Sentence correction preposition usage
60 flashcards covering Sentence correction preposition usage for the GMAT Verbal section.
Sentence correction for preposition usage involves identifying and fixing errors in words like "in," "on," or "at," which show relationships between ideas in a sentence. These small words can greatly affect meaning, clarity, and grammar, such as indicating location, time, or direction. For example, saying "interested on" instead of "interested in" creates an awkward or incorrect phrase, so mastering this helps you build stronger, more precise English skills.
On the GMAT Verbal section, preposition errors appear in sentence correction questions, where you're asked to choose the best version of a sentence from multiple options. Common traps include confusing idiomatic expressions, like "agree with" versus "agree to," or overlooking context that determines the right preposition. Focus on standard English usage and how prepositions interact with verbs and nouns to avoid these pitfalls and improve your accuracy. Always check if the preposition fits the sentence's intended meaning.
Terms (60)
- 01
Definition of a preposition
A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence, such as position, time, or direction, like 'in', 'on', or 'at'.
In the phrase 'on the table', 'on' is a preposition indicating location.
- 02
Idiomatic use of 'in'
The preposition 'in' is used idiomatically with certain verbs, adjectives, or nouns to express being inside something or involved in an activity, such as 'interested in' or 'believe in'.
The correct idiom is 'interested in music', not 'interested at music'.
- 03
Idiomatic use of 'on'
The preposition 'on' is used idiomatically to indicate contact with a surface or basis for something, as in 'based on evidence' or 'on the agenda'.
Say 'rely on facts', not 'rely in facts'.
- 04
Idiomatic use of 'at'
The preposition 'at' is used idiomatically for specific locations or times, such as 'at the store' or 'at noon', and with certain expressions like 'good at'.
Use 'good at math', not 'good in math'.
- 05
Idiomatic use of 'of'
The preposition 'of' is used idiomatically to show possession, origin, or composition, as in 'consist of parts' or 'aware of dangers'.
The phrase is 'consist of elements', not 'consist from elements'.
- 06
Idiomatic use of 'for'
The preposition 'for' is used idiomatically to indicate purpose, duration, or benefit, such as 'responsible for tasks' or 'wait for hours'.
Correct idiom: 'apologize for mistakes'.
- 07
Idiomatic use of 'to'
The preposition 'to' is used idiomatically with verbs like 'object to' or 'accustomed to', indicating direction, comparison, or relation.
Use 'object to the plan', not 'object at the plan'.
- 08
Idiomatic use of 'with'
The preposition 'with' is used idiomatically to show association, means, or accompaniment, as in 'agree with someone' or 'filled with water'.
The correct phrase is 'comply with rules'.
- 09
Idiomatic use of 'from'
The preposition 'from' is used idiomatically for origins, sources, or separations, such as 'different from others' or 'prohibit from entering'.
Say 'different from that one', not 'different than that one' in formal contexts.
- 10
Idiomatic use of 'by'
The preposition 'by' is used idiomatically for agents, means, or deadlines, like 'written by an author' or 'by Friday'.
Use 'achieved by effort', not 'achieved with effort' if means is intended.
- 11
At vs. In for locations
Use 'at' for specific points like addresses and 'in' for enclosed spaces, such as 'at the corner' versus 'in the room', to avoid spatial preposition errors.
- 12
On vs. In for time
Use 'on' for specific days, like 'on Monday', and 'in' for longer periods, like 'in July', to correctly express time relationships.
- 13
Between vs. Among
Use 'between' for two items or groups and 'among' for three or more, as in 'between two friends' versus 'among the crowd', to maintain precise meaning.
- 14
By vs. Until
Use 'by' to indicate no later than a time and 'until' for continuation up to that time, such as 'by noon' for completion versus 'until noon' for duration.
- 15
For vs. Since
Use 'for' with durations, like 'for two hours', and 'since' with specific starting points, like 'since yesterday', to accurately describe time periods.
- 16
In vs. Into
Use 'in' for a state of being inside and 'into' for movement toward the inside, as in 'in the box' versus 'put into the box', to clarify direction.
- 17
On vs. Upon
Use 'on' for general contact and 'upon' for more formal or immediate contact, like 'on arrival' versus 'upon arrival', though 'on' is often sufficient.
- 18
With vs. By for means
Use 'with' for instruments and 'by' for methods, such as 'cut with a knife' versus 'achieved by hard work', to distinguish tools from processes.
- 19
Of vs. From for possession
Use 'of' for inherent possession, like 'a friend of mine', and 'from' for origins, like 'a gift from her', to avoid confusion in ownership.
- 20
Prepositions in parallel structure
In a list or series, prepositions must be used consistently, such as 'excited about and prepared for the trip', to ensure grammatical parallelism.
- 21
Redundant prepositions
Avoid using unnecessary prepositions that repeat meaning, like saying 'enter into an agreement' instead of 'enter an agreement', to keep sentences concise.
- 22
Prepositional phrases as adjectives
A prepositional phrase can modify a noun, such as 'the book on the table', acting as an adjective to describe which book.
- 23
Prepositional phrases as adverbs
A prepositional phrase can modify a verb, adjective, or adverb, like 'ran with speed', indicating how the action was performed.
