meat rarely.
The diet... was largely vegetarian: meat cannot be treated as part
of the list of vegetarian foods. So we have to show meat as a
contrast.
RIGHT: The diet of the ordinary Greek in classical times

was largely vegetarianvegetables, fresh cheese,
oatmeal, and meal cakes, with meat as a rarity.
The word with can be used to show contrast, e.g.,

He is brilliant, with some traces of dumbness.
Cause Effect Parallelism
If there is a clear cause and effect sequence, the
cause is generally in the past / present simple
tense and all the effects have to be parallel in the
ing form (subordinate action):
16. Ken traveled around the world, visiting historic sites,

eating native foods, and learning about new cultures.
17. The rain continued to fall, providing water for the thirsty
plants but flooding the streets as well.
18. They danced through life, loving one another and

enjoying their adventures.
Cause Effect Parallelism
19. The stock market crashed, which caused a lot of

people to lose money.
20. The stock market crashed, and it caused a lot of
21. The stock market crashed and caused a lot of
22. The stock market crashed, causing a lot of people
to lose money.
23. The snow covered the train tracks by more than a
foot, prompted the transit authority to shut down
service temporarily, and causing discontent among
commuters who were left stranded for hours.

that and that Parallelism
24. He said THAT the college had rusticated him
and THAT his future was bleak.
25. The two biggest gains from the rise of the
stock markets are THAT companies look
forward to growth and THAT investors remain
upbeat to explore new opportunities.
26. The coach told the players THAT they should
get a lot of sleep, THAT they should not eat
too much, and THAT they should do some
warm-up exercises before the game.

that and that Parallelism
27.The salesman expected THAT he

would present his product at the
meeting, THAT there would be time for
him to show his slide presentation, and
THAT questions would be asked by
prospective buyers.
28.My objections are, first, THAT the
measure is unjust; second, THAT it is
unconstitutional.

Parallel Connectors (X || Y)
X rather than Y More X than Y
Between X and Y Believe X to be Y
Both X and Y X is Y
(Range) From X to Y To think of X as Y
Either X or Y X regarded as Y
Neither X nor Y Prefer X to Y
Just as X so Y Mistake X for Y
Not only X but (also) Y The same to X as to Y
Not X but (rather) Y As to X as to Y
Not so X as Y No less was X than was Y
Same X as Y The more X. the er Y
X is Greater, fewer, less, As X as Y
more than Y Whether X or Y

Parallel Connectors (X || Y)
29. Critics of the current Bowl Championship Series feel
that moving from a computer-ranking format to
creating a playoff system will improve the integrity of
the competition.
30. Jim Thorpe, the legendary multi-sport star, enjoyed

playing football more than he ran track and field, but it
was winning the gold medal at the 1912 Olympic
pentathlon that shot him to fame.
31. A time not for words, but action.

Parallel Connectors
AND (X AND Y)
BUT
AS WELL AS
OR
YET
ALTHOUGH

Parallel Connectors
32. Ralph likes a variety of people, including
those who are popular and who are not.
33. The Department of Motor Vehicles is

considering a new paging system that
would alleviate lines for walk-in
customers renewing their licenses and if
employees are overwhelmed they would
be assisted.

X is Y parallelism
Consider the sentence:
34. One legacy of Madison Avenue's recent campaign
to appeal to people fifty years old and over is to
realize that when a person ages, his or her
concerns change as well.
Here X is Y can be observed.
Legacy is to realize NOT parallel
RIGHT: One LEGACY of Madison Avenue's recent

campaign to appeal to people fifty years old and over
is THE REALIZATION that as people age, their
concerns change as well.
X is Y parallelism
35. To say that I do not deserve her is being unfair
to me.
36. The experiences we have when children still
influence our behavior in adulthood.
37. The new toy was the fathers trying to appease
the ruffled child.
38. According to the teachings of the Buddhist and
Hindu religions, attaining nirvana is to enter a
state of supreme liberation.

OMISSION (Parallel structure)
39. WRONG: The doctors have been and will continue to conduct
tests on the sick patient.
40. WRONG: She is a believer and supporter of the theory of love

at first sight.
RIGHT: The doctors have been conducting and will continue

to conduct tests on the sick patient.
RIGHT: She is a believer in and a supporter of the theory of

love at first sight.

Semicolon both sides parallel
41. WRONG: Formerly, science was taught

by the textbook method, while now the
laboratory method is employed.
RIGHT: Formerly, science was taught by

the textbook method; now it is taught by
the laboratory method.

Parallelism Mixed-bag Practice
GMAT style Questions

1. The earliest English settlers in Virginia failed to
survive their first winter in the New World because of
factors such as inadequate food supplies, harsh
weather, and an inability to communicate with Native
Americans.
A. an inability
B. that they were unable
C. because they were unable
D. being unable
E. Lacking an ability

2. Originally developed by ancient Hawaiians, surfing appeals to people due to
the sports unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill, and high paced
maneuvering, an unpredictable backdrop that is, by turns, graceful and
serene, violent and formidable, and the camaraderie that often develops
among people in their common quest to conquer nature.
SAME
surfings appeal is its unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill, and high paced
maneuvering, an unpredictable backdrop that is, by turns, graceful and
serene, violent and formidable, and the camaraderie that often develops
surfings appeal to people is due to the sports unusual confluence of
adrenaline, skill, and high paced maneuvering, an unpredictable backdrop
that is, by turns, graceful and serene, violent and formidable, and developing
camaraderie
surfing appeals to people due to the sports unusual confluence of
adrenaline, skill, and high paced maneuvering, a backdrop that is
unpredictable and that is, by turns, gracefully and serenely violent and
formidable, and the camaraderie that often develops
surfing appeals to people due to their unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill,
and high paced maneuvering, an unpredictable backdrop that is, by turns,
graceful and serene, violent and formidable, and the camaraderie that often
develops
3. Manifestations of Islamic political militancy in the first period of religious
reformism were the rise of the Wahhabis in Arabia, the Sanusi in Cyrenaica, the
Fulani in Nigeria, the Mahdi in the Sudan, and the victory of the Usuli "mujtahids"
in Shiite Iran and Iraq.
Manifestations of Islamic political militancy in the first period of religious
reformism were the rise of the Wahhabis in Arabia, the Sanusi in Cyrenaica, the
Fulani in Nigeria, the Mahdi in the Sudan, and
Manifestations of Islamic political militancy in the first period of religious
reformism were shown in the rise of the Wahhabis in Arabia, the Sanusi in
Cyrenaica, the Fulani in Nigeria, the Mahdi in the Sudan, and also
In the first period of religious reformism, manifestations of Islamic political
militancy were the rise of the Wahhabis in Arabia, of the Sanusi in Cyrenaica, the
Fulani in Nigeria, the Mahdi in the Sudan, and
In the first period of religious reformism, manifestations of Islamic political
militancy were shown in the rise of the Wahhabis in Arabia, the Sanusi in
Cyrenaica, the Fulani in Nigeria, the Mahdi in the Sudan, and
In the first period of religious reformism, Islamic political militancy was
manifested in the rise of the Wahhabis in Arabia, the Sanusi in Cyrenaica, the
Fulani in Nigeria, and the Mahdi in the Sudan, and in

4. The basic needs of the average cat are simple
and largely inexpensive: food, water, affection,
and shelter, and occasional visits to the
veterinarian.
and occasional visits to the veterinarian
with occasional veterinarian visits
with occasional visits to the veterinarian
yet occasionally visiting the veterinarian
but some occasional visits to the veterinarian are
needed

5. Examples of "tulipomania," a term coined from the tulip craze of the seventeenth-
century in the Netherlands, include speculative bubbles in South Seas trading
rights in the 1720s, Victorian real estate in the 1880s, the U.S. stock market in
the 1920s, and the obsession for Beanie Babies in the 1990s.
A. SAME
B. 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
C. Coined from the seventeenth-century tulip craze in the Netherlands, examples of
"tulipomania" 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
D. Coined from the seventeenth-century tulip craze in the Netherlands,
"tulipomania" includes examples such as speculative bubbles in South Seas
trading rights in the 1720s, Victorian real estate in the 1880s, the U.S. stock
market in the 1920s, and
E. "Tulipomania," coined from the seventeenth-century tulip craze in the
Netherlands, included speculative bubbles in South Seas trading rights in the
1720s, Victorian real estate in the 1880s, the U.S. stock market in the 1920s, and

6. Though once powerful political forces, labor unions have
lost much of their influence, which has resulted in a
political climate that some analysts claim to favor
management.
which has resulted in a political climate that some
analysts claim to favor
resulting in a political climate that some analysts claim
favors
which has resulted in a political climate that some
analysts claim that favors
resulting in a political climate that some analysts claim
to be in favor of
which has resulted in a political climate that has been
claimed by some analysts to favor

7. Agencies studying discrimination in housing have
experimentally proved that minority clients are often
discouraged as prospective buyers of residential real estate
and the antidiscrimination legislation of recent decades were
only mitigating, rather than abolishing, inequity in housing
practices.
the antidiscrimination legislation of recent decades were only
mitigating, rather than abolishing, inequity in housing practices
in recent decades, the antidiscrimination legislation only
mitigated, rather than abolishing, inequity in housing practices
that antidiscrimination legislation of recent decades has only
mitigated, rather than abolished, inequity in housing practices
that, in recent decades, antidiscrimination legislation has only
mitigated, rather than abolishing, housing practices inequity
that recent decades antidiscrimination legislation only were
mitigating, rather than abolishing, housing practices inequity
8. According to anthropologists, the use of human language
covers a wide spectrum from practical communication between
people engaged in the same task to establishing hierarchy
within a social group.
practical communication between people engaged in the same
task to establishing hierarchy
communicating practically between people engaging in the
same task to the establishment of hierarchy
task to the establishing of hierarchy
communicating practically between people engaging in the
same task to hierarchy established
task to the establishment of hierarchy

9. Art experts have attributed the enduring intrigue of Leonardo da
Vinci's Mona Lisa to everything from having an enigmatic smile,
which was never explained, to her association with the rich and
powerful families of Europe.
having an enigmatic smile, which was never explained
having an enigmatic smile, which has never been explained
her enigmatic smile, for which there has never been an
explanation
her enigmatic smile, which has never been explained
having an enigmatic smile, for which there has never been an
explanation

10. Recent research has indicated that sustainable weight
loss is generally a result not of self-deprivation or
adopting an extreme diet, but a healthy lifestyle that
integrates a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a long-
term approach.
self-deprivation or adopting an extreme diet, but
self-deprivation or the adoption of an extreme diet, but of
self-deprivation or the adoption of an extreme diet, but
depriving oneself or adopting an extreme diet, but
depriving oneself or adopting an extreme diet, but that of

