GMAT Verbal : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #71 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The people traveling to California in the gold rush typically did not find success in prospecting, mining, or even to make a new life.
in prospected, mining, or even to make a new life.
in prospecting, mining, or even making a new life.
in prospecting, mining, or even in make a new life.
in prospecting, mine work, or even to make a new life.
in prospecting, mining, or even to make a new life.
in prospecting, mining, or even making a new life.
The three elements of the list that ends the sentence are actually three different kinds of words: "prospecting" and "mining" are present-tense progressive verbs, but "to make a new life" is an infinitve phrase. Any such list needs to feature a parallel structure among the three items, so that the verb of the sentence can describe similar items. The answer choice that features an appropriate parallel structure is "in prospecting, mining, or even making a new life."
Example Question #61 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Hunters need an innate sense both of where their target has been and where it has gone.
and where going it has been.
and where it has gone.
and where it has gone before.
and where it is going.
and where it has been going.
and where it is going.
The use of "both...and" in the sentence indicates that the two verb forms are actually contrasted in the sentence and should not be parallel. Therefore, the verb in the underlined portion should indicate either what is taking place now or will take place in the future. "And where it is going," is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #62 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The woman was an active girl who liked playing with toys and to run in parks.
to play with toys and running in parks.
playing with toys, running in parks.
to play with toys and to run in parks.
playing with toys and to run in parks.
to playing with toys and to running in parks.
to play with toys and to run in parks.
The pairing of the two phrases indicate that they need to have a parrallel tense for each verb. Only two answer choices, "to play with toys and to run in parks," and "playing with toys, running in parks," are parrallel, and "playing with toys, running in parks," should be separated by a conjunction.
Example Question #63 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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.
According to state regulations, all first aid kits should contain bandages, alcohol swabs, pain relievers, and an ointment.
bandages, alcohol swabs, pain relievers, and ointments.
bandages, alcohol swabs, pain relievers, and a ointment.
bandages, alcohol swabs, pain relievers, and an ointment.
some bandages, alcohol swabs, pain relievers, and an ointment.
bandages, alcohol swabs, pain relievers, and also a bottle of ointment.
bandages, alcohol swabs, pain relievers, and ointments.
The rule of parallel structure tells us that the sentence should be consistent in its pattern. Because the sentence refers to “all first aid kits,” all of the nouns—"bandages," "alcohol swabs," "pain relievers," and "an ointment"—should be plural. "An ointment" is the only noun in the list that isn't plural, so replacing it with "ointments" fixes the sentences error.
Example Question #64 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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.
My mother begins each day by drinking coffee, watching the news, and plans the rest of her day.
watching the news, and planning the rest of her day.
watches the news, and planning the rest of her day.
watched the news, and planned the rest of her day.
watching the news, and plans the rest of her day.
watches the news, and plans the rest of her day.
watching the news, and planning the rest of her day.
The tense of all verbs must be parallel, and since the given verb “drinking” is a present participle, the only appropriate options are “watching” and “planning.”
You can therefore eliminate options in which "watch" and "plan" don't agree with each other, as well as options in which those verbs don't agree with "drinking." You are left only with "My mother begins each day by drinking coffee, watching the news, and planning the rest of her day," which is the correct answer.
Example Question #73 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
When one compares the works of Edgar Degas to other Impressionist painters, one grasps the uniqueness of his brushstrokes.
If one compares the works of Edgar Degas to other Impressionist painters, one grasps the uniqueness of his brushstrokes.
When one compares the works of Edgar Degas to those of other Impressionist painters, one grasps the uniqueness of his brushstrokes.
When one compares the works of Edgar Degas to the other Impressionist painters, one grasps the uniqueness of his brushstrokes.
When one compares the works of Edgar Degas to other Impressionist painters, one would grasp the uniqueness of his brushstrokes.
When one compares the works of Edgar Degas to other Impressionist painters, one grasps the uniqueness of his brushstrokes.
When one compares the works of Edgar Degas to those of other Impressionist painters, one grasps the uniqueness of his brushstrokes.
One cannot compare “works” to “painters.” One must compare the works of Degas to those of other painters.
Example Question #71 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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.
Artistic ability is an inborn skill, but always needs to be developed to become a truly great artist.
Artistic ability is an inborn skill, but always needs to be developed, to become a truly great artist.
Artistic ability is an inborn skill, but always needs to be developed to become a truly great artist.
Artistic ability is an inborn skill, but always needs to be developed for someone to become a truly great artist.
Artistic ability is an inborn skill but always needs to be developed to become a truly great artist.
Artistic ability is an inborn skill, but always needing to be developed to become a truly great artist.
Artistic ability is an inborn skill, but always needs to be developed for someone to become a truly great artist.
The last phrase of the sentence is confusing, as it is unclear exactly who is becoming "a truly great artist." The sentence is best served by making it clear who can become the "truly great artist." The answer choice that best fixes the issue is "Artistic ability is an inborn skill, but always needs to be developed for someone to become a truly great artist."
Example Question #132 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Athletes frequently find the hardest period of their lives is when they can no longer perform the tasks they could as young.
they could be as young.
they could as young as they were.
they could as young.
they could when they were young.
they could do young.
they could when they were young.
The problem with the end of the sentence is that the underlined phrase has an unclear reference. "They could as young" does not have an obvious comparison being made. The answer choice "they could when they were young," is the best improvement on the sentence.
Example Question #71 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
Alexander held his intelligence in high regard, and so he believed that his grades should be higher than the other students in the class.
would have to be the highest among
should be higher
should be higher than those of
would necessitate being highest among
should cause his being higher
should be higher than those of
The initial sentence contains an illogical comparison. Her grades cannot be higher than the other students. They can only be higher than the grades of the other students. In this sentence, the pronoun those can stand in for grades.
Example Question #1611 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Select the best answer from the choices given.
Excited by the prospect of starting a yoga studio, Kim's first decision needed to be where she could rent mats and space.
Kim's first decision needed to be where she could rent mats and space.
renting mats and space had to be what Kim's first decision was about.
Kim first had to decide where it was to rent mats and space.
Kim first had to decide where to rent mats and space.
Kim's first decision had to be regarding renting mats and space and where it would be.
Kim first had to decide where to rent mats and space.
The participle "excited" modifies the subject of the main clause of the sentence, but it's still illogical to say that a decision is excited. The only logical subject is Kim, but "Kim first had to decide where it was to rent mats and space" is awkward and unidiomatic, so the best choice is "Kim first had to decide where to rent mats and space."
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