As a GMAT tutor, I know that for many GMAT test-takers idioms can quickly become the bane of their existence. Why?
By definition, idioms are phrases or grammatical constructions that have become rule through common usage and over time can become invalid or replaced with new ones. If they feel arbitrary, they often times are.
Most languages have their own idioms, and in the case of the English language there are thousands. Because there are so many idioms, many people feel overwhelmed when deciding which idioms to study for the GMAT.
Many of my GMAT students will often ask me for a definitive idiom list from which I know idioms will be pulled for the test. My response is that to learn idioms one must do hundreds of sentence corrections, thoroughly review the solutions for each of those solutions, and then make flashcards/notes with sentences containing any learned idioms.
Nevertheless, I do think there are some idioms that will more likely be tested. Many of those idioms can be found on lists when one does a Google search on GMAT idioms. F
Following I will highlight some of the idioms I have found on those lists and corroborated with the idioms that I have found to be the most useful to learn out of the gate when beginning a round of GMAT standardized test preparation.
Here goes:
1. Not only…but also
Example: Not only do I like cappuccinos but also cortados.
2. Consider…………
Example: I consider you my best friend. Neither (notice that ‘as’ nor ‘to be’ follows consider)
3. Neither (subject) nor (subject)… (verb – This verb will agree in number with subject following nor. So, if the subject following nor is plural then the verb will be plural; if the noun following nor is singular the verb will be singular.
Examples:
Neither my sisters nor my mom is laughing.
Neither my mom nor my sisters are laughing.
5. Either (subject) or (subject) – The same rule applies here as it applies to neither/nor.
Examples:
Either a cake or cupcakes are left at the party.
Either cupcakes or a cake is left at the party.
**Notice that by switching the noun closest to the verb, the verb conjugation changed. In the first example the noun closest to the verb is plural – hence the verb is plural. The same is true for the second sentence, except that the noun following nor and the verb closest to that noun takes the singular form.
6. Regard…as
Example: The senior citizens at the nursing home regard the game Angry Birds as a palliative to their boredom.
7. More……….than
Example: She is much more resilient than her brother.
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