GMAT Verbal : Correcting Comma Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

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.

Good music is, appreciated by everyone.

Possible Answers:

Good music appreciated: by everyone.

Good music is, appreciated by everyone.

Good music is appreciated by everyone.

Everyone appreciate good, music.

Everyone, appreciating good music.

Correct answer:

Good music is appreciated by everyone.

Explanation:

This sentence contains a simple error in its usage of a comma. This comma interrupts a clause, rather than punctuating one. "Good music is" is the beginning of a clause, it is neither a dependent nor an independent clause, and thus cannot have a comma at the end of it. The sentence is bet corrected by simply removing the comma.

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.

The countries gathered for the important annual meeting.

Possible Answers:

for, the important annual meeting.

for, the important, annual meeting.

for the important annual, meeting.

for the important annual meeting.

for the important, annual meeting.

Correct answer:

for the important, annual meeting.

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain a comma where necessary. The words "important" and "annual" 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, "for the important, annual meeting."

Example Question #111 : 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 flipping through books Masha noticed odd markings on some of the pages. 

Possible Answers:

While flipping through books, Masha noticed

While flipping through, books, Masha noticed

While flipping through books Masha, noticed

While flipping through books Masha noticed

While flipping through books; Masha noticed

Correct answer:

While flipping through books, Masha noticed

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain a comma where necessary. The phrase "While flipping through books" 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 flipping through books, Masha noticed."

Example Question #112 : 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.

She enjoyed the gentle calming breeze flowing through the park.

Possible Answers:

She enjoyed the gentle, calming, breeze

She enjoyed, the gentle calming breeze

She enjoyed the gentle, calming breeze

She enjoyed: the gentle calming breeze

She enjoyed: the gentle, calming breeze

Correct answer:

She enjoyed the gentle, calming breeze

Explanation:

The words "gentle" and "calming" 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 enjoyed the gentle, calming breeze."

Example Question #113 : 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 child's mother, brother, and, stepbrothers all played important roles in his linguistic development.

Possible Answers:

The childs' stepbrothers, mother, brother, and all played important roles in his linguistic development.

The child's mother, brother, and, stepbrother's all played important roles in his linguistic development.

The child's mother, brother, and stepbrothers all played important roles in his linguistic development.

The child's mother, brother, and, not to mention both of her stepbrothers, all played important roles in his linguistic development.

The childs mother, brother, and stepbrothers, all played important roles in his linguistic development.

Correct answer:

The child's mother, brother, and stepbrothers all played important roles in his linguistic development.

Explanation:

In a parallelism with three objects, it is generally correct to use a comma after the first two objects. All of the other answer choices contain comma splice errors or errors with the use of possessive apostrophes.

Example Question #114 : 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.

However, compelling the argument, one cannot simply take a claim like that for granted.

Possible Answers:

However, compelling the argument, one cannot 

However compelling the argument, one cannot 

However compelling the argument one, can not 

However; compelling the argument, one cannot 

However compelling, the argument, one cannot 

Correct answer:

However compelling the argument, one cannot 

Explanation:

First, "can not" and "cannot" are both considered correct in modern English. Second, the word however may be used after a semicolon to join two independent clauses. In this case the word however is being used simply as an adverb modifying the word "compelling". The incorrect answer choices create comma splice errors or use the semicolon incorrectly. The correct answer choice simply omits the comma after however and places it at the end of the dangling modifier "However...argument".

Example Question #115 : 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.

A California native the producer moved to Nashville in October enthusiastic to work in Music City!

Possible Answers:

A California native the producer moved to Nashville back in October 

A California native the producer moved out to Nashville in October 

A California native, the producer moved to Nashville in October,

A California native, the producer, moved to Nashville in October 

A California native the producer moved over and out to Nashville in October,

Correct answer:

A California native, the producer moved to Nashville in October,

Explanation:

The problem here is not one of modifying the verb; rather, it is a matter of correctly using a comma to set off the dangling modifier "A California native." The correct syntax is Dangling Modifier / Comma/ Modified Noun. Eliminate the answer choices that create comma splice errors and think of the answer choices as they relate to the sentence as a whole. 

Example Question #116 : 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.

Therefore the president can select rates that are in the upper range of acceptable amounts from ACC 301 at Southwestern Michigan College.

Possible Answers:

Therefore the president can select rates, that are

Therefore the president, can select rates, that are

Therefore, the president can select rates that are

Therefore; the president can select rates, that are

Therefore the president can select rates that are

Correct answer:

Therefore, the president can select rates that are

Explanation:

When using the conjunctive adverb "therefore" at the beginning of a sentence, it is appropriate to use a comma to set it off. All of the other answer choices demonstrate incorrect comma usage and comma splice errors.

Example Question #117 : 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.

Today, diabetes, takes more lives than AIDS and breast cancer combined

Possible Answers:

Today, diabetes takes more lives than AIDS, and 

Today diabetes takes more lives than AIDS, and 

Today, diabetes takes more lives than AIDS but 

Today, diabetes takes more lives than AIDS and 

Today diabetes takes more lives than AIDS and 

Correct answer:

Today, diabetes takes more lives than AIDS and 

Explanation:

Placing a comma after "and" results in a comma splice, separating a compound object. A comma is appropriate after the adverb "today." No other comma is needed in the sentence. In fact, using other commas results in gross mechanical errors, changing the conjunction "and" to "but" also incorrectly modifies the compound object "AIDS and breast cancer".

Example Question #118 : 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 sleek modern building was a marvel for all to see.

Possible Answers:

The sleek modern building; was a marvel

The sleek modern building, was a marvel

The sleek modern building was a marvel

The sleek modern, building was a marvel

The sleek, modern building was a marvel

Correct answer:

The sleek, modern building was a marvel

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain a comma where necessary. The words "sleek" and "modern" 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, modern building was a marvel."

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