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Idiomatic Prepositions

27 questions

Question 21Question →

Read the sentence below.

The archival manuscript was entirely devoid from historical details that could verify the author's identity, leaving researchers to rely solely on stylistic analysis.

Which of the following choices produces a grammatically and idiomatically correct sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: devoid of

Answer

The correct option is 'devoid of' because the adjective 'devoid' idiomatically pairs with the preposition 'of'.
In standard English, the adjective 'devoid' must be followed by the preposition 'of' when indicating that something is entirely lacking a specific feature or quality. Therefore, the phrase 'devoid of' creates an idiomatically correct sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the underlined expression and determine the target grammatical skill.
The underlined phrase is 'devoid from', which tests an adjective-preposition idiomatic combination.
ACT English frequently tests fixed prepositional idioms paired with specific adjectives, verbs, or nouns.
2
Recall standard English idiomatic usage for the adjective 'devoid'.
The adjective 'devoid' idiomatically requires 'of' (e.g., 'devoid of meaning' or 'devoid of details').
Although phrases like 'free from' use 'from', 'devoid' exclusively takes 'of' to express complete absence or lack.
3
Evaluate the choices to select the idiomatically correct preposition.
Replacing 'devoid from' with 'devoid of' restores standard idiomatic phrasing.
'Devoid of' is the only option that conforms to standard conventions of written English.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Prepositions
Estimated Time:45s
Question 22Question →

Read the sentence below from an article on materials science.

"The synthetic polymer developed by the research team proved exceptionally susceptible for chemical erosion when exposed to high ambient temperatures."

Which of the following choices replaces the underlined phrase with the idiomatically correct preposition?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: susceptible to

Answer

The phrase 'susceptible to' provides the idiomatically correct preposition for the sentence.
In standard English, the adjective 'susceptible' idiomatically pairs with the preposition 'to' when expressing vulnerability or liability to an influence. Therefore, 'susceptible to' is the only choice that adheres to conventions of usage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the head word preceding the underlined preposition.
The head word is the adjective 'susceptible'.
Prepositional idioms are fixed expressions determined by the noun, verb, or adjective being modified.
2
Determine the standard English prepositional pairing for 'susceptible'.
In standard written English, 'susceptible' requires the preposition 'to' when indicating vulnerability.
Prepositions such as 'for', 'with', or 'towards' form non-standard prepositional combinations with 'susceptible'.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Preposition Usage with Adjectives
Question 23Question →

Read the sentence below:

During an investigation into spatial memory consolidation, cognitive neuroscientists observed that chronic sleep restriction was particularly detrimental for a subject's ability to navigate novel virtual environments.

Which of the following choices produces a grammatically correct and idiomatically appropriate sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: detrimental to

Answer

Replacing the underlined phrase with 'detrimental to' establishes correct idiomatic preposition usage in standard written English.
In standard written English, the adjective 'detrimental' idiomatically pairs with the preposition 'to' (e.g., 'detrimental to health' or 'detrimental to performance'). Therefore, substituting 'detrimental to' produces a grammatically and idiomatically correct sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the head adjective and its accompanying preposition in the underlined segment.
The target word is the adjective 'detrimental' paired with the preposition 'for'.
Prepositional idiom rules depend on fixed conventions governing which preposition pairs with a specific adjective.
2
Evaluate standard English idiomatic conventions for the adjective 'detrimental'.
Standard English requires 'detrimental to' rather than 'detrimental for', 'detrimental with', or 'detrimental on'.
Certain adjectives mandate specific prepositional complements to convey directional or relational impact correctly.
3
Select the option that correctly substitutes 'detrimental to'.
The option offering 'detrimental to' resolves the idiomatic usage error.
This substitution satisfies standard conventions of written English required on the ACT.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Preposition Usage with Adjectives
Question 24Question →

Read the sentence below. Which choice provides the idiomatically correct preposition for the underlined portion?

In his monograph on modern typography, the design critic argued that minimalist aesthetics are not necessarily synonymous to functional design.