11. Though laypeople often refer to the panda as a bear, due to its
physical resemblance to one, DNA testing has shown that it is more
closely related to the common raccoon than any member of the
bear family.
due to its physical resemblance to one, DNA testing has shown that
it is more closely related to the common raccoon than
due to the fact that it physically resembles one, DNA testing
showed that it is more closely related to the common raccoon than
is
because of its physical resemblance to one, DNA testing has
shown that it is more closely related to the common raccoon than
because of its resemblance to one physically, DNA testing has
shown that it is more closely related to the common raccoon than is
because of its physical resemblance to one, DNA testing has
shown that it is more closely related to the common raccoon than to

12. While larger banks can afford to maintain their own data-
processing operations, many smaller regional and
community banks are finding that the cost associated
with upgrading data-processing equipment and with the
development and maintenance of new products and
technical staff are prohibitive.
A. cost associated with
B. costs associated with
C. costs arising from
D. cost of
E. costs of

13. The discovery that Earths inner core rotates independently of and more quickly
than Earths outer layers is responsible for advancing studies of the flow of heat
from the inner through the outer planet and of the formation and periodic reversal
in direction of Earths magnetic field.
A. SAME
B. core rotates independently of and more quickly than Earths outer layers is
responsible for advancing studies of how heat from the inner core flows through
the outer planet, and the formation and periodic reversal in direction of Earths
magnetic field
C. core rotates independently and more quickly than Earths outer layers are
responsible for advancing studies of how heat from the inner core flows through
the outer planet, and how Earths magnetic field forms and the periodic reversal
of its direction
D. core, rotating independently and more quickly than Earths outer layers, are
responsible for advancing studies of the flow of heat from the inner through the
outer planet, and the formation and periodic reversal in direction of Earths
magnetic field
E. core, rotating independently of and more quickly than Earths outer layers, is
responsible for advancing studies of the flow of heat from the inner through the
outer planet and of how Earths magnetic field forms and the periodic reversal of
its direction

14. Though now eaten in large quantities around the world and harmless, the
tomato is a member of the generally toxic nightshade family, including
belladonna, and was once thought to be poisonous itself as a result.
Though now eaten in large quantities around the world and harmless, the
tomato is a member of the generally toxic nightshade family, including
belladonna, and was once thought to be poisonous itself as a result.
The tomato, though now eaten in large quantities around the world and
harmless, is a member of the generally toxic nightshade family, which
includes belladonna, and it was therefore once thought to be poisonous
itself.
Once thought to be poisonous itself, the tomato is harmless and now
eaten in large quantities around the world, and is a member of the
generally toxic nightshade family, including belladonna.
Though now eaten in large quantities around the world and known to be
harmless, the tomato was once considered poisonous because it is a
member of the generally toxic nightshade family, which includes
belladonna.
A member of the generally toxic nightshade family, including belladonna,
the tomato was once considered poisonous even though it is harmless
and now eaten in large quantities around the world.
15. The coloration of insects can serve as camouflage, as in the case
of green insects that spend their lives in or near foliage, or to warn
predators, as in the case of insects colored in yellow and black,
which often signals that it is poisonous.
or to warn predators, as in the case of insects colored in yellow and
black, which often signals that it is poisonous.
or for warning predators, as in the case of insects that have yellow
and black coloring, which often signals that it is poisonous.
or as a warning to predators, as in the case of insects bearing a
combination of yellow and black, which often signals that they are
poisonous.
or as a predator's warning, as in the case of insects that are colored
yellow and black, which often signals that they are poisonous.
or to warn predators, as in the case of yellow-and-black insects,
which often signals that they are poisonous.

16. To tackle the issue of Congressional campaign spending is
becoming embroiled in a war which is raging between those
who support public financing with those who would lift the limits
on the amount political parties and individuals may donate.
becoming embroiled in a war which is raging between those
who support public financing with
becoming embroiled in a war raging among those who support
public financing with
to become embroiled in a war raging between those who
support public financing and
to become embroiled in a war which is raging among those
who support public financing and
becoming embroiled in a war raging between those who
support public financing and

17. A result of the recent election is realizing that in this
increasingly urban area, there is now more worry about
crime than health care.
realizing that in this increasingly urban area, there is now
more worry about crime
the realization that in this increasingly urban area, they
now worry more about crime
the realization that in this increasingly urban area, voters
now worry more about crime
a realizing that in this increasingly urban area, there is now
more concern about crime
the realization that in this increasingly urban area,
concerns about crime are greater

18. Antigenic shift refers to the combination of two different strains
of influenza; in contrast, antigenic drift refers to the natural
mutation of a single strain of influenza.
influenza; in contrast, antigenic drift refers to the natural
mutation of a single strain of influenza
influenza, different than the natural mutation of a single strain,
known as antigenic drift
influenza, in contrast to the natural mutation of a single strain,
known as antigenic drift
influenza, different than antigenic drift, which refers to the
natural mutation of a single strain of influenza
influenza; in contrast to antigenic drift, which refers to the
natural mutation of a single strain of influenza

Topic 2: Subject Verb Agreement
With singular With plural subjects,

subjects, use the use the plural verb
singular verb form form
Is Are
Has Have
Was Were
Does Do
Keeps Keep
Goes Go
Runs Run

Every sentence must have a Subject and a Verb.
The subject is the noun that performs the action

expressed by the verb:
The DOG with the gray ears RUNS out of the house.
The subject is dog, and the verb is runs. In every

sentence, the subject and the verb must make logical
sense together. Moreover, the subject and the verb
must agree in number.

Subject and Verb Must Both Exist
If a sentence is missing the subject or the verb, the

sentence is a Fragment: in other words, it is not a
complete sentence!
On the GMAT, an answer choice that makes the

sentence a fragment is wrong.
One way the GMAT disguises the error is by dropping

the verb:
Wrong: The electron named in 1894.
Wait a minute, what about named? Named certainly

looks like a verb.
But in this context, named is NOT a Working Verb, a verb that
can run a sentence by itself.
Of course, we do not mean that the subject (the electron)

actually named anything. Rather, something or someone else did
the naming.
Right: Jack NAMED the electron in 1894.
In this sentence, named is a working verb.
Or we can express the sentence this way:
Right: The electron WAS NAMED in 1894.
In this sentence, the words was named make up the full working
verb.
Within was named, the word named is a Past Participle.

A Past Participle by itself is not a working verb:
The electron named in 1894 is not a sentence.
A sentence can be a fragment in another way: it could start with a

Connecting Word and contain no Main Clause (a clause that could stand
alone as a sentence as is, with its own subject and verb):
Wrong: BECAUSE the dog was never mine.

Wrong: WHICH will be approved tomorrow.
Because and which are connecting words.
These are also known as Subordinators, because they turn the clauses they are
attached to into Subordinate Clauses, which cannot stand by themselves. To fix this
sort of fragment, you either need to attach it to a main clause or drop the
connecting word (and if necessary add some words, as in the second case:
The plan will be approved tomorrow).

Subject and Verb Must Make Sense Together
Wrong: The development of a hydrogen car based on expected

performance parameters will be able to travel hundreds of miles without
refueling.
At first glance, this sentence may seem okay. But be careful:
The development of a hydrogen car ... will be able to travel... ?
Something is wrong. It is not the development that will be able to travel.
We want to say that the hydrogen car itself will be able to travel.
Right: Once developed, a hydrogen CAR based on expected performance

parameters WILL BE able to travel hundreds of miles without refueling.
Make sure that the subject and the verb actually have a sensible
meaning together!

Subject and Verb Must Agree In Number
A singular subject requires a singular verb form:
The dog runs out of the house.
A plural subject requires a plural verb form:
The dogs run out of the house.
Consider this example:
The discovery of new medicines (was/were) vital to the

company's growth.
What is the subject, discovery or new medicines? If you ask yourself "What
is vital to the company's growth?" you may be able to talk yourself into
either choice.
To find the subject, you must ignore all the words that are not the
subject.
Eliminate the clutter
Near Galway, the houses on the road to Spiddle is / are gorgeous.
Near Galway, the HOUSES on the road to Spiddle ARE gorgeous.
When the auditors left, the executive who had been interviewed was /
were glad.
When the auditors left, the EXECUTIVE who had been interviewed WAS
glad.
Limping, the horse once considered one of the favorites was / were taken
away.
LIMPING, the HORSE once considered one of the favorites WAS taken
away.

In the waning days of the emperor's life, the conquest of new lands on the
borders of the empire was / were considered vital.
In the waning days of the emperor's life, the CONQUEST of new lands on
the borders of the empire WAS considered vital.
The tidal forces to which an object falling into a black hole is / are
subjected is / are sufficient to tear the object apart.
The tidal FORCES to which an OBJECT falling into a black hole IS

subjected ARE sufficient to tear the object apart.

And vs. Additive Phrases
The word and can unite two or more singular subjects, forming a
compound plural subject.
Joe AND his friends ARE going to the beach.
Mathematics, history, AND science ARE mandatory high-school subjects.
Many other words and phrases besides and can "add" to a subject.
These words and phrases are called Additive Phrases.
Joe, as well as his friends, IS going to the beach.
Mathematics, in addition to history and science, IS a required subject.

Or, Either ... Or, & Neither ... Nor
In such cases, find the noun nearest to the verb, and make sure that the
verb agrees in number with this noun.
Neither the coach nor the players ARE going to the beach.
Neither the players nor the coach IS going to the beach.
In the first example, the plural subject players is nearest to the verb, so the
verb takes the plural form are. In the second example, the singular subject
coach is nearest to the verb, so the verb takes the singular form is.
CAUTION: Note that when the words EITHER or NEITHER are in a

sentence alone (without OR or NOR), they are considered singular and
take only singular verbs.

Collective Nouns: Almost Always Singular
People: agency, army, audience, class, committee, crowd, orchestra, team
Items: baggage, citrus, equipment, fleet, fruit, furniture
In some rare circumstances, collective nouns can be considered plural (e.g.,

when you emphasize the individual actors, not their unity).
However, on the GMAT, collective nouns are almost always considered

singular and therefore require singular verb forms. Note: in British usage,
many of these nouns are normally considered plural. Not so on the GMAT!
The CROWD in the stands IS cheering loudly as the home TEAM TAKES
the field.
Our ARMY of a hundred thousand soldiers IS attacking the enemy.
Each collective noun (crowd, team, and army) takes a singular verb form.