- 24
Dangling prepositions in modifiers
Ensure prepositional phrases clearly modify the intended word; otherwise, they can create ambiguity, as in 'After eating, the food was tasty' which is illogical.
- 25
Ending sentences with prepositions
It is acceptable to end sentences with prepositions in modern English, like 'What are you waiting for?', but avoid it in overly formal GMAT contexts if it sounds awkward.
- 26
Prepositions in comparisons
Use prepositions correctly in comparative structures, such as 'similar to' rather than 'similar with', to maintain logical relationships.
- 27
Accustomed to
The idiom 'accustomed to' means familiar with something, as in 'She is accustomed to early mornings', and should not be replaced with other prepositions.
- 28
Prohibit from
The idiom 'prohibit from' means to prevent someone from doing something, like 'Laws prohibit driving from texting', ensuring the correct preposition.
- 29
Responsible for
The idiom 'responsible for' indicates duty or cause, such as 'He is responsible for the project's success', and is distinct from other uses.
- 30
Based on
The idiom 'based on' means founded upon, like 'The theory is based on evidence', and is commonly tested for accuracy.
- 31
Believe in
The idiom 'believe in' means to have faith in the existence or value of something, as in 'I believe in hard work', not 'believe on'.
- 32
Aware of
The idiom 'aware of' means having knowledge of something, such as 'She is aware of the risks', and pairs specifically with 'of'.
- 33
Prepositions after verbs of motion
Verbs like 'go' or 'arrive' often require specific prepositions, such as 'go to the store' or 'arrive at the airport', to indicate direction.
- 34
Prepositions in passive voice
In passive constructions, prepositions must align with the verb, like 'written by an author', to clearly indicate the agent.
- 35
According to
The phrase 'according to' means as stated by a source, such as 'According to the report', and is used for attribution.
- 36
Regardless of
The phrase 'regardless of' means without regard for, like 'Regardless of the weather', indicating indifference to a factor.
- 37
In addition to
The phrase 'in addition to' means besides or along with, as in 'In addition to studying, she exercises', for listing extras.
- 38
Like vs. As for comparisons
Use 'like' for similarities without clauses and 'as' for roles or with clauses, such as 'like a boss' versus 'as I do', to avoid errors.
- 39
Amount of vs. Number of
Pair 'amount of' with uncountable nouns and 'number of' with countable ones, like 'amount of water' versus 'number of books', for precision.
- 40
Example: Correcting interested at
In the sentence 'He is interested at tennis', change 'at' to 'in' to form the correct idiom 'interested in tennis'.
- 41
Example: Arrived at the station
The sentence 'She arrived at the station on time' uses 'at' correctly for a specific point and 'on' for the day or time.
- 42
Subtle differences in formal writing
In formal contexts, distinguish between 'infer' and 'imply' with prepositions, ensuring phrases like 'infer from evidence' are used accurately.
- 43
Strategy for preposition errors
When spotting preposition errors, check for idiomatic expressions by recalling standard phrases and testing sentence logic.
- 44
Common GMAT trap: Preposition pairs
Watch for paired prepositions in idioms, like 'comply with' not 'comply to', as distractors often swap them.
- 45
Despite vs. In spite of
Both mean regardless of something, but 'despite' is followed directly by a noun, like 'despite the rain', while 'in spite of' is the same.
- 46
Example: Between three items
The incorrect phrase 'between three friends' should use 'among' for more than two, as in 'among three friends'.
- 47
Over vs. More than
Use 'over' for physical position and 'more than' for quantities, like 'over the fence' versus 'more than five items'.
- 48
Through vs. Via
Use 'through' for movement within something and 'via' for a route or medium, such as 'through the tunnel' versus 'via email'.
- 49
Example: Consist of materials
The sentence 'The mixture consists of sugar and water' correctly uses 'of' in the idiom.
- 50
Prepositions in clauses
Ensure prepositions in subordinate clauses align with the main verb, like 'because of the delay'.
- 51
Toward vs. Towards
Both mean in the direction of, but 'Toward' is preferred in American English, as in 'moving toward the goal'.
- 52
Example: Good at skills
Change 'good in skills' to 'good at skills' for the correct idiomatic expression.
- 53
Prepositions with superlatives
Use prepositions like 'of' in superlatives, such as 'the best of all', to compare effectively.
- 54
About vs. On for topics
Use 'about' for general subjects and 'on' for specific discussions, like 'a book about history' versus 'a lecture on history'.
- 55
Example: Wait for someone
In 'I waited for him', 'for' correctly indicates the person expected.
- 56
Prepositions in idioms with 'as'
Phrases like 'as well as' mean in addition to, and must be used without altering the preposition.
- 57
Against vs. Versus
Use 'against' for opposition in physical or abstract senses, like 'against the wall', and 'versus' for formal contrasts.
- 58
Example: In the morning
The phrase 'She wakes up in the morning' uses 'in' for parts of the day.
- 59
Prepositions in participial phrases
Ensure prepositions in phrases like 'having arrived at the event' clearly modify the subject.
- 60
Due to vs. Because of
Use 'due to' for results of something and 'because of' for reasons, though both involve prepositions.