LESSON 19 Word Choice (1) (PETERSON’S TOEFL SUCCESS)

(PETERSON’S TOEFL SUCCESS)

LESSON 19

Word Choice (1)

Word choice errors involve the incorrect use of one word in place of another. These two words may be related forms (other and another, for example) or they may be completely different (do and make, for example). Descriptions of some of the most common word choice errors are given below. WRONG CHOICE OF MAKE OR DO The verb to do is often used in place of to make, and to make in place of to do. In its basic sense, to make means to produce, to create, and to construct, whereas to do means to perform, to act, and to accomplish. These verbs are also used in a number of set expressions: Common Expressions with Make make a comparison make a contribution make a decision make a distinction make advances in make a forecast make a law make an attempt make an investment make an offer make a plan make a point make a prediction make a profit make a promise make a sound/noise make a suggestion be made of (= be composed of) make up (= compose) To make is also used in this pattern: make + someone + adjective (The gift made her happy.) Common Expressions with Do do a job (errand, chore) do an assignment do business with do one’s duty do one’s work do research do someone a favour The auxiliary verb do is used rather than repeat main verbs: (My computer doesn’t operate as fast as theirs does.) Anytime you see the verb make or do underlined in the Structure section, suspect a word choice error. Sample Items Cement is done (A) from varying (B) amounts (C) of limestone, clay, and (D) gypsum. The correct answer is (A). The verb done is incorrect in this sentence. The correct word choice is made. Small town newspapers (A) often urge (B) readers to make business (C) with local (D) merchants. The correct answer is (C). The phrase should read do business with. WRONG CHOICE OF SO, SUCH, TOO, AND AS The words so, such, and too are used in the following patterns: so + adjective + that clause These boxes are so heavy that we can’t lift them. (So is also used with many . . . that and much . . . that.) There were so many people in the auditorium that we could barely get in the front door. such + adjective + noun + that clause It was such a pretty view that he took a photograph. too + adjective + infinitive It’s too cold to go swimming today. Notice that so and such are both followed by that clauses, but too is followed by an infinitive. The words as and so are also sometimes confused: * Jane did so well as I did on the economics exam. (INCORRECT) * The coffee was as hot that I couldn’t drink it. (INCORRECT) In the first sentence, the word as should be used in place of so; in the second, so should be used in place of as. Also, look for so much or too much used in place of so or too. Sample Items The (A) sun is so (B) bright to look at (C) directly (D). The correct answer is (B). The correct pattern too + adjective + infinitive. In much (A) of Alaska, the growing (B) season is as (C)short that crops (D) can’t be raised. The correct answer is (C). The correct pattern is so + adjective + that clause. The giant squid is so (A) an elusive animal that at one time (B) it was believed (C) to be purely (D) mythical. The correct answer is (A). Before an adjective + noun + that clause, the word such should be used. The mineral (A) grains in basalt are so much (B) small that they (C) cannot be seen (D) with the unaided eye. The correct answer is (B). The phrase should read so small rather than so much small. WRONG CHOICE OF ANOTHER OR OTHER Another Other Used as an adjective another + singular noun (Have another sandwich.) other + plural noun (I wonder if there is life on other planets.) determiner + other + noun (There may be life on some other planets.) Used as a pronoun another (Thanks. I’ll have another.) determiner + other (“I have one book.” “I have the other.”) Another means “one more, an additional one.” It can be used as an adjective before a singular noun or alone as a pronoun. For example: He needs another piece of paper. I have one class in that building and another in the building across the quadrangle. Other is used as an adjective before a plural noun. It is also used as an adjective before a singular noun when preceded by a determiner such as the, some, any, one, no, and so on. It can also be used alone as a pronoun when preceded by a determiner. For example: There are other matters I’d like to discuss with you. One of the books was a novel; the other was a collection of essays. There’s no other place I’d rather visit. Sample Items Willa Cather is known (A) for My Antonia and another (B) novels of the (C) American frontier (D). The correct answer is (B). Before a plural noun, other must be used. An (A) understudy is an actor who can (B) substitute for other (C) actor in case of (D) an emergency. The correct answer is (C). Other is used incorrectly in place of another before a singular noun. WRONG CHOICE OF BECAUSE OR BECAUSE OF, IN SPITE OF/DESPITE OR ALTHOUGH, AND DURING OR WHEN/WHILE Certain expressions, such as because, are adverb-clause markers and are used only before clauses. Other expressions, such as because of, are prepositions and are used before noun phrases or pronouns. Adverb-clause Markers (Used with Clauses) Prepositions (Used with Noun Phrases) because because of although despite when in spite of while during Sample Items Because migration (A) to the suburbs, the population (B) of many (C) large American cities declined (D) between 1950 and 1960. The correct answer is (A). Before a noun phrase (migration), the preposition because of must be used. Despite (A) most people consider (B) the tomato a vegetable, botanists classify (C) it as a fruit (D). The correct answer is (A). Before a full clause (most people consider the tomato a vegetable), the adverb marker although must be used. WRONG CHOICE OF MUCH OR MANY AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS Certain expressions can only be used in phrases with plural nouns; others can be used in expressions only with uncountable nouns. Used with Plural Nouns Used with Uncountable Nouns Many few, a few fewer, the fewest number much little, a little less, the least amount Sample Items Pearls are found (A) in much (B) colors, including (C) cream, blue (D), lavender, and