Show answer & explanation

Answer: synonymous with

Answer

The correct option is 'synonymous with' because the adjective 'synonymous' requires the preposition 'with' to form a standard English idiom.
The adjective 'synonymous' idiomatically requires the preposition 'with' when expressing that two terms or concepts share the same meaning or identity. Thus, 'synonymous with' is the only grammatically and idiomatically correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target word and the attached preposition in the underlined segment.
The target word is the adjective 'synonymous', currently paired with the preposition 'to'.
Idiomatic usage questions test whether specific adjectives, verbs, or nouns pair correctly with their conventional prepositions.
2
Recall standard English idiomatic conventions for the adjective 'synonymous'.
Standard written English dictates that 'synonymous' takes the preposition 'with' (e.g., 'X is synonymous with Y').
Prepositions such as 'to', 'for', or 'of' are non-standard pairings in formal English prose when following 'synonymous'.
3
Select the option that replaces the underlined text with the correct idiom.
Replacing 'synonymous to' with 'synonymous with' yields a grammatically and idiomatically precise sentence.
This substitution satisfies standard ACT conventions of usage.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Prepositions with Adjectives
Estimated Time:45s
Question 25Question →

Read the following sentence from an article on marine biology:

"In her study on deep-sea hydrothermal vent organisms, marine biologist Dr. Elena Vance observed that specialized heat-shock proteins rendered certain tube worm species virtually impervious for the scalding, mineral-rich fluids emitted by the vents."

Which choice is idiomatically correct for the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: impervious to

Answer

impervious to
The adjective 'impervious' idiomatically requires the preposition 'to' when indicating that something is unaffected or unharmed by an external factor. Therefore, the phrase 'impervious to' is the only option that adheres to standard English conventions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the head word and the preposition being tested in the underlined portion.
The adjective is 'impervious' and it is currently paired with the preposition 'for'.
Standard written English requires specific prepositions to follow certain adjectives to create correct idiomatic expressions.
2
Select the correct idiomatic preposition that pairs with 'impervious'.
The correct idiomatic construction is 'impervious to'.
In standard English conventions, 'impervious' must be followed by 'to' when indicating that something cannot be penetrated, affected, or harmed by outside elements.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Prepositions with Adjectives
Estimated Time:45s
Question 26Question →

Read the sentence below from an essay on architectural history.

During the restoration of the eighteenth-century cathedral, the lead preservationist emphasized strict adherence with traditional masonry techniques to preserve structural authenticity.

Which choice best completes the sentence according to the conventions of standard written English?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: adherence to

Answer

The correct option replaces 'adherence with' with 'adherence to'.
The noun 'adherence' idiomatically pairs with the preposition 'to' when referring to maintaining devotion or compliance to a specific standard or practice. Therefore, 'adherence to' is the only choice that conforms to standard English conventions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target word and the attached preposition.
The underlined phrase uses the noun 'adherence' followed by the preposition 'with'.
English grammar requires specific prepositions to follow specific nouns to create correct idiomatic expressions.
2
Determine the idiomatically correct preposition for the noun 'adherence'.
The standard idiomatic expression is 'adherence to' (meaning attachment or devotion to a rule, belief, or method).
Prepositions such as 'with', 'for', and 'toward' do not form standard idiomatic pairings with 'adherence' in this context.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Preposition Pairs (Noun + Preposition)
Estimated Time:45s
Question 27Question →

Although the lead scientist preferred to run the experiment using a new set of variables, the lab director insisted in adhering to the original protocol.

Which choice best replaces the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: insisted on

Answer

insisted on
The verb 'insist' requires the preposition 'on' (or 'upon') when followed by a noun phrase or a gerund (such as 'adhering'). Therefore, the option containing 'insisted on' is the only grammatically and idiomatically correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the underlined verb-preposition combination 'insisted in'.
The preposition 'in' is paired with the verb 'insist'.
To evaluate whether this pairing matches standard English idiomatic usage.
2
Determine the correct preposition that idiomatically follows 'insist' when expressing a firm demand.
The verb 'insist' requires the preposition 'on' (or 'upon') when followed by a gerund like 'adhering'.
Standard idiomatic English conventions dictate that a person insists on an action.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that uses 'on'.
The option containing 'insisted on' is correct.
It resolves the idiomatic error by replacing 'in' with the correct preposition 'on'.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Prepositions
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