Idioms. Here at last.

I've got two weeks to my GMAT. It's exactly two Sundays from today. And here I am reviewing idioms. Am I cool or am I cool.. Don't answer it!


So idioms basically are a bunch of acceptable expressions in the English language. And.. wait for it.. there's no reason! Isn't that nice! Fortunately there is a list that the GMAT might not waiver from.


Spot, Extract and Replace
This sounds a bit like Spot, Sight and Shoot! And in a sense is. Here is why:


Consider the example below - 

A. Some historians attribute the eventual development of accurate methods for
measuring longitude as the monetary prizes offered by various governments.
B. Some historians attribute the eventual development of accurate methods for
measuring longitude to the monetary prizes offered by various governments.



Step 1: Spot the suspect idiomatic expression.
Step 2: Extract it from the long phrase.
Step 3: Replace it with an acceptable idiom.


Here is an illustration:
The word that will ultimately tip the decision is attribute. The sentences use as attributed as and attributed to.


Therefore, extract the sentence and snip it down to a simple form.


Finally identify an error and pick the correct one.
The correct sentence, of course, is attributed to.


The list that follows is a list of idioms. You will need to scan these for effective results.

Comparisons - This is how you crack 'em.. (Part 1)

Learn this, 'cos the GMAT loves to test you on comparing stuff. 


Comparisons either compare two parts of a sentence and occasionally more. It is important to first know the signal words or phrases of comparisons. The next step is to identify the parts of the sentence being compared to one another. Finally, ensure that the two parts of the sentence being compared are truly parallel, both structurally and logically. The most common comparison words are like, unlike, as and than. The others are listed below:
Comparison Signal words:
like - as
unlike - as (adj.) as
more than - as much as
less than - as little as
faster than - as fast as
different from - the same as


"Like" vs. "As"
Possibly the most common words, you need to know to distinguish between the two.

• Like is a preposition and is therefore followed by nouns, pronouns and noun phrases. Never put a prepositional phrase after like. A clause contains a working verb, which can be the main verb in the sentence.
• You can correctly use Like to compare two nouns.

Example:
CORRECT: Like her brother, Shruthi aced the GMAT.

• Like is followed by the noun phrase her brother. The entire phrase Like her brother indicates a comparison between Ava and her brother. 
• Like can also be followed by a gerund (-ing words). 

Example:
CORRECT: Like swimming, jogging is great exercise.

• Contrarily, As can appear either as a preposition (appearing with a noun) or a conjunction (appearing with a clause).
• You can correctly use As to compare two clauses. 
• You CANNOT use like to compare two clauses.

Examples:

INCORRECT: LIKE her brother DID, Ava aced the test.

CORRECT: AS her brother DID, Ava aced the test.

• As Ava did is a clause, with DID as a working verb. Therefore, you must use As to make the comparison between her brother DID and Ava aced the test.
• It is common to use like to compare in speech, but it is always wrong in writing.

Keeping Comparisons Parallel

1. Comparisons must ALWAYS be logically parallel. That is, they must compare similar things.

Example: Frank's build, LIKE his brother, is broad and muscular

Here, Frank's build is being compared to his brother directly, which would not make sense. 

CORRECT: Frank's build, LIKE his brother's, is broad and muscular.

• Notice that the word build isn't repeated, it is implied.
• You may also use the word that instead of build. It will also imply build.

CORRECT: Frank's build, LIKE that of his brother, is broad and muscular.

• Note that if the noun were plural, you would use those.

Example: Frank's toes, LIKE those of his brother, are short and pink.

• Finally, you can shift the last word in the noun phrase and rephrase the sentence.

Example: Frank, LIKE his brother, has a broad and muscular build.

 If necessary, refer to page 122 for a harder example.

1. Comparisons must be structurally logical - They must have the same grammatical structure.

Example:

INCORRECT: I like to run through forests more than I enjoy walking through crowds.

This statement is incorrect because run through the forests is not parallel with walking through crowds. To correct this statement, make both grammatically parallel.

CORRECT: I like running through forests more than I enjoy walking through crowds.

Omitting Words

• It is possible to omit words from the second part of a comparison if it does not sound ambiguous.

Examples:
CORRECT: 
My toes are longer than Brian's [toes]
My toes are longer than the Smiths' [toes]


My car is bigger than Brian's [car]

My car is bigger than the Smiths' [car]

• Notice that the possessing noun (Brian, the Smiths') can be plural or singular irrespective whether the possessed noun is plural or singular.
• Any singular-plural combination is possible as long as it makes logical sense.
• You may also eliminate units, verbs and whole clauses from the second part of the sentence

CORRECT: 

Whereas I drink 2 quarts of milk a day, my friend drinks 3 [quarts of milk]

I walk faster than Brian [walks]

I walk faster now as [I walked] when I was just discharged from surgery.

• Remember only to add helping verbs such as do, be and have.

Example:

INCORRECT: Vishal eats more carrots than donuts.

CORRECT: Vishal eats more carrots than he does donuts.

• You invariably need a helping verb to resolve the role of the second part of the comparison. (Refer for example)
• The GMAT also sometime allows extra helping verbs

Comparative and Superlative 

GMAT Quant Favorites!!

A list of GMAT Favorites for Quick Reference

• Special Quadratic Expressions
1. x^2 - y^2 = (x+y)(x-y)
2. x^2 + 2xy + y^2 = (x+y)^2
3. x^2 + 2xy - y^2 = (x-y)^2
• 
  

Equations with Exponent Strategy

Just a few important notes from this chapter...

• A variable with an even exponent has two solutions always. Treat it with caution.

Example: x^2 = 25. Therefore, x = ±25 

• You can afford to loosen up with variables with odd exponents as they always have only one solution.
• Common Bases or Common Exponents
• When you come across an equation with exponents on either side, it is imperative that you convert the equation into one with either a common base or common exponent.
• Once you've done this the common base can be cancelled to equate the exponents on either side to form the solution.
• Eliminating the square root by squaring both sides:
• This is a simple method of solving problems with a square root in the equation
• However, take care when squaring as this can sometimes introduce an extraneous solution where there are two solutions.
• Finally substitute all the solutions in the main equation to find the actual solution as only one solution will work in the main equation.
• Also, the square root symbol works only on positive numbers and yield only positive numbers for results. The square root of a negative number is undefined and is not tested by the GMAT.
• All the same, the square root of a positive number can either be a negative or a positive number.
• Cube Roots
• To solve Cube roots, cube both sides to find a solution.
• Remember, a cube root retains the original sign of the number and hence does not introduce any extraneous solution.

Verb Tense, Mood and Voice.. (Part 4: Phew!)

Active vs. Passive
Verbs are always written in active or passive voice. In the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action. In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence has an action performed on it by someone or something else.


Active: The hungry students ATE the pizza.
Passive: The pizza WAS EATEN by the hungry students.


The passive voice is formed by the form to be (in this case was), followed by the past participle.

• Do not use other verbs such as get in the passive voice.

Examples:

INCORRECT: The pizza GOT eaten by the hungry students.

INCORRECT: The pizza must GET EATEN by the hungry students.

• Use by only for the active doers of the action.
• Use through and because of when the describing means or instruments, where the subject will be awkward in active voice.

INCORRECT: The pizza WAS accidentally EATEN BY a quirk of fate.

INCORRECT: A quirk of fate accidentally ATE the pizza.

CORRECT: THROUGH a quirk of fate, the pizza WAS accidentally EATEN.

• Passive voice makes sentences long. It also makes it confusing to ascertain who performs the action in the sentence.
• Since the GMAT prefers brevity, active voice is preferred if the sentence in passive voice is wordy or confusing.
• However, do not dismiss passive voice sentences.
• Only Transitive Verbs (words that take direct objects) can be written in passive voice.
• Verbs that do not take direct objects should not be written in passive voice.

INCORRECT: The aliens WERE ARRIVED on Neptune in the 20th century.

CORRECT: The aliens ARRIVED on Neptune in the 20th century.

Verb Tense, Mood and Voice.. (Part 3)

If.... Then Constructions
When sentences use the If...Then construction, they do not necessarily have to follow the Hypothetical Subjunctive. They can follow a number of moods/tense patterns.

Examples:

CORRECT: IF you study hard, THEN you will score highly.

CORRECT: You will score highly IF you study hard.

Note that then is frequently omitted from the construction and If does not have to be the first word in the sentence. There are five basic rules:

1. General Rule with no Uncertainty

CORRECT: IF Sophie EATS pizza, THEN she BECOMES ill.

IF Present Tense, THEN Present Tense.

This pattern also applies to WHENEVER...

CORRECT: WHENEVER Sophie EATS pizza, she BECOMES ill.

2. General Rule with some Uncertainty

IF Sophie EATS pizza, she MAY BECOME ill.

IF Present, THEN Can or May.

In this case, the helping verbs Can or May are used to convey a somewhat uncertain outcome.

3. Particular Case (in the future) with No Uncertainty

IF Sophie EATS pizza TOMORROW, THEN she WILL BECOME ill.

IF PRESENT, THEN FUTURE.

Another illustration of this rule is in the Present tense and Present Future tense: IF Sophie HAS EATEN pizza, THEN she WILL BECOME ill.

