I love logic; the SAT loves logic. If you like logic, you too might love the SAT (though you might be as logical as Socrates and think the SAT is a bunch of crock). So, how, then, is it that something as arbitrary and illogical as the DMV cuing system has made its way upon the SAT?<\/p>\n
Specifically, I\u2019m talking about the idioms.<\/p>\n
Idiom: a noun or adjective followed by a preposition<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n (Do not confuse this with the inscrutable sayings like \u201cTo eat humble pie\u201d, which are also called idioms.)<\/p>\n Here are a few SAT idioms:<\/p>\n The part that is arbitrary and illogical regards the preposition following each word. For instance, why is \u201cregard as\u201d and not \u201cregard of\u201d or \u201cregard to\u201d? You might try to wrap your logical brain around it (when we regard something we think of it AS something), but these are, at best, post hoc justifications (meaning after the fact). <\/p>\n In reality, the English language has evolved in such a way that a certain preposition just happens to follow a certain word. What the SAT is testing is your ability to recognize these idioms based on how they sound.<\/em> The SAT is hoping that you listen to the way news broadcasters speak (though I wouldn\u2019t depend on the weatherman for proper diction), or that you pay attention to the way that writers use the correct preposition. <\/p>\n It is important that I mention something before moving on: \u201cSounding it out\u201d represents a major shift from the \u201cgrammar\/logic hat\u201d you should be wearing for the rest of the writing section. In other words, don\u2019t try to do non-idiom related questions based on how they sound, or you\u2019ll likely miss most of the difficult questions. <\/p>\n Since you probably don\u2019t have time to sit in front of the nightly news, pen in hand, \u201cidiom hat\u201d on head, I’ve created a cheat sheet for you. The list below contains the common idioms you need to know for the SAT. When memorizing the idioms, you might want to turn them into flashcard form (quizlet.com makes this easy). Also, practice saying them out loud, so you can get a feel for how they sound.<\/p>\n Correct:<\/strong> Absent from<\/em> the debate has been any mention of the governor\u2019s supposed crime.<\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Absent in the debate has been any mention of the governor\u2019s supposed crime. Correct:<\/strong> The use of the improper idiom might be acceptable to<\/em> one\u2019s peers–though the SAT is hardly one\u2019s peer. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> The use of the improper idiom might be acceptable with one\u2019s peers–though the SAT is hardly one\u2019s peer. Correct:<\/strong> Growing up in New York, they are accustomed to<\/em> the nightly street noise. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Growing up in New York, they are accustomed with the nightly street noise. Correct:<\/strong> Few are acquainted with<\/em> string theory, a dominant paradigm in physics. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Few are acquainted in string theory, a dominant paradigm in physics. Correct:<\/strong> The name Al Capone is associated with<\/em> much of the organized crime that occurred in the country before 1950. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> The name Al Capone is associated in much of the organized crime that occurred in the country before 1950. Correct:<\/strong> Dexter was adept at<\/em> endearing himself to those in powerful positions. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Dexter was adept to endearing himself to those in powerful positions. Correct:<\/strong> Scientists believe<\/em> the brain to be<\/em> the most complicated piece of machinery in the entire universe. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Scientists believe the brain as the most complicated piece of machinery in the entire universe. Correct:<\/strong> Many did not believe him capable of<\/em> such dastardly deeds. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Many did not believe him capable in such dastardly deeds. Correct:<\/strong> The detective was unwilling to collaborate with<\/em> the police because he believed the force to be corrupt. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> The detective was unwilling to collaborate in the police because he believed the force to be corrupt. Correct:<\/strong> Scientists conclude that<\/em> much of the present day United States was covered in massive ice sheets as recently as 14,000 years ago. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Scientists conclude much of the present day United States was covered in massive ice sheets as recently as 14,000 years ago. Correct:<\/strong> The astronomical community no longer considers<\/em> Pluto a planet.<\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> The astronomical community no longer considers Pluto as a planet. Correct:<\/strong> A high SAT score is consistent with<\/em> a high GPA, though not always. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> A high SAT score is consistent to a high GPA, though not always. Correct:<\/strong> She was not conscious of<\/em> her mannerisms, and as a result she sent mixed messages. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> She was not conscious in her mannerisms, and as a result she sent mixed messages. Correct:<\/strong> Contrary to<\/em> what most expect, college is not an unending succesion of grueling exams. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Contrary with what most expect, college is not an unending succesion of grueling exams. Correct:<\/strong> Galileo is credited with<\/em> many scientific discoveries.