Indefinite Pronouns: Usually Singular
Pronouns are words that replace other nouns or pronouns. An Indefinite

Pronoun is not specific about the thing to which it refers. Anyone is an
example of an indefinite pronoun. The following indefinite pronouns are
considered singular and require singular verb forms. Note that all the
pronouns that end in -one, -body, or -thing fall into this category.
Anyone, anybody, anything No one, nobody, nothing
Each, every (as pronouns) Someone, somebody, something
Everyone, everybody, everything Whatever, whoever
Either, neither (may require a plural verb if paired with or/nor)

Singular or Plural
There are, however, 5 indefinite pronouns that can be either singular or

plural depending on the context of the sentence. You can remember these
5 by the acronym SANAM.
THE SANAM PRONOUNS: Some, Any, None, All, More / Most
How can you tell if these pronouns are singular or plural?
You should look at the noun object of the Of-phrase to determine the
number of the subject.
Some of the money WAS stolen from my wallet. (MONEY is singular)
Some of the documents WERE stolen from the bank. (DOCUMENTS is

plural)
Technically, none of + plural noun can take either a singular or a plural

verb form.
Each and Every: Singular
The subject of a sentence, EACH' or EVERY requires a singular verb form.

The same is true for any subject preceded by the word each or every:
Right: Every dog HAS paws.

Right: Every dog and cat HAS paws.
Right: Each of these shirts IS pretty.
You may think that the subjects of the second and third sentences are
plural. However, in each case, the subject is preceded by each or every.
Therefore, the subject is considered singular.
Note that each following a subject has no bearing on the verb

form:
They each ARE great tennis players.
Here, the plural subject THEY requires the plural verb form ARE.

Quantity Words and Phrases
The phrase THE NUMBER of takes a singular verb, but A NUMBER of

takes a plural verb.
THE NUMBER of hardworking students in this class IS quite large.
A NUMBER of students in this class ARE hard workers.

Choose the correct option (s)
1. Each of the Femina Miss India (contestants / contestant) (has /

have) long and lustrous hair.
2. This is one of those (book / books) that (was / were) published

last year.
3. Either a slice of toast or eggs (is/are) what I will eat for breakfast.
4. Neither the driver nor the passengers (was/were) aware of the

seat belt law.
5. Each of the five boys (is/are) going to attend.
6. One of my (friend/friends) (is/are) a doctor.
7. Dhoni is one of those cricketers who (does / do) modeling

assignments.

Exercise
8. The feline leukemia virus, characterized by a loss of
appetite, weight loss, poor coat condition, and other
debilitating losses, are rampant among cats on the
island.
9. The Supreme Courts rulings on assisted suicide, which
overturned two previous decisions by a United States
Circuit Court, dictates that any health care official
involved can be held responsible.
10. They each is applying for a job.
11. Each of the five TV channels are going to broadcast the
match.
12. Five TV channels each are going to broadcast the
match.
Exercise
13. Everyday, the scent of apples and cinnamon sticks
permeate throughout the cider mill, causing most
visitors to purchase snacks while on the tour.
14. The number of car accidents involving deer, up

seventeen percent from ten years ago and continuing to
rise throughout the country, have decreased in
Michigans upper peninsula due to the increased use of
car-mounted deer whistles by residents.

Exercise
15. Ernest Hemingway and his contemporaries, all
of whom were authors born at the turn of the
century, was revered for describing the sense of
aimlessness felt by their generation.
16. Once the flight landed, neither the flight

attendants nor the captain, who even tried using
a hammer, were able to open the emergency
exit door.

Exercise
17. At the Springfield Museum of Art, each painting and
sculpture, some purchased for millions of dollars and
others found discarded at garage sales, have their
history displayed on a board beside the piece.
18. At the beginning of the play, each of King Lears

daughtersGoner, Regan, and Corneliaappear to be
jealous, treacherous, and immoral, but it is soon
discovered that Cornelia is virtuous and loyal.

Exercise
19. Because a hive of European honeybees produce much
more honey than the bees can consume, beekeepers
harvest the excess for human consumption.
20. Tear gas, launched in the form of grenades or aerosol

cans, are irritants used by police to calm rioting crowds
and unruly mobs.
21. During the debate, each of the candidatesGeorge

Bush, Bill Clinton, and Ross Perotwas allowed to ask
one question of each of his opponents.

Exercise
22. Bill and Lass believed that if they were coached
every day and dedicated themselves to
practice, their dream of becoming a professional
skater could someday be a reality.
23. Hospitals have always been thought of as a

place for the sick and dying so many people
avoid them, even for preventative medicine.
24. The three Supreme Court Justices appointed by

the current President were judged on their trial
records as an attorney and as an elected judge.
Exercise
25. Despite their cute and cuddly image,
hippopotamusesAfrica's most feared
animalaccount for more human deaths than
any other African creature.
26. In South America and Southern Mexico, a

colony of Driver ants, known for their fiercely
defensive behavior, have been known to kill
immobile livestock, such as tethered cows or
corralled horses.

Lets solve some real
GMAT SVA Questions

1. In comparison with tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone
systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds located
farther from the center, and typically have a less symmetric wind
field.
SAME
with tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a
relatively broad zone of maximum winds located farther from the
center, and typically has
with tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a
relatively broad zone located farther from the center of maximum
winds, and typically have
to tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a
center, and typically have
to tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a
center, and typically has
2. Mathematical analysis of humpback whale
sounds provide evidence that animals other
than humans use a hierarchical structure of
communication.
provide evidence that animals other than
humans
provides evidence that animals other than
humans
provide evidence that an animal other than
humans
provides evidence that an animal other than a
human
provide evidence that animals, like humans,
3. The increase in unemployment rates, coupled with
significantly increased retail prices as well as energy
costs, are forcing many homeowners to look into
alternative sources of fuel in order to save money on
winter heating.
unemployment rates, coupled with significantly
increased retail prices as well as energy costs, are
rates of unemployment, coupled with significant
increases in retail prices and energy costs, have been
unemployment rates, coupled with significant
increases in both retail prices and energy costs, is
unemployment rates, coupled with significantly
increased retail prices as well as energy costs, is
rates of unemployment, coupled with significant
increases in both retail as well as energy costs, had
been

4. Hogarth's engravings, which provide a
vivid portrait of eighteenth-century
London, are of interest to both artists and
historians.
are of interest to both
are interests both for
are both interesting to
is of interest to both
is interesting for both

5. The amount of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like
accidents caused by faulty wiring, has increased significantly
since regulations on manufacturing have been relaxed.
SAME
The amount of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like
those caused by faulty wiring, have increased significantly
since regulations on manufacturing were relaxed.
The number of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like the
number caused by faulty wiring, have increased significantly
The number of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like
accidents caused by faulty wiring, has increased significantly
since regulations on manufacturing had been relaxed.
The number of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like the
number caused by faulty wiring, has increased significantly
6. A higher interest rate is only one of the factors, albeit an
important one, that keeps the housing market from
spiraling out of control, like it did earlier in the decade.
keeps the housing market from spiraling out of control, like
it did
keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, as it
did
keeps the housing market from spiraling out of control, as
it did
keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, like
keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, like
it did

7. The Daughters of the American Revolution, a
volunteer service organization, admits as
members only women who can prove lineal
descent from a patriot of the American Revolution.
admits as members only women who can prove
lineal descent
admit as members only women who can prove
lineal descent
admits as members women who can prove lineal
descent
only admit as members women who can prove
lineal descent
admits as members women who can prove lineal
descent only

SC Type 3 Errors: Verbs

Conditional (if, then) sentences
To indicate realistic future:

Use Present + Future combination
1. If I score 700+, I will apply to Harvard Business School.
Dont write: If I will score 700+, I will apply to Harvard Business
School.
To indicate the could-have-been possible past:

Use Had + Would have combination
2. If I had scored 700+, I would have applied to Harvard Business
School.
OR Had I scored 700+, I would have applied to Harvard Business
School.
Dont write: If I would have scored 700+, I would have applied to
Harvard Business School.

To express wish use WERE
3. I wish he were here.

4. If I were the CEO, I would effect a lot of
changes.
5. He behaves as if he were the boss.
6. She dresses as though she were a
fashion model.
With as if / as though, use WERE.

To express indirect speech
Look at the sentence:
7. He said THAT the college had rusticated
him and his future was dark. WRONG.
We need both these words ... said THAT .......

and THAT ......... the second THAT is
compulsory. So the correct sentence will be:
He said THAT the college had rusticated

him and THAT his future was dark. RIGHT.

Imagining correct sequence of tenses
Consider the sentence:

8. In 1975, Sippy produced a film that became
the biggest blockbuster Indian Cinema has
ever seen till date. WRONG.
In 1975, Sippy produced a film that would

become the biggest blockbuster Indian
Cinema has ever seen till date. RIGHT.

Also, if we look at this sentence,
9. He said, "I will go to New York next week."
In indirect speech, the sentence will

become:
He said that he WOULD go to New York

The Subjunctive
Look at the following sentences. All are considered
Grammatically correct. Though, seemingly, all might
look absolutely WRONG.
10. The Supreme Court decreed that he take charge of the situation.
11. Ann suggested that he go to the Chinese restaurant.
12. I insist that she be quiet.
13. I suggest that he study.
14. Is it essential that Tanya be there?
15. Don recommended that John join the committee.
16. He often asks that she bring a tape recorder to the interview
sessions.
17. I propose that Amy apologize to Mark, and we forget this ever
happened.
Contd
18. Alexandra never insists that Michael call her after a date,
but he does anyway.
19. The attorney proposed that the session be adjourned until
the following day.
20. I insist that the chairman resign!
21. Their main demand was that the lawsuit be dropped.
22. We insist that he do the job properly.
23. The committee proposes that she be appointed treasurer
immediately.
24. It is essential that we be informed of your plans.
25. It is crucial that he be there before Tom arrives.
26. It is important that she attend the meeting.
27. It is recommended that he take a gallon of water with him if
he wants to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Verbs Followed by the Subjunctive
The structure is:
Verb + that + the BASE form of the verb or BE
Ordered
to advise
Mandatory
to ask
to command Ruled
to demand Authorized
to desire Condition
to insist Imperative
to propose
Important
to recommend
to request Required
to suggest Proposed
to urge Necessary
demand

VERB TENSES

Past Tense various situations
Only one action in the past:

Written in PAST SIMPLE (second form
of the verb without HAD):
28.I watched a movie yesterday. NOT HAD
WATCHED.
29.At a recent conference, the minister
said NOT HAD SAID.
30.India progressed throughout the 20th
century NOT HAD PROGRESSED.

Two actions in the past

(happening simultaneously):
Both written in PAST SIMPLE (second
form of the verb without HAD):
31.While he slept, I studied.
32.When he came, I left.

Two actions in the past (happening one
after the other):
The earlier action is written in PAST PERFECT
(HAD + third form of the verb) and the later action is
written is PAST SIMPLE (second form of the verb
without HAD):
33. The flight had taken off before I reached the airport.
34. The patient had died before the doctor reached.
35. I had had (eaten) my dinner before the phone rang
etc.

Present Tense Various Situations
To show a trend:
Use Present simple
36. These days, Indian cricketers spend a lot of their
time endorsing products. NOT ARE
SPENDING.
37. As per a recent study, men show more

vulnerability to psychosomatic disorders than
women. NOT ARE SHOWING.

