All GMAT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #101 : 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.
Sharon who completed the challenge faster than anyone else would be retiring.
Sharon, who completed the challenge faster than anyone else, would
Sharon; who completed the challenge faster than anyone else would
Sharon, who completed the challenge faster than anyone, else would
Sharon; who completed the challenge faster than anyone else; would
Sharon who completed the challenge faster than anyone else would
Sharon, who completed the challenge faster than anyone else, would
This sentence does not contain commas where they are necessary. The phrase "who completed the challenge faster than anyone else" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: Sharon. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is, "Sharon, who completed the challenge faster than anyone else, would."
Example Question #102 : 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 poem was short, and bleak.
was short; and bleak.
was short: and bleak.
was short and bleak.
was short, and, bleak.
was short, and bleak.
was short and bleak.
This sentence contains a comma where one is not necessary. Commas should only appear before conjunctions when that conjunction joins two independent clauses. The word "bleak" is not an independent clause. The correct choice is, "was short and bleak."
Example Question #231 : 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.
He packed his bags, and prepared to leave for the airport.
He packed his bags: and prepared
He packed his bags - and prepared
He packed his bags, and prepared
He packed his bags and prepared
He packed his bags; and prepared
He packed his bags and prepared
This sentence misuses the comma before "and." Commas should only appear before conjunctions when the conjunction joins two independent clauses. The clause "prepared to leave for the airport" cannot be an independent clause, however, because it does not contain a subject. If a "he" were added before the word "prepared," the comma would be fine. The correct choice is, "He packed his bags and prepared."
Example Question #232 : 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.
George Bernard Shaw once said "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
once said, "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
once said - "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
once said; "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
once said, 'Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.'
once said "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
once said, "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
This sentence does not use a comma where one is necessary. Commas should always come before any direct quotation that appears in the middle of a sentence. A comma should appear after the word "said." Note that one of the choices offers this, but has single quotation marks (single quotation marks should only be used when the quote appears within another existing quotation). The correct choice is, "once said, "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." "
Example Question #233 : 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.
The sleek fast car broke the previous speed record.
The, sleek fast car broke
The sleek fast car broke
The sleek, fast, car broke
The sleek fast, car broke
The sleek, fast car broke
The sleek, fast car broke
The words "sleek" and "fast" are coordinate adjectives: adjectives that modify the same noun separately, but are not separated with a conjunction. Coordinate adjectives need to be separated with a comma. The correct answer choice is, "The sleek, fast car broke."
Example Question #234 : 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.
She sought the small rare collectible for many years.
She sought the small, rare collectible
She sought the small, rare, collectible
She sought the small rare, collectible
She sought: the small, rare collectible
She sought the small rare collectible
She sought the small, rare collectible
The words "small" and "rare" are coordinate adjectives: adjectives that modify the same noun separately, but are not separated with a conjunction. Coordinate adjectives need to be separated with a comma. The correct answer choice is, "She sought the small, rare collectible."
Example Question #235 : 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.
The path which led to the building was closed.
path; which led to the building was
path which led to the building was
path; which led to the building, was
path, which led to the building, was
path; which led to the building; was
path, which led to the building, was
This sentence does not contain commas where necessary. The phrase "which led to the building" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: the path. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is, "path, which led to the building, was."
Example Question #236 : 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.
The boy wrote a long detailed letter to his friend.
The boy wrote a, long detailed letter
The boy wrote a long detailed letter
The boy wrote a long, detailed letter
The boy wrote a long, detailed, letter
The boy wrote a, long, detailed letter
The boy wrote a long, detailed letter
This sentence does not contain a comma where necessary. The words "long" and "detailed" are coordinate adjectives: adjectives that modify the same noun separately, but are not separated with a conjunction. Coordinate adjectives need to be separated with a comma. The correct answer choice is, "The boy wrote a long, detailed letter."
Example Question #237 : 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.
Janice decided, that she would visit the zoo the following day.
Janice decided: that she would visit
Janice decided; that she would visit
Janice decided that she would visit
Janice decided, that she would, visit
Janice decided, that she would visit
Janice decided that she would visit
This sentence contains a comma where one is not necessary. The word "that" as it is used here does not require a comma before it. The word "that," while is begins a new clause, is not separated from the main clause with a comma (e.g. same happens with the word "because"). The correct choice is, "Janice decided that she would visit."
Example Question #238 : 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.
The new machine was small, and noisy.
machine was small and noisy.
machine was small, and noisy.
machine was small, and, noisy.
machine was, small, and noisy
machine was: small and noisy
machine was small and noisy.
This sentence contains a comma where one is unnecessary. Commas only appear before conjunctions when that conjunction joins two independent clauses; however, the phrase "small and noisy" is not an independent clause. Omit the comma. The correct choice is, "machine was small and noisy."