4. Unlikely Case (In the future)
IF Sophie ATE pizza TOMORROW, THEN she WOULD BECOME ill.
IF Hypothetical Subjunctive, THEN Conditional.
You can replace Would with Could  and the meaning would be the same. The author feels that Sophie is unlikely to eat pizza tomorrow and would conveys this uncertainty.
5. Case that NEVER happened (In the past)
IF Sophie HAD EATEN pizza yesterday, THEN she WOULD HAVE BECOME ill.
IF Past Perfect, THEN Conditional PERFECT.

Command Subjunctive
The next type of subjunctive mood, the Command Subjunctive, is MUCH MORE IMPORTANT on the GMAT!!!
The Command Subjunctive uses a Bossy Tone and therefore uses Bossy Verbs. These subjunctives are used to command people to do things.
Examples:
The agency REQUIRED that Gary BE ready before noon.
We PROPOSE that the school board DISBAND.
The verbs be and disband are in Command Subjunctive mood. They are similar to commanding Gary or the school board directly. If said to either of the subjects directly, the sentences would be like this:
BE ready before noon, Gary!
DISBAND, school board!
This is also called the Bare Form of the verbs to be and to disband without the word to. It is similar to the Simple Present with two exceptions: 
1. There is no -s form in the Third Person Singularity.
2. The form of the verb to be is always be and not is, are, or am.
The sentence construction with a Bossy Verb is always as follows:
Bossy Verb + THAT + Subject + Command Subjunctive
We PROPOSE THAT the school board DISBAND.


Take note of the following common sentences used in spoken English:
INCORRECT: We propose the school board DISBAND. (That is mandatory)
INCORRECT: We propose THAT the school board DISBANDS. (Disband is singular)
INCORRECT: We propose THAT the school board IS TO DISBAND.
INCORRECT: We propose THAT the school board WILL DISBAND. 
INCORRECT: We propose THAT the school board SHOULD DISBAND.


This is based on American English in which you cannot use Should as a command subjunctive. The Command Subjunctive tends to get complicated at times since it is not always used with a Bossy Verb. Certain Bossy Verbs such as want do not require a Command Subjunctive.
CORRECT: The vice-president WANTS her TO GO to the retreat.
INCORRECT: The vice-president WANTS THAT she GO to the retreat.


There is no rule governing this need for a Command Subjunctive. It is idiomatic and will need to be memorized.


Common Verbs that take ONLY the Command Subjunctive:
demand, dictate, request, require, suggest, stipulate, insist, mandate, propose
We DEMAND THAT he be present.


Common Verbs that take ONLY the Infinitive:
forbid, allow, persuade, advise, want 
I FORBID you TO go.


Common Verbs that take either the Command Subjunctive or Infinitive:
beg, intend, order, prefer, urge, require, ask
We require HIM TO BE here.
We require THAT HE BE here.


Certain Common Verbs take an entirely different construction:
Peter prohibited Gary FROM GOING to the convention.


The Command Subjunctive can also be used with nouns derived from verbs such as a demand or a request:
His DEMAND THAT he BE paid full severance was not met.


Command Subjunctive can also be used in the form It is X, where X is an adjective.
It is ESSENTIAL THAT Gary be ready before noon.


Other adjectives conveying urgency are: 
advisable, desirable, fitting, crucial, important, necessary, vital, mandatory, preferable, urgent, imperative.
Note that you can use the infinitive to be in this construction.


Do not use whether with the Command Subjunctive as this is old-fashioned usage.
INCORRECT: I like ice-cream, whether IT BE chocolate, or vanilla, or any other flavor. 
CORRECT: I like ice-cream, whether IT IS chocolate, or vanilla, or any other flavor.

Verb Tense, Mood and Voice.. (Part 2)

Subjunctive Mood
A verb expresses what the author believes about the action, or wants to do with the action, or the mood. Primarily, facts are expressed by an Indicative Mood, a command by an Imperative Mood. The Subjunctive Mood can be seen in two instances:

1. Unreal or unlikely conditions (usually follows if or a similar word)
2. Proposals, desires, and requests formed by certain verbs and the word that

The two uses correspond to the two kinds: Hypothetical Subjunctive and Command Subjunctive.

Hypothetical Subjunctive

The Hypothetical Subjunctive is used in some circumstances to indicate unlikely or unreal conditions. This form occurs after the words if, as if, or as though.

Example: To overcome my fear of germs, I will think about disease as though it WERE harmless.

By using the Subjunctive WERE and condition as though, the author has revealed that he or she does not think of disease as harmless.

The basic equivalent of the hypothetical subjunctive is the simple past tense of every verb, the difference being that the hypothetical subjunctive is used to convey unreal or unlikely situations. However, there is one exception to the equivalent of the Hypothetical Subjunctive: 

• However, for the verb to be WERE is ALWAYS used (The reason this is explained is that the simple past tense of be is Was/Were: I was, He/She/It was, We/They/You were).
• Remember the song, If I WERE a rich man... This helps to use WERE.