GMAT Verbal : GMAT Verbal
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #68 : Subject Verb Agreement 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 convention of meteorologists, despite being well funded, were unsuccessful and have failed to achieve any of their annual goals.
The convention of meteorologists, despite being well funded, was unsuccessful and has failed to achieve any of its annual goals.
The convention of meteorologists, despite being well funded, were unsuccessful and have failed to achieve any of their annual goals.
The convention of meteorologists, despite being well funded, were unsuccessful and have failed to achieve any of its annual goals.
The convention of meteorologists, despite being well funded, was unsuccessful and have failed to achieve any of its annual goals.
The convention of meteorologists, despite being well funded, were unsuccessful and has failed to achieve any of their annual goals.
The convention of meteorologists, despite being well funded, was unsuccessful and has failed to achieve any of its annual goals.
With a complex sentence such as this, it’s important to keep track of your subjects and verbs. Although “meteorologists” is plural, the subject of the sentence is the singular “convention,” and therefore the correct verb forms are “was” and “has failed,” not “were” and “have failed.” Similarly, the singular pronoun “its” is correct and the plural pronoun “their” is incorrect.
Example Question #69 : Subject Verb Agreement 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 have a feeling that the admissions process, while carefully planned, still ignore some qualified students while the inevitable cadre of underachievers slide under the radar.
I have a feeling that the admissions process, while carefully planned, still ignores some qualified students while the inevitable cadre of underachievers slides under the radar.
I have a feeling that the admissions process, while carefully planned, still ignore some qualified students while the inevitable cadre of underachievers slides under the radar.
I have a feeling that the admissions process, while carefully planned, still ignores some qualified students while the small cadre of underachievers slided under the radar.
I have a feeling that the admissions process, while carefully planned, still ignores some qualified students while the inevitable cadre of underachievers slide under the radar.
I have a feeling that the admissions process, while carefully planned, still ignore some qualified students while the inevitable cadre of underachievers slide under the radar.
I have a feeling that the admissions process, while carefully planned, still ignores some qualified students while the inevitable cadre of underachievers slides under the radar.
There are two instances of subject-verb agreement in this sentence: the singular “admissions process” needs to be paired with the singular verb form “ignores,” and the singular “small cadre of underachievers” needs to be paired with the singular verb form “slides.”
Example Question #71 : Agreement 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.
Each of the seven gems in the Queen's crown were mined from each of the seven continents on Earth, making it representative of the Queen's desire for a worldwide empire.
were mines from each of the seven continents on Earth
was mining from each of the seven continents on Earth
was mined from each of the seven continents on Earth
were mined from each of the seven continents on Earth
were mining from each of the seven continents on Earth
was mined from each of the seven continents on Earth
Although there are seven gems, the subject of the sentence is "Each" of the gems, which is a singular noun. Therefore, the correct phrase uses the singular past verb form—"was mined from each of the seven continents on Earth."
Example Question #42 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement 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.
"Only one of the teams are going to make it to regionals," said Coach Joe.
"Only one of the teams are to make it to regionals," said Coach Joe.
"Only one of the teams are going to make it to regionals," said Coach Joe.
"Only one of the teams are going to make it to regionals." Said Coach Joe.
"Only one of the teams is going to make it to regionals," said Coach Joe.
"One team is going to make it to regionals only," said Coach Joe.
"Only one of the teams is going to make it to regionals," said Coach Joe.
The singular use of "is going to" is correct, not the plural use of "are going to." This is because the verb "is" is modifying the "one" team that is going to make it, not the plural "teams." The "of the teams" can be taken out to show that one should use "is", not "are": "Only one . . . is going to make it to regionals."
Example Question #1121 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
A combination of trenchant social commentary and delightfully entertaining plot twists characterize the novels of Jane Austen.
delightfully entertaining plot twists characterize the novels of Jane Austen.
the fact that she twists the plot in delightfully entertaining ways characterizes the novels of Jane Austen.
delightfully entertaining plot twists have characterized the novels of Jane Austen.
the fact that she twists the plot in delightfully entertaining ways characterize the novels of Jane Austen.
delightfully entertaining plot twists characterizes the novels of Jane Austen.
delightfully entertaining plot twists characterizes the novels of Jane Austen.
