GMAT Verbal : GMAT Verbal
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #2 : 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.
Does one have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
Does one have a responsibility to the helping of the others, or does one only have a responsibility to the helping of yourself?
Does one have a responsibility to help others, or does one only have a responsibility to help themselves?
Do you have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
Does one have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
Do ones have a responsibility to help others, or do ones only have a responsibility to help his or herself?
Do you have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
In the sentence as it is written, "one" and "you" are both used. You should stick to using one of these pronouns or the other, and not switch between them in a sentence.
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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
When you go to a buffet, one should make sure that you do not overeat.
be sure of
one should make sure
make sure
and make sure
then make sure
make sure
The sentence begins by using the pronoun "you," but then switches to using the pronoun "one." These should be kept consistent.
Example Question #106 : 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.
When one is trying a dangerous sport such as rock-climbing, you should always use the proper safety equipment.
they should always use the proper safety equipment.
he or she should always be using the proper safety equipment.
one should always use the proper safety equipment.
you should always use the proper safety equipment.
he should always be using proper safety equipment.
one should always use the proper safety equipment.
Because “one” is the subject in the relative clause that begins the sentence, “one” must also be the subject of the main independent clause that concludes the sentence. Pronouns and their antecedents must match, and “you,” “they,” and “he” do not match “one.” Also, “use” is more concise than “be using,” which is unnecessarily wordy.
Example Question #7 : 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 a person wants to live fully and reach their potential, he or she must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach his or her potential, he or she must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach its potential, it must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach their potential, he or she must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach his potential, he must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach their potential, they must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach his or her potential, he or she must first find a meaningful passion.
Because the antecedent (“a person”) is singular, “their” and “they” are incorrect pronouns. Because the antecedent doesn’t indicate gender, the male “he” isn’t sufficient and “he or she” must be used. Although “its” and “it” are singular pronouns, they are used to talk about objects and not about people, so they are incorrect.
Example Question #107 : 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.
If one is to fully reform the nation's educational system, you must first account for the need to provide academic opportunities for students regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds.
one must first account for
he must first account for
we must first account for
you must first account for
they must first account for
one must first account for
The sentence initially uses the pronoun "one," but then switches to "you." These pronouns should be kept consistent.
Example Question #111 : Correcting Word 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 underlined choices repeats the answer as it is written.
In order for one to be prepared for the SATs, you must practice every skill on the test until one is confident in the material.
one must practice every skill
we must practice every skill
he must practice every skill
she must practice every skill
you must practice every skill
one must practice every skill
The error in the sentence is in the consistency of pronouns. The sentence begins with "one" and therefore "one" must be used as the pronoun through the remainder of the sentence.
Example Question #591 : 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.
If one is planning to argue with Damon about whether cats are better than dogs, you must be prepared to cite many sources to support your argument.
one must be prepared
they must be prepared
she must be prepared
you must be prepared
he must be prepared
one must be prepared
The error in this sentence stems from the lack of agreement between its pronouns. Since the sentence begins with the pronoun "one," we must change the other pronoun ("you") to "one" in order to make the sentence correct.
Example Question #11 : 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
It is very important to look both ways when one crosses the street because you never know when a car might come.
It is very important to look both ways when you cross the street because one never knows when a car might come.
It is very important to look both ways when I cross the street because you never knows when a car might come.
It is very important to look both ways when one crosses the street because they never know when a car might come.
It is very important to look both ways when one crosses the street because one never knows when a car might come.
It is very important to look both ways when a person crosses the street because you never knows when a car might come.
It is very important to look both ways when one crosses the street because one never knows when a car might come.
The example sentence features inconsistent pronoun usage. Since the sentence first uses the pronoun "one," the sentence must remain consistent in its usage of that pronoun. It is incorrect to follow "one" (when used as a pronoun) with "you." The correct version of the sentence reads, "It is very important to look both ways when one crosses the street because one never knows when a car might come."
Example Question #141 : 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
When one is trying to learn a new skill it is important to control your ego.
When one is trying to learn a new skill it is important to control an ego.
When one is trying to learn a new skill it is important to control one's ego.
When one is trying to learn a new skill it is important to control his ego.
When you are trying to learn a new skill it is important to control one's ego.
When you are trying to learn a new skill it is important to control his ego.
When one is trying to learn a new skill it is important to control one's ego.
The example sentence includes an inconsistent use of pronouns. The use of the neutral third-person pronoun "one" cannot be followed within the sentence by the second-person pronoun "you." Pronouns must remain consistent within sentences, so starting with "one" means that "one" must remain the pronoun. The correct version of the sentence reads, "When one is trying to learn a new skill it is important to control one's ego."
Example Question #141 : Correcting 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.
When one is expecting a baby, how early should you begin preparing the baby's bedroom?
When one is expecting a baby, how early should one begin preparing the baby's bedroom?
When one is expecting a baby, how early should you begin preparing the baby's bedroom?
When one is expecting a baby, how early should they begin preparing the baby's bedroom?
When one is expecting a baby, how early should we begin preparing the baby's bedroom?
When one is expecting a baby, how early should she begin preparing the baby's bedroom?
When one is expecting a baby, how early should one begin preparing the baby's bedroom?
Since "one" is the pronoun used in the clause that begins the sentence, "one" should also be the subject of the sentence in all other instances.
All GMAT Verbal Resources