To show something that has just

finished:
Use Present perfect
38. It has rained for 3 hours.
39. India has become a strong economy.
40. He has got a raise in salary.

To show something that has been

continuing for some time:
Use Present perfect continuous
41. It has been raining for 3 hours.
42. I have been studying since 3 pm.
43. Property values have been rising for a decade
now.
44. I have been going to the gym since 1999.

Never put an adverb between to and
verb
45. WRONG: He asked me to quickly give
my opinion.
46. WRONG: Commodity prices can cause
inflation to suddenly rise.
Right: He asked me to give my opinion

quickly.
Right: Commodity prices can cause
inflation to rise suddenly.
Active V/s Passive
RULE: Prefer the ACTIVE VOICE, unless

the meaning of the sentence specifically
demands the PASSIVE VOICE.
So, meaning clarity is to be checked before
deciding upon ACTIVE V/s PASSIVE.

Mixed-bag Questions
on VERBS

1. The architect proposed that supplies for the new wing of
the hospital, which hospital administrators hoped to open
by the end of the year, will be procured from local
providers.
A. Same
B. that supplies for the hospitals new wing, which hospital
administrators hope to be opened by the end of the year,
be
C. that the hospitals new wings supplies, which hospital
administrators hope to be opened by years end, might
be
D. that supplies for the new wing of the hospital, which
hospital administrators hope to be open by the end of the
year, were
E. that supplies for the hospitals new wing, which hospital
administrators hope to open by the end of the year, be

2. If the new department store would open by
Thanksgiving, it will be attracting many holiday
shoppers.
A. would open by Thanksgiving, it will be attracting
B. would be opened by Thanksgiving, it would be
able to attract
C. was opening by Thanksgiving, it would be able
to attract
D. was to open by Thanksgiving, it also will attract
E. opens before Thanksgiving, it will attract

3. With government funding for the arts
dwindling, even major orchestras would
feel the pressure of trying to meet their
payroll and travel costs over the past
several years.
A. would feel
B. will feel
C. have felt
D. feel
E. are feeling

4. Many analysts have recently predicted that
democratic institutions will develop in China, as
the growth of democracy has generally followed
industrial development in other countries
throughout the 20th century.
A. has generally followed industrial development
B. generally followed industrial development
C. had generally followed industrial development
D. generally follows industrial development
E. followed general industrial development

5. Although he resisted the assignment, T. E. Lawrence, later known
as Lawrence of Arabia, successfully led an Arab uprising against
the Ottoman Empire.
Although he resisted the assignment, T. E. Lawrence, later known
as Lawrence of Arabia, successfully led an Arab uprising against
the Ottoman Empire.
Although he had resisted the assignment, T. E. Lawrence, later
known as Lawrence of Arabia, successfully led an Arab uprising
against the Ottoman Empire.
Although he resisted the assignment, T. E. Lawrence, later known
as Lawrence of Arabia, had successfully led an Arab uprising
against the Ottoman Empire.
Although he had resisted the assignment, Lawrence of Arabia, who
successfully led an Arab uprising against the Ottoman Empire, was
earlier known as T. E. Lawrence.
T. E. Lawrence, later known as Lawrence of Arabia, successfully
led an Arab uprising against the Ottoman Empire, although they
had resisted the assignment.

6. A recent and popular self-help book wryly notes
that if adolescence was not so painful, it would
have a droll comedic aspect, at least in
retrospect.
A. was not so painful, it
B. was not so painful, they
C. were not so painful, they
D. were not so painful, it
E. were not so painful, being one

7. In the wake of several serious cases of mercury
poisoning caused by tainted fish, the state government
ordered that all lakes and streams should be tested for
mercury levels.
A. all lakes and streams should be tested for mercury
levels
B. all lakes and streams should have their mercury levels
tested
C. the mercury levels be tested for all lakes and streams
D. the mercury levels of all lakes and streams should be
tested
E. the mercury levels of all lakes and streams be tested

8. While the stock market was bouncing back from its 2002
low, U.S. families are still reeling from the recent
recession; between 2001 to 2004, typical household
savings plummeted nearly 25% and the median
household debt rose by a third.
A. was bouncing back from its 2002 low, U.S. families are
still reeling from the recent recession; between
B. bounced back from its 2002 low, U.S. families are still
reeling from the recent recession, from
C. has bounced back from its 2002 low, U.S. families are
still reeling from the recent recession; between
D. has bounced back from its 2002 low, U.S. families are
still reeling from the recent recession; from
E. bounced back from its 2002 low, U.S. families are still
reeling from the recent recession; from
9. The recent global boom in the market price for scrap steel and
aluminum leads to a sudden rise in the theft of everyday metal
objects like manhole covers, guard rails, and empty beer kegs.
A. leads to a sudden rise in the theft of everyday metal objects like
manhole covers, guard rails, and empty beer kegs
B. have led to a sudden rise in the theft of everyday objects such as
C. has led to a sudden increase in the number of thieves for everyday
metal objects like manhole covers, guard rails, and empty beer
kegs
D. has led to a sudden rise in the theft of everyday metal objects such
as manhole covers, guard rails, and empty beer kegs
E. is leading the suddenly rising theft of everyday metal objects:

10. Rust can deteriorate a steel pipe to such an
extent that it will snap easily, as though it was a
twig.
A. will snap easily, as though it was a twig
B. will snap easily, like a twig does
C. will snap easily, as though it is a twig
D. might snap easily, as though it was a twig
E. will snap easily, as though it were a twig

11. Until Antoine Lavoisier proved otherwise in the eighteenth century,
many scientists had believed that combustion released phlogiston,
an imaginary substance whose properties were not fully
understood.
A. many scientists had believed that combustion released phlogiston,
an imaginary substance whose properties were not fully understood
B. many scientists believed that phlogiston was an imaginary
substance released by combustion and its properties were not fully
understood
C. phlogiston was an imaginary substance whose properties were not
fully understood and which many scientists had believed was
released by combustion
D. phlogiston, an imaginary substance whose properties were not fully
understood, was believed by scientists to be released by
combustion
E. many scientists had believed that phlogiston was released by
combustion and was an imaginary substance whose properties
were not fully understood

12. Aerugo, also known as verdigris, is the green "bloom"
visible on many copper items, and is produced, like iron
rust, over the course of time by the exposure of the
metal to the oxygen in the atmosphere.
A. visible on many copper items, and is produced
B. that is visible on many copper items, and which
produces
C. visible on many copper items, and produces
D. that is visible on many copper items, and that produces
E. which is visible on many copper items, and which is
produced

13. Though most paper currency was at one time
backed by fixed assets such as gold or silver, it
now derives its purchasing power from a
declaratory fiat of the issuing government.
A. was at one time backed by
B. had at one time been backed by
C. was at one time backing
D. had at one time backed
E. has at one time been backed by

SC Type 4 Errors: Pronouns

Pronouns
The following are the pronouns errors typically tested on
GMAT-SC.
Pronoun Agreement (singular / plural)
Pronoun Ambiguity / Reference / Antecedent (WHICH/IT/THEY)
Implied Reference (to a full clause, verb or expression)
Possessive Pronouns
Pronoun Case
Pronoun Position

Pronoun Agreement
1. When a person calls take down THEIR information.
2. Everyone here will need THEIR own pencil.
3. Some people believe that the benefits of a healthy diet

outweigh that of regular exercise.
4. If one is hungry, he may eat.
5. Meg left all her class notes at school because she

decided that she could do her homework without it.
Pronoun Agreement
6. While the definition of Generation X is hotly debated
concerning the age ranges of its members, culturists
generally agree that they describe a group of adults
that are self-focused, cynical, and skeptical.
7. With the release of their fifth album, Hotel California,

the band explored the pursuit of the American dream
when accompanied by the loss of innocence and the
presence of temptations.

Pronoun Agreement
8. Counting each of the nine planets and their many
moons, there are 162 known and accepted celestial
bodies in our solar system.
9. The bank has offered so many convenient services,

such as checking by phone and online banking, that
many of their customers no longer visit the bank.
10. After Ben Franklin returned from his visit to the

Iroquois Nation, the founding fathers created a
constitution that resembled those of the Native
Americans.

Pronoun Agreement
11. During the charity auction, the organization
collected over two hundred thousand dollars,
nearly twice as much as they expected.
12. Because her mother was unable to support a

family, Marilyn Monroe spent the first eleven
years of her life with a couple who became
foster parents to supplement their income.
13. Jim may not be elected CEO by the board

because he does not meet their standards.
Pronoun Agreement
14. Hippies, rebellious youth of the 1960s and

1970s, expressed their desire for pacifism and
tolerance through peace movements, which
included marches and protests.
15. Upon hearing of the chairman's illness, the

committee motioned to postpone their next
meeting until after he was released from the
hospital.

Pronoun Reference
16. Ill position the target, and when I

nod my head, shoot at it.

Pronoun Reference
Ohhh, nooo!

Pronouns Reference / Ambiguity
17. If the baby does not thrive on fresh milk, it should be

boiled.
18. Mother told Ann that her skirt is too short.
19. At Ivy-GMAT, they provide a great deal of practice on
computer.
20. The team's poor sportsmanship made all of them look
like whiners.
21. The parents tried to explain the risks involved in hitch
hiking, but it was useless.
22. After interviewing several nurses, I realised that it was
not the career for me.

23. Student admissions to Business school are not
accepted solely based on their GMAT scores;
other considerations include their
undergraduate grade point averages,
extracurricular activities and work experience.
24. A manatee differs from its relative, the dugong,

in both size and shape; the largest difference is
the dugongs tail, which is forked, unlike their
paddle-shaped tail.
25. Last night on the news, they said pilot error

caused the air show collision.
26. By adding a value menu and allowing
customers to choose side orders such as
salads and baked potatoes, Wendys has not
only lured customers away from Burger King
and McDonalds, but has enticed them to
choose fast-food over meals prepared by finer
dining establishments.
27. From 1995 to 1999, the posted speed limit on

Montana's highways was reasonable and
prudent, meaning their drivers could travel at
speeds in excess of 80 mph when road
conditions were good.

Implied reference
28. Susan has changed her major twice this semester.
This might mean she is unsure of her career goal.
29. When John finally proposed, it was only because he

had learned of her inheritance.
30. The storm lasted all weekend long, which made us feel
depressed.
31. You didnt return any of his calls. This made him feel
that you dont care.

Implied reference
32. While most Americans have heard of and used
Microsoft products, few people know that its
name is actually short for microcomputer
software.
33. During World War II, the French strategy for

protection was a wall of staggered forts and
lookout points called the Maginot Line, but its
weakest section ultimately led to their invasion.

