GMAT Verbal : Correcting Comma Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : 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.

Atlas Shrugged, is one of the largest novels ever written.

Possible Answers:

Atlas Shrugged: is one of the largest novels ever written.

Atlas Shrugged, is one of the largest, novels ever written.

Atlas Shrugged is one of the largest, novels ever written.

Atlas Shrugged, is one of the largest novels ever written.

Atlas Shrugged is one of the largest novels ever written.

Correct answer:

Atlas Shrugged is one of the largest novels ever written.

Explanation:

This sentence misuses a comma. Since this sentence is a simple sentence, no punctuation is needed whatsoever. The correct choice is, "Atlas Shrugged is one of the largest novels ever written."

Atlas Shrugged was published by Ayn Rand in 1957.

Example Question #62 : 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.

Dubai has a series of large sculptured islands that look like palm trees.

Possible Answers:

Dubai has a series of large, sculptured islands

Dubai has a series of large sculptured islands

Dubai has a series of: large, sculptured islands

Dubai has a series, of large, sculptured, islands,

Dubai has a series of large, sculptured, islands,

Correct answer:

Dubai has a series of large, sculptured islands

Explanation:

The words "large" and "sculptured" 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, "Dubai has a series of large, sculptured islands."

Example Question #63 : 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.

In their conversations which usually occurred via email Monica and Jess discussed current events and shared videos.

Possible Answers:

In their conversations, which usually occurred via email, Monica and Jess

In their conversations which usually occurred via email, Monica and Jess,

In their conversations which usually occurred via email Monica and Jess

In their conversations which usually occurred via email, Monica and Jess

In their conversations, which usually occurred via email Monica and Jess

Correct answer:

In their conversations, which usually occurred via email, Monica and Jess

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain commas where necessary. The phrase "which ususally occurred via email" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: conversations. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct choice is, "In their conversations, which usually occurred via email, Monica and Jess."

Example Question #64 : 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 cement and steel are already strong materials they are especially strong when used together.

Possible Answers:

cement and steel are already strong materials; they are especially strong

cement and steel are already strong materials they are especially strong

,cement and steel are already strong materials they are especially strong,

cement and steel are already strong materials, they are especially strong

cement and steel are already strong, materials, they are especially strong,

Correct answer:

cement and steel are already strong materials, they are especially strong

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain punctuation where it is necessary. The phrase "While cement and steel are already strong materials" 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, "cement and steel are already strong materials, they are especially strong."

Example Question #65 : 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 exodus of poeple from the countryside is due to the industrial revolution, and the increase of opportunities in cities. 

Possible Answers:

due to: the industrial revolution, and the increase, of opportunities in cities. 

due to: the industrial revolution, and the increase of opportunities in cities. 

due to the industrial revolution, and the increase of opportunities in cities. 

due to: the industrial revolution and the increase of opportunities in cities. 

due to the industrial revolution and the increase of opportunities in cities. 

Correct answer:

due to the industrial revolution and the increase of opportunities in cities. 

Explanation:

This sentence misuses a comma. The phrase "due to the industrial revolution and the increase of opportunities" is just that - one phrase. All of these words are part of one clause, so there is no reason for a comma before the word "and." Commas only appear before conjunctions when the conjunction is used to combine two independent clauses. The best choice is, "due to the industrial revolution and the increase of opportunities in cities." 

Example Question #66 : 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.

Many people in the town preferred Carlos' firm because of his low fees, and amazing customer service. 

Possible Answers:

because of, his low fees and amazing customer service.

because of his low fees and amazing customer service.

because of, his low fees, and amazing customer service.

,because of his low fees, and amazing customer service.

because of his low fees, and amazing customer service.

Correct answer:

because of his low fees and amazing customer service.

Explanation:

This sentence misuses a comma. Commas only appear before conjunctions when the conjunction is used to combine two independent clauses. The words on both sides of "and," however, are part of the same clause. No additional punctuation is necessary. The correct choice is, "because of his low fees and amazing customer service."

Example Question #67 : 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.

Many individuals believe, that driverless cars will fill our roads within the next fifty years. 

Possible Answers:

Many individuals believe that driverless cars will fill our roads

Many individuals believe, that driverless cars will fill: our roads

Many individuals believe that driverless, cars will fill our roads

Many individuals believe that driverless cars will fill our: roads

Many individuals believe, that driverless cars will fill our roads

Correct answer:

Many individuals believe that driverless cars will fill our roads

Explanation:

This sentence misuses a comma. There is no need for a comma before the word "that" since it is not separating one clause from another, combining clauses with a conjunction, separating items in a list, or any other reason for which a comma should be used. The correct choice is to omit the comma as in the option: "Many individuals believe that driverless cars will fill our roads."

Example Question #196 : 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.

Computers have a short lifespan, for many computers, a much better version will be available next year.

Possible Answers:

Computers have a short lifespan. for many computers

Computers have a short lifespan; for many computers,

Computers have a short lifespan for many computers

Computers have a short lifespan - for many computers,

Computers have a short lifespan, for many computers,

Correct answer:

Computers have a short lifespan; for many computers,

Explanation:

This sentence misuses a comma. The sentence combines two related independent clauses without the use of a coordinate conjunction; when this is the case, a semicolon should be placed between those clauses. A semicolon should come after the word "lifespan."

The phrase "for many computers" 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. 

While one choice uses a period, which could be correct, the following word, "for," is not capitalized, so it cannot be correct. The correct choice is, "Computers have a short lifespan; for many computers,"

Example Question #197 : 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 errors in the documents which were essential for the company's records meant Fatima would have to work many late nights. 

Possible Answers:

the documents; which were essential for the company's records, meant Fatima would

the documents - which were essential for the company's records - meant Fatima would

the documents, which were essential for the company's records, meant Fatima would

the documents which were essential for the company's records meant Fatima would

the documents, which were essential, meant Fatima would

Correct answer:

the documents, which were essential for the company's records, meant Fatima would

Explanation:

The phrase "which were essential for the company's records" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: the documents. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. You would not use hyphens to separate these clauses; usually, hyphens are more common between clauses when adding an interjection. The correct answer choice, which corrects the error without changing the meaning of the sentence, is "the documents, which were essential for the company's records, meant Fatima would." 

Example Question #68 : 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.

Bach, a well known composer wrote many pieces of music.

Possible Answers:

Bach, a well known composer wrote many

Bach, a well known composer, wrote many

Bach a well known composer wrote many

Bach, a well known composer, wrote many

Bach, a well known composer; wrote many

Correct answer:

Bach, a well known composer, wrote many

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain a comma where one is necessary. The phrase "a well known composer" is an example of a parenthetical 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, "Bach, a well known composer, wrote many."

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