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Question

Answer

Consider, regard...as, think of...as

There is no as after consider, while both regard and think of need the as.

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To be/being

In general, avoid the construction to be/being because they are usually passive. To be/being are commonly used in junk answer choices.

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among versus between

Use between when referring to two items or groups, among when referring to three or more. Don’t make me choose between Tom and Tim. Among all five candidates, he’s by far the best qualified

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Account for versus Account to

When explaining something, the correct idiom is account for: · We had to account for all the missing money. When receiving blame or credit, the correct idiom is account to: · You will have to account to the state for your crimes

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amount versus number

Use amount when referring to an uncountable quantity, like soup or love, and number when referring to countable things, like jelly beans or people. The amount of work you put into your studies will affect the number of points you will add to your GMA

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as versus like

Use like to compare nouns; use as to compare actions-in other words, use as when what follows is a clause. Like fine wine, fruitcake tastes better after it has aged. Dogs don't scratch up furniture, as cats often do.

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both versus each

Use both when pointing out similarities; use each when pointing out differences. Note that each is always singular. Although both cooks enjoy making goulash, each has a different take on this classic dish.

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compare to versus compare with

On the GMAT, compare with is the generally preferred form. Use compare to point out an abstract or figurative likeness, and compare with to consider likenesses and differences in general. Shall I compare thee to a summer day? Compared with a sum

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each other versus one another

In GMAT English, each other is used to refer to two things, and one another are used for three or more things. Those two theories contradict each other. Those three theories contradict one another.

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fewer versus less

Use fewer to describe countable things, like jelly beans or people, and less to describe an uncountable quantity, like soup or love.<See amount versus number above.> I ate fewer hotdogs and less potato salad than I did at last year's picnic.

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if versus whether

If you're ever given a choice on the GMAT, choose whether. The actual rule states that whether you're discussing a choice between alternatives, you should use whether <as in whether or not to do something>rather than if. On the GMAT if is reserved for con

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Adapted to/for/from

Adapted to means "naturally suited for". The polar bear is adapted to the subzero temperatures. Adapted for means "created to be suited for". For any "New Order" to be successful, it must be adapted for the continually changing world power

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Affect/Effect

Effect is a noun meaning "a result". Increased fighting will be the effect of the failed peace conference. Affect is a verb meaning "to influence". The rain affected their plans for a picnic.

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All ready vs. Already

All ready means "everything is ready". Already means "earlier".

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Alot vs. A lot

Alot is nonstandard; a lot is the correct form.

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Being that vs. Since

Being that is nonstandard and should be replaced by since. (Faulty) Being that darkness was fast approaching, we had to abandon the search. (Better) Since darkness was fast approaching, we had to abandon the search.

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Beside/Besides

Adding an s to beside completely changes its meaning: Beside means "next to". Besides means "in addition". We sat beside (next to) the host. Besides (in addition), money was not even an issue in the contract negotiations.

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Center on vs. Center around

Center around is colloquial. It should not be used in formal writing. (Faulty) The dispute centers around the effects of undocumented workers (Correct) The dispute centers on the effects of undocumented workers.

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Correspond to/with

Correspond to means "in agreement with": The penalty does not correspond to the severity of the crime. Correspond with means "to exchange letters": He corresponded with many of the top European leaders of his time.

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Different from/Different than

The preferred form is different from. Only in rare cases is different than acceptable. The new Cadillac’s are very different from the imported luxury cars.

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Double negatives

(Faulty) Scarcely anything was learned during the seminar. (Better) Scarcely anything was learned during the seminar.

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Doubt that vs. Doubt whether

Doubt whether is nonstandard. (Faulty) I doubt whether his new business will succeed. (Correct) I doubt that his new business will succeed.

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Farther/Further

Use farther when referring to distance, and use further when referring to degree. · They went no further (degree) than necking. He threw the discs farther (distance) than the top seated competitor.

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On account of vs. Because

Because is always better than the circumlocution on account of. (Poor) On account of his poor behavior, he was expelled. (Better) Because he behaved poorly, he was expelled.

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Plus vs. And

Do not use plus as a conjunction meaning and. (Faulty) His contributions to this community are considerable, plus his character is beyond reproach. (Correct) His contributions to this community are considerable, and his character is beyond repr

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Regard vs. Regards

Unless you are giving best wishes to someone, you should use regard. · (Faulty) In regards to your letter, we would be interested in distributing your product. · (Correct) In regard to your letter, we would be interested in distri

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Regardless vs. Irregardless

Regardless means "not withstanding". Hence, the "ir" in irregardless is redundant. Regardless is the correct form.

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Speak to/with

To speak to someone is to tell them something: We spoke to Jennings about the alleged embezzlement. To speak with someone is to discuss something with them: Steve spoke with his friend Dave for hours yesterday

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The reason is because

This structure is redundant. Equally common and doubly redundant is the structure the reason why is because. (Poor) The reason why I could not attend the party is because I had to work. (Better) I could not attend the party because I had to wo

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Whether vs. As to whether

The circumlocution as to whether should be replaced by whether. (Poor) The United Nations has not decided as to whether to authorize a trade embargo. (Better) The United Nations has not decided whether to authorize a trade embargo.

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Whether vs. If

Whether introduces a choice; if introduces a condition. A common mistake is to use if to present a choice. (Faulty) He inquired if we had decided to keep the gift. (Correct) He inquired whether we had decided to keep the gift.

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