GMAT Verbal : GMAT Verbal
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #91 : Other Pronoun 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.
For no apparent reason, the boy harbors a great deal of anger toward myself.
a great deal of anger toward me.
a great deal of anger for myself.
a great deal of angry toward myself.
a great deal of anger toward myself.
a great deal of anger to myself.
a great deal of anger toward me.
The use of the reflexive pronoun in this sentence is incorrect, as there is no previous use of the first person pronoun to which it can refer. The word "myself" needs to changed to the simple first person objective pronoun, "me." Therefore, the correct answer choice is "a great deal of anger toward me."
Example Question #541 : 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.
Many people do not trust them to watch their own weight.
them to watch their own weight.
themselves to watch their own weight.
themself to watch their selves own weight.
them to watch weight.
themselves to watch their selves own weight.
themselves to watch their own weight.
The use of "them" is imprecise, as it is unclear who exactly "them" is referring to in the sentence. To clear up this confusion, the use of "themselves" is the best way to indicate this usage refers to the subject of the sentence. "Themselves to watch their own weight" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #541 : 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.
The issue was brought to myself as soon as he was aware of the problem.
The issue brought to myself
The issue was brought on myself
The issue was bringing to myself
The issue was brought to myself
The issue was brought to me
The issue was brought to me
The use of the reflexive pronoun "myself" is incorrect when it has no previous first person pronoun to refer to. "Myself" must be replaced by the simple first person objective pronoun "me." As the only answer choice to make this change, "The issue was brought to me" is the correct answer.
Example Question #95 : Correcting Pronoun 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 boys all arrived together to make sure they had a numerical advantage on they're side.
unto there side.
on there side.
in they're side.
on their side.
on they're side.
on their side.
The key grammatical issue in the sentence is that two homonyms are confused, creating a mispelling in "they're." "They're" is actually the contraction for "they are," while the sentence needs the third person plural possesive form. "On their side" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #96 : Correcting Pronoun 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 police searched for weeks for a mugger that fit the given description.
The police searched for weeks for a mugger, one that fit the given description.
The police searched for weeks for a mugger who fit the given description.
The police, searching for weeks for a mugger, which fit the given description.
The police searched for weeks for a mugger that fit the given description.
A mugger that fit the given description was searched for for weeks by the police.
The police searched for weeks for a mugger who fit the given description.
The error in the original sentence is that the word "that" cannot modify people. "Who" must be used to refer to the mugger.
Example Question #61 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
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 had to repeat many questions to her students, which were very sleepy that day.
which
who
they
what
that
who
Because the word being chosen is referring to a group of people ("students"), you need to use "who."
Example Question #62 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
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 ability to distinguish faces is one that certain people lack, but itself is a skill that can be developed.
but itself are skills
but itself is skillful
but it is a skill
but its is a skill
but itself is a skill
but it is a skill
The use of "itself" in the sentence is incorrect. "Itself" is a referential pronoun, and as the word is used as the subject in a complete though, there is nothing to refer to therefore, the correct answer is "bit it is a skill."
Example Question #63 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
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.
Marie was not looking forward to visiting the company, who was considered quite aggressive in the industry, because of its reputation for its equally aggressive employees.
who's was considered quite aggressive in the industry
whose was considered quite aggressive in the industry
which was considered quite aggressive in the industry
who was considered quite aggressive in the industry
whom was considered quite aggressive in the industry
which was considered quite aggressive in the industry
This sentence contains a pronoun usage error. The word "who" is meant to refer to company, but is never use to describe non-human words. The appropriate choice is "which," making the correct choice "which was considered quite aggressive in the industry."
Example Question #64 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
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 countries, who's economies are developed, tend to rely on consumer spending to drive growth.
which have economies that are developed
whose economies are developed
whose economies developed
which have developed economies
who's economies are developed
which have developed economies
This sentence contains three errors: two pronoun errors and a verb voice error. First, the pronoun "who" can never be used to describe non-humans (additionally, even if this was correct, the proper form would be "whose," not "who's." The appropriate word is "which." Additionally, the clause contains a passive voice verb (the subject of the clause is not doing the action of "developed"). The correct choice is, "which have developed economies," which fixes all of these issues.
Example Question #65 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
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.
Anne was walking to their friend's house.
Anne was walking to her friend's house.
Anne was walking to the friend's house.
Anne was walking to she's friend's house.
Anne was walking to friend's house.
Anne was walking to their house.
Anne was walking to her friend's house.
This sentence misuses a pronoun. The correct answer is, "Anne was walking to her friend's house" since it is the most clear and concise. Using "their" makes it ambiguous as to whether the sentence is saying that Anne is heading to the house that she shares with someone else (In this case, the person would need to be mentioned before using "their") or if she is just going over to someone else's house. The use of "the" in this place is equally vague (It begs the question "whose friend?") and "she's" is not the proper form.
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