GMAT Verbal : Correcting Comma Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Correcting Comma Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Nina had been collecting stamps for years, her collection is now filled with many rare stamps.

Possible Answers:

collecting stamps for years; her collection is now filled

had been collecting stamps for years, her collection filled now

had been collecting stamps for years, her collection is now filled

had been collecting stamps for years: her collection is now filled

had been collecting stamps for years; her collection is now filled

Correct answer:

had been collecting stamps for years; her collection is now filled

Explanation:

This sentence misuses a comma. Commas can only be used to combine independent clauses when a conjunction is present. This is not the case. When a conjunction is not present, the most appropriate punctuation in this case is a semicolon. Note that a colon would not be appropriate since the second clause, while related, does not actually explain anything about the act of collecting the stamps. The correct choice is "had been collecting stamps for years; her collection is now filled."

Example Question #92 : Correcting Comma Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

He visited the library, in hope of finding a rare book.

Possible Answers:

the library, in hope of finding a rare book.

the library in hope of finding the rare book he searched for.

the library, in hope of finding a rare book he wanted.

the library in hope of finding a rare book.

the library in hope of finding a rare book he was searching for.

Correct answer:

the library in hope of finding a rare book.

Explanation:

This sentence misuses a comma. Commas are generally used to separate clauses, but a prepositional phrase (here: "in hope of finding a rare book") does not start a new clause. Commas generally do not appear before prepositions. The correct chocie is "the library in hope of finding a rare book." The other choices contain dangling prepositions or the same error in using the comma (among others). 

Example Question #93 : Correcting Comma Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

The coach said "It is always important to stretch before running."

Possible Answers:

The coach said It is always important to stretch before running.

The coach said "It is always important to stretch before running."

The coach said: It is always important to stretch before running.

The coach said, "It is always important to stretch before running."

The coach said, 'It is always important to stretch before running.'

Correct answer:

The coach said, "It is always important to stretch before running."

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain a comma where one is necessary. Since the phrase "It is always important to stretch before running" is a direct quote, a comma should appear after the word "said." A colon could also be used (though, commas are more appropriate), but not with single quotation marks, since this is not a quote within a quote.

Example Question #94 : Correcting Comma Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

While he completed the test he forgot to check his answers.

Possible Answers:

While he completed the test, he forgot

While he completed the test - he forgot

While he completed the test; he forgot

While he completed the test: he forgot

While he completed the test he forgot

Correct answer:

While he completed the test, he forgot

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain a comma where necessary. The phrase "While he completed the test" is an example of an introductory phrase, explaining information necessary to the context of the sentence, but outside of the main sentence, grammatically. These types of phrases must be followed by a comma in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence. The correct answer choice is, "While he completed the test, he forgot."

Example Question #95 : Correcting Comma Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Doing simple things such as sleeping and eating well can have a huge impact on a person's productivity.

Possible Answers:

 things, such as sleeping and eating well can have a huge impact

 things such as: sleeping and eating well, can have a huge impact

 things such as sleeping and eating well can have a huge impact

 things, such as sleeping and eating well, can have a huge impact

 things; such as sleeping and eating well, can have a huge impact

Correct answer:

 things, such as sleeping and eating well, can have a huge impact

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain commas where they are necessary. The phrase "such as sleeping and eating well" is a paranthetical expression: a phrase that explains more about a particular word or phrase in the sentence, but is not introduced by a relative pronoun. These phrases must be introduced and completed with a comma in order to separate them from the main clause of the sentence. The correct answer choice is, " things, such as sleeping and eating well, can have a huge impact."

Example Question #96 : Correcting Comma Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

After much practice Tammy's tennis game seemed to be improving.

Possible Answers:

After much practice, Tammy's tennis game

After much practice, Tammy's tennis game,

After much practice Tammy's tennis game;

After much practice Tammy's tennis game

After much practice; Tammy's tennis game

Correct answer:

After much practice, Tammy's tennis game

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain a comma where one is necessary. The phrase "After much practice" is an example of an introductory phrase, explaining information necessary to the context of the sentence, but outside of the main sentence, grammatically. These types of phrases must be followed by a comma in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence. The correct answer choice is, "After much practice, Tammy's tennis game."

Example Question #225 : Correcting Punctuation Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Michael Dell said "You don't have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful. You just need a framework and a dream."

Possible Answers:

Michael Dell said "You don't have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful.

Michael Dell said you don't have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful.

Michael Dell said: 'You don't have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful.

Michael Dell said, "You don't have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful.

Michael Dell said, you don't have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful.

Correct answer:

Michael Dell said, "You don't have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful.

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain a comma where one is necessary. Since this is a direct quote, a comma should appear after the word "said." Note that Double quotations must be used (single quotations are only used when a quote appears within an already existing quote). The correct choice is, "Michael Dell said, "You don't have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful."

Example Question #97 : Correcting Comma Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Because of her promotion Heidi was moving across the country.

Possible Answers:

Because of her promotion: Heidi was moving

Because of her promotion, Heidi was moving

Because of her promotion, Heidi was moved

Because of her promotion, Heidi moving

Because of her promotion Heidi was moving

Correct answer:

Because of her promotion, Heidi was moving

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain a comma where one is necessary. The phrase "Because of her promotion" is an example of an introductory phrase, explaining information necessary to the context of the sentence, but outside of the main sentence, grammatically. These types of phrases must be followed by a comma in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence. The correct answer choice is, "Because of her promotion, Heidi was moving."

Example Question #98 : Correcting Comma Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Surprisingly he managed to win the contest with little practice.

Possible Answers:

Surprisingly; he managed to win the contest

Surprisingly he managed to win the contest,

Surprisingly, he managed to win the contest

Surprisingly he managed to win the contest:

Surprisingly he managed to win the contest

Correct answer:

Surprisingly, he managed to win the contest

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain a comma where necessary. The phrase "Surprisingly" is an example of an introductory phrase, explaining information necessary to the context of the sentence, but outside of the main sentence, grammatically. These types of phrases must be followed by a comma in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence. The correct answer choice is, "Surprisingly, he managed to win the contest."

Example Question #99 : Correcting Comma Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

The author wrote some of the longest books ever, written in history.

Possible Answers:

the longest books ever written: in history.

the longest books ever, written in history.

the longest books ever writes in history.

the longest books ever, writes in history.

the longest books ever written in history.

Correct answer:

the longest books ever written in history.

Explanation:

This sentence contains a comma where one is not necessary. Commas are generally used to separate clauses, but the word "ever" is in the same clause as "written," and they are not coordinate adjectives. The comma should be omitted. Note that no additional punctuation is necessary because prepositional phrases do not start new clauses, which is necessary for the use of any of the punctuation present in the above choices (commas, colons). The correct choice is, "the longest books ever written in history."

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