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Diction, Idioms &

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 Diction
Diction refers to an author’s choice of words.
It involves words that are incorrect in a particular
context.

Meaning Standard
 Idioms
Idioms are not correct or incorrect for any
logical reason.

They reflect the fact that a certain phrase has

evolved and is considered as standard usage.
 Idioms - Example
Lira and her friends set out on an expedition to the Himalyas. In less than a
two months however, they exhausted their supplies and were forced to
return.

A. NO CHANGE Use them up

B. Expended completely.
C. Diluted
D. Undermined
 Idioms - Example
Verbs and nouns must be followed by specific prepositions.

Example:
A familiarity in the common programming languages is
useful for anyone who wants to pursue technology as a
career option.

A. NO CHANGE
B. with
C. to
D. for
Common Idioms with Prepositions
Serve an Reflect on Famous/Celebrated for

Known as/ to be Dwell on Recognized/known for

(Pre)occupation with Draw (UP)on Named for/after

Comment/ inconsistent with Based on Worry about

Sympathize with Suspicious of Complain about

Correlate with Devoid of Wonder/ be curious about

Identify with A proponent of Think about

Familiar/ unfamiliar with A command of Bring about

In contrast to(BUT: contrast with) A source of Be particular about

Be native to(BUT: be a native of) An offer of Protect from/against

Have a tendency toward An understanding/knowledge of Defend from/against

Biased toward Take advantage of Followed by

Recommend x to y Approve/disapprove of Confused/puzzled/perplexed by

Listen to In the hope(s) of Accompanied by

Common Idioms with Prepositions
Prefer x to y Characteristic/typical of Encouraged by

Devoted to Convinced of Outraged by

A threat to/threaten to Consist of Surprised/stunned/shocked by

Central to Composed/compromised of Amazed by

Unique to In recognition of Awed by

Similar to Capable/Incapable of Impressed by

Enter into A mastery of Known as/to be

Have insight into Have an appreciation of/for Differ(ent) from

Interested in Criticize for Refrain from

Succeed in/at Necessary for Have power/control over

A dept in/at Prized for Focus on

Have confidence in Endure/Last for Rely on

Engage in/with Wait for Compensate for

Take pride in Watch/Look (out) for Strive for

Insist on Responsible for  

Commonly Confused Words
Commonly Confused Words
The pronunciation of the words will be the
same, but the words are spelled differently.

SAT tests the ability to distinguish between

commonly confused pairs of words.
Commonly Confused Words
Sometimes the words:
 Will have different spelling, but the
pronunciation is same
 May have slightly different spellings and
pronunciations
 Example
Verb Noun
Beginning in the 1400s, many people believed that earth is flat; however,
their claims had little affect on the scientific community until 1500, when
uan Sebastián Elcano discovered it was round

A. NO CHANGE
B. affect to the scientific community
C. effect on the scientific community
D. effect, on the scientific community
Examples for Commonly Confusing Words
A lot – a large quantity
Accept – to receive
Advice(n) – counsel
Affect(v) – to have an impact on
Allude – make a reference to  
Allusion – a reference
Cite - attribute
Allot(v) - to give out a specific
amount
Except – with the exception of
Advise(v) – to give advice
Effect(n) – an impact
Vs. Elude – to evade, be unable to be
caught
Illusion – something not real
Site – location, sight – the ability to
see
Examples for Commonly Confusing Words
Device(n) – a machine Devise(v) – to come up with

Lay – followed by a noun Lie – Not followed by a noun, e.g.

e.g. He lay the book down on the He lies down every evening after
table dinner
Prospective – possible or potential
Perspective – point of view

Precede – come before(pre=before)

Vs.  e.g. a prospective student
Proceed – to move along
Then – next; used to indicate
Than – used for comparisons
sequence of events
To – indicates direction
Too - also
e.g. she went to work
Examples for Commonly Confusing Words

You must also know:

 Could, should, would, might have, NOT
could, should, would, might of
 Supposed, used to, NOT suppose, use to
Examples for Commonly Confusing Words

Access Vs. Excess Averse Vs. Adverse Imply Vs. Infer

Addition Vs. Edition Collaborate Vs. Corroborate Ingenious Vs. Ingenuous

Adopt Vs. Adapt Conscious Vs. Conscience Precedent Vs. President

Afflict Vs. Inflict Council Vs. Counsel Principal Vs. Principle

Respective Vs. Respectful Vs.
Anecdote Vs. Antidote Descent Vs. Dissent
Respected
Assent Vs. Ascent Elicit Vs. Illicit Simulate Vs. Stimulate

Assure Vs. Ensure Emit Vs. Omit Their Vs. They’re Vs. There
Gerunds Vs. Infinitives
Gerunds Vs. Infinitives
On the SAT, gerunds, and infinitives may be
incorrectly switched with one another.

Infinitive = TO form a verb

Gerund = ING form a verb

Gerunds Vs. Infinitives
When replacing an infinitive with a gerund,
sometimes, you need to insert a preposition as
well.

Example:

To make   For making

 Example
Deactivated viruses form the basis of many vaccines known for their
effectiveness to prevent disease. As a result, people can be safely injected
with genetic material from a virus without becoming ill themselves.

A. NO CHANGE
B. In preventing
C. with preventing
D. preventing
 Example
Infinitive Gerund

Soon, the members of the Soon, the members of the

dance company will dance company will
begin to rehearse for the begin rehearsing for the
performance. performance.
Common Instances of Idioms with Both
Gerunds & Infinitives
Idioms with Gerund Idioms with Infinitive
Accused of being Agree to be
Accustomed to being Allow to be
Admired for being Appear/seem to be

Admit to being Arrange to be

After being Aspire to be
Avoid being Attempt to be
Banned from being Choose to be
Before being Claim to be
(In)Capable of being Consider to be

Consider being Decide to be

Deny being Decline to be

Common Instances of Idioms with Both
Gerunds & Infinitives
Idioms with Gerund Idioms with Infinitive
Describe being Deserve to be

Discuss being Encourage to be

Effective in/at being Except to be

Enjoy being Fail to be

Famous for being Have the ability to be

Imagine being Inclined to be

In charge of being Inspire(someone) to be

In the hope(s) of being Intend to be

Insist on being Known to be(+noun)

Known as/for being Manage to be

Mind being Neglect to be

Common Instances of Idioms with Both
Gerunds & Infinitives
Idioms with Gerund Idioms with Infinitive
Postpone being Offer to be
Praised for being Prepare to be
Prevent from being Promise to be
Regarded as being Refuse to be
Report being Reluctant to be
Resent being Require to be
Risk being Seek/strive to be
Seen as being Shown to be
Stop being Struggle to be
Succeed in/at being Tend to be
Viewed as being Threaten to be
Without being Want/wish to be
Register
 Register
Register refers to how formal and informal an
author’s language is.

Most SAT passages are written in a

straightforward and moderately serious tone,
unlike extremely formal or casual language.
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Hi, buddy! Cool buddy.

How are you? Hi Mr. John,
_____
_____
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Hey, you look

sexy.

Use selective and precise words that are

perfectly relevant and acceptable in
certain situations.
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SAT is trying to make you understand that you
shouldn’t go around using big words.

The goal of writing is to convey the ideas to the

readers, and the aim should be as clear and
direct as possible.
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Answers for the register questions will either

be casual and slangy or excessively formal.
 Example
During the Nimrod Expedition to the South Pole in 1907, Ernest
Shackleton led a group of explorers on a voyage to the South Pole.
Shackleton and the members of his expedition endured a great number
of hardships, but when they finally arrived, they saw a bunch of
awesome stuff.

A. NO CHANGE
B. perceived myriad captivating visuals.
C. were greeted by many fascinating sights.
D. noticed some pretty interesting things.