GMAT Verbal : Correcting Comma Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #165 : 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 company's upcoming announcement which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs put everyone on edge.
The company's upcoming announcement which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs put everyone, on edge.
The company's upcoming announcement which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs, put everyone on edge.
The company's upcoming announcement, which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs put everyone on edge.
The company's upcoming, announcement which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs, put everyone on edge.
The company's upcoming announcement, which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs, put everyone on edge.
The company's upcoming announcement, which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs, put everyone on edge.
The phrase "which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: announcement. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is "The company's upcoming announcement, which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs, put everyone on edge."
Example Question #41 : 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 new CEO who was a very controversial choice was hired in order to fix the company's image, but many people doubted whether or not he would be able to do so.
The new CEO who was a very controversial choice, was hired in order to fix
The new, CEO, who was a very controversial choice was hired in order to fix
The new CEO who was a very controversial choice was hired, in order to fix
The new CEO, who was a very controversial choice was hired in order to fix
The new CEO, who was a very controversial choice, was hired in order to fix
The new CEO, who was a very controversial choice, was hired in order to fix
The phrase "who was a very controversial choice" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: the CEO. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is "The new CEO, who was a very controversial choice, was hired in order to fix."
Example Question #42 : 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.
As he sat on his rug, he was trying to solve the problem for his boss promised a bonus to the first person that could do it.
he was trying to solve the problem for his boss promised a bonus to the first person that could do it.
he was trying to solve the problem, for his boss promised a bonus to the first person that could do it.
he was trying to solve the problem for his boss promised, a bonus to the first person that could do it.
he was trying to solve, the problem for his boss promised a bonus to the first person that could do it.
he was trying to solve the problem for his boss promised a bonus, to the first person that could do it.
he was trying to solve the problem, for his boss promised a bonus to the first person that could do it.
In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by the coordinate conjunction "for." When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. The correct answer choice is "he was trying to solve the problem, for his boss promised a bonus to the first person that could do it."
Example Question #172 : 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 school's library which was open to the community proved to be a valuable resource.
The school's library, which was open to the community, proved to be a valuable resource.
The school's library which was open to the community, proved to be a valuable resource.
The school's library, which was open to the community proved to be a valuable resource.
The school's library which was open to the community proved to be a valuable, resource.
The school's library, which was open to the community proved to be, a valuable, resource.
The school's library, which was open to the community, proved to be a valuable resource.
The phrase "which was open to the community" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: library. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is, "The school's library, which was open to the community, proved to be a valuable resource."
Example Question #45 : 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 the meeting, many people were still confused about what the new product which was supposed to revolutionize the industry actually did.
people were still confused, about what the new product which was supposed to revolutionize the industry, actually did.
people were still confused about what the new product, which was supposed to revolutionize the industry actually did.
people were still confused about what the new product, which was supposed to revolutionize, the industry actually did.
people were still confused about what the new product, which was supposed to revolutionize the industry, actually did.
people were still confused about what the new, product which was supposed to revolutionize the industry, actually did.
people were still confused about what the new product, which was supposed to revolutionize the industry, actually did.
The phrase "which was supposed to revolutionize the industry" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: product. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is "people were still confused about what the new product, which was supposed to revolutionize the industry, actually did."
Example Question #271 : Sentence Correction
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 the rumors of the company's new product were all true there were many details about the product that were not yet known.
While the rumors of the company's new product, were all true there were many details
While the rumors of the company's new product were all true there were many details,
While the rumors of the company's new product were all true, there were many details
While the rumors of the company's new product were all true there were many details
While the rumors of the company's new product were all true: there were many details
While the rumors of the company's new product were all true, there were many details
This sentence does not contain a comma where necessary. The phrase "While the rumors of the company's new product were all true" 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 the rumors of the company's new product were all true, there were many details."
Example Question #47 : 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.
They were investing in new machinery which was supposed to make their jobs easier but cost much money.
They were investing in new machinery, which was supposed to make their jobs easier but cost much money.
They were investing, in new machinery which was supposed to make their jobs easier, but cost much money.
They were investing in new machinery which was supposed to make their jobs easier, but cost much money.
They were investing in new machinery, which was supposed to make their jobs easier, but cost much money.
They were investing, in new machinery which was supposed to make their jobs easier but cost much money.
They were investing in new machinery, which was supposed to make their jobs easier, but cost much money.
The phrase "which was supposed to make their jobs easier" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: "machinery." Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is "They were investing in new machinery, which was supposed to make their jobs easier, but cost much money."
Example Question #43 : 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.
Due to the company's budget problems management started a round of layoffs.
Due to the company's budget problems; management started a round of layoffs.
Due to the company's budget problems management, started a round of layoffs.
Due to the company's budget problems, management started a round of layoffs.
Due to the company's budget problems management started a round of layoffs.
Due to the company's budget problems, management, started a round of layoffs.
Due to the company's budget problems, management started a round of layoffs.
The phrase "Due to the company's budget problems" 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 "Due to the company's budget problems, management started a round of layoffs. "
Example Question #175 : 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 kids were planning to have a parade on September 16 2011.
The kids were planning to have a parade on September, 16, 2011.
The kids were planning to have a parade on September 16, 2011.
The kids were planning, to have a parade on September 16, 2011.
The kids were planning to have a parade, on September 16, 2011.
The kids were planning to have a parade, on September 16 2011.
The kids were planning to have a parade on September 16, 2011.
This sentence omits a comma where one is needed. A comma should always appear after the day of the month in a date. The correct answer is, "The kids were planning to have a parade on September 16, 2011." The other sentences are wrong because the commas are in the wrong place(s).
Example Question #176 : 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.
On nice days Brandon liked to go to the park and fly his model airplane.
On nice days Brandon liked
On nice days, Brandon, liked
On nice days, Brandon liked
On nice days Brandon liked,
On nice days: Brandon liked
On nice days, Brandon liked
This sentence needs a comma after the word "days." The phrase "On nice days" 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, "On nice days, Brandon liked."
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