GMAT Verbal : Correcting Conventional and Idiomatic Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1781 : Act English
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The magician performed a cunning illusion for the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning illusion for the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning illusion at the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning allusion for the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning allusion to the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning illusion to the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning illusion for the captivated audience.
An “illusion” is a trick; an “allusion” is a reference (often literary). Tricks and illusions are performed “for” audiences, not “to” or “at” them.
Example Question #992 : 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.
The politicians couldn't hardly believe their luck.
could hardly believe their luck.
couldn't nearly believe their luck.
couldn't hardly believe his or her luck.
would not hardly believe their luck.
couldn't hardly believe their luck.
could hardly believe their luck.
We are looking for the answer choice without negation. "Could hardly believe their luck" is the only answer that does not contain a negative.
Example Question #51 : Correcting Other Usage 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.
Kim felt nauseous after he ate at the restaurant.
felt nauseous
feels nauseous
feels nauseated
felt nauseated
will feel nauseous
felt nauseated
The word "nauseous" is used incorrectly in this sentence. While this word is often used colloquially to mean "to feel sick," the word "nauseous" actually means something that causes nausea. The correct word here is "nauseated." Furthermore, the choice should contain the verb "felt" in order to keep consistent with the tense used in the rest of the sentence. The correct choice is, "felt nauseated."
Example Question #52 : Correcting Other Usage 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.
Brooke always talked about politics, but her friends could care less.
talked about politics, but her friends cared less.
talked about politics but her friends could not care less.
talked about politics, but her friends could care less.
talked about politics, but her friends could not care less.
talked about politics but her friends could care less.
talked about politics, but her friends could not care less.
This sentence misuses a common idiom. The phrase "could care less" indicates that the friends actually care about the topic to some extent. The correct phrasing is, "could not care less." No other changes should be made to the sentence. The correct choice is, "talked about politics, but her friends could not care less."
Example Question #53 : Correcting Other Usage 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.
Driverless cars are an example of new age technology.
Driverless cars are an example of new age technology.
Driverless cars are an example of new aged technology.
Driverless cars are an example of news age technology.
Driverless cars are an example of modern technology.
Driverless cars are an example of newly aged technology.
Driverless cars are an example of modern technology.
This sentence misuses the phrase "new age." The phrase "new age" means spiritual, not new/modern, which is what is meant here. The correct choice is, "Driverless cars are an example of modern technology."
Example Question #54 : Correcting Other Usage 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.
Since his wife began playing the piano, Tommy has become far more expert a distinguisher of a tuned instrument and an out of tune one, a grand piano and a baby grand.
far more expert in distinguishing a tuned instrument from an out of tune one, a grand piano from
far more expert a distinguisher of a tuned instrument and an out of tune one, a grand piano and
far more expert in distinguishing a tuned one and an out of tune one, a grand piano or
much more expert when it comes to distinguishing a tuned instrument and an out of tune one, a grand piano from
far more the expert as far as distinguishing between a tuned instrument, an out of tune one, a grand piano, and
far more expert in distinguishing a tuned instrument from an out of tune one, a grand piano from
This question queries the idiomatic usage of distinguish. One should observe immediately upon reading the underlined section of this sentence the extreme strangeness and awkwardness of the language, suggesting that a significant revision is required.
One can distinguish one thing from another, or distinguish between one thing and thing. The correct answer is the only one which follows this idiomatic pattern.
Example Question #1205 : Gmat Verbal
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.
Although the new legislature to protect immigrants will be expensive to execute, Senator Thompson believes that the laws are still practical, on the basis that the exploitation of immigrant laborers can border on human rights violations.
while the exploitation of immigrant laborers can border on human rights violations
solely in that the exploitation of immigrant laborers can border on human rights violations
on the basis that the exploitation of immigrant laborers can border on human rights violations
on the grounds of exploitation of immigrant laborers can border on human rights violations
if only because the exploitation of immigrant laborers can border on human rights violations
on the basis that the exploitation of immigrant laborers can border on human rights violations
The choices that add the words ‘alone’, ‘solely’ and ‘if only’ change the overall meaning of the sentence. These choices imply that the Senator supports the legislation for only one reason. It is possible that there are other reasons for the Senator’s support. ‘While’ introduces a contrast. There is no contrast between the Senator’s belief and the basis for that belief. The sentence is correct as is.
Example Question #55 : Correcting Other Usage 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.
Citing an obscure point of law, the firm’s general council insisted his client had every right to continue with the buyout, and that any challenge to the plan would be unsuccessful.
Citing an obscure point of law the firm’s general council
Citing an obscure point of law, the firms general council
Citing an obscure point of law, the firm’s general counsel
Citing an obscure point of law, the firm’s general council
Citing the obscure point of law, the firm’s general council
Citing an obscure point of law, the firm’s general counsel
The word "council" in this sentence is incorrect. A lawyer, which is clearly what is being described in this sentence, would be a firm's "counsel," which is the term for an organization's legal advisor. "Citing an obscure point of law, the firm’s general counsel" is the only answer choice to use the right word, making it the correct answer.
Example Question #1207 : Gmat Verbal
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.
Although the new act aimed at protecting African American voters will be difficult to pass, Senator Johnson believes that the issue must be addressed solely that impediments to voting can border on constitutional violations.
on the grounds of impediments to voting can border on constitutional violations
solely that impediments to voting can border on constitutional violations
on the basis that impediments to voting can border on constitutional violations
while the impediments to voting can border on the constitutional violations
if only because the impediments to voting can border on the constitutional violations
on the basis that impediments to voting can border on constitutional violations
The choices that add the words ‘alone’, and ‘if only’ change the overall meaning of the sentence. These choices imply that the Senator supports the new legislation for only one reason. It is possible that there are other reasons for the Senator’s support. ‘While’ introduces a contrast. There is no contrast between the Senator’s belief and the basis for that belief. 'Solely that" is not a correct idiomatic phrasing.
Example Question #1001 : 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.
Different groups of professional athletes have argued over the best way to increase player safety while at the same time maintaining the essence of their particular sports.
to
with
over
about
on
about
The correct idiomatic complement for the verb "over" in this case is "about". While "over" is very common in colloquial usage, its literal meaning is "to be situated above". Therefore, "over" is not appropriate in this sentence.
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