<\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Galileo is credited in many scientific discoveries. Correct:<\/strong> The events depicted as<\/em> the unvarnished truth were actually distorted to fit the director\u2019s political biases. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> The events depicted to be the unvarnished truth were actually distorted to fit the director\u2019s political biases. Correct:<\/strong> Poetry is different from<\/em> mere writing–ask any novelist. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Poetry is different than mere writing–ask any novelist. Correct:<\/strong> The victim was unable to distinguish<\/em> the culprit from<\/em> the others standing in the line-up. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> The victim was unable to distinguish the culprit and the others standing in the line-up. Correct:<\/strong> From amongst the 32 singing contestants, Amanda emerged as<\/em> the victor, her voice taking on notes she did not ever know she was capable of. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> From amongst the 32 singing contestants, Amanda emerged the victor, her voice taking on notes she did not ever know she was capable of. Correct:<\/strong> He was encouraged to<\/em> pursue a degree in computer science.<\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> He was encouraged in pursuing a degree in computer science. Correct:<\/strong> Amino acids are essential to<\/em> our health.<\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Amino acids are essential for our health. Correct:<\/strong> She is familiar<\/em> enough with<\/em> the neighborhood to be able to find her way home.<\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> She is familiar enough in the neighborhood to be able to find her way home. Correct:<\/strong> The infant was fascinated by<\/em> all the shadows that seemed to prance about the ceiling.<\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> The infant was fascinated with all the shadows that seemed to prance about the ceiling. Correct:<\/strong> His mother forbid<\/em> Charlie to<\/em> eat cookies, so round had his tummy become. <\/p>\n Incorrect\/Questionable:<\/strong> His mother forbid Charlie from eating cookies, so round had his tummy become. Correct:<\/strong> She is inclined to<\/em> be late, so plan ahead. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> She is inclined on being late, so plan ahead. Correct:<\/strong> Though he pretends to be indifferent towards<\/em> video games, he actually has a Nintendo at home that he played when lonely. <\/p>\n Okay:<\/strong> Though he pretends to be indifferent to<\/em> video games, he actually has a Nintendo at home that he played when lonely. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Though he pretends to be indifferent about video games, he actually has a Nintendo at home that he played when lonely. Correct:<\/strong> Organizers of the obstacle course insist that<\/em> everyone entering is in top physical condition. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Organizers of the obstacle course insist upon everyone entering to be in top physical condition. Correct:<\/strong> In three short weeks, the new hire had managed to<\/em> isolate his colleagues, so bad was his attitude. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> In three short weeks, the new hire had managed in isolating his colleagues, so bad was his attitude. Correct:<\/strong> With his red shock of dyed hair and multiple face piercings, Chester had somehow been mistaken for<\/em> an accountant. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> With his red shock of dyed hair and multiple face piercings, Chester had somehow been mistaken as an accountant. Correct:<\/strong> The downtown high school was modeled after<\/em> the Greek symposium.<\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> The downtown high school was modeled around the Greek symposium. (Same meaning as \u201cindigenous to\u201d)<\/p>\n Correct:<\/strong> The platypus is native to<\/em> Australia.<\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> The platypus is a native of Australia. Correct:<\/strong> She pretended to be oblivious to<\/em> the other students, so concerned was she with coming across as unconcerned. <\/p>\n Also Correct:<\/strong> Oblivious of<\/em> social niceties, the mathematician nonetheless impressed all those present with his formidable intellect.<\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Oblivious toward social niceties, the mathematician nonetheless impressed all those present with his formidable intellect. Other prepositions, such as “about” or “in” would also be incorrect. Stick with “of” and “to.”)<\/em> Correct:<\/strong> Though chili peppers originated in<\/em> what is today southern Bolivia, they are found in cuisines all over the world.<\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Though chili peppers originated around what is today southern Bolivia, they are found in cuisines all over the world. Correct:<\/strong> Many perceived as<\/em> musical geniuses actually owe much of their success to early practice and ceaseless training. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Many perceived to be musical geniuses actually owe much of their success to early practice and ceaseless training. Correct:<\/strong> Children predisposed to<\/em> music are more likely to practice playing an instrument without anyone having to tell them. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Children predisposed for music are more likely to practice playing an instrument without anyone having to tell them. Correct:<\/strong> For many, forgoing grad school is preferable to<\/em> years of unpaid student loans. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> For many, forgoing grad school is preferable over years of unpaid student loans. Correct:<\/strong> Basketball tryouts seemed inherently prejudiced against<\/em> shorter players, though many of these players make the best point guards. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Basketball tryouts seemed inherently prejudiced towards shorter players, though many of these players make the best point guards. Correct:<\/strong> Prized by<\/em> coin collectors, the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin is becoming an increasing rarity. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Prized to coin collectors, the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin is becoming an increasing rarity. Correct:<\/strong> Those without security clearance are prohibited from<\/em> entering the facility. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Those without security clearance are prohibited to enter the facility. Correct:<\/strong> Handwashing cannot protect against<\/em> every form of virus.<\/p>\n Okay:<\/strong> Handwashing cannot protect<\/em> us from<\/em> every form of virus.<\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Handwashing cannot protect us of every form of virus. Correct:<\/strong> Schubert is regarded as<\/em> one of the greatest composers of the Romantic period.<\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Schubert is regarded to be one of the greatest composers of the Romantic period. Correct:<\/strong> The class president\u2019s responsibility to her classmates prevented her from making concessions with the school\u2019s rivals. <\/p>\n Also Correct:<\/strong> An increase in cell phone use while driving is responsible for<\/em> the recent spate of accidents. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> The fifth grade teacher’s responsibility of her students prevented her from leaving the classroom unattended. Correct:<\/strong> Sensitive to<\/em> the demands of the union, the city council offered to give workers a 15% increase in wages. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Sensitive over the demands of the union, the city council offered to give workers a 15% increase in wages. Correct:<\/strong> During McCarthyism, the government was suspicious of<\/em> even members of Congress, thinking that Communist sympathizers were all around them. <\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> During McCarthyism, the government was suspicious about even members of Congress, thinking that Communist sympathizers were all around them. Correct:<\/strong> Henry VIII was tolerant of<\/em> few who tried to question his authority.<\/p>\n Incorrect:<\/strong> Henry VIII was tolerant to the few who tried to question his authority.\n
Common SAT Idioms<\/h2>\n
Absent from<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nAcceptable to<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nAccustomed to<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nAcquainted with<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nAssociated with<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nAdept at<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nBelieve to be<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nCapable of<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nCollaborate with<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nConclude that<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nConsider (no preposition)<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nConsistent with<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nConscious of<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nContrary to<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nCredit with<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nDepict as<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nDifferent from<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nDistinguish from<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nEmerged as<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nEncourage to<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nEssential to<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nFamiliar with<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nFascinated by<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nForbid to<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nInclined to<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nIndifferent towards<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nInsist that<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nManage to<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nMistake for<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nModeled after<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nNative to<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nOblivious to \/ Be oblivious of<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nOriginate in<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nPerceive as<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nPredisposed to<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nPreferable to<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nPrejudiced against<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nPrized by<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nProhibit from<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nProtect against<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nRegard as<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nResponsibility to \/ Responsible for<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nSensitive to<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nSuspicious of<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nTolerant of<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nTry to<\/h3>\n