black. The correct answer is (B). Many must be used with a plural noun (colors). Even during (A) economic (B) booms, there is a small number (C) of unemployment (D). The correct answer is (C). The word amount must be used to refer to an uncountable noun such as unemployment. OTHER WORD FORM PROBLEMS Other pairs of words are sometimes confused in written expression, including those listed below. (Note: If one of the words appears in italics, that word is generally used incorrectly in Structure sentences; the other word is the correction for the error.) All of the sentences with asterisks are examples of errors and are INCORRECT. no Used as an adjective before nouns; means “not any”; also used in the expression no longer. not Used to make all other words negative Not gasoline was left in the tank. This is no the station I usually listen to. I not longer listen to that station. most Used in superlative adjective phrases; also used to mean “the majority” almost Used as an adverb to mean “nearly” This is the almost interesting chapter in the book. I’ve read almost of the chapters in the book. I’ve solved most all of the problems in the book. twice Used as an adjective to mean “two times” double Used as an adjective to mean “make twice as large” Henry has double as much money as he did before he invested it. Henry twice his money. earliest Used as a superlative adjective to mean “most distant in time” soonest Used as a superlative adverb to mean “most promptly” These are the soonest examples of the artist’s works. (You will probably not see earliest used incorrectly in place of soonest.) percent Used after a number percentage Not used after a number Fifty percentage of the people voted in favor of the initiative. The percent of people who approve of the initiative has been steadily growing. after Used as a preposition before a noun or as an adverb-clause marker before a clause afterward Used as an adverb, means “after that” We’ll go to dinner afterward the play. We’ll go to dinner afterward the play is over. First the performer played the guitar and after she played the flute. ago Used to talk about a time earlier than the present before Used to talk about a time earlier than some other point in time Harold won a gold medal in the Olympics last year, and four years ago that, he won a silver medal. (You will probably not see before used incorrectly in place of ago.) tell Used with an object; also used in certain set expressions: tell a story, tell the truth, tell a secret say Used without an object Mr. Hunter said us that he had a good trip. Joe said a wonderful story. Mr. Hunter told that he’d had a good trip. ever Means “at any time”; used with not to mean “never”; also used in some set expressions such as ever since and hardly ever never Means “at no time”; not used with a negative word He hardly never goes to that club. (You will probably not see ever used incorrectly in place of never.) alive Used after a verb live Used before a noun Sue likes to have alive plants in her apartment. Although she forgot to water it for a week, the plant was still live. around Used as a preposition to mean “in a circular path” round Used as an adjective to mean “circular in shape” The new office building will be an around glass tower. (You will probably not see round used incorrectly in place of around.) age Used as a noun, often in these patterns: at the age of 21 and 21 years of age old Used as an adjective, often in this pattern: 21 years old Harriet will be 30 years age next week. Operators of motor vehicles must be 30 years of old in this state. near Used as an adjective; means “close to” nearly Used as an adverb; means “almost” Lynn is looking for an apartment nearly the Medical Center. The 2-bedroom apartment she looked at cost near a $1,000 a month. some Used as a determiner before a noun to mean “an indefinite amount” somewhat Used as an adverb to mean “slightly” This bicycle is some more expensive than the one I looked at yesterday. (You will probably not see somewhat used incorrectly in place of some.) Note: The distinctions between words such as desert and dessert, stationary and stationery, capital and capitol, which are really spelling problems, are NOT tested on the TOEFL test. (One reason is that native speakers of English often make mistakes with these words!) EXERCISE 19.1 Focus: Correctly choosing between do and make Directions: Underline the word that correctly completes each sentence below. 1 The tips of high-speed dental drills are (done/made) of tungsten steel and often contain diamonds. 2 A cottage industry is a form of manufacturing (done/made) at home. 3 Margaret Mead (did/made) fundamental contributions to both the theory and fieldwork of anthropology. 4 Many universities receive grants to (do/make) research for the federal government. 5 Research in genetics in the early nineteenth century (did/made) much to improve agriculture. 6 Futurologists study current trends to (do/make) predictions about the future. 7 Filmmaker George Lucas has (done/made) many advances in the production of motion pictures, especially in the use of special effects. 8 The distinction between wildflowers and weeds is one that is often difficult to (do/make). EXERCISE 19.2 Focus: Correctly choosing between so, such, too, and as Directions: Underline the word that correctly completes each sentence below. 1 The mineral talc is (so/such) soft that it can be scratched with a fingernail. 2 Oceanographers use robots and unmanned submarines to explore parts of the ocean that are (so/too) deep for people to explore safely. 3 (So/As) much paper money was printed during the Revolutionary War that it became almost worthless. 4 The walking stick is an insect with (so/such a) close resemblance to a twig that it escapes the notice of its enemies. 5 At present, solar cells are (so/too) expensive and inefficient to be used in the commercial generation of electricity. 6 Acrylic plastics are very hard and are (so/as) clear as glass. 7 Founded in 1682, Norfolk developed (so/such a) prosperous sea trade that it quickly became the largest town in the colony of Virginia. 8 Continental islands are (so/so much) close to continents that their plant and animal life are identical to life on the mainland.

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