GMAT Verbal : Correcting Verb Voice Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Correcting Verb Voice 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.
After the novelist threw the draft into the trash, the crumpled paper was retrieved by his concerned assistant.
the crumpled paper was retrieved by his concerned assistant.
the crumpled paper had been retrieved by his concerned assistant.
retrieved by his concerned assistant, who crumpled the paper.
his concerned assistant retrieved the crumpled paper.
his concerned assistant, retrieving the crumpled paper.
his concerned assistant retrieved the crumpled paper.
Avoid the passive voice of the original ("the crumbled paper was retrieved") and choose the simplest answer that preserves the original meaning of the text.
Example Question #4 : Correcting Verb 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 new boss was eagerly anticipating by the employees, because no one in the office knew what to expect.
eagerly anticipated
was eagerly anticipating
was anticipating eagerly
was eager anticipation
was eagerly anticipated
was eagerly anticipated
The context of the underlined phrase show it is actually a use of the passive voice, with the anticipation done "by the employees," not the new boss. Thus, the correct answer must feature a passive construction. "Was eagerly anticipated" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1081 : Correcting Grammatical 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 ancient texts are often confused to people who do not understand their full context.
are often confusing
often are confused
are often confused
are confused often
confusing often are
are often confusing
The sentence is written as to make the texts be "confused," when the latter part of the sentence makes clear the people reading them are "confused." The word needs to be changed to a form that properly conveys this. "Are often confusing" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #291 : Word 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Under the old regime, liberties curtailed greatly.
The old regime greatly curtailed liberties.
Under the old regime, liberties being curtailed greatly.
The old regime had liberties curtailing a great amount.
Under the old regime, liberties curtailed greatly.
The old regime's liberties were greatly curtailed.
The old regime greatly curtailed liberties.
The underlined portion of the sentence contains a flaw in word order. To have the sentence make sense, the government, and not liberties, must be doing the curtailing. The only answer choice that correctly indicates that "the old regime" is the thing doing the curtailing without introducing errors into the sentence is "The old regime greatly curtailed liberties."
Example Question #1082 : Correcting Grammatical 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.
Tom was given the most lucrative promotion, although Mr. Jones normally only recognizes the most senior accountants.
Tom was given the most lucrative promotion after Mr. Jones normally only recognizes the most senior accountants.
Mr. Jones gave Tom the most lucrative promotion although normally only he recognizes the most senior accountants.
Tom was given the most lucrative promotion, although Mr. Jones normally only recognizes the most senior accountants.
Tom was given the most lucrative promotion, although the most senior accountants were recognized normally only by Mr. Jones.
Although Mr. Jones normally only recognizes the most senior accountants, he gave Tom the most lucrative promotion.
Although Mr. Jones normally only recognizes the most senior accountants, he gave Tom the most lucrative promotion.
The initial clause of the sentence, "Tom was given the most lucrative promotion," uses the passive voice; conventionally, altering this type of sentence to use active voice makes it clearer and more concise.
Example Question #1083 : Correcting Grammatical 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.
At the turn of the century, many new advances in technology were discovered by scientists.
Many new advances in technology were discovered by scientists at the turn of the century.
Scientists discovering many new advances in technology at the turn of the century.
At the turn of the century, scientists discovered many new advances in technology.
At the scientist's turn of the century, they discovered many new advances in technology.
At the turn of the century, many new advances in technology were discovered by scientists.
At the turn of the century, scientists discovered many new advances in technology.
This example shows how the active voice is preferred over the passive voice. The active voice constructs a much stronger sentence than the passive does.
Example Question #691 : 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 time that was had by Jenny at the circus was good.
A time that was good was had by Jenny at the circus.
Jenny's time at the circus was good.
Jenny at the circus had a good time.
The circus was there for Jenny to have a good time at.
Jenny had a good time at the circus.
Jenny had a good time at the circus.
The voice of the verb in the example sentence is passive. In general, where possible, it is best to use active voice over passive voice. Active sentences use the subject as the agent of the main verb, and are therefore usually simpler and clearer than passive sentences. The best version of this sentence reads, "Jenny had a good time at the circus."
Example Question #1084 : Correcting Grammatical 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.
Mike and Jonas were asked to spar by the boxing coach, eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match.
Mike and Jonas were asked to spar by the boxing coach, eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match.
Mike and Jonas, eager to see how the boxing coach would perform in a simulated match, asked them to spar.
The boxing coach, eagerly sees how Mike and Jonas would perform in a simulated match, asked them to spar.
Eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match, the boxing coach asked Mike and Jonas to spar.
Mike and Jonas, eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match, were asked to spar by the boxing coach.
Eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match, the boxing coach asked Mike and Jonas to spar.
The initial independent clause in the sentence, "Mike and Jonas were asked to spar by the boxing coach," uses passive voice ("were asked"); it becomes clearer when we use active voice ("the boxing coach asked Mike and Jonas . . .").
Example Question #692 : 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.
He was reminded by his friends to bring back gifts from his trip.
He was reminded by his friends to bring back gifts: from his trip.
He, reminded to bring back gifts by his friends, decided to buy some gifts at the store.
His friends reminded him to bring back gifts from his trip.
He was reminded by his friends to bring back gifts from his trip.
He was buying gifts because his friends reminded him to get gifts.
His friends reminded him to bring back gifts from his trip.
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. It is most proper for the subject of the verb to be doing the action of the verb. In this sentence; however, the subject "he" is not doing the action "remind." He is being reminded, which means someone else is doing the action to him. The best choice is: "He was reminded by his friends to bring back gifts from his trip" because it fixes this error, is concise, and is not redundant, like the other sentences.
Example Question #693 : 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.
Japanese longswords, katanas, are considered the best swords in the world by many individuals.
Japanese longswords, katanas, are the best swords in the world according to the opinion of many individuals.
Many individuals might consider Japanese longswords, also known as katanas, to be the best swords in the world.
Japanese longswords, katanas, are considered the best swords in the world by many individuals.
Many individuals consider Japanese longswords, katanas, the best swords in the world.
Many individuals consider Japanese longswords, a katana, the best sword in the world.
Many individuals consider Japanese longswords, katanas, the best swords in the world.
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. The phrase "Japanese longswords...are considered..." is in the passive voice. Since there is already an interrupting appositive renaming the subject here, it is best to simply re-phrase this sentence in the active voice in order to avoid an overly wordy and complex sentence. The most clear and concise choice in this instance is, "Many individuals consider Japanese longswords, katanas, the best swords in the world." The other choices are too wordy or contain inconsistencies (e.g. longswords...a katana).
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