GMAT Verbal key terms

A stated piece of evidence or fact in an argument that is offered as support for the conclusion. Premises are what the author assumes you will accept as true.

The main claim an argument is trying to establish. It is the statement the author wants the reader to accept, and it is usually supported by one or more premises.

An unstated belief the argument requires in order for its premises to support its conclusion. If the assumption is false, the reasoning falls apart.

A conclusion drawn from available evidence rather than stated outright. On the exam, an inference must follow necessarily from the passage, not merely be plausible.

A question type asking you to choose the answer that makes the argument more likely to be valid, often by supplying or confirming a needed assumption.

A question type asking you to choose the answer that makes the argument less likely to hold, often by undermining an assumption or offering an alternative explanation.

A different cause or reason that accounts for the same evidence the argument cites. Showing such an explanation exists is a common way to weaken a causal claim.

The distinction between two things occurring together and one actually causing the other. Treating a mere correlation as proof of cause is a frequent flaw the exam tests.

A circumstance that, if present, guarantees the outcome. Confusing a sufficient condition with a necessary one is a standard reasoning error.

A circumstance that must be present for the outcome to occur, though it may not be enough on its own. Without it, the result cannot happen.

A specific defect in reasoning, such as an unrepresentative sample, circular logic, or a false dilemma. Flaw questions ask you to name or describe the error.

When an argument subtly changes the meaning or subject of a term between premise and conclusion, so the evidence no longer supports the claim.

A group studied that does not fairly reflect the larger population the conclusion is drawn about, making generalizations from it unreliable.

A broad claim drawn from specific cases. It is only sound when the cases examined are numerous and typical of the whole group.

A question type presenting two facts that seem contradictory but are not. You must choose an answer that explains how both can be true at once.

The task in a paradox question of finding the statement that reconciles apparently conflicting facts, usually by revealing a hidden distinction.

The central claim of a passage, capturing the author's primary purpose rather than a supporting detail. Main-point answers must cover the whole passage.

The overall aim of a passage, such as to explain, evaluate, or argue against a position. It describes why the author wrote the text.

A specific fact, example, or reason inside a passage that backs up a broader claim. Detail questions ask what the passage explicitly says.

The author's attitude toward the subject, such as approving, skeptical, or neutral. Tone questions require attention to word choice and qualifiers.

The stance a passage or a cited figure takes toward an idea. Distinguishing the author's attitude from that of people the author describes is essential.

The way a passage is organized, for example a claim followed by evidence and a counterargument. Structure questions ask how parts relate to each other.

The role a particular sentence or paragraph plays in a passage, such as introducing a theory, providing evidence, or offering a concession.

A reading question asking what must be true based on the passage even though it is not stated directly. Answers must be tightly supported by the text.

A reading question asking you to apply a principle or situation from the passage to a new scenario not described in it.

A comparison used to clarify or extend an idea. Analogy questions ask which new case is most similar in relevant respects to one in the passage.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number, singular or plural. Long interrupting phrases often hide the true subject, so identify it first.

The requirement that items in a list or comparison share the same grammatical form. Mismatched structures, like mixing a noun with a clause, create errors.

A word or phrase that describes another element in the sentence. A modifier must sit next to the thing it describes, or it becomes misplaced or dangling.

An introductory descriptive phrase whose intended subject is missing or unclear, so the phrase appears to describe the wrong noun.

The clarity of the noun a pronoun stands for. A pronoun must point to exactly one logical antecedent, or the sentence is ambiguous.

The rule that a pronoun must match its antecedent in number and person. Singular antecedents require singular pronouns.

A construction that sets two things side by side. The items compared must be logically comparable and grammatically parallel, and the comparison must be complete.

A conventional pairing of words that usage requires, such as a specific preposition following a verb. Idiom errors are fixed by choosing the standard phrasing.

The choice of words, including whether a word carries the intended meaning. Wrong-word errors occur when a similar-sounding term is used incorrectly.

The time reference a verb conveys. Sentences must keep tenses consistent and use the tense that matches the actual sequence of events.

Unnecessary repetition of the same meaning in a sentence, such as saying a reason is because. Concise phrasing removes words that add nothing.

Using one word in two different senses within an argument, so that the reasoning only appears valid because the meaning shifts.