Key Fundamentals of Grammar -crucial learnings on SC

Hi all,

I have attached some more learnings on Grammer. I hope these will be helpful:

16. When ever there is "as high as" or as low as" or any such comparison, it should be done against a fixed number and not against a range (3 to 4, $5bl - $10bl).

17. You never says leading to X percent, rather you say leading to a X percent (Idomatic) increase/decrease.

The recent surge in the number of airplane flights has clogged the nation’s air-traffic control system, to lead to 55 percent more delays at airports, and prompts fears among some officials that safety is being
compromised.
(A) to lead to 55 percent more delays at airports, and prompts
(B) leading to 55 percent more delay at airports and prompting
(C) to lead to a 55 percent increase in delay at airports and prompt
(D) to lead to an increase of 55 percent in delays at airports, and prompted
(E) leading to a 55 percent increase in delays at airports and prompting


18. In spite of VS Although:
"in spite of", "despite" are prepositions and "although", "though", "even though" are conjunction. So correct would be

"in spite of", "despite" + noun
"although", "though", "even though" + clause

Examples -
a. Although it is cold outside, she insists on keeping her coat on.
b. Despite warm weather, she kept her coat on.

"is spite of" and "despite" can also be used as adverbial constructions with -ing.
Ex - I managed to pass my exam, despite going out four times a week during the revision period.

19. When using the term distinction to indicate difference, the correct preposition to use is between.

20. Even if vs Even though

Even if - means whether or not and has to do with the conditions that may apply. Even if is used as a conjunction.(even though cannot act as a conjunction). Remember, you need a subject after Even if. Ex -
a. Even if I had time, I wouldn't watch that programme.
b. Even if Mark told the truth, I wouldn't believe him.

c. For most consumers, the price of automobile insurance continues to rise annually, even if free of damage claims and moving violations.
(A) even if
(B) despite being
(C) even if they are
(D) although they may be
(E) even if remaining


d. For many people, household labor remains demanding even if able to afford household appliances their grandparents would find a miracle.
(A) even if able to afford household appliances their grandparents would find a miracle
(B) despite being able to afford household appliances their grandparents would find a miracle
(C) even if they can afford household appliances their grandparents would have found miraculous
(D) although they could afford household appliances their grandparents would find miraculous
(E) even if they are able to afford household appliances which would have been a miracle to their grandparents


Even though - Even though means despite the fact that and is a more emphatic version of though and although. It is primarily concessive.

a. Even though I had time, I didn't watch that programme
b. Even though Mark told the truth, I didn't believe him.

The differences can be appreciated in this sentence
1. I'm going out, even if it rains
2. I'm going out, even though it's going to rain

In (1), we do not know whether it will rain or not in (1) so we use even if and in (2) we know that it is going to rain but we are going out anyway.
even-if-although-despite-when-to-use-each-83155.html


21. "however" used at the beginning of a sentence, without a comma, means “in whatever manner” or “to whatever extent.”

You shouldn't use However - whenever it means 'nevertheless' - at the beginning of any sentence.

HOWEVER is used to express contrast and is used at the head of a new sentence. “I was accepted at Harvard; however, I did not accept the offer.”

However much United States voters may agree that there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyong its means , it is difficult to find broad support for a movement towar a minimal state.

However - used at the beginning of teh sentence
Nevertheless - can within the sentence


22. More on contrasting terms:

BUT is used to express contrast that belies normal expectation. “I took the GMAT but did not apply to Business schools’ is an example of such contrast

ALTHOUGH is used to express POSITIVE CONTRAST given a NEGATIVE situation. “Although I did not score well on the GMAT, I was accepted at Harvard.”

DESPITE is used to express NEGATIVE CONTRAST given a positive or beneficial situation.
“Despite the fact that he is rich, he is miserable.”

NEVERTHELESS is used as a CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB to express a contrast. “He was accepted at Harvard but he was NEVERTHELESS unexcited.”
sc-og-question-don-t-understand-answer-explanation-66350.html

Hi all,

Can I expect some more fundamentals from your end?

Regards.

Hi all,

I have uploaded the latest doc on grammer fundamentals which I learnt till 16th May 2010. Please update your copy.

dear frnds
it would be of grt help if your could share some material on grammar or sentence correction basics/rules etc. recurring trend of concepts tested in GMAT

Great job ykaiim

I will try and be regular. My 0.02$

1. That Vs Which
use that when the information that follows is mandatory to identify the subject of the main clause
use which when the information that follows is not mandatory to identify the subject of the main clause

2. When you see "[highlight]different[/highlight]" in a SC question ask yourself whether the comparison is
between two nouns or
between noun and a clause.
"[highlight]different than[/highlight]" is used when a sentence compares a noun and a clause. Pick the answer choices accordingly.

3."to do so" is correct usage "to do it" is incorrect
eg: despite them attempting to do it, doctors have not yet found a cure for common cold (INCORRECT)
despite them attempting to do so, doctors have not yet found a cure for common cold (CORRECT)

4. "act like" means to behave or comport oneself and describes the action of a person.
eg: He acted like a fool
"act as" describes the function of a thing (inanimate thing performing a function)

5. When doubt is used in a negative context such as there is no doubt or he does not doubt it should be followed by that.
In context of questions that also introduces a clause following doubt
In other contexts, whether or if should be used to introduce a clause following doubt
eg: I doubt whether he will come.

6. When since refers to time, it should generally be followed by the present perfect tense, which describes action that began in the past and continues into the present.

7. In addition to the As vs Like mentioned earlier I would like to add
Like - it is used to introduce a phrase
As - it is used to introduce a clause

8. It must always follow a noun, not an action
Chad says I took his cookies, but I didn't do it (Incorrect)
Chad says I took his cookies, but I didn't take them (Correct)

9. Who vs Whom
If you can't stuck between the use of who and whom, try this : rephrase the sentence to get rid of who or whom

If you find you've replaced who/whom with he, she or they then "who" is correct
If you find you've replaced who/whom with him, her or them then "whom" is correct

Hi all,

I have added some more links. Currently, I am working on updating the key fundamentals doc and will upload it soon. So, please feel free to refer these.

Regards.

Refer Manhattan SC and follow GmatClub.

Thanks sh00nya.

This is just great refreshment. If possible, can you add some more examples with your points. I think that will be great.

I will follow your collection, its pretty nice. Thanks.

When are you retaking your exam.

Thanks Gurpreetsingh.

If you have some key fundamentals then please post here. May be we all can share from your posts.

Tests is on 24th Jun 2010.

Best of luck, date is approaching soon.

Actually right now I have not prepared any notes, I m just reading the mgmat SC again, after 2 revisions I will start with 3rd revision + flash cards + OG.

Thanks.

I am just concentrating on revision now, esp on reading all the choices and avoiding some careless mistakes.

Hi all,

I have found a very useful doc on Manhattan website on Grammer fundamentals.
Please go thru it. This is really give your grammer fundamentals a boost to conquer in GMAT.

You can find not only a shorter version of Manhattan SC 2003/05 ed, but also many concepts not covered in those editions.

Regards.

i dont know how legitimate it is to upload Manhattan material.........

This doc is free to download on its website.

hmm... ironically, the attachment spells Grammar as Grammer

Lot of tips for SC, thanks for the effort.
Kudos.