GMAT Verbal : GMAT Verbal

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #14 : 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 students can focus on completing their homework, she will find it easier to score high marks on the unit tests.

Possible Answers:

If students can focus on completing their homework, he will find it easier to score high marks on the unit tests. 

If students can focus on completing their homework, they will find it easier to score high marks on the unit tests. 

If students can focus on completing their homework, she will find it easier to score high marks on the unit tests. 

If students can focus on completing their homework, we will find it easier to score high marks on the unit tests. 

If students can focus on completing their homework, it will find it easier to score high marks on the unit tests. 

Correct answer:

If students can focus on completing their homework, they will find it easier to score high marks on the unit tests. 

Explanation:

Given the use of "students" as the subject, we know that we will need to use a plural pronoun. Therefore, "they" would be a more appropriate pronoun to use than "she."

Example Question #142 : 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.

If one is to be successful in the world, they must make responsible choices.

Possible Answers:

If one is to be successful in the world, he must make responsible choices.

If one is to be successful in the world, she must make responsible choices.

If one is to be successful in the world, one must make responsible choices.

If one is to be successful in the world, they must make responsible choices.

If one is to be successful in the world, we must make responsible choices.

Correct answer:

If one is to be successful in the world, one must make responsible choices.

Explanation:

The error in the current sentence is a lack of consistency in pronoun usage. Since we use the word "one" as our pronoun initially, we should keep using the word "one" as our pronoun throughout the rest 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.

The process of passing a law is a long and tedious process that involves reviewing them multiple times. 

Possible Answers:

it

which

the law

them

they

Correct answer:

it

Explanation:

It is clear that the pronoun is supposed to refer to "law," which is a singular noun. Furthermore, laws do not have a gender, so the correct pronoun would be "it." The choice "the law" would be redundant because it is already clear that we are still speaking about the "law."

Example Question #142 : 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. 

When we have purpose in our lives, they can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled.

Possible Answers:

she can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled

you can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled

they can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled

one can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled

we can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled

Correct answer:

we can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled

Explanation:

The sentence begins with the pronoun "We" but switches to the pronoun "they." We must therefore change the second pronoun to "we" in order to maintain grammatical consistency.  

Example Question #801 : Gmat Verbal

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.

This is a very difficult decision that will not be taken lightly, either by him or myself.

Possible Answers:

neither by him nor myself.

either by him or me.

either for him or myself.

either by him or myself.

either by him or by myself.

Correct answer:

either by him or me.

Explanation:

The use of the reflexive pronoun "myself" is incorrect in this sentence, as it has no earlier pronoun or noun to reflect back to in the earlier part of the sentence. The correct pronoun for this sentence is the simple objective pronoun "me." The only answer choice that makes the correct change to the underlined portion of the sentence is "either by him or me."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

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.

"Working towards a peaceful solution is the most important thing," said the Secretary of State, "for both the President and I."

Possible Answers:

said the Secretary of State, "for both the President and I."

said the Secretary of State, "for both me and the President."

said the Secretary of State "for both the President and I."

says the Secretary of State, "for both the President and I."

said the Secretary of State: "for both the President and I."

Correct answer:

said the Secretary of State, "for both me and the President."

Explanation:

The use of "I" in the final quoted part of this sentence is incorrect, as it is functioning as an object of the preposition "for," but "I" is the subjective form of the first person pronoun. The correct pronoun for the object in a sentence is "me." Therefore, as the only answer choice to use the right pronoun, the correct answer is "said the Secretary of State, "for both me and the President."

Example Question #802 : Gmat Verbal

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 speech was viewed curiously by his fellow candidates, all of who were interested in what political positions the governor would outline for his presidential run.

Possible Answers:

all of whom were interested in what political positions

all who were interested for what political positions

all who were interesting in what political positions

all who were interested in which political positions

all who were interested in what political positions

Correct answer:

all of whom were interested in what political positions

Explanation:

The use of the objective pronoun "who" in this sentence is incorrect, as the pronoun is the object of the preposition "of." Pronouns that function as objects of prepositions need to be in their objective forms, not their subjective forms. The correct answer choice is the one in which "who" is changed to "whom"; this means that "all of whom were interested in what political positions" is the correct choice.

Example Question #4 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

The newspaper was delivered every morning to him and I.

Possible Answers:

from him and I.

to me and him.

to he and I.

for him and I.

to he and me.

Correct answer:

to me and him.

Explanation:

The underlined portion of the sentence is the object, and both words need to be in the objective form. "Him" is objective, but "I" should only be used as a subject. The correct answer is "to me and him."

Example Question #5 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Me and you have never seen eye to eye on any issue.

Possible Answers:

Me and you

You and I

You, me

I and You

You and me

Correct answer:

You and I

Explanation:

The problem with the sentence is in the two pronouns underlined. The correct usage of the first person pronoun as an object is "I," not "me." Additionally, "you" should come before "I." 

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

In the sentence below, select the phrasing of the underlined portion that produces the best sentence.

I know that Trudy is generally a kind girl, but I and her have never enjoyed spending time together.

Possible Answers:

but she and me have never enjoyed spending time together.

but her and me have never enjoyed spending time together.

but her and I have never enjoyed spending time together.

but she and I have never enjoyed spending time together.

but I and her have never enjoyed spending time together.

Correct answer:

but she and I have never enjoyed spending time together.

Explanation:

The speaker and Trudy together form the subject of the underlined clause, and so both pronouns need to be subject pronouns. Of the options given here, "she and I" is the only one where this is the case ("we," of course, would also work).

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