GMAT Verbal : GMAT Verbal

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #24 : Correcting Preposition 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.

Angelo had many questions about his new position, but he did not know who he should talk to.

Possible Answers:

about his new position, but he did not know to whom he should talk.

about his new position; but he did not know who he should talk to.

about his new position but he did not know who he should talk to.

about his new position, but he was unsure who should be spoken to about the problems.

about his new position, but he did not know who he should talk to.

Correct answer:

about his new position, but he did not know to whom he should talk.

Explanation:

This sentence contains a dangling preposition. A preposition should never end a sentence in English. "about his new position, but he did not know to whom he should talk" is the correct choice, as it fixes this issue. The other choices contain punctuation errors (Note: a comma should be used before "but" because it is joining two independent clauses) or change the action to passive voice unnecessarily.

Example Question #25 : Correcting Preposition 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.

Though Harun has broken many records, he has not yet broken the record he wants to.

Possible Answers:

Though Harun has broken many records, he has not broken the record he wants to yet.

Though Harun has broken many records, he has not yet broken the record he wants to.

Though Harun has broken many records, he has yet to break the record he wants to.

Though Harun broke many records, he has yet to break the record he wants yet.

Though Harun has broken many records, he has not yet broken the record he wants to break.

Correct answer:

Though Harun has broken many records, he has not yet broken the record he wants to break.

Explanation:

This sentence contains a dangling preposition. You should never end a sentence with a preposition in standard English. Additionally, "yet" cannot come at the end of the sentence either, since it is a conjunction. The only choice that fixes this issue is, "Though Harun has broken many records, he has not yet broken the record he wants to break."

Example Question #26 : Correcting Preposition 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 company's managers closely monitored which clients the employees talked to.

Possible Answers:

monitored which clients the employees talked.

monitored to which clients the employees talked.

monitored which clients the employees talked with.

monitored which clients the employees were talking with.

monitored which clients the employees talked to.

Correct answer:

monitored to which clients the employees talked.

Explanation:

This sentence contains a dangling preposition. Prepositions should never end a sentence in standard English. The only sentence which fixes this issue and makes sense is "monitored to which clients the employees talked."

Example Question #27 : Correcting Preposition 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.

Unfortunately, the message did not reveal who it was from.

Possible Answers:

the message did not reveal from whom it was sent.

the message did not reveal: who it was from.

the message did not reveal who it was from.

the message did not reveal whom it was from.

the message did not reveal who sent it.

Correct answer:

the message did not reveal who sent it.

Explanation:

This sentence contains a dangling preposition. The only choice that corrects this error properly is, "the message did not reveal who sent it." Note that the choice that states "from whom it was sent" is in the passive voice (correct choices will always be in the active voice), so it cannot be the correct answer.

Example Question #28 : Correcting Preposition 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.

Lamar was unsure which department he should deliver his work to.

Possible Answers:

Lamar was unsure to which, department he should deliver his work.

Lamar was unsure which department he delivers his work to.

Lamar was unsure which department he should deliver his work to.

Lamar was unsure, which department he should deliver his work to.

Lamar was unsure to which department he should deliver his work.

Correct answer:

Lamar was unsure to which department he should deliver his work.

Explanation:

This sentence contains a dangling preposition. Prepositions should never appear at the end of a sentence. Instead of saying "which department he should deliver his work to," it should be "to which department he should deliver his work." The correct choice is, "Lamar was unsure to which department he should deliver his work."

Example Question #21 : Correcting Preposition 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 wondered what the next invention would be of.

Possible Answers:

what, the next invention would be.

what, the next invention would be of.

what, the next invention, would be of.

what the next invention would be.

what the next invention would be of.

Correct answer:

what the next invention would be.

Explanation:

This sentence contains a dangling preposition; a preposition should never end a clause in standard English. In actuality, there is no need for the word "of" whatsoever, and all that is needed is to omit it. The correct choice is, "what the next invention would be."

Example Question #30 : Correcting Preposition Errors

Which option best replaces the underlined sentence?

She wondered who the painting was of.

Possible Answers:

She wondered who was painted in the painting.

She wondered whom the painting was of.

She wondered whom was in the painting.

She wondered who the painting was of.

She wondered who was in the painting.

Correct answer:

She wondered who was in the painting.

Explanation:

This sentence contains a dangling preposition. Prepositions should never end a clause. The sentence needs to be reworded. The correct choice is "She wondered who was in the painting" as the other choices either have the dangling preposition or pronoun errors.

Example Question #31 : Correcting Other 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.

Her inquiry about the petroleum cartels in Brazil made her a target of the cartel's harassment. 

Possible Answers:

Her inquiry about the petroleum cartels of Brazil

Her inquiry into the petroleum cartels into Brazil 

Her inquiry into the petroleum cartels of Brazil

Her investigation about the petroleum cartels into Brazil 

Her inquiry on top of the petroleum cartels all about Brazil 

Correct answer:

Her inquiry into the petroleum cartels of Brazil

Explanation:

The most idiomatic use of prepositions is "Her inquiry into the petroleum cartels of Brazil." The phrase "inquiry about" is unidiomatic. And many of the adjustments to the preposition preceding Brazil are seemingly trivial. It is important in this case to examine each choice carefully and consider both prepositions and the particular context of their use.

Example Question #31 : Correcting Other 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.

Many soldiers have undertaken specialized education, which both helps them with current combat tasks and future endeavors.

Possible Answers:

both of which helps them with current combat tasks and future endeavors.

which helps them both with current combat tasks and future endeavors.

which both helps them with current combat tasks and future endeavors.

which helps them with both current combat tasks and future endeavors.

which helps them with current combat tasks and future endeavors both.

Correct answer:

which helps them with both current combat tasks and future endeavors.

Explanation:

The placement of "both" in this sentence makes the underlined phrase confusing and awkward. By placing the word "both" nearer to the two things it joins together, "current combat tasks and future endeavors," makes the meaning of the sentence much more clear. The only answer choice which correctly makes this change is "which helps them with both current combat tasks and future endeavors."

Example Question #2 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic 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.

The abrupt resignation of the CEO was not very surprising to those close to him, who knew that he would always put his family first.

Possible Answers:

who knew that he would always put his family first and foremost.

who knew that he would always be putting his family first.

who knew that he would always put his family first.

who knew he would always put family first.

who knew that he would have always put his family first.

Correct answer:

who knew he would always put family first.

Explanation:

The sentence is not technically gramatically correct as it is written, but it is awkwardly worded and unnecessarily long. The sentence is best served by being shortened to a more direct statement that conveys the same meaning. The answer choice that best does this kind of streamlining is "who knew he would always puthis family first."

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