The subject of this sentence, "A combination," is singular, so the predicate should be singular, too. The original text "delightfully entertaining plot twists characterize the novels of Jane Austen" and the answer choice "delightfully entertaining plot twists have characterized the novels of Jane Austen" contain plural predicates and therefore lead to subject-verb agreement errors.
The answer choice "the fact that she twists the plot in delightfully entertaining ways characterizes the novels of Jane Austen" leads to faulty parallelism and the use of an ambiguous pronoun, and the answer choice "the fact that she twists the plot in delightfully entertaining ways characterize the novels of Jane Austen" leads to errors in both parallelism and subject-verb agreement.
Only answer choice "delightfully entertaining plot twists characterizes the novels of Jane Austen" correctly preserves the parallel structure and avoids any subject-verb agreement errors.
Example Question #41 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement 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.
No one knows where the paintings were anymore, as all records of their location were lost over a century ago.
No one knows where the painting's
No one knew where the paintings
No one know where the paintings
No body knows where the paintings
No one knows where the paintings
No one knew where the paintings
The use of the past tense verb "were" indicates that the main verb of the sentence, "knows," should also be in the past tense, as they should be in agreement. Thus, the verb "knows" needs to be changed to its past-tense form. "No one knew where the paintings" is the only answer choice that correctly does this.
Example Question #72 : Agreement 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.
Making up stories are one of the chief ways a child learns to develop critical thinking skills.
Making up stories is one of the chief ways
Making up stories are one of the chief way's
Making up stories are one of the chief ways
Making up stories are one chief way
Making up, stories are one of the chief ways
Making up stories is one of the chief ways
The subject of the sentence is actually the gerund phrase "Making up stories," which is a singular construction, despite the use of "stories." The verb, therefore, must match the singular subject, but is written in a plural form. "Making up stories is one of the chief ways" is the answer choice that best corrects this issue.
Example Question #41 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement 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.
Freud and other advocates of introspective psychology argue that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contribute to the overall health of an individual.
argues that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contribute to the overall health
argue that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contributes to the overall health
argues that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contributes to the overall health
argue that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contribute for the overall health
argue that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contribute to the overall health
argue that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contributes to the overall health
The answer choice "argue that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contributes to the overall health" is correct. It contains the correct number agreement of the verb "contributes" with its subject, "a feeling of connectedness with other human beings."
The answer choices containing "contribute" instead of "contributes" are incorrect. The subject of "contribute" is singular, not plural.
Although the answer choice "argues that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contributes to the overall health" correctly contains "contributes," the verb "argues" introduces a number agreement error, as "argues" is singular but being used with a plural subject, "Freud and other advocates of introspective psychology."
Example Question #1121 : 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Neither the line manager nor the quality control team were aware that there was a flaw in the car manufacturer’s airbag system that would prevent the airbag from deploying at speeds under fifteen miles per hour.
were aware that under fifteen miles per hour a flaw in the car manufacturer’s airbag system that will prevent the airbag from deploying
was aware that there was a flaw that would prevent the airbag from deploying at speeds under fifteen miles per hour in the car manufacturer’s airbag system
were aware that there was a flaw in the car manufacturer’s airbag system that would prevent the airbag from deploying at speeds under fifteen miles per hour
was aware that there was a flaw in the car manufacturer’s airbag system that would prevent the airbag from deploying at speeds under fifteen miles per hour
was aware that under fifteen miles per hour a flaw in the car manufacturer’s airbag system that will prevent the airbag from deploying
was aware that there was a flaw in the car manufacturer’s airbag system that would prevent the airbag from deploying at speeds under fifteen miles per hour
Two singular subjects connected by "or," "either . . . or," or "neither . . . nor" require a singular verb.
Example Question #1121 : 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.
Tom, Dick, and Harry all laments the loss of a previous innocence they possessed as children.
all lamenting
all laments
each lament
all lament
laments
all lament
The use of "all" is the key indicator of the correct answer in the sentence. While "Tom, Dick, and Harry" are singular as individuals, they are "all" together sharing their feeling as a plural group; therefore, "all lament" is the correct choice among the answers.
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