GMAT Verbal : Correcting Quotation Mark Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Correcting Quotation Mark 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.

Edgar Allen Poe's short story, The Tell-Tale Heart, is quite famous.

Possible Answers:

short story, The Tell-Tale Heart, is quite famous

short story, "The Tell-Tale Heart," is quite famous

short story, The Tell-Tale Heart, is quite famous

short story, "The Tell-Tale Heart," is quite famous

short story, The Tell-Tale Heart, is quite famous

Correct answer:

short story, "The Tell-Tale Heart," is quite famous

Explanation:

This sentence does not use quotation marks where necessary. Quotation marks are always used around the titles of short stories, poems, excerpts, and so on. Note that ending punctuation should appear within quotation marks, so the comma at the end of the clause should appear within the ending quotation mark. The correct choice is, "short story, "The Tell-Tale Heart," is quite famous."

Example Question #32 : Correcting Quotation Mark 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.

Quoting one of his favorite people, he said, 'When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.'

Possible Answers:

he said 'When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.'

he said, "When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece."

he said, When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.

he said, 'When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.'

he said when love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.

Correct answer:

he said, "When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece."

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain the right type of quotation marks. Single quotation marks should only appear when a quote appears within another quotation. No other changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "he said, "When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece." "

Example Question #33 : Correcting Quotation Mark 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.

Pablo Picasso once said, 'Action is the foundational key to all success.'

Possible Answers:

once said action is the foundational key to all success.

once said, "Action is the foundational key to all success."

once said, 'Action is the foundational key to all success.'

once said 'Action is the foundational key to all success.'

once said, action is the foundational key to all success.

Correct answer:

once said, "Action is the foundational key to all success."

Explanation:

This sentence uses the wrong type of quotation marks. Single quotation marks should only be used when the thing being quoted appears within another quotation. Since this is a regular quotation, double quotation marks should be used. The correct choice is, "once said, "Action is the foundational key to all success." "

Example Question #34 : Correcting Quotation Mark 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 friend said that the country singer said, "Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results."

Possible Answers:

My friend said that Willie Nelson said once you replace negative

My friend said, that Willie Nelson said, 'Once you replace negative

My friend said that Willie Nelson said, "Once you replace negative

My friend said, "That Willie Nelson said, 'Once you replace negative

My friend said that Willie Nelson said "Once you replace negative

Correct answer:

My friend said that Willie Nelson said, "Once you replace negative

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The first part of the sentence, "My friend said that," begins an indirect statement, so neither quotation marks nor a comma are necessary because it is not a direct quotation. After the words "Willie Nelson said," however, a direct quotation starts, so a comma is necessary after that "said" and double quotation marks should surround the quote. The correct choice is, "My friend said that Willie Nelson said, "Once you replace negative. "

Example Question #35 : Correcting Quotation Mark 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.

Mark said, "Confucius said, "When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps." "

Possible Answers:

"Confucius said, 'When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.' "

Confucius said, "When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps." 

Confucius said, When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.

'Confucius said, "When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps." '

"Confucius said, "When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps." "

Correct answer:

"Confucius said, 'When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.' "

Explanation:

This sentence misuses quotation marks. What we have is a quotation within another direct quote. Quotation marks should surround both "Confucius...steps" and "When...steps." The difference, however, is that, since "When...steps" is within the quotation "Confucius...steps," single quotation marks should be used for this quote. Note that single quotation marks only appear within another quotation. The correct choice is, " "Confucius said, 'When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.' " "

Example Question #335 : 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.

James liked to 'study' for tests by watching movies.

Possible Answers:

" 'study' " for tests

"study" for tests

'study' for tests

(study) for tests

study for tests

Correct answer:

"study" for tests

Explanation:

This sentence misuses quotation marks. Single quotation marks are only used when a quotation appears within another quotation. In this case, a "special use" of a word, regular quotation marks should be used. The correct choice is, ""study" for tests."

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