Special Construction
34. Real Estate analysts have found that home

prices have nearly doubled in the last ten
years in the Southern California market, which
is consistent with the increases in population
and inflation there.

Imagine the statement:
35. We like meeting people having different interests.
Here, it is not clear whether we have different

interests or people One way to correct this
is:
We like meeting people who have different

interests.

The statement
36. We test-drove a car having engine trouble. could

be better written as:
We test-drove a car that had engine trouble.

37. When your kids reach a certain age, you must prepare
to talk to them about marriage, even if youve never
done it before.
38. The company, known for its benevolence and

community-involvement, has donated over $100,000 to
charity over the last twenty years and will continue to do
it as long as it is financially able.

Pronoun Case
39. He runs faster than (I / me).
40. He is older than (I/me)
41. The cat licked (its / its) tail.
42. This is to be kept between you and (I / me).
43. Let Raju and (I / me) enter the room.
44. Doctor, My child and (I / me) would like to visit you
tomorrow, said the lady over the phone.

Pronoun Case
45. Janice and ME went on a picnic together.
46. The picnic was attended by Janice and I.
47. WHO are you going to marry?
48. Who are you going to take to the movies?
49. I dont understand why me and Bob always have to

take out the garbage.

Pronoun Case
50. The manager yelled at the umpire, whom had

called the pitch a strike, before throwing first
base into the dugout.
51. NASA has agreed to send one American

astronaut to the International Space Station for
a six month experiment, although who it will
send has yet to be determined.

Possessive Pronoun
52. Janes first novel was so well received that she thought
of writing its sequel.
53. Janes first novel was so well received that her bank
balance soared.
54. Janes first novel was so well received that the

publisher thought of giving her an additional royalty of
10%, lending credence to the fact that her subsequent
writings could be even more passionate.
55. Janes first novel was so well received that her

skeptical husband also started appreciating her writing
style.
Possessive Pronoun
56. Kathys suitcase was so stuffed that she decided to
pack another one.
57. The students work improved over the course of the

semester, and they should be commended for it.
58. The players helmets need to be repainted so that they

will be ready to be used at practice on Sunday.
59. Samanthas face looked blurry in the photo, but I could

tell she wasnt smiling.

Possessive Pronoun
60. Marco Polos travels, which took him over seventeen
years, are documented in his book, Il Milione.
61. Although I own the bands album, I have never seen it

in concert.
62. Jose's room is so messy that HIS mother calls HIM a

pig.

Placing of pronoun
63. We finally chose the coffee table towards the back of
the store, which we thought would complement our
living room furniture.
64. At the end of the day, the chaperones took the fourth
graders back to school, who were exhausted from
running after the children.
65. We finally returned all the books to the library, which

we left at the front desk.

Pronoun Mixed-bag
Questions

1. In the small, closed Bedouin world, in which secrets are hard to
keep, there is the danger of stigmatizing a carrier and their
families, subsequently lowering their chances for marriage
should word get out that a genetic disease runs in her family.
in which secrets are hard to keep, there is the danger of stigmatizing
a carrier and their families, subsequently lowering their
a carrier and her family, subsequently lowering her
which secrets are hard to keep, there is the danger of stigmatizing a
carrier and her family, subsequently lowering her
a carrier and her families, subsequently lowering her
which secrets are hard to keep, there is the danger of stigmatizing
carriers and their families, subsequently lowering their

2. The Confederate general Stonewall Jackson led a feared army
that idolized him; they all mourned his ironic death from
friendly fire.
him; they all mourned his
him; they mourned his
him; it mourned his
him; it mourned their
him, it mourned his

3. The lawyers for the patent holder pressed the federal judge to
impose an injunction against the hardware manufacturer,
arguing that they should take immediate action in order to
prevent further economic damages against their client.
they should take immediate action in order to prevent further
economic damages against their client
the judge act immediately in order to prevent the client from
suffering further damages of an economic nature
they should act immediately to prevent further economic
damages being suffered by the client
the judge act immediately in order to prevent them from
suffering economic damages further
immediate action should be taken to prevent their client from
suffering further economic damages

4. As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a
rudimentary sense of vision, it would be rated about 20/500, or
legally blind if it were an adult with such vision.
As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a
rudimentary sense of vision, it would be rated about 20/500, or
legally blind if it were an adult with such vision.
A baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary
sense of vision that would be rated about 20/500, or legally blind as
an adult
As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb, its rudimentary
sense of vision would be rated about 20/500; qualifying it to be
legally blind if an adult
A baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary
sense of vision that would be rated about 20/500; an adult with such
vision would be deemed legally blind.
As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb, its rudimentary
sense of vision, which would deemed legally blind for an adult,
would be rated about 20/500.
5. When housing prices climb too quickly, the Federal Reserve
often responds by raising the key interest rate, which has the
curious effect of actually lowering housing prices instead of
raise them, as one might expect.
SAME
an action that has the curious effect of actually lowering
housing prices rather than raising them
which has the curious effect of actually lowering housing prices
instead of raising them
which rather than raising housing prices actually has the
curious effect of lowering them
an action that has the curious effect of actually lowering
housing prices instead of raise them

6. Scientists have observed large concentrations of heavy-
metal deposits in the upper twenty centimeters of Baltic
Sea sediments, which are consistent with the growth of
industrial activity there.
Baltic Sea sediments, which are consistent with the
growth of industrial activity there
Baltic Sea sediments, where the growth of industrial
activity is consistent with these findings
Baltic Sea sediments, findings consistent with its growth
of industrial activity
sediments from the Baltic Sea, findings consistent with
the growth of industrial activity in the area
sediments from the Baltic Sea, consistent with the
growth of industrial activity there

7. During and immediately after the California gold rush, the
way for a merchant to generate the most profit was to
move a limited amount of scarce goods to San Francisco
as quickly as possible, rather than to carry larger loads
more slowly, determining the design of the clipper ship.
to carry larger loads more slowly, determining
to carry larger loads more slowly, a situation that
determined
carry larger loads more slowly, which determined
slowly carry larger loads which determined
carrying larger loads more slowly, and this was a situation
in determining

8. Analysts blamed May's sluggish retail sales on
unexciting merchandise as well as the weather, colder
and wetter than was usual in some regions, which
slowed sales of barbecue grills and lawn furniture.
colder and wetter than was usual in some regions, which
slowed
which was colder and wetter than usual in some regions,
slowing
since it was colder and wetter than usually in some
regions, which slowed
being colder and wetter than usually in some regions,
slowing
having been colder and wetter than was usual in some
regions and slowed

9. Residents of affected coastal cities continue to lobby for
funds and request supplies to aid them in recovering from
oil spills occurring more than a decade ago.
in recovering from oil spills occurring more than a decade
ago
to recover from oil spills that had occurred more than a
decade ago
in recovery of oil spills that occurred more than a decade
ago
in recovering from oil spills having occurred more than a
decade ago
in recovering from oil spills that occurred more than a
decade ago

10. In June of 1987, The Bridge of Trinquetaille,
Vincent van Gogh's view of an iron bridge over
the Rhone sold for $20.2 million and it was the
second highest price ever paid for a painting at
auction.
Rhone sold for $20.2 million and it was
Rhone, which sold for $20.2 million, was
Rhone, was sold for $20.2 million,
Rhone was sold for $20.2 million, being
Rhone, sold for $20.2 million, and was

11. The cameras of the Voyager II spacecraft detected six
small, previously unseen moons circling Uranus, which
doubles to twelve the number of satellites now known as
orbiting the distant planet.
which doubles to twelve the number of satellites now
known as orbiting
doubling to twelve the number of satellites now known to
orbit
known in orbit around
doubling to twelve the number of satellites now known as
orbiting
known that orbit

12. In theory, international civil servants at the United
Nations are prohibited from continuing to draw salaries
from their own governments; in practice, however, some
governments merely substitute living allowances for their
employees' paychecks, assigned by them to the United
Nations.
for their employees' paychecks, assigned by them
for the paychecks of their employees who have been
assigned
for the paychecks of their employees, having been
assigned
in place of their employees' paychecks, for those of them
assigned
in place of the paychecks of their employees to have
been assigned by them
13. Agatha Christie's travels with her archaeologist husband
inspired her to write several mystery novels; travelers to Egypt
can still stay at the Old Cataract Hotel, the model for the hotel
in one of Christie's most famous books.
Agatha Christie's travels with her archaeologist husband
inspired her to write several mystery novels
Agatha Christie used her travels with her archaeologist
husband to inspire several mystery novels
Because her husband was an archaeologist, Agatha Christie
was able to use their travels as inspiration for several of her
mystery novels
Together with her archaeologist husband, Agatha Christie was
inspired to incorporate their travel into several of her mystery
novels
Agatha Christie's travels with her archaeologist husband served
as inspiration for several of her mystery novels
14. Created in 1731, Anders Celsius original thermometer had a scale where
the value of 0 corresponded to the boiling point of water; after he died in
1744 the scale was reversed to its present form.
in 1731, Anders Celsius original thermometer had a scale where the value
of 0 corresponded to the boiling point of water; after he died in 1744 the
scale was reversed to its present form.
in 1731, Anders Celsius original thermometer had a scale in which the value
of 0 corresponded to the boiling point of water; after his death in 1744 the
in 1731, Anders Celsius original thermometer had a scale in which the value
of 0 corresponded to the boiling point of water; after he died in 1744 the
by Anders Celsius in 1731, his original thermometer had a scale in which the
value of 0 corresponded to the boiling point of water; reversing the scale to
its present form after his death in 1744.
by Anders Celsius in 1731, his original thermometer had a scale where the
value of 0 corresponded to the boiling point of water; after his death in 1744
the scale reversed to its present form.

SC Type 5 Errors: Comparisons

Illogical Comparisons (Apples
and Oranges)
1. The damage done by the flood was
worse than the fire.
2. The girl's teeth were prettier than the
boy.
3. Education Hall is older than any building
on campus.
Watch out for Comparison Signals
Like As good as / As much

Unlike as etc.
Likening Compared to / with
More than / greater In contrast with / to
than / less than etc. Just as so
Different from Like V/s As
Same as/that Like V/s Such as
AS Like V/s As if

Parallelism rules here too
When LIKE, UNLIKE, THAN, Same as,

Compared with, In contrast with etc. are
used, the 2 sides must be parallel.

Comparison Words Parallelism
4. Like birds, wings have evolved in some

mammals.
5. Like most desks at work, Spence has his
laden with pictures of his family.
6. Like a woman I once met on the bus, the
hostess attire was somewhat
flamboyant.

7. While the company insists that its starting

salary for a man working in the executive
branch of the organization be the same as
a woman in equal capacity, the watchdog
group found a significant gender wage
gap.

8.The sixth Harry Potter book, by British

author J.K. Rowling, sold a record 8.9
million copies in the first 24 hours it was
on salemore than any author till date.
9.Frank's build, like his brother, is extremely

broad and muscular.

