GMAT Verbal : GMAT Verbal
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #58 : Correcting Semicolon 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 words in the English language; have more than one meaning.
English language have more than one meaning.
English language; have more than one meaning.
English language have more than: one meaning.
English language, have more than one meaning.
English language: have more than one meaning.
English language have more than one meaning.
This sentence is a simple sentence and is not in need of any punctuation. Semicolons are used in order to separate two related independent clauses when no conjunction is present. This is not the case in this sentence, however. The correct choice is to omit all punctuation. The answer is, "English language have more than one meaning."
Example Question #59 : Correcting Semicolon 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 became captain of the team after a few months she planned to make many changes to the team's strategy.
a few months she planned to
a few months: she planned to
a few months, she planned to
a few months; she planned to
a few months; she planned, to
a few months; she planned to
This sentence does not contain a semicolon where necessary. The words "months" and "she" represent the end of one independent clause and the beginning of another. In order to join two related independent clauses without a conjunction, a semicolon should be used. Note that a colon would not be appropriate because, while related, the second clause does not explain anything about/in the first clause. The correct choice is, "a few months; she planned to."
Example Question #60 : Correcting Semicolon 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 was not prepared for her first day of class, that is; she had not brought a notebook and pencils.
She was not prepared for her first day of class, that is, she had not brought a notebook and pencils.
She was not prepared for her first day of class, that is; she had not brought a notebook and pencils.
She was not prepared for her first day of class: that is, she had not brought a notebook and pencils.
She was not prepared for her first day of class; that is, she had not brought a notebook and pencils.
She was not prepared; for her first day of class, that is, she had not brought a notebook and pencils.
She was not prepared for her first day of class; that is, she had not brought a notebook and pencils.
A semicolon separates two independent clauses in one sentence. Also, it is used before introductory words such as "that is" and "for example." The introductory phrase introduces a complete sentence/independent clause with a comma following the introductory phrase.
Example Question #61 : 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.
Call me tomorrow morning; I will go over the work schedule with you.
Call me tomorrow morning: I will go over the work schedule with you.
Call me tomorrow morning; and I will go over the work schedule with you.
Call me tomorrow morning I will go over the work schedule with you.
Call me tomorrow morning, I will go over the work schedule with you.
Call me tomorrow morning; I will go over the work schedule with you.
Call me tomorrow morning; I will go over the work schedule with you.
The sentence is correctly punctuated. The semicolon separates two independent clauses in the absence of a conjunction.
Example Question #62 : 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.
Hannah traveled to Rome, Italy, Berlin, Germany, and Paris, France.
Rome Italy; Berlin Germany; and Paris France.
Rome, Ital, Berlin, Germany, and Paris, France
Rome, Italy; Berlin, Germany; and Paris, France.
Rome; Italy, Berlin; Germany, and Paris; France.
Rome Italy, Berlin Germany, and Paris France.
Rome, Italy; Berlin, Germany; and Paris, France.
In this example, the semicolon is used to separate the items. When listing items in a series that already utilizes internal punctuation, such as the comma's between the city and its respective country, use a semicolon to separate each item.
Example Question #63 : 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.
Please bring needed classroom supplies for example a notebook, pens or pencils, and looseleaf paper.
Please bring needed classroom supplies for example a notebook, pens or pencils, and looseleaf paper.
Please bring needed classroom supplies: for example, a notebook, pens or pencils, and looseleaf paper.
Please bring needed classroom supplies; for example; a notebook, pens or pencils, and looseleaf paper.
Please bring needed classroom supplies, for example, a notebook, pens or pencils, and looseleaf paper.
Please bring needed classroom supplies. For example; a notebook, pens or pencils, and looseleaf paper.
Please bring needed classroom supplies, for example, a notebook, pens or pencils, and looseleaf paper.
If introductory words like "for example," or "such as" follow a complete sentence/independent clause, you can use either a comma or semicolon to separate the remainder of the sentence. Also, comma's should always be placed after introductory word/phrases.
Example Question #61 : 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.
Due to the age of the defendant, the judge shortened his sentence. He was only fourteen.
shortened his sentence. He was only fourteen.
shortened his sentence, he was only fourteen.
shortened his sentence; he was only fourteen.
shortened his sentence he was only fourteen.
shortened his sentence: he was only fourteen.
shortened his sentence; he was only fourteen.
The conjunction between these two clauses works in parallel. The second part goes into further detail about the preceding statement. Since they are parallel statements, the punctuation needed between them is a semicolon. Separating the statements into two sentences, but that would hint at separate topics and be choppy. Therefore, the best version is the semicolon connector.
Example Question #62 : 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.
Cleo liked her cat food a bit too much, we had to put her on a diet.
much; so we had to put her on a diet.
much: and so therefore we had to put her on a diet.
much; we had to put her on a diet.
much we had to put her on a diet.
much . . . we had to put her on a diet.
much; we had to put her on a diet.
We need a punctuation that joins the two independent clauses in this sentence. In this case, the best option is the semicolon because each clause is a complete sentence in itself. Therefore, we can just use a semicolon to not impede the thought of passage. A comma and an appropriate coordinating conjunction ("like" and or "so") would have also been a correct option, but was not provided with the given answers. Coordinating conjunctions (like "so) cannot, however, follow semicolons when joining two independent clauses into one complex sentence.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Colon 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.
Among the many odd experiments being demonstrated at the exhibition were: a waterless dishwasher, an electric personal helicopter, and a solar-powered machine gun.
demonstrated at the exhibition were, a
demonstrated at the exhibition were; a
demonstrated at the exhibition were—a
demonstrated at the exhibition were a
demonstrated at the exhibition were: a
demonstrated at the exhibition were a
The colon in this sentence is used incorrectly, as it divides a sentence that should be uninterrupted. While colons are used to introduce lists, they are used to introduce lists after independent clauses, and "Among the many odd experiments being demonstrated at the exhibition were" is not an independent clause. The correct punctuation mark for the underlined portion of this sentence is no punctuation mark. As the only answer choice that removes, rather than replaces, the colon, "demonstrated at the exhibition were a" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Colon Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
You may be required to produce the following items; Photo identification, proof of insurance, and proof of ownership.
the following items. Photo identification, proof of insurance, and proof of ownership.
the following items; photo identification, proof of insurance, and proof of ownership.
the following items: photo identification: proof of insurance: and proof of ownership.
the following items: photo identification, proof of insurance, and proof of ownership.
the following items: photo identification and proof of insurance and proof of ownership.
the following items: photo identification, proof of insurance, and proof of ownership.
A colon is used to introduce a series of items in a list, or when a second independent clause is necessary to explain a preceding clause. Semicolons are used to join two independent clauses into one compound sentence, and should not be used interchangeably with colons. It is is incorrect to capitalize the first item in a list after a colon.
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