GMAT Verbal : GMAT Verbal
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #41 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Avoiding the controversial topic for as long as possible, the congressman speaking for a long time on other subjects.
speaking for a long while on other subjects.
spoke for a long time on other subjects.
speaking for a long time on other subjects.
speaking for a long time for other subjects.
speaking for a long while for other subjects.
spoke for a long time on other subjects.
While the underline dportion is a slightly long phrase, the only real grammatical problem is the verb form "speaking," which indicates an active, present verb, when the sentence's construction shows it needs a past tense verd. Therefore, the correct answer is "spoke for a long time on other subjects.."
Example Question #43 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Classic comedies have withstood the test of time to remaining popular.
remaining popular.
remains popular.
to remains popular.
to remain popular.
to remains popular.
to remain popular.
The underlined phrase takes the form of an infinitive verb phrase, meaning "to remaining" is an incorrect construction. The appropriate form of an infinitive is "to remain," making "to remain popular" the correct answer.
Example Question #42 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
In most understandings, the law was never wrote to provide for such actions.
was never quite wrote
was never wrote
was not wrote
was never written
had never written
was never written
The underlined portion of the sentence has a verb issue. "Wrote" is the past tense of the verb "to write," which is inappropriate in the sentence's construction. The perfect tense "written" must be used; therefore, "was never written" is the correct answer.
Example Question #162 : Verb Formation 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.
Sal, who purchasing stocks five years ago when the recession hit, is now reaping the benefits of his patience.
purchasing stocks five years ago when the recession hit
had purchased stocks five years ago when the recession hit
purchased stocks five years ago when the recession hit
having been purchased stocks five years ago when the recession hit
has been purchasing stocks five years ago when the recession hit
purchased stocks five years ago when the recession hit
The word, purchasing, is incorrect, and must be changed to it's past tense, purchased, for the sentence to make sense.
Example Question #1891 : Sat Writing
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.
Various theories were proposed, but none prove satisfactory to the investigators.
nothing proving satisfactory
none proved satisfactory
none proving satisfactory
nothing prove satisfactory
none prove satisfactory
none proved satisfactory
The verb in the underlined portion of the sentence is in the present tense, while the verb in the first part of the sentence is in the past tense. The two verbs need to match their tenses due to the construction of the sentence. The correct answer choice is " none proved satisfactory."
Example Question #1892 : Sat Writing
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.
Although he was suspicious of the deal, the negotiator knew he has to accept what he was offered or get nothing at all.
the negotiator knew he has to accepted
the negotiator knew he having to accept
the negotiator knew he has to accept
the negotiator knew he had to accept
the negotiator knew he is accepting
the negotiator knew he had to accept
The issue with the underlined sentence is quite simple, with the verb form "knew," a past tense construction, being at odds with "has," a present tense form. These need to work together, making the correct answer choice "the negotiator knew he had to accept."
Example Question #51 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
The filmmaker's stated intention to shock his audiences with scenes of horror and violence.
The filmmaker's statement of intention to shock
The filmmakers stated intention to shock
The filmmaker's stated intention shocking
The filmmaker's stated intention was to shock
The filmmaker's stated intent to shock
The filmmaker's stated intention was to shock
The sentence as written actually contains no verb, as "stated" is used as an adjective to describe "intention," and the infinitive form "to shock" needs some form of the verb "to be." The only answer choice that remedies the lack of a verb is "The filmaker's stated intention was to shock," and is the correct answer.
Example Question #52 : 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Traditionally, movie audiences shown favor towards lighter fare.
Traditionally, movie audiences showing favor towards lighter fare.
Traditionally, movie audiences shown favor towards lighter fare.
Traditional, movie audiences shown favor towards lighter fare.
Traditionally, movie audiences show of favor towards lighter fare.
Traditionally, movie audiences have shown favor towards lighter fare.
Traditionally, movie audiences have shown favor towards lighter fare.
"Shown" is a past perfect verb, and any past perfect construction cannot stand alone as the verb in the sentence without a helping verb, also known as an auxilary verb. The past perfect verb "shown" needs to be accompanied by the verb "have" to make it a complete verbal phrase. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "Traditionally, movie audiences have shown favor towards lighter fare."
Example Question #111 : Correcting Verb 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.
The falling oil prices were a stunning development to most forecasters, as a poll from the beginning of the year showing only a small percentage of experts calling for such a drop.
were showing only a small percentage of experts calling for such a drop.
showed only a small percentage of experts calling for such a drop.
showed only a small percentage of experts called for such a drop.
showing only a small percentage of experts calling for such a drop.
showing only a small percentage of experts called for such a drop.
showed only a small percentage of experts called for such a drop.
The use of the present participle verb forms "showing" and "calling" is incorrect in the underlined portion of the sentence. Both words need to be in the past tense to show that the poll was taken before oil prices had begun falling. The only answer choice which appropriately makes these corrections is "showed only a small percentage of experts called for such a drop."
Example Question #137 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Coastal communities are hoping a mild winter makes summer arrive sooner, bring more tourists.
bring more tourists.
bringing more tourists.
bring many tourists.
more tourists bringing.
more tourists brought.
bringing more tourists.
The underlined portion of the sentence is a dependent clause that relies on the rest of the sentence for its meaning. As such, the verb form "bring" does not appropriately connect to the rest of the sentence. "Bringing more tourists, featuring the gerundive is the best answer choice.
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