All GMAT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #33 : Correcting Verb Voice 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 band's music was acclaimed by many as innovative and thrilling.
The band's music was acclaimed by many as innovative and thrilling.
Many people thought the band's music was innovative and thrilling.
The band's music, acclaimed by many as innovative and thrilling, was written about in many magazines.
Many people thought the band's music was innovative, and thrilling.
Many people thought the music of the band was very innovative, and thrilling.
Many people thought the band's music was innovative and thrilling.
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. The phrase "The band's music was acclaimed" is in the passive voice. The correct choice should always be in the active voice (i.e. the subject of the sentence should be doing the action of the main verb). No other changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "Many people thought the band's music was innovative and thrilling."
Example Question #34 : Correcting Verb Voice 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.
She held much influence in her field since her work was considered to be the best.
influence in her field, since people considered her work the best.
influence in her field, since her work was considered to be the best.
influence in her field since people considered her work the best.
influence in her field since her work was considered to be: the best.
influence in her field since her work was considered to be the best.
influence in her field since people considered her work the best.
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. The phrase "her work was considered to be the best" is in the passive voice. The correct answer should be in the active voice (i.e. the subject of the clause should always be doing the action of the main verb). No other changes are necessary. The choice that fixes this issue is, "influence in her field since people considered her work the best."
Example Question #35 : Correcting Verb Voice 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.
Roger was asked to come into the office; little did he know, it was for a promotion.
Roger asked to come into the office
They asked: Roger to come into the office
Roger, asked to come into the office,
They asked Roger to come into the office
Roger was asked to come into the office
They asked Roger to come into the office
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. The phrase "Roger was asked" is in the passive voice. The correct choice will usually be in the active voice (i.e. the subject of the clause should be doing the action of the main verb). No other changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "They asked Roger to come into the office."
Example Question #36 : Correcting Verb Voice 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.
She was excited because a new book from her favorite author was being published later this year.
a new book from her favorite author was being published later this year.
a new book from her favorite author was being: published later this year.
a new book from her favorite author being published later this year.
her favorite author publishing a new book later this year.
her favorite author was publishing a new book later this year.
her favorite author was publishing a new book later this year.
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. The phrase "a new book from her favorite author was being published later this year" is in the passive voice. The correct choice will always be in the active voice, so this sentence needs to be rephrased. The correct choice is, "her favorite author was publishing a new book later this year."
Example Question #37 : Correcting Verb Voice 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.
Conventions for anything imaginable are attended by millions each year.
Millions attend conventions for anything imaginable
Millions attend conventions, for anything imaginable
Conventions for anything imaginable are attended by millions
Conventions, for anything imaginable, are attended by millions
Millions attend: conventions for anything imaginable
Millions attend conventions for anything imaginable
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. The phrase "Conventions...are attended" is in the passive voice. The correct choice should always be in the active voice (i.e. the subject of the clause should be doing the action of the main verb). The correct choice is, "Millions attend conventions for anything imaginable."
Example Question #38 : Correcting Verb Voice 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.
Because the technology was improved, the price fell sharply.
Because the technology was improved
Because the technology improved
The technology improved
Because, the technology improved
The technology was improved
Because the technology improved
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. The phrase "the technology was improved" is in the passive voice. The correct choice should always be in the active voice (i.e. the subject of the clause should always do the action of the main verb). This can be fixed by simply omitting the word "was." No other changes are necessary. The correct answer is, "Because the technology improved."
Example Question #39 : Correcting Verb Voice 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.
Music was considered extremely important by her.
She considered music to be the most important thing in her life.
She considered music extremely important.
Music was to be considered extremely important by her.
Music was considered extremely important by her.
Music was considered to be an extremely important influence on her.
She considered music extremely important.
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. The phrase "Music was considered" is in the passive voice, which is totally unnecessary in this context. The correct answer will be in the active voice (i.e. the subject of the clause should always do the action of the main verb). The sentence needs to be reworded. The correct choice is, "She considered music extremely important." The other choices only add unnecessary words to the sentence.
Example Question #40 : Correcting Verb Voice 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.
Though no one truly understood it, the joke was laughed at by many.
many were laughing at the joke because it was funny.
many laughed at the joke.
many laughed at the joke, because it was funny.
the joke was laughed at by many.
the joke were laughed at by many.
many laughed at the joke.
The phrase "the joke was laughed at" is in the passive voice. The correct choice should always be in the active voice (the subject of the clause should always do the action of the main verb). The sentence needs to be reworded. The correct choice is, "many laughed at the joke." The other choices are either still in the passive voice or are too wordy.
Example Question #711 : 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 progress of the team was viewed as insufficient.
The progress of the team was labelled as insufficient.
The progress of the team was viewed as insufficient.
They viewed the team's progress as insufficient.
The team's progress was viewed as insufficient.
The team's progress was considered insufficient.
They viewed the team's progress as insufficient.
The phrase "The progress...was viewed" is in the passive voice. The correct choice should always be in the active voice (i.e. the subject of the clause should be doing the action of the main verb). The sentence needs to be reworded. All of the choices but one, however, are in the passive voice. The correct choice is, "They viewed the team's progress as insufficient."
Example Question #712 : 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 painting was found mesmerizing by the kids.
The painting is considered amazing by
The painting, mesmerizing to
The painting was found amazing by
The painting was found mesmerizing by
The painting amazed
The painting amazed
This sentence contains an error in verb-voice. The phrase "The painting was found mesmerizing" is in the passive voice. The correct choice should always be in the active voice (i.e. the subject of the clause should always do the action of the main verb). The sentence needs to be reworded. The correct choice is "The painting amazed" as all the other options are still in the passive voice or a fragments.