GMAT Verbal : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences
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.
Mercantilism was an economic theory and practice, dominant in Europe from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century, that promoted the governmental regulation of a nation's economy in order to augment state power.
that promotes
that promoted
that had promoted
that promote
that would promote
that promoted
The correct answer is the only one that uses the correct tense (the simple past) and correctly agrees with the "number" of the subject (singular).
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences
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.
Hydraulic fracturing causes earthquakes that are usually too small to be detected at the surface, although tremors attributed to fluid injection into disposal wells have been large enough to be felt by people on numerous occasions.
that are usually too small to be detected at the surface, although tremors attributed to fluid injection into disposal wells had been large enough to be felt by people on numerous occasions
that are usually too small to be detected at the surface, although tremors attributed to fluid injection into disposal wells are large enough to be felt by people on numerous occasions
that are usually too small to be detected at the surface, although tremors attributed to fluid injection into disposal wells have been large enough to be felt by people on numerous occasions
that are usually too small to be detected at the surface, and tremors attributed to fluid injection into disposal wells have been large enough to be felt by people on numerous occasions
that are usually too small to be detected at the surface, and tremors attributed to fluid injection into disposal wells were large enough to be felt by people on numerous occasions
that are usually too small to be detected at the surface, although tremors attributed to fluid injection into disposal wells have been large enough to be felt by people on numerous occasions
The correct answer uses a comma and conjunction to separate two independent clauses. Additionally, it has the correct tense (subject-verb agreement).
Example Question #2 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences
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 flawed analyst’s research, which overstated revenue projections by 500%, led to an investment error that cost the fund nearly $20 million.
which overstated revenue projections by 500%, led to an investment error that cost the fund nearly $20 million
an investment error costing the fund nearly $20 million, overstated revenue projections by 500%
which overstated revenue projections by 500% led to an investment error that cost the fund nearly $20 million
that overstated revenue projections by 500%, led to an investment error that cost fund nearly $20 million
costing the fund nearly $20 million, led to an investment error by overstating revenue projections by 500%
which overstated revenue projections by 500%, led to an investment error that cost the fund nearly $20 million
This sentence has no errors.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences
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 relationship between the Earth and the moon gives rise to two effects: tidal forces, which cause the tides on Earth, and torque, which slows the rotation of Earth and increases the distance between the Earth and the moon.
two effects: tidal forces and torque, which causes the tides on the Earth and increases the distance between the Earth and the moon
two effects . . . tidal forces, which cause the tides on Earth, and torque, which slows the rotation of Earth and increases the distance between the Earth and the moon
two effects; tidal forces, which cause the tides on Earth, and torque, which slows the rotation of Earth and increases the distance between the Earth and the moon
two effects: tidal forces, which cause the tides on Earth, and torque, which slows the rotation of Earth and increases the distance between the Earth and the moon
two effects. Tidal forces, which cause the tides on Earth, and torque, which slows the rotation of Earth and increases the distance between the Earth and the moon
two effects: tidal forces, which cause the tides on Earth, and torque, which slows the rotation of Earth and increases the distance between the Earth and the moon
This sentence has no errors.
Example Question #4 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences
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 from an assumption of increased sales, the executive was blindsided by the difficulties presented by customers’ waning interest in his products.
Working from an assumption of increased sales
Working from an assumption to increased sales
Worked from an assumption of increased sales
Working an assumption of increased sales
Working from assumption of increased sales
Working from an assumption of increased sales
The sentence is perfectly fine as it is written, and needs nothing to be changed in order to make it grammatically correct. Additionally, all of the answer choices that do make a change create a grammatical problem with the sentence. Therefore, the correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as is.
Example Question #6 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences
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 football player, having the most muscular physique of everyone in the room, dominated the entire party as soon as he arrived.
having the most muscular physique of everyone, in the room
having the most muscularly physique of everyone in the room
having the most muscular physique of everyone in the room
having the more muscular physique of everyone in the room
had the most muscular physique of everyone in the room
having the most muscular physique of everyone in the room
The sentence is grammatically correct. The answer choice which makes no changes should be chosen after reviewing all of the other answer choices, as every single one makes a change which does create a grammatical problem.
Example Question #7 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences
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.
Nowhere was the candidate more beloved than in his home state, where all of his competitors refused even to campaign.
where all of his competitors refusing even to campaign.
where all of these competitors refused even to campaign.
where all of his competitors refused even to campaign.
where all the competitors refused even to campaign.
where competitors refused to campaign.
where all of his competitors refused even to campaign.
The sentence has no grammatical problems as it is written, and needs no corrections made to it. Every answer choice that does make a change actually puts in a grammatical problem. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences
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 dispute grew to involve a number of different parties, only a handful of which were actually present for the initial conflict.
only a handful of which were actual present for an initial conflict.
only a handful of that group were actually present for the initial conflict.
only a handful of which were present actually for the initial conflict.
only handfuls of which were actually present for the initial conflict.
only a handful of which were actually present for the initial conflict.
only a handful of which were actually present for the initial conflict.
There is nothing gramatically wrong with the sentence as it is written, and nothing has to be done to the sentence to correct it. Additionally, all of the other answer choices which do change the sentence actually make the sentence gramatically incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer choice is to leave the underlined portion of the sentence alone without making a change.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences
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.
Consumer confidence began waning toward the end of the year, with experts citing rising gas prices as a key motivation for the change.
with experts citing rising gas prices as a key motivation to the change.
with experts citing rising gas prices as a key motivation for the change.
with experts citing rising gas prices as a key motivating for the change.
experts citing rising gas prices as a key motivation for the change.
with experts citation rising gas prices as a key motivation for the change.
with experts citing rising gas prices as a key motivation for the change.
The sentence is perfectly correct as is written, and needs no changes made to it for any grammatical reason. Additionally, every choice that does make a change creates a grammatical problem. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence alone.
Example Question #2 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.
Working hard to meet the oncoming deadline, the team began staying at the office well past midnight and returning to work before seven the next day.
the team began staying well past midnight at the office and returning to work before seven the next day.
the team began staying at the office well past midnight and returning to work before seven the next day.
the office was occupied by the team from seven in the morning until well past midnight.
the team began staying at the office, well past midnight, and returning to work before seven the next day.
staying well past midnight and returning to work before seven the next day was the team began doing.
the team began staying at the office well past midnight and returning to work before seven the next day.
While there are lots of parts to this sentence that could create a grammatical problem, this sentence is perfectly correct as it is written, with a properly placed modifier, correct adverb usage, and parallel structure. Additionally, every answer choice that makes a change creates a grammatical problem. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.
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