Please provide a list of preferences for GMAT Sentence Correction

Question

Hi,

I read somewhere that in Sentence Correction questions, one can eliminate choices based on preferences.

What are these preferences and kindly provide a list of them.

thanks

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Probably good to take this with a grain of salt but the GMAT may tend to prefer verbs over the "noun form" of a verb.

vv65 · Answer

Here's one preference: The GMAT prefers verbs to adjectives, and adjectives to nouns (V-A-N).

Verb version: X depends on Y.
Adjective version: X is dependent on Y.
Noun version: X has dependence on Y.  (This isn't an idiomatic sentence btw)

Adjective version: X is influential.
Noun version: X has influence.

Posted from my mobile device

vv65 · Answer

Here's another preference: When a noun form of a verb is available, the GMAT prefers that to the gerund (the 'verb-ing' form).

For example, the GMAT may prefer Preparation to Preparing, Conquest to Conquering, and so on.

So this first sentence is not wrong, but the second is better:
1. The conquering of Orissa caused a lot of suffering.
2. The conquest of Orissa caused a lot of suffering.

Posted from my mobile device

vv65 · Answer

Actually, any list of GMAT preferences will probably be never-ending.

Also, many GMAT rules are really GMAT preferences, because there are very few hard-and-fast black-and-white rules in the English language.

An example of a black-and-white rule is that the subject must agree with the verb. (Even this rule may have exceptions, though we are unlikely to see them in the GMAT.)

Some GMAT preferences are things that the GMAT does not seem to accept, even though people commonly use them in speech and in writing.

One example of such a preference is the use of THAT or WHICH to refer to people. Dictionaries say this is acceptable. The GMAT does not seem to approve of such usage: the right answers in SC use WHO or WHOM instead of THAT or WHICH.

Does that mean the right answer will never (in the future) use THAT/WHICH to refer to a person? 
Don't know!

Does that mean we can confidently eliminate any answer that uses THAT/WHICH to refer to people? 
If the only difference between two answer choices is that one uses WHO/WHOM and the other users THAT/WHICH, then we can eliminate the latter. But if there are other differences, we need to be careful. I wouldn't automatically eliminate the THAT/WHICH answer.

Posted from my mobile device

	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Please provide a list of preferences for GMAT Sentence Correction

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards