GMAT Verbal : GMAT Verbal

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #89 : 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.

And the World Health Organization estimates that by 2030 that number of people living with diabetes will more than double.  

Possible Answers:

estimates that by 2030 the

estimates that by 2030 even though

estimates that by 2030 because

estimates that by 2030 although

estimates that by 2030 a

Correct answer:

estimates that by 2030 the

Explanation:

The correct answer will resolve the redundant relative pronoun that, replacing it with the definite article "the". Using the article "a" is problematic precisely because the article refers to a definite noun "the number of people...". The other answer choice that attempt to implement a subordinating conjunction all result in issues with awkward syntax.

Example Question #571 : 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.

Carl wanted to know who's car was parked in his parking spot.

Possible Answers:

whos car

who'se car

who's car

whos' car

whose car

Correct answer:

whose car

Explanation:

This sentence misuses the word "who's," which is a contraction for "who is." The context of this sentence dictates that the possessive form of the word be used here. The correct choice is "whose." The other choices are not actual forms of this word.

Example Question #572 : 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.

Sharon knew that she had to complete his assignment soon.

Possible Answers:

him

her

she

hers

his

Correct answer:

her

Explanation:

This sentence misuses the pronoun "his." Since a man is not mentioned anywhere in the sentence, it makes no sense to use the word "his." Most likely, it is Sharon's project that is meant here, meaning that "her" should be used. Note that "hers" is not a proper word. The correct choice is "her."

Example Question #573 : 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.

When the car refused to start, he tried changing it's battery.

Possible Answers:

he tried changing its battery.

he tried changing it's battery.

he tried changing battery of the car.

he tried changing the car's battery.

he tried changing that battery.

Correct answer:

he tried changing its battery.

Explanation:

This sentence contains an error in the usage of "it's," which is a contraction for "it is." The context of the sentence makes it clear that the possessive pronoun is needed here, which is "its," without the apostrophe. Note that "that" is not specific enough (could be referring so some other battery), and "the car's/of the car" is redundant, given the first half of this sentence. The correct choice is, "he tried changing its battery."

Example Question #581 : 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.

The company assigned it's latest project to Tim.

Possible Answers:

its latest project to Tim.

it's latest project: to Tim.

its latest project to: Tim.

it's latest project to: Tim.

it's latest project to Tim.

Correct answer:

its latest project to Tim.

Explanation:

This sentence uses the wrong form of "it." When the apostrophe is present (it's), the word is a contraction for "it is." The possessive form, which is needed here, is "its" (without the apostrophe). No additional punctuation or other changes are necessary - colons are never used to split up a clause. The correct choice is, "its latest project to Tim."

Example Question #582 : 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

I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted it was her's.

Possible Answers:

I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted they were her's.

I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted it was her's.

I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted it was hers.

I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted they were hers.

I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted it was belonging to her.

Correct answer:

I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted it was hers.

Explanation:

The possessive pronouns "hers," "his," "yours," "its," "ours," and "theirs" are never used with apostrophes. The correct version of this sentence reads: "I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted it was hers."

Example Question #583 : 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.

She wished to study in Rome because she was enamored with it's history.

Possible Answers:

Rome: because she was enamored with it's history.

Rome, because she was enamored with it is history.

Rome because she was enamored with its history.

Rome because she was enamored with it's history.

Rome; because she was enamored with it's history.

Correct answer:

Rome because she was enamored with its history.

Explanation:

This sentence misuses the pronoun "it's," which is a contraction for "it is." The correct form (the possessive) is "its," without an apostrophe. The correct choice is, "Rome because she was enamored with its history." No additional punctuation is necessary. The word "because" does not take a comma before it when joining clauses.

Example Question #584 : Sentence Correction

If students can just study harder, our test scores will benefit. 

Which option best replaces the underlined sentence?

Possible Answers:

If students can just study harder, your test scores will benefit. 

If students can just study harder, their test scores will benefit. 

If students can just study harder, it will benefit our test scores. 

If we can just study harder, it will benefit their test scores. 

If students can just study harder, our test scores will benefit. 

Correct answer:

If students can just study harder, their test scores will benefit. 

Explanation:

This is an error of inconsistent usage. "Students" does not clearly match up with "our." The speaker needs to identify himself in both words—"we and our" or "students and their."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent 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.

If one wishes to understand a musical composition fully, we must consider the time period in which it was written.

Possible Answers:

one must consider the time period in which it was written.

we will have to consider the time period in which it was written.

we must consider the time period in which it was written.

we must have considered the time period in which it was written.

we must consider the time period corresponding to when it was written.

Correct answer:

one must consider the time period in which it was written.

Explanation:

The answer choice "one must consider the time period in which it was written" is correct because it contains the word "one," which matches the word "one" used in the first clause of the sentence.

All of the other answer choices are incorrect because they contain the pronoun "we," and therefore lead to pronoun agreement errors.

Example Question #2001 : Correcting Grammatical 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.

If one is to construct a comprehensive model of the global economy, we must first account for alternating periods of expansion and contraction in the business cycle.

Possible Answers:

one must first account for

we must first account for

one must first account to

we must account firstly for

one had first accounted for

Correct answer:

one must first account for

Explanation:

The original text contains a pronoun consistency error. The underlined portion of the sentence contains the pronoun "we," but the sentence uses "one" before that. In order to maintain consistency, the underlined portion should use "one" rather than "we."

The answer choice "one had first accounted for" contains a tense error, even though it correctly uses "one" instead of "we."

The answer choice "one must first account to" is incorrect because the correct idiom is "account for."

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