All GMAT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #3 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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.
During his lifetime, few people knew about the fuller extent of his condition.
about the full extent of his condition.
about the fuller extent of his condition.
about the fuller extents of his condition.
about the fuller extent for his condition.
around the fuller extent of his condition.
about the full extent of his condition.
The use of "fuller" is incorrect in this sentence, as "fuller" implies a comparison, but is not comparing anything in the sentence. The use of the simple adjective "full" is perfectly appropriate in the sentence, making the correct answer choice "about the full extent of his condition."
Example Question #1131 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats do.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats were to have.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have fewer calories per gram than fats do.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats do.
Carbohydrates and proteins have less calories per gram than fats.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have fewer calories per gram than fats do.
Calories can be counted, and so we use the word "fewer." "Less" is for quantities that cannot be counted, such as water.
Example Question #11 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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.
Amy drinks lesser water than Johnny, which is why Johnny refills his water bottle more often than Amy does.
least
less
few
fewer
fewest
less
As the question compares two people, a comparative form of the adjective in question must be used, meaning that "few," the regular form of the adjective, and "least" and "fewest," which are each superlative forms, are incorrect. While "fewer" and "less" might each look like a potentially correct answer, "fewer" is used to distinguish between countable nouns, while "less" is used to distinguish between uncountable nouns, like "water." (You can tell if a noun is countable or not if you could precede it with a number, and "seven water" doesn't make sense, given how "water" is used here.) So, "less" is the correct answer.
Example Question #21 : Comparative And Superlative Adjective And Adverb 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Why do you look at me like I am so much lesser intelligently than you are?
much less intelligent
much lesser in intelligent
much fewer intelligent
much lessly intelligently
lessly intelligently
much less intelligent
"Intelligently" is an adverb and adverbs are not used comparatively, so we need to change "intelligently" to "intelligent," an adjective. Also, "lesser," an adjective, needs to be changed to a determiner, "less." So, "less intelligent" is the correct answer.
Example Question #33 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb 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 teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worst musician; both were practically tone deaf.
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worst musician;
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worse musician;
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worst of the musicians;
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worsest musician;
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worse of the two musicians;
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worse musician;
If only two things are being compared, the comparative form ("better," "bigger," "smarter," etc.) is correct. If three or more things are being compared, the superlative form ("best," "biggest," "smartest," etc.) is correct. Because there are only the two brothers here, we use the comparative form: “worse” and not “worst.” In addition, because “worse musician” is more concise than “worse of the two musicians,” it is the better answer.
Example Question #701 : 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.
I’m not sure whose garden is of the prettiest: Leah’s, David’s, or Juanita’s.
I’m not sure whose garden is prettiest:
I’m not sure whose garden is prettier:
I’m not sure whose garden is of the prettiest:
I’m not sure whose garden is the most pretty:
I’m not sure whose garden is the most prettiest:
I’m not sure whose garden is prettiest:
If only two things are being compared, the comparative form ("better," "bigger," "smarter," etc.) is correct. If three or more things are being compared, the superlative form ("best," "biggest," "smartest," etc.) is correct. Because there are three gardens here, we use the concise superlative form: “prettiest” and not “prettier,” “most pretty,” or “most prettiest.”
Example Question #1132 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I've heard that all vitamins are good for you, but of all the different kinds, are there any that are better?
is the better
are best
is better
are better
is the most
are best
When comparing more than two items, you should use superlative adjectives. So, in this case, you should use the word "best."
Example Question #21 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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.
Even though accounting counts employees as liabilities, the company believed that its employees were its most greatest asset.
the company believed that its employees were its more greater asset.
the company believed that its employees were its more greatest asset.
the company believed that its employees were its great asset.
the company believed that its employees were its greatest asset.
the company believed that its employees were its most greater asset.
the company believed that its employees were its greatest asset.
This sentence contains a superlative adjective error. When forming a superlative in English, the pattern "most + positive form" or "positive form + -est" is used (e.g. "most great" or "greatest"). The word "most" is not mixed with the superlative "____________-est." It is also clear from the context of the sentence that the company thinks that the employees are the best option, not just better than some alternative, so the superlative form is needed, not the comparative forms "greater" or "more great." The correct answer is, "the company believed that its employees were its greatest asset."
Example Question #41 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb 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.
Currently, Nathan's software is more greater than competing software.
Nathan's software is best than competing software.
Nathan's software is more great than competing software.
Nathan's software is greatest than competing software.
Nathan's software is great than competing software.
Nathan's software is more greater than competing software.
Nathan's software is more great than competing software.
This sentence misuses the adjective "great." The form "more greater" does not exist in English. Either "more great" or "greater" would be correct, but the two cannot be mixed. Furthermore, you cannot use the superlative form (e.g. greatest/best) with the word "than." The correct choice is, "Nathan's software is more great than competing software."
Example Question #42 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb 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 boys believed this actress was more cuter than all of the others.
this actress was more cutest than all of the others.
this actress was most cuter than all of the others.
this actress was more cute than all of the others.
this actress was more cutely than all of the others.
this actress was more cuter than all of the others.
this actress was more cute than all of the others.
This sentence contains an error in the form of the comparative adjective. When forming the comparative form of an adjective, use either the "more + adjective (i.e. more cute)" form or "adjective + -er (i.e. cuter)" form. You cannot mix the two and cannot use any words that indicate a superlative (i.e. most). The correct choice is, "this actress was more cute than all of the others."