Table of Contents
Diction
Diction means word choice. Are the words in the sentence used in an unambiguous style such that no other interpretation is possible? Avoid sentences that contain words that are redundant or repetitive.
Example
A Labor Department study states that the number of women employed outside the home grew by more than a thirty-five percent increase in the past decade and accounted for more than sixty-two percent of the total growth in the civilian work force. Incorrect
A Labor Department study states that the number of women employed outside the home increased by more than thirty-five percent in the past decade and accounted for more than sixty-two percent of the total growth in the civilian work force. Correct
In the first example the word “grew” already signifies an increase; the word “increase” becomes redundant. The second sentence correctly only uses one verb to signify increase.
Example
Balancing the budget by Friday is an impossibility without some kind of extra help. Incorrect
Balancing the budget by Friday is impossible without extra help. Correct
Never use multiple words when one word can suffice. Why use the words “an impossibility” when one word – “impossible” – works perfectly. Keep sentences short and to the point.
Such as vs. Like
Example
I want you to buy me some fruits like oranges and tangerines. Incorrect
I want you to buy me some fruits such as oranges and tangerines. Correct
The words “such as” mean “for example.” The word “like” is used to indicate similarity. Which word is used correctly in the context of the sentence? The first sentence is likely incorrect because the sentence essentially means that I don’t want you to buy me oranges and tangerines; rather, I want you to buy me some fruits that are only similar to oranges and tangerines. The second example means I want you to buy me oranges, tangerines and perhaps any other similar fruit.
Whether vs. If
When you see “whether” and “if” simply remember – whether is better. We use “if” to describe conditional situations and to identify things that might happen.
Example
I will help you if I can.
If you need a hand, please let me know.
We use “whether” when we have two options:
Example
We will have the picnic whether or not it rains. (Two options: rain/no rain.)
Another way to double check yourself is if we can successfully add “or not,” to the choice. If we can, we must use “whether.”
Quick reminder – the GMAT does not like to add “or not;” because the GMAT considers the “or not” redundant. If you see “whether or not” anywhere in an answer choice, this is most likely wrong.
Definite vs. Ambiguous
Example
The professor announced that the exam should be completed in two hours.
The professor announced that the exam must be completed in two hours.
Always follow the sentence’s logical meaning. An announcement for a test will never be open to student interpretation. Will the exam be completed in two hours or not? The correct sentence construction needs to be definite. The exam “must” be completed in two hours.
Syntax
Syntax means correct word order. Is the language in the problem statement stated in the most logical manner?
I only check my email at 10am
I check my only email at 10am
In the first example, the person appears to check email at 10am and nothing else. In the second example, the person checks one email inbox at 10am, and no others. By placing the word “only” in different parts of the sentence, the interpretation of the entire sentence can change. Note the flow the sentence and where key words need to fit logically.
Active Voice vs. Passive Voice
In an active sentence, the subject is doing the action.
Example
Steve loves Amy.
Steve is the subject, and he is doing the action: he loves Amy, the object.
In passive voice the target of the action gets promoted to the subject position.
Example
Amy is loved by Steve.
The subject of the sentence becomes Amy, but she isn’t doing anything. Rather, she is just the recipient of Steve’s love. The focus of the sentence has changed from Steve to Amy. The GMAT almost always prefers active voice over passive voice. Some of the reasons to avoid passive voice are: the form can lead to awkward sentences and obscured meaning. Also, passive voice tends to be wordy.
Avoid “hopefully,” “being,” “to be,” most “–ing” words.
These answer choices tend to be in the passive voice and are not preferred answers on the GMAT. If stuck between two solutions, and one solution uses the words above, choose the option that does not contain these words.
However, an important distinction is that passive sentences aren’t always incorrect; it’s just that they often aren’t the best way to phrase your thoughts. There are instances where passive voice is the best choice.
Example
The cookies were stolen.
Somebody stole the cookies.
There’s a subtle difference. If you want to put the focus on the cookies, use passive voice. An important note is that the GMAT test directions ask you to select the best answer choice. Sometimes the correct answer may simply be in passive voice. This may not be the most grammatically correct method of constructing a sentence, but it is the best choice out of the answers provided. Solve these problems by eliminating answer choices that are blatantly wrong for other reasons as shown in the study guide.
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