GMAT Verbal : Correcting Comma Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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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.

Possible Answers:

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

Correct answer:

Sharon, who completed the challenge faster than anyone else, would

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

was short; and bleak.

was short: and bleak.

was short and bleak.

was short, and, bleak.

was short, and bleak.

Correct answer:

was short and bleak.

Explanation:

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. 

Possible Answers:

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

Correct answer:

He packed his bags and prepared

Explanation:

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."

Possible Answers:

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."

Correct answer:

once said, "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

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

Correct answer:

The sleek, fast car broke

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

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

Correct answer:

She sought the small, rare collectible

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

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

Correct answer:

path, which led to the building, was

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

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

Correct answer:

The boy wrote a long, detailed letter

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

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

Correct answer:

Janice decided that she would visit

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

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

Correct answer:

machine was small and noisy.

Explanation:

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."

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