IDIOMS: conflicting reasons in SC guide and in online Questi

[rajeshr.iitk]

IDIOMS:

In the SC guide, 5th ed., page 164, Idioms list, it is mentioned that "MEANS TO ..." is the right idiomatic use and "MEANS OF ..." is wrong.
Examples (given in SC guide):
Write: Music education is a means to improve cognition.
Wrong: Music education is a means of/for improve cognition.

Whereas, in 14th question of Question bank of Foundation of Verbal it is said "..."Means of" is the correct idiom. For instance, "He succeeded by means of hard work." "

When the economy crashed, people began using foodstuffs and household goods as a means to barter.

(A) means to barter : WRONG
(B) means of bartering : RIGHT

Please clear the doubt.

Thanks,
Rajesh

[tim]

i would say either could be used, depending on the context and the other words that are used:

means to improve (okay)
means to improving (wrong)
means for improving (okay)
means for improve (wrong)

beyond this, you are not likely to be tested on the distinction between the two "okay" ones i have listed above. let me know if you actually see this being tested on a GMAT problem and we can revisit it; otherwise, go ahead and move on to another topic to study.. :)

[Willy]

IDIOMS:

In the SC guide, 5th ed., page 164, Idioms list, it is mentioned that "MEANS TO ..." is the right idiomatic use and "MEANS OF ..." is wrong.
Examples (given in SC guide):
Write: Music education is a means to improve cognition.
Wrong: Music education is a means of/for improve cognition.

Whereas, in 14th question of Question bank of Foundation of Verbal it is said "..."Means of" is the correct idiom. For instance, "He succeeded by means of hard work." "

When the economy crashed, people began using foodstuffs and household goods as a means to barter.

(A) means to barter : WRONG
(B) means of bartering : RIGHT

Please clear the doubt.

Thanks,
Rajesh

In general, when used -

X (as a means of) Y = X is a type of Y

e.g. Running is a means of exercise.
Here, running is a type of exercise. There can be various types but running is one.

X (as a means to) Y = X is a method to achieve Y

e.g. People use running as a means to stay healthy.
Here, running is a method to achieve something i.e. staying healthy.

In your example,

When the economy crashed, people began using foodstuffs and household goods as a means to barter.

"means to" is wrong because sentence means people began exchanging foodstuffs and household goods and that exchanging is a type of bartering. So, I think "means of bartering" is right.

Hope I am making some sense. Am I correct Tim?

[RonPurewal]

In general, when used -

X (as a means of) Y = X is a type of Y

...

X (as a means to) Y = X is a method to achieve Y

i'm not tim, but, yes, you are correct.

[Willy]

In general, when used -

X (as a means of) Y = X is a type of Y

...

X (as a means to) Y = X is a method to achieve Y

i'm not tim, but, yes, you are correct.

Thanks Ron. And who doesn't know you in GMAT Land? :)

[tim]

he's a legend!

[ridhi.nsit]

Please help with this question.
I think none of the answer choices is correct. But the guide says (A) is the correct answer.

[---]

[RonPurewal]

Please help with this question.
I think none of the answer choices is correct. But the guide says (A) is the correct answer.

[---]

new problem = new thread, please. thanks.

[RonPurewal]

... and, when you re-post the problem, please cite the original source (as per the forum rules). thanks.