GMAT Verbal : GMAT Verbal
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #713 : 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.
Experience is earned with practice and time.
Earning experience
Experience earned
Experience is earned
You earns experience
You earn experience
You earn experience
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. The phrase "Experience is earned" is in the passive voice. The correct choice in this case should be in the active voice (i.e. the subject of the clause should always do the action of the main verb) because it is more concise and clear. The sentence needs to be reworded. The correct choice is, "You earn experience" as all the other choices contain fragments, passive voice, or subject-verb agreement errors.
Example Question #41 : 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.
As the suit was finished quickly, that it still needed alterations did not surprise Henry.
it still needed alterations, which did not surprise Henry.
it was not surprising to Henry that it still needed alterations.
because it still needed alterations, which surprised Henry.
Henry was not surprised that it still needed alterations.
that it still needed more alterations did not surprise Henry.
Henry was not surprised that it still needed alterations.
Avoid the passive voice of the original ("it still needed alterations") and choose the simplest answer which preserves the meaning of the original sentence.
Example Question #714 : 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.
By the time he reached the front of the line, he has realized that he left his wallet at home.
he has realized that he has left
he realized that he had left
he realizes that he had left
he had been realizing that he left
he has been realizing that he has left
he realized that he had left
Note that the past perfect tense is used to refer to an action (A) which was initiated in the past and completed by the time of another action (B) also in the past. In this case the subject (B) "realized" that he (B) "had left his wallet at home". The other answer choices use active verb tenses such as the perfect progressive inappropriately and do not convey the meaning that is intended.
Example Question #715 : 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.
Many individuals around the world read the magazine.
Many individuals, around the world read
Many, individuals, around the world, read
Many individuals, around the world, read
Many individuals around the world read
Many, individuals around the world read
Many individuals around the world read
This sentence contains no errors. "Around the world" is a prepositional phrase that is not separate from the rest of the sentence, so it is not necessary to offset it with commas. Additionally, commas are not used to separate an adjective from the noun it describes, so no comma should appear between "many" and "individuals." The correct choice is, "Many individuals around the world read."
Example Question #721 : 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.
Having been abandoned by their owners is the cause of salient sadness for dogs.
Dogs' sadness is salient when their owners abandon them.
Being abandoned by their owners, they feel salient sadness.
Dogs’ being abandoned by their owners is the cause of salient sadness.
Having been abandoned by their owners is the cause of salient sadness for dogs.
Abandoned by their owners, a salient sadness is what the dogs feel.
Dogs' sadness is salient when their owners abandon them.
The constructions using “having been” and “being” can be awkward and wordy if injudiciously chosen. Moreover, the dangling modifier in one of the incorrect options does not modify the appropriate noun. The correct answer is clearly articulated and in the active voice throughout.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense 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.
Shortly after their first expeditions to the region, the Spanish initiated a number of attempts to subjugate the Maya, but it takes some 170 years before the Spanish established substantive control over all Maya lands.
but they would take some 170 years
but it takes some 170 years
but they took some 170 years
but it was going to take some 170 years
but it took some 170 years
but it took some 170 years
This correct answer uses the right verb tense. It also refers to the correct (singular) subject of the sentence.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense 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.
Recent historians have begun to reevaluate the career of General William Tecumseh Sherman, paint him as a war criminal and a monstrous villain.
painting him as a war criminal and a monstrous villain.
paint him as a war criminal and a monstrous villain.
paints him as a war criminal and a monstrous villain.
paint him as the war criminal and the monstrous villain.
paint him for a war criminal and a monstrous villain.
painting him as a war criminal and a monstrous villain.
The use of the verb "paint" as the first word in the final phrase is incorrect, as it needs to be a present progressive verb, "painting," to correctly describe the action continuing after the present perfect "have begun." The only answer choice that uses the correct verb form is "painting him as a war criminal and a monstrous villain," making it the correct answer.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense 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 new regulations are largely meant to curtail small-scale corruption, but the loopholes present in the law created a sharp increase in white collar crime.
The new regulations largely meant to curtail small scale corruption
The new regulations are largely meaning to curtail small scale corruption
The new regulations are largely meant for curtailing small scale corruption
The new regulations are largely meant to curtail small scale corruption
The new regulations were largely meant to curtail small scale corruption
The new regulations were largely meant to curtail small scale corruption
The verb in the second part of the sentence, "created," is in the past tense, but the verb in the underlined portion, "are," is in the present tense. The verbs in a compound sentence must always be in the same tense. "The new regulations were largely meant to curtail small scale corruption" is the only answer choice that correctly fixes the problem.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Verb Tense 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.
Very few politicians are willing to make a promise to eliminate social safety net programs, which made the congressman a rarity in Washington.
which making the congressman a rarity in Washington.
which made the congressman a rarity in Washington.
which having made the congressman a rarity in Washington.
which makes the congressman a rarity in Washington.
which had made the congressman a rarity in Washington.
which makes the congressman a rarity in Washington.
The underlined portion of the sentence uses a past tense verb, "made," even though the previous, non-underlined portion of the sentence uses the present tense form "are." The underlined portion needs to be changed so that the two verbs in the sentence agree. The only answer choice which correctly changes the verb is "which makes the congressman a rarity in Washington."
Example Question #5 : Correcting Verb Tense 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.
Finding new evidence in unpublished journals, the historian produced research that greatly reshaped the way the academy thinking about the Civil War.
the way the academy thinking about the Civil War.
the way the academy thinks about the Civil War.
the way the academy can think about the Civil War.
the way the academy will be thinking about the Civil War.
the way the academy was thinking about the Civil War.
the way the academy thinks about the Civil War.
The use of the gerundive "thinking" is incorrect, as it means there is no verb, as a gerund is a verb form that functions as a noun. While all of the answer choices change the verb, the best change is to make it a simple present tense verb. The only answer choice which makes this change is "the way the academy thinks about the Civil War."
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