GMAT Verbal : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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.

Unable to fix the device.

Possible Answers:

Unable to fix the device.

They were unable to fix the device.

They, were unable to fix the device.

They were, unable to fix the device.

They unable to fix the device.

Correct answer:

They were unable to fix the device.

Explanation:

The example above is not a sentence but a sentence fragment. Every proper sentence must have a subject and a main verb; this sentence contains neither (note that infinitives, while a verb form, do not function as a main verb). The correct choice is "They were unable to fix the device."

Example Question #52 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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 the library.

Possible Answers:

In the library.

He studied, in the library.

In, the library he studied.

He studied: in the library.

He studied in the library.

Correct answer:

He studied in the library.

Explanation:

The example above is a sentence fragment. Every proper sentence must have a subject and a main verb. This sentence contains neither, but is simply a prepositional phrase. The correct choice is "He studied in the library"and conveys the point of the sentence, which is a simple sentence, so no other punctuation or changes are necessary.

Example Question #53 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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 New Year's Day.

Possible Answers:

On: New Year's Day.

On New Year's Day, Jenna decided to start working towards accomplishing all of her dreams.

On New Year's Day, Jenna decided: to start working towards accomplishing all of her dreams.

On New Year's Day.

On New Year's Day Jenna decided to start working towards accomplishing all of her dreams.

Correct answer:

On New Year's Day, Jenna decided to start working towards accomplishing all of her dreams.

Explanation:

The above example is a sentence fragment. Any proper sentence must have a subject and a main verb. Three options have subjects and verbs, but only one has the correct punctuation. The phrase "On New Year's Day" 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 rest of the sentence is correct and needs no alteration. The correct choice is, "On New Year's Day, Jenna decided to start working towards accomplishing all of her dreams."

Example Question #54 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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 making plans for the party, Tom to invite all the guests.

Possible Answers:

While making plans for the party, Tom invited: all the guests

While making plans for the party, Tom invited all the guests.

While making plans for the party, Tom was given the job of inviting all the guests.

While making plans for the party, Tom was given the job: of inviting all the guests.

While making plans for the party, Tom to invite all the guests.

Correct answer:

While making plans for the party, Tom invited all the guests.

Explanation:

The example above is a sentence fragment. All proper sentences must contain a subject and a main verb. While a subject is present, there is no main verb present in the sentence. Four of the choices fix this, but "While making plans for the party, Tom invited all the guests" is the correct choice because it is in the active voice, and contains no excess punctuation. 

Example Question #55 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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 of the new millennium, the traditional office environment seems to be becoming.

Possible Answers:

the traditional office environment seems to be becoming. 

the traditional office environment seems to be becoming obsolete. 

the traditional office environment seems: to be becoming. 

the traditional office environment seems: to be becoming obsolete. 

the traditional office environment seems to be.

Correct answer:

the traditional office environment seems to be becoming obsolete. 

Explanation:

The above example is a sentence fragment. The verb "becoming" always needs an object of some sort (the word does not make any sense without one). The only example that provides an adequate direct object for the word (and therefore completing the sentence) is, "the traditional office environment seems to be becoming obsolete."

Example Question #56 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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.

Knowing your options in this bustling business climate—the housing market is booming for investors.

Possible Answers:

Your knowing your options for you to understand this bustling business climate—the housing market is booming for investors.

You should know your options in this bustling business climate—the housing market is booming for investors.

You, knowing your options, in this bustling business climate, the housing market is booming for investors.

Knowing your options in this bustling business climate housing market is booming for investors.

Knowing your options in this bustling business climate, the housing market is booming for investors.

Correct answer:

You should know your options in this bustling business climate—the housing market is booming for investors.

Explanation:

All of the incorrect answer choice present sentence fragment errors. The noun phrase "knowing your options" represents the subject of a clause. The subject requires a verb to complete the independent clause. The correct answer choice adjusts the beginning of the sentence with "The clause "you should know," resolving the sentence fragment error.

Example Question #56 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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 giving tips on how to do the trick.

Possible Answers:

She given tips on how

She giving tips on how

She gived tips on how

She was given tips on how

She gives tips on how

Correct answer:

She gives tips on how

Explanation:

This sentence contains an error in subject-verb agreement. Since the subject of the sentence is "she" (3rd person, singular), the correct form of the word is "gives." The other choices are passive (e.g. given, was given), not proper forms (e.g. gived), or fragments (e.g. giving). The correct choice is, "She gives tips on how."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors

The engineer was unsure as to whether his critical reasoning skills or his plethora of internships were to thank for his new job. 

Which answer best replaces the underlined section of the sentence?

Possible Answers:

was unsure, as whether his 

was unsure as to whether his

was unsure whether his

was unsure, as to whether his

was unsure as to which his

Correct answer:

was unsure whether his

Explanation:

"As to whether" should always be just "whether." The same is true for "which." Finally, adding a comma to the section renders it incorrect.  

Example Question #2 : 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.

The competition initially meant to provide new forms of interest for the salesman, soon created serious divisions inside the office that were quite difficult to smooth over.

Possible Answers:

The competition initially meant to provide new forms of interest for the salesman, soon created 

The competition initially meant to provide new forms of interest for the salesman soon created 

The competition initially meant to provide new forms, of interest for the salesman, soon created 

The competition, initially meant to provide new forms of interest for the salesman, soon created 

The competition that initially meant to provide new forms of interest for the salesman, soon created 

Correct answer:

The competition, initially meant to provide new forms of interest for the salesman, soon created 

Explanation:

In this sentence, the participial phrase "initially meant to provide new forms of interest for the salesman" is an interrupting phrase, a phrase that provides extra meaning to the sentence, but is not a necessary part of the sentence's construction. All such phrases must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. "The competition, initially meant to provide new forms of interest for the salesman, soon created" is the only answer choice which makes such a change.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors

Their dog will always be loved by them. 

What sentence best replaces the underlined sentence above?

Possible Answers:

Their always going to love their dog. 

They will always love their dog. 

Their dog will always be loved (by them). 

They're dog will always be loved by them. 

Their dog will always be loved by them. 

Correct answer:

They will always love their dog. 

Explanation:

Sentences should almost always be written in the active voice, rather than the passive voice. There is no need for parentheses, and "their" is correct, not "they're." So "They will always love their dog" is the best answer.

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