GMAT Verbal : GMAT Verbal

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #17 : Correcting Comma 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.

He speaks with his family who lives in Asia every week.

Possible Answers:

He speaks with his family, who lives in Asia every week.

He speaks with his family who lives in Asia every week.

He speaks, with his family who lives in Asia every week.

He speaks with his family, who lives in Asia, every week.

He speaks with his family who lives in Asia, every week.

Correct answer:

He speaks with his family, who lives in Asia, every week.

Explanation:

The phrase "who lives in Asia" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: his family. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is "He speaks with his family, who lives in Asia, every week."

Example Question #21 : Correcting Comma 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 camera which was necessary for John's job no longer worked.

Possible Answers:

The camera which was necessary for John's job, no longer worked.

The camera which was necessary for John's job no longer worked.

The camera, which was necessary for John's job no longer, worked.

The camera, which was necessary for John's job no longer worked.

The camera, which was necessary for John's job, no longer worked.

Correct answer:

The camera, which was necessary for John's job, no longer worked.

Explanation:

The phrase "which was necessary for John's job" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: the camera. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence, often called an interrupting phrase, must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is "The camera, which was necessary for John's job, no longer worked."

Example Question #149 : 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.

He was trying as hard as he could to solve the problem for his boss had promised a bonus to the first person that could do it.

Possible Answers:

He was trying as hard as he could to solve the problem, for his boss had promised a bonus to the first person that could do it.

He was trying as hard as he could to solve the problem for his boss had promised a bonus to the first person that could do it.

He was trying as hard as he could to solve the problem for his boss had promised a bonus, to the first person that could do it.

He was trying as hard as he could to solve, the problem for his boss had promised a bonus to the first person that could do it.

He was trying as hard as he could to solve the problem for his boss had promised, a bonus to the first person that could do it.

Correct answer:

He was trying as hard as he could to solve the problem, for his boss had promised a bonus to the first person that could do it.

Explanation:

In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by a coordinating conjunction ("for"). When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. The correct answer choice is "he was trying to solve the problem, for his boss promised a bonus to the first person that could do it."

Example Question #151 : 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.

The workers who did not like how they were being treated decided to go on strike.

Possible Answers:

The workers who did not like how they were being treated decided to go on strike.

The workers, who did not like how they were being treated decided to go on strike.

The workers, who did not like how they were being treated, decided to go on strike.

The workers who did not like how they were being treated, decided to go on strike.

The workers who did not like, how they were being treated decided to go on strike.

Correct answer:

The workers, who did not like how they were being treated, decided to go on strike.

Explanation:

The phrase "who did not like how they were being treated"  is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: workers. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is "The workers, who did not like how they were being treated, decided to go on strike."

Such phrases are often called "interrupting phrases." Interrupting phrases are used to provide information that or provide useful context about (usually) the subject of the sentence, but they are not grammatically necessary to the overall structure of the sentence. An interrupting phrase, properly enclosed by commas, could be excised from the sentence and the sentence would remain grammatically viable.

Example Question #151 : 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.

During his vacation Dave visited many countries.

Possible Answers:

During his vacation, Dave, visited many countries.

During his vacation Dave visited, many countries.

During his vacation, Dave visited many countries.

During his, vacation Dave visited many countries.

During his vacation Dave, visited many countries.

Correct answer:

During his vacation, Dave visited many countries.

Explanation:

The phrase "During his vacation" is an example of an introductory phrase, explaining information necessary to the context of the sentence, but outside of the main sentence, grammatically. These types of phrases must be followed by a comma in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence. The correct answer choice is "During his vacation, Dave visited many countries."

Example Question #153 : 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.

New York is a major financial center and many people flock there every year looking for work.

Possible Answers:

New York is a major financial center and many people flock there every year looking for work.

New York is a major financial center and many, people flock there every, year looking for work.

New York is a major financial center, and many people flock there every year looking for work.

New York is a major financial center, and many people flock there, every year looking for work.

New York is a major financial center and many people flock there every year looking, for work.

Correct answer:

New York is a major financial center, and many people flock there every year looking for work.

Explanation:

In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by a coordinate conjunction. When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. The correct answer choice is "New York is a major financial center, and many people flock there every year looking for work."

Note here that while a comma is required before "and" there is no need for any other commas. Placing a single comma in the middle of a clause is itself an error.

Example Question #152 : 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.

The company was opening a new branch office in Asia and with this decision, it was hoping to secure a better supply line.

Possible Answers:

The company was opening a new branch office in Asia, and with this decision it was hoping

The company was opening a new branch office in Asia, and, with this decision, it was hoping

The company was opening a new branch office in Asia and with this decision it was hoping

The company was opening a new branch office in Asia and with this decision, it was hoping,

The company was opening a new branch office in Asia and with this decision, it was hoping

Correct answer:

The company was opening a new branch office in Asia, and, with this decision, it was hoping

Explanation:

In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by a coordinate conjunction. When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. Furthermore, the phrase "with this decision" that occurs in the second half of the sentence is a parenthetical expression: a phrase that explains more about a particular word or phrase in the sentence, but is not introduced by a relative pronoun. These phrases must be introduced and completed with a comma in order to separate them from the main clause of the sentence. The correct answer choice is "The company was opening a new branch office in Asia, and, with this decision, it was hoping."

Example Question #155 : 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.

Many modern companies such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit seem to have been started in someone's garage.

Possible Answers:

Many modern companies such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit, seem to have been started in someone's garage.

Many modern companies such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit seem, to have been started in someone's garage.

Many modern companies, such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit seem to have been started in someone's garage.

Many modern companies, such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit, seem to have been started in someone's garage.

Many modern companies, such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit, seem to have been started, in someone's garage.

Correct answer:

Many modern companies, such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit, seem to have been started in someone's garage.

Explanation:

The phrase "such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit" is a parenthetical expression: a phrase that explains more about a particular word or phrase in the sentence, but is not introduced by a relative pronoun. These phrases must be introduced and completed with a comma in order to separate them from the main clause of the sentence. The correct answer choice is "Many modern companies, such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit, seem to have been started in someone's garage."

Example Question #153 : 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.

Organizing events takes much time money and patience.

Possible Answers:

Organizing events takes much, time, money, and patience.

Organizing events takes much, time, money and patience.

Organizing events takes much time, money and patience.

Organizing events takes much time, money, and patience.

Organizing events, takes much time money, and patience.

Correct answer:

Organizing events takes much time, money, and patience.

Explanation:

The phrase "much time money and patience" is a list of qualities. All items in any sort of list/parallel words or phrases should be separated by commas. Additionally, a comma must come before the "and" because the action "money" and "patience" are not related in concept exclusively, so they should not be grouped together. The correct answer is "Organizing events takes much time, money, and patience."

Example Question #157 : 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.

The company's fans were very excited about its new product but they were not enthused about the expected price.

Possible Answers:

The company's fans were very excited about its new product, but they were not enthused, about the expected price.

The company's fans were very excited about its new product, but they were not enthused about the expected price.

The company's fans were very excited about its new, product but they were not enthused about the expected price.

The company's fans were very, excited about its new product but they were not enthused about the expected price.

The company's fans were very excited about its new product but they were not enthused, about the expected price.

Correct answer:

The company's fans were very excited about its new product, but they were not enthused about the expected price.

Explanation:

In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by a coordinate conjunction. When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. The correct answer choice is "The company's fans were very excited about its new product, but they were not enthused about the expected price."

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