Clause || clause comparison
10. The blue dress looks more flattering on you than the red one.
11. Three times more students attended the prom this year than
last year.
12. Covering the floors with tiles costs twice as much as

linoleum.
13. The tycoon contributed more to the candidates campaign

than anyone else in the industry.
14. Sam was away on vacation longer than his friends.

Two or more
While comparing 2, use the comparative form greater,
better, worse
While comparing more than 2 (3 or more than 3), use the

superlative form greatest, best, worst

More examples
15. Mary is the wealthier of the three musicians.
16. In many respects, George Bush and George W. Bush

had the same political agenda, but the younger Bush,
who was able to pass more legislation, had the most
cooperative Congress.
17. Completed sometime between 480 and 450 B.C., the

play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles is much more
foreboding than sixteenth century William
Shakespeare.

Usage of Just as so / as if
18. Just LIKE swimming is good exercise, skiing is a

great way to burn calories.
19. It seems like the St. Louis Cardinals are going to

lose again.

Like V/s As
When comparing When comparing Actions,
NOUNS, use like trends, use as
Like cant be followed by As has to be followed by
a VERB. a VERB or a Preposition
20. WRONG: Like I said Right: As I said earlier
earlier Right: Bella and June, like
21. WRONG: Bella and June, AS their mother Stacy, are
their mother Stacy, are extremely smart.
extremely smart. RIGHT: Speak as an
22. RIGHT: Speak like an American does.
American. WRONG: Speak as an
23. Wrong: Speak like an American.
American does.

Exercise (Like V/s As)
24. I look as my brother.
25. As a detective, Andrea solved the puzzle.
26. The fountain sounds as a bubbling brook.
27. Like I mentioned earlier, the test date has been moved
up.
28. My dog is very skittish, like you might expect a rescued

animal to be.
Exercise (Like V/s As)
29. The sliding roof closes as a dome.
30. As with other children in her neighborhood who were home-schooled,

Joan sometimes missed being in a classroom with her peers.
31. 2006, like 2005, was a prosperous year.
32. As in 2005, property values rose in 2006 as well.
33. In the final innings he played like a champion.
34. Owning a car is still Dans goal, like that of his parents when they were
his age.

Like V/s Such as
Like is used to highlight. The particular noun is

essential.
35. Animals like lions and zebras live on the Plain.
Such as is used to give examples. The particular

noun is replaceable.
36. Animals such as lions and zebras live on the
Plain.

37. According to a survey conducted by the school administration,
incoming seniors planning to attend college prefer not only
rigorous courses, like honors and advanced placement
courses, to those that require less work, but also science and
math courses to those in the humanities.
38. It was not long after the 1930s commenced that baritone
singers like Bing Crosby and Russ Columbo contributed to the
popularization of a type of romantic, soothing singing that came
to be called crooning.

1. Unlike Mozart, whose funeral was sparsely attended being buried in an
unmarked common grave, Beethovens was attended by more than thirty-
thousand mourners and his final resting place lies in a famous Vienna
cemetery near the graves of Schubert and Brahms.
A. SAME
B. being buried in an unmarked common grave, Beethovens funeral was
attended by about thirty-thousand mourners and his final resting place
was near the graves of Schubert and Brahms in a famous Vienna
cemetery
C. and he was buried in an unmarked common grave, Beethoven was given
a funeral attended by more than thirty-thousand mourners and his final
resting place lies near the graves of Schubert and Brahms in a famous
Vienna cemetery
D. and who was buried in an unmarked common grave, Beethovens funeral
was attended by more than thirty-thousand mourners and his final resting
place lies in a famous Vienna cemetery near the graves of Schubert and
Brahms
E. and who was buried in an unmarked common grave, Beethoven was
given a funeral attended by more than thirty-thousand mourners and lies
buried near the graves of Schubert and Brahms in a famous Vienna
cemetery
2. Based on recent box office receipts, the public's
appetite for documentary films, like nonfiction books,
seems to be on the rise.
A. like nonfiction books
B. as nonfiction books
C. as its interest in nonfiction books
D. like their interest in nonfiction books
E. like its interest in nonfiction books

3. More than thirty years ago Dr. Barbara McClintock, the
Nobel Prize winner, reported that genes can "jump," as
pearls moving mysteriously from one necklace to
another.
A. as pearls moving mysteriously from one necklace to
another
B. like pearls moving mysteriously from one necklace to
another
C. as pearls do that move mysteriously from one
necklace to others
D. like pearls do that move mysteriously from one
necklace to others
E. as do pearls that move mysteriously from one
necklace to some other one

4. Archaeologists have shown that ingesting lead in
drinking water was a significant health hazard for the
ancient Romans, like that of modern Americans.
A. like that of modern Americans
B. as that for modern Americans
C. just as modern Americans do
D. as do modern Americans
E. as it is for modern Americans

5. Like many of his contemporaries did, Bob Dylan
wrote songs that became anthems for a generation
of antiwar activists.
A. Like many of his contemporaries did, Bob Dylan
wrote songs
B. Bob Dylan wrote songs like many of his
contemporaries
C. As did many of his contemporaries, Bob Dylan wrote
songs
D. Like the songs of his contemporaries, Bob Dylan
wrote songs
E. As did many of Bob Dylans contemporaries, he
wrote songs
6. Proponents of artificial intelligence say they will be able to make
computers that can understand English and other human languages,
recognize objects, and reason as an expert doescomputers that will be
used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize
a loan, or other purposes such as these.
A. as an expert doescomputers that will be used to diagnose equipment
breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes
such as these
B. as an expert does, which may be used for purposes such as diagnosing
equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan
C. like an expertcomputers that will be used for such purposes as
diagnosing equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a
loan
D. like an expert, the use of which would be for purposes like the diagnosis
of equipment breakdowns or the decision whether or not a loan should
be authorized
E. like an expert, to be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding
whether to authorize a loan or not, or the like

7. During the rule of Emperor Claudius, which was known for his
military expeditions against the German tribes of the Chauci
and Catti, the population of ancient Rome exceeded any city
in the Roman Empire.
A. SAME
B. known for his military expeditions against the German tribes
of the Chauci and Catti, the population of ancient Rome was
exceeded by no other
C. known for his military expeditions against the German tribes
of the Chauci and Catti, the population of ancient Rome
exceeded that of any
D. known for his military expeditions against the German tribes
of the Chauci and Catti, ancient Rome exceeded any
E. known for his military expeditions against the German tribes
of the Chauci and Catti, the population of ancient Rome
exceeded that of any other
8. Studies of test scores show that watching
television has a markedly positive effect on
children whose parents speak English as a
second language, as compared to those who
are native English speakers.
A. to those who are
B. with children who are
C. with
D. to those whose parents are
E. with children whose parents are
9. While Jackie Robinson was a Brooklyn
Dodger, his courage in the face of physical
threats and verbal attacks was not unlike that
of Rosa Parks, who refused to move to the
back of a bus in Montgomery, Alabama.
A. not unlike that of Rosa Parks, who refused
B. not unlike Rosa Parks, who refused
C. like Rosa Parks and her refusal
D. like that of Rosa Parks for refusing
E. as that of Rosa Parks, who refused

10. Teratomas are unusual forms of cancer because they
are composed of tissues such as tooth and bone not
normally found in the organ in which the tumor
appears.
A. because they are composed of tissues such as tooth
and bone
B. because they are composed of tissues like tooth and
bone that are
C. because they are composed of tissues, like tooth and
bone, tissues
D. in that their composition, tissues such as tooth and
bone, is
E. in that they are composed of tissues such as tooth and
bone, tissues
11. As business grows more complex, students majoring
in specialized areas like those of finance and
marketing have been becoming increasingly
successful in the job market.
A. majoring in specialized areas like those of finance and
marketing have been becoming increasingly
B. who major in such specialized areas as finance and
marketing are becoming more and more
C. who majored in specialized areas such as those of
finance and marketing are being increasingly
D. who major in specialized areas like those of finance
and marketing have been becoming more and more
E. having majored in such specialized areas as finance
and marketing are being increasingly

SC Error Type 6: MODIFIERS
Focus on the following sentences:
1. Using the latest technology, the mechanical problem was
identified quickly.
2. Upon leaving the counter, the cashier handed the customer a
receipt.
3. Locked in a vault for 50 years, the owner of the coins decided
to sell them.
4. Sailing up the river, the Statue of Liberty was seen.
5. Walking back from the village, my wallet was lost.
6. At the age of twenty, my father let me drive his car.
7. Unskilled in complex math, Bill's score on the entrance exam
was poor.

So the rule is:
After the comma, have the subject of the preceding

part of the sentence
As we can see, this error is called MODIFIER as it

modifies (changes) the intended meaning of the
sentence.
The meaning of the sentence can also be affected by

the placement of a word or a group of words. E.g.,

Lets see these sentences
8. Two cars were reported stolen by the police
yesterday.
9. Do not sit in the chair without being fully assembled.
10. The patient was referred to a psychologist with
several emotional problems.
11. The store sold inflatable childrens toys.
12. We provide restrooms for ladies that are clean and
comfortable.
13. I lost my hat running down the street.

