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Correct Expression
Often, sentences are not correct because they are not “idiomatic.” An expression that is not idiomatic is
one that is not acceptable English for any of several reasons.
1. Wrong Prepositions
In English, as in other languages, only certain prepositions can be used with certain verbs.
EXAMPLES:
In contrast of the prevailing opinion, the editorial places the blame for the strike on the workers
and their representatives.

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Writing Test
15
ARCO
■ SAT II Subject Tests
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In this sentence, the expression in contrast of is not idiomatic. The expression should be in contrast
to. So the sentence would read: “In contrast to the prevailing opinion, the editorial places the blame for
the strike on the workers and their representatives.”
Although ballet and modern dance are both concerned in movement in space to musical
accompaniment, the training for ballet is more rigorous than that for modern dance.
The expression concerned in is not idiomatic. The sentence should read: “Although ballet and mod-
ern dance are both concerned with movement in space to musical accompaniment, the training for ballet
is more rigorous than that for modern dance.”
2. Right Idea, Wrong Word
Make sure you use words that mean what you intend to say. Be careful not to use an incorrect word that
sounds like the word you really mean to use.
EXAMPLES:
By midnight the guests still had not been served anything to eat and they were ravishing.
The sentence intends to state that the guests were very hungry, but that is not the meaning of the
word ravishing. The sentence can be corrected by changing ravishing to ravenous. Corrected, the sen-
tence reads: “By midnight the guests still had not been served anything to eat and they were ravenous.”
The raise in the number of accidents attributable to drunk drivers has prompted a call for stiffer
penalties for driving while intoxicated.
This sentence can be corrected by changing raise to rise. The corrected sentence reads: “The rise in
the number of accidents attributable to drunk drivers has prompted a call for stiffer penalties for driving
while intoxicated.”