1. Although covered in about 11 inches of snow,
aviation officials said that conditions on the runway
at the time of the emergency landing was
acceptable.
A. SAME
B. the runway conditions during the emergency landing
were acceptable according to aviation officials
C. according to aviation officials, the runway was in
acceptable condition during the time of the
emergency landing
D. the runway was in acceptable condition during the
emergency landing, according to aviation officials
E. aviation officials said that conditions on the runway
at the time of the emergency landing were
acceptable
2. Discouraged by new data that show increases in toxic
emissions from domestic factories, searches for alternative
investment opportunities are being conducted by
shareholders of the nations leading manufacturing
companies.
A. SAME
B. searches are being conducted by shareholders of the nations
leading manufacturing companies who are looking for
alternative investment opportunities
C. shareholders of the nations leading manufacturing
companies had begun searching for investment opportunities
outside of the manufacturing industry
D. the nations leading manufacturing companies are searching
for alternative investment opportunities for its shareholders
E. shareholders of the nations leading manufacturing
companies are searching for alternative investment
opportunities
3. Hailed as a key discovery in the science of evolution,
the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a
fish and a land-animal provide evidence of a possible
link in the evolutionary chain from water-based to land-
based organisms.
A. the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a
fish and a land-animal provide evidence of
B. a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a
land-animal provides fossils that are evidence
C. a large scaly creature, whose fossils resemble both a
fish and a land-animal, provides evidence of
D. the fossils of a large scaly creature, which resembles
both a fish and a land-animal, provides evidence of
E. the fossils of a large scaly creature resemble both a
fish and a land-animal and provide evidence of
4. By applying optimization techniques commonly used to plan
operations, it is possible to determine how much effort ought to be
devoted to each of a companys products in order to meet its goals in
both the short and long terms.
A. SAME
B. a companys managers can determine how much effort should be
dedicated to each of the companys products in order to meet its short
and long term goals
C. it can be determined by company managers how much effort ought to
be devoted to each of the companys products in order to meet its
goals, both short and long term
D. it may be possible for company managers to determine how much
effort should be dedicated to each of these products in order to meet
the companys short and long term goals
E. managers at a company can determine how much effort ought to be
dedicated to each of these products in order to meet the companys
goals in both the short and long term

5. In order to properly evaluate a patients state of mind and gain
informed consent prior to surgery, a substantial period of time must
be spent with the operating physician by the patient to become fully
aware of the pros and cons of undergoing a surgical procedure.
A. SAME
B. the operating physician and the patient must spend a substantial
amount of time together, thus ensuring full awareness of the pros
and cons of undergoing the surgical procedure
C. the patient must spend a substantial amount of time with his or her
operating physician, thus ensuring that he or she has been made
fully aware of the pros and cons of undergoing the surgical
procedure
D. the operating physician must spend a substantial amount of time
with the patient, thus ensuring that the patient is fully aware of the
pros and cons of accepting the undergoing procedure
E. the operating physician must ensure that he or she is fully aware of
the pros and cons of undergoing a surgical procedure by spending
a substantial amount of time with the patient

6. Based on accounts of various ancient writers,
scholars have painted a sketchy picture of the
activities of an all-female cult that, perhaps as early
as the sixth century B.C., worshipped a goddess
known in Latin as Bona Dea, "the good goddess."
A. Based on accounts of various ancient writers
B. Basing it on various ancient writers' accounts
C. With accounts of various ancient writers used for a
basis
D. By the accounts of various ancient writers they used
E. Using accounts of various ancient writers

7. Architects and stonemasons, huge palace and temple
clusters were built by the Maya without benefit of the wheel or
animal transport.
A. huge palace and temple clusters were built by the Maya
without benefit of the wheel or animal transport
B. without the benefits of animal transport or the wheel, huge
palace and temple clusters were built by the Maya
C. the Maya built huge palace and temple clusters without the
benefit of animal transport or the wheel
D. there were built, without the benefit of the wheel or animal
transport, huge palace and temple clusters by the Maya
E. were the Maya who, without the benefit of the wheel or
animal transport, built huge palace and temple clusters

8. The physicist Richard Feynman presented a comprehensive
introduction to modern physics designed for undergraduate students
in a two-year course.
A. SAME
B. For undergraduate students, the physicist Richard Feynman
presented a two-year course, being a comprehensive introduction to
modern physics.
C. A comprehensive introduction was in a two-year course by the
physicist Richard Feynman presenting to undergraduate students an
introduction to modern physics.
D. Presenting a comprehensive introduction, the physicist Richard
Feynman introduced modern physics in a two-year course designed
for undergraduate students.
E. In a two-year course designed for undergraduate students, the
physicist Richard Feynman presented a comprehensive introduction
to modern physics.

SC Topic 7: Miscellaneous Errors
Idioms / Prepositions
Quantity (Numerical) Expressions
Adjective V/s Adverb
Punctuation
Concision (shortest possible sentence)
Meaning Clarity

List of GMAT-Idioms cant
do without
Idioms are expressions that are the way the are
There can be no explanations / reasoning for
idioms
You have to memorize a list, e.g.,
Forbid to do NOT from doing
Cope with NOT cope up with
Comprise NOT comprise of
Mistake A for B NOT mistake A as B
Consider NOT consider to be or consider as The
list continues list in GMAT Book (have to memorize
more than 50 idioms)

Numerical Idioms
For countable For uncountable

Few Little
Many Much
Fewer Less
Number Amount
GREATER can be used to denote number alone

to show quantity or percentage, use MORE
Avoid Equivalent; Use as many / as much

1. The botanist was pleased to see that much of the
recently planted and heavily fertilized flowers were in
bloom.
2. Although the area had little traffic and pedestrians, the

developers were convinced that the restaurant should
be opened in the district; it was only a matter of time
before urban sprawl would bring residents and visitors
alike.
3. The volume of the aquarium, when made with glass is

not as numerous as the volume of the plastic
aquarium.

4. A large percentage of New York City residents are
native from other countries.
5. During the Civil War, a fierce disagreement in Kentucky

took place among those residents who supported the
election of Abraham Lincoln with those who wanted to
secede with Jefferson Davis.
6. The number of volunteers at the Relay for Life increased

by more than twice from 2002 to 2005.
7. The newly enacted term limits prohibited the popular city

council chairperson to run for office during the next
election.

Idiom Mixed-bag

1. In the past few months, there has been
extensive dispute over if fare hikes should be a
first or last recourse in improving the transit
system.
A. over if fare hikes should be a first or last
recourse
B. about if fare hikes are a first or last recourse
C. about hiking fares as being a first or last
recourse
D. over whether fare hikes should be a first or last
recourse
E. concerning fare hikes and whether to raise them
as a first or last recourse
2. In a seminar paper delivered at the annual American Psychological
Association conference, Dr. Spagnoli distinguished pronounced alterations
in mood, which may be frequent and occasionally severe without their
constituting a clinical illness, from bipolar disorders.
A. pronounced alterations in mood, which may be frequent and occasionally
severe without their constituting a clinical illness, from bipolar disorders
B. bipolar disorders and pronounced alterations in mood, occurring frequently
and occasionally severely, without constituting a clinical illness
C. pronounced alterations in mood, perhaps frequent and occasionally severe
without constituting a clinical illness, and bipolar disorders
D. between pronounced alterations in mood, which may be frequent and
occasionally severe without constituting a clinical illness, from bipolar
disorders
E. between pronounced alterations in mood, which may be frequent and
occasionally severe without constituting a clinical illness, and bipolar
disorders

3. In the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians, the refusal
of each side to acknowledge the other as a legitimate national
movement is closer to the heart of the problem than is any other
issue.
A. the refusal of each side to acknowledge the other as a legitimate
national movement is closer to the heart of the problem than
B. that the refusal of each side to acknowledge another as a
legitimate national movement is closer to the heart of the problem
as
C. the refusal of each side to acknowledge another as a legitimate
national movement is closer to the heart of the problem than
D. that the refusal of each side to acknowledge another as a
legitimate national movement is closer to the heart of the problem
than
E. the refusal of each side to acknowledge each other as a legitimate
national movement is closer to the heart of the problem as

4. The first decision to be made by a person being
considered for employment at Reven-Tech is if to
submit to a drug test.
A. being considered for employment at Reven-Tech is if to
submit
B. considered for employment at Reven-Tech is if he or
she should submit
C. being considered for employment at Reven-Tech is
whether submission
D. considered for employment at Reven-Tech is whether,
when submitted
E. considered for employment at Reven-Tech is whether to
submit

5. Yellowstone National Park officials have begun to fine
those campers who fail to lock their cars at night,
exposing their cars and other campers with scavenging
bears.
1. night, exposing their cars and other campers with
2. night and expose their cars and other campers toward
3. night, and expose their cars and others campers with
4. night and who expose their cars and other campers to
5. night, by exposing their cars and other campers to

6. Deforestation significantly alters the population
of an area by creating a habitat in which few
species and vegetation can survive.
A. in which few species and vegetation can survive
B. in which few species and little vegetation can
survive
C. where little species and vegetation can survive
D. in which fewer species than vegetation can
survive
E. where little species and few vegetation can
survive
7. One idea for Social Security reform was to disallow payments for
those with a certain level of income; although the idea was rejected,
citizens can choose to refuse social security payments for private
sources of income, whether derived by pension funds or personal
savings, if they want.
A. for private sources of income, whether derived by pension funds or
personal savings
B. in favor of private sources of income, whether derived from pension
funds or personal savings
C. for private sources of income, whether derived from pension funds
or personal savings
D. and use private sources of income, derived either by pension funds
or personal savings
E. rather than private sources of income, whether derived from
pension funds or personal savings

8. Local reporters investigating the labor dispute
reported that only half of the workers in the
plant were covered by the union health plan; at
least as much as a hundred and more others
had not any health insurance whatsoever.
A. at least as much as a hundred and more others
had not any
B. at least as much as more than a hundred others
had no
C. more than a hundred others had no
D. much more than a hundred others had no
E. more than a hundred others did not have
9. The numbers of internet users has grown by more than
a 10 percent increase in the past year.
A. The numbers of internet users has grown by more than
a 10 percent increase in the past year.
B. The number of internet users has grown by greater than
10 percent in the past year.
C. The numbers of internet users have grown by more than
10 percent in the past year.
D. The number of internet users grew by more than 10
percent in the past year.
E. The number of internet users grew by greater than 10
percent in the past year.

10. As a result of the Black Death, the plague that afflicted
Europe in 1348-49, as many as half the population died
and less than half the work force remained in certain
cities.
A. as many as half the population died and less than half
the work force remained
B. as much as half the population died and fewer than half
C. as many as half the people died and less than that
remained in the work force
D. as much as half the population died and less than half
E. as many as half the population and less than half the
work force died or remained

11. According to the enrollment statistics published by U.S. medical
schools, the number of female medical students is equivalent to the
number of male medical students currently enrolled in medical
school.
A. the number of female medical students is equivalent to the number
of male medical students currently enrolled in medical school
B. as many female as male students are currently enrolled in medical
school
C. the number of female students is as many as that of male students
currently enrolled in medical school
D. as great as the number of female is the number of male students
currently enrolled in medical school
E. female and male students are currently enrolled in equal numbers
in medical school

Adjective V/s Adverb
Adjectives qualify nouns

Adverbs qualify verbs, adjectives and
adverbs
A good collection.
Run quickly (not quick).
Extremely beautiful.
Truly succinctly expressed.

1. The main tourist attraction in Dorchester-on-
Thames, a rather tiny village west of London,
is the surprising large abbey; built 10 the
seventh century, it remains of one of the
largest churches in Oxford.
2. Studies have shown that first-born children

learn speech faster, but speak quieter, than
children born later to the same parents.

3. Patrons reported that they would visit the restaurant
more frequent than they currently do, provided the
management hired an efficient wait-staff and offered
more nightly specials.
4. Many celebrities, such as Britney Spears, Tom Cruise,

and Jessica Simpson, have secretly vacationed on
Turtle Island in Fiji an exclusively tropical resort known
for its privacy and beauty.

1. Carbon-14 dating reveals that the megalithic
monuments in Brittany are nearly 2,000 years
as old as any of their supposed Mediterranean
predecessors.
A. as old as any of their supposed
B. older than any of their supposed
C. as old as their supposed
D. older than any of their supposedly
E. as old as their supposedly

2. Dr. Tonegawa won the Nobel Prize for discovering how
the body can constantly change its genes to fashion a
seeming unlimited number of antibodies. each
specifically targeted at an invading microbe or foreign
substance.
A. seeming unlimited number of antibodies, each
specifically targeted at
B. seeming unlimited number of antibodies, each targeted
specifically to
C. seeming unlimited number of antibodies, all specifically
targeted at
D. seemingly unlimited number of antibodies, all of them
targeted specifically to
E. seemingly unlimited number of antibodies, each
targeted specifically at
WORDINESS / REDUNDANCY
V/s
CONCISION

Wordiness
1. The value of the stock rose by a 10% increase.
2. The three prices sum to a total of $11.56.
3. Being excited about her upcoming graduation, Kelsey
could barely focus on her final exams.
4. Jane made an attempt not to see her new job as ideal.
5. Past experience reveals that cancer patients rarely ever
exhibit the exact same symptoms.
6. Tom and his boss have differences over the way in
which the company should invest its money.

Wordy Expression Concise Correction
after the conclusion of after
at this point in time now
despite the fact that although, even though, despite
due to the fact that because, because of, since, for, as
excessive number of too many
in order to to
in the event that if
is in a position to can
regardless of the fact that although, despite

Some Redundant Expressions
advance planning necessary requirement
all year round new breakthrough
annually each year past history
biography of his life postpone until later
close proximity protest against
customary habit reduced down
end result repeat again
essential requirement reverse back
exactly identical rising increase
forward progress sharing the same
free gift temporary loan
group together terrible disaster
honest truth usual habit
joint cooperation wealthy millionaire
meet together

1. As a result of having nostrils, called nares,
connected to olfactory bulbs that go back to the
brain, sharks are capable of smelling even a
few molecules of blood in the water.
A. As a result of having
B. As a result of their having
C. Because they have
D. Because of having
E. Because of their having

2. It was anomalies in the orbit of Uranus that led to the
discovery of Neptune.
A. It was anomalies in the orbit of Uranus that
B. It was the orbit of Uranus showing anomalies that
C. They were anomalies in the orbit of Uranus that
D. The orbit of Uranus being anomalous was what
E. The anomalies in the orbit of Uranus was what

3. While the immune system helps the human bodys
trying to defend itself from a virus or disease that is
harming it, certain immunodeficiency disorders like
AIDS attack the immune system itself and disable its
healing mechanisms.
A. bodys trying to defend itself from a virus or disease that
is harming it
B. bodys tries to defend itself from a virus or disease
harming it
C. body to try to defend itself from a virus or disease that
harm it
D. body to attempt to try to defend itself from a virus or
disease that is harming it
E. body to try to defend itself from a virus or disease that is
harming it
4. After the company recalled one of its best-selling products, it would be
forced to accept a one billion dollar loss, an expense that would have
forced its main competitor to declare bankruptcy if it had suffered such a
loss.
A. SAME
B. As the company recalled one of its best-selling products, it accepted a one
billion dollar loss; forcing its main competitor to declare bankruptcy if it had
suffered such a loss.
C. After the company recalled one of its best-selling products, its one billion
dollar loss would have to be accepted; such a loss would have forced its
main competitor to declare bankruptcy.
D. After the company recalled one of its best-selling products, it was forced
to accept a one billion dollar loss; its main competitor would have been
forced to declare bankruptcy if it had suffered such a loss.
E. When the company recalled one of its best-selling products, a one billion
dollar loss it was forced to accept, an expense that would have forced its
main competitor into bankruptcy.

Punctuation: comma / semicolon / colon
A comma is used to separate two parts of a sentence at least one

part is dependent on the other part for its meaning.
1. Though he is disabled, he is full of passion.
A Semicolon is used to separate two parts of a sentence that can
stand independently of each other (i.e., each has a subject and a
verb)
2. Jack and John are inseparable; they do everything
together.
A Colon is used to start a string of examples: the left side must
stand alone:
3. I love many kinds of music: classical, rock, and pop.

Punctuation
4. The night before the GMAT, Ken stayed up until
midnight; which is why he did so poorly on the test.
5. The worst pandemic in history, the bubonic plague
swept through Eurasia during the 1300s and killed
over 200 million; nearly one in three people.
6. Despite the fact that it has a duck-shaped bill and lays
eggs, the platypus is not a bird; rather the most unique
mammal in Australia and quite possible the world.
7. Barbara Steisand, whose career spans four decades,
has received ten Grammy awards, including three for
best Female Playback Singer; 1964, 1965 and 1966.

Meaning Clarity

Meaning Clarity
The meaning of the sentence should

make sense. For example:
1. ONLY those passengers carrying an
plane. Right Meaning
Passengers carrying ONLY an
plane. Wrong Meaning

2. The Battle of Gettysburg, considered the
turning point of the Civil War, saw one-
third of its participants killed and injured.
3. In The Matrix, Neo can choose either the

blue pill, which will allow him to forget all
that he has learned and return to life as
he knew it, and the red pill, which will
keep him in reality.

4. Edgar Allan Poe attended the University of Virginia
and West Point Military Academy and was expelled
from both of them; he incurred gambling debts at
Virginia and intentionally neglected his duties at West
Point.
5. Global warming has already made the Hudson River a

seeming fragile ecosystem, the introduction of invasive
species has the potential to destroy nearly all of the
aquatic plants and animals that inhabit the river.

1. Several of the canvases that were singed and
incinerated in yesterdays museum fire were painted by
a famous Russian artist.
A. Several of the canvases that were singed and
incinerated in yesterdays museum fire were
B. In yesterdays museum fire, several of the canvases that
had been singed and incinerated were
C. Yesterday several of the canvases that were singed or
incinerated in the museum fire were
D. Several of the canvases that were singed and
incinerated in yesterdays museum fire had been
E. Several of the canvases that were singed or incinerated
in yesterdays museum fire had been

2. Some of the wild dogs that were distributed to local pet
sanctuaries by city health officials and exterminated last year
were collected as part of the citys initiative to protect local
residents from dog attacks.
A. SAME
B. Some of the wild dogs that the local pet sanctuaries received
and city health officials exterminated have been
C. Some of the wild dogs that were distributed to local pet
sanctuaries or exterminated by city health officials last year
had been
D. Last year some of the wild dogs that were distributed to local
pet sanctuaries or exterminated by city health officials made
E. Last year city health officials distributed to local pet
sanctuaries as well as exterminated some of the wild dogs
that had been
3. The company claimed to have created a
backpack so capacious that it could
simultaneously hold four textbooks, a laptop
computer, and necessary school supplies and
so light and well-designed that even a seventh-
grader could wear it comfortably.
A. supplies and so light
B. supplies so light
C. supplies, and it was so light
D. supplies, yet being so light
E. supplies, yet so light

4. Commercial pilots receive their training from regional
airlines with increasing frequency, often preferring to
avoid the expense of the requirements of training
offered by private companies and the service required
by the Navy or Air Force.
A. the requirements of training offered by private
companies
B. requirements offered for training by private companies
C. the training requirements of private companies
D. the training offered by private companies
E. private companies training

5. Doctors in the early twentieth century commonly
mistook endometriosis as simple menstrual
cramps and informed women that there was no
medical cure for their condition.
A. endometriosis as simple menstrual cramps
B. endometriosis for simple menstrual cramps
C. simple menstrual cramps for endometriosis
D. endometriosis to be simple menstrual cramping
E. endometriosis and simple menstrual cramps

Further Resources:
1. Preparation for SC (by Sandeep Gupta (Ivy-GMAT))
2. Sandeep SC Notes (by Sandeep Gupta (Ivy-GMAT))
3. Manhattan GMAT SC Guide 4th Edition
4. 700-800 SC Questions a set of 150 GMAT SC Questions (by
5. GMAT latest SC questions a set of 277 GMAT SC Questions (by
6. OG 12, 11, 10, OG Verbal Review 1st and 2nd Editions
7. Platinumgmat.com (for Idiom review)
8. GMAT-Prep Verbal Forum Questions from ManhattanGMAT.com
9. 1000 SC (not necessary, though)

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Sandeep Gupta Ivy-GMAT, Koramangala Bangalore. sandeepgupta01@gmail.com, 9739561394

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Sandeep Gupta Ivy-GMAT, Koramangala Bangalore. sandeepgupta01@gmail.com, 9739561394

The Beginning of the Underlined Portion

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Sandeep Gupta Ivy-GMAT, Koramangala Bangalore. sandeepgupta01@gmail.com, 9739561394

Sandeep Gupta Ivy-GMAT, Koramangala Bangalore. sandeepgupta01@gmail.com, 9739561394

Sandeep Gupta Ivy-GMAT, Koramangala Bangalore. sandeepgupta01@gmail.com, 9739561394

Sandeep Gupta Ivy-GMAT, Koramangala Bangalore. sandeepgupta01@gmail.com, 9739561394

The following are crucial (in the respective

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Sandeep Gupta Ivy-GMAT, Koramangala Bangalore. sandeepgupta01@gmail.com, 9739561394

Sandeep Gupta Ivy-GMAT, Koramangala Bangalore. sandeepgupta01@gmail.com, 9739561394

The meaning of the sentence should make

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Sandeep Gupta Ivy-GMAT, Koramangala Bangalore. sandeepgupta01@gmail.com, 9739561394

Just like Hopefully

Parallel Structure means

Parallelism figures in more than

2. Verb + verb + verb: When she was on stage, she

3. Adjective + adjective + adjective: My teacher is

4. Infinitive + infinitive + infinitive: I like to sing, (to)

Here one has to write to either only once or in all the

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6. Clause + clause: If she capitulates and when

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8. Non-traditional students often study long

9. The volume of business depends on an

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10. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to a

11. The new employee will be responsible for filing

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13. Air Force One, the President's main mode of cross-

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14. Since the teacher introduced the classroom

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RIGHT: Since the teacher introduced the classroom

Consider the following sentence:

15.The diet of the ordinary Greek in

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RIGHT: The diet of the ordinary Greek in classical times

The word with can be used to show contrast, e.g.,

16. Ken traveled around the world, visiting historic sites,

18. They danced through life, loving one another and

19. The stock market crashed, which caused a lot of

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Sandeep Gupta Ivy-GMAT, Koramangala Bangalore. sandeepgupta01@gmail.com, 9739561394

27.The salesman expected THAT he

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Sandeep Gupta Ivy-GMAT, Koramangala Bangalore. sandeepgupta01@gmail.com, 9739561394

30. Jim Thorpe, the legendary multi-sport star, enjoyed

31. A time not for words, but action.

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33. The Department of Motor Vehicles is

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RIGHT: One LEGACY of Madison Avenue's recent

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40. WRONG: She is a believer and supporter of the theory of love

RIGHT: The doctors have been conducting and will continue