GMAT Verbal : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #171 : 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.

Technology, such as the Internet, has been changing the way we work at an increasingly rapid pace.

Possible Answers:

Technology such as the Internet, has been changing the way we work at an increasingly rapid pace. 

Technology such as the Internet has been changing the way we work at an increasingly rapid pace. 

Technology, such as the Internet, has been changing the way we work at an increasingly rapid pace. 

Technology, such as the Internet, has been changing the way we work at an increasing rapid pace. 

Technology, such as the Internet, has been changing how we work at an increasing rapid pace. 

Correct answer:

Technology, such as the Internet, has been changing the way we work at an increasingly rapid pace. 

Explanation:

There are no errors in this sentence. This sentence contains a relative clause, "such as the Internet," that explains more about a particular word or phrase in the sentence, but is not introduced by a relative pronoun. These phrases must be introduced and completed with a comma in order to separate them from the main clause of the sentence.  Additionally, the word "increasingly" is correct because it is describing the word "rapid." Since only adverbs can describe adjectives, the correct form is "increasingly." The correct answer is, "Technology, such as the Internet, has been changing the way we work at an increasingly rapid pace."

Example Question #171 : 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.

Rebecca loved to study the mythologies of other cultures.

Possible Answers:

loved to study the mythology of other cultures.

loved to study, the mythology of other cultures.

loved to study the mythologies of other cultures.

loved to study mythologies, of other cultures.

loved to studying the mythology of other cultures.

Correct answer:

loved to study the mythologies of other cultures.

Explanation:

There are no errors in this sentence. It is a basic simple sentence. Note that the word "mythology" is not correct because it would imply that there is one universal mythology shared by the many different cultures. Instead "mythologies" is appropriate to refer to the differences between the types of mythology. The correct choice is, "loved to study the mythologies of other cultures."

Example Question #172 : 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.

To be considered "good" by his standards, the product had to be one of the best of its kind.

Possible Answers:

To be considered, "good" by his standards, the product

To be considered "good," by his standards, the product

To be considered "good" by his standards, the product

To be considered good by his standards, the product

To be considered, good by his standards, the product

Correct answer:

To be considered "good" by his standards, the product

Explanation:

There are no errors in this sentence. The use of the quotation marks around "good" are appropriate because it indicates a special usage of the word - that being that "good" by this person's standards differs from average standards. No additional punctuation or changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "To be considered "good" by his standards, the product."

Example Question #173 : 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.

After much deliberation, he decided to buy pink roses for his date.

Possible Answers:

After much deliberation - he decided to buy pink roses for his date.

After much deliberation he decided to buy pink roses for his date.

After much deliberation: he decided to buy pink roses for his date.

After much deliberation; he decided to buy pink roses for his date.

After much deliberation, he decided to buy pink roses for his date.

Correct answer:

After much deliberation, he decided to buy pink roses for his date.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "After much deliberation" is an example of an introductory phrase, explaining information necessary to the context of the sentence, but outside of the main sentence, grammatically. These types of phrases must be followed by a comma in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence. The correct choice is, "After much deliberation, he decided to buy pink roses for his date."

Example Question #174 : 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.

According to Ancient Greek Mythology, Zeus was the king of the Gods.

Possible Answers:

According to Ancient Greek Mythology, Zeus was the king of the Gods.

According to Ancient Greek Mythology. Zeus was the king of the Gods.

According to Ancient Greek Mythology - the king of the Gods was Zeus.

According to Ancient Greek Mythology Zeus was the king of the Gods.

According to Ancient Greek Mythology the Zeus was the king of the Gods.

Correct answer:

According to Ancient Greek Mythology, Zeus was the king of the Gods.

Explanation:

There are no errors in this sentence. The phrase "According to Ancient Greek Mythology" is an example of an introductory phrase, explaining information necessary to the context of the sentence, but outside of the main sentence, grammatically. These types of phrases must be followed by a comma in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence. The correct choice is, "According to Ancient Greek Mythology, Zeus was the king of the Gods."

Example Question #175 : 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.

Learning a new language requires many hours of practice.

Possible Answers:

Learning a new language requires: many hours of practice.

Learning a new language requires, many hours of practice.

Many hours of practice are needed in order to learn a new language successfully.

Learning a new language requires -  many hours of practice.

Learning a new language requires many hours of practice.

Correct answer:

Learning a new language requires many hours of practice.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. It is a simple sentence, so no punctuation is needed whatsoever. Note that the choice that rewords the sentence is grammatically correct, but it is not the clearest or most precise since it replaces the active voice with the passive voice unnecessarily. The correct choice is, "Learning a new language requires many hours of practice."

Example Question #176 : 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.

Hank's and Julie's pets caused much trouble around the neighborhood.

Possible Answers:

Hank's and Julie's pet caused much trouble around the neighborhood.

Their pets caused much trouble around the neighborhood.

Hank's and Julie pets caused much trouble around the neighborhood.

Hank and Julie's pets caused much trouble around the neighborhood.

Hank's and Julie's pets caused much trouble around the neighborhood.

Correct answer:

Hank's and Julie's pets caused much trouble around the neighborhood.

Explanation:

There are no errors in this sentence. Having a " 's" after each of the individuals' names is appropriate because it shows individual ownership; Hank and Julie do not own the same pets, but their own pets respectively. The correct choice is, "Hank's and Julie's pets caused much trouble around the neighborhood." All other choices change the meaning of the original sentence. While "their" is a possible substitute for "Hank's and Julie's," it is more ambiguous as it implies that they own the same pets when that is not the case. 

Example Question #178 : 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.

Cole was absolutely fascinated by the ways some materials would react differently under seemingly similar conditions.

Possible Answers:

Cole was absolutely fascinated by the ways some materials would react, differently under seemingly similar conditions.

Cole was absolutely fascinated by the ways some materials would react differently under seemingly, similar conditions.

Cole was absolutely fascinated by the ways some materials would react differently under seemingly similar conditions.

Cole was absolutely fascinated, by the ways some materials would react differently under seemingly similar conditions.

Cole was absolutely, fascinated by the ways some materials would react differently under seemingly, similar conditions.

Correct answer:

Cole was absolutely fascinated by the ways some materials would react differently under seemingly similar conditions.

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain any errors. It is a simple sentence and is correct as is. The words "absolutely," "differently," and "seemingly" are adverbs, so they do not need to be separated from the other words (verbs or adjectives) with commas. Punctuation of any sort would be inappropriate and would result in an awkward sentence. The correct choice is, "Cole was absolutely fascinated by the ways some materials would react differently under seemingly similar conditions."

Example Question #179 : 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.

Some experts believe that countries will engage in physical warfare less in the future and engage in more subversive acts of aggression, such as currency manipulation. 

Possible Answers:

Some experts believe that countries will engage in physical warfare less, in the future, and engage in more subversive acts of aggression

Some experts believe that countries will, engage in physical warfare less in the future and engage in more subversive acts of aggression

Some experts believe that countries will engage in physical warfare less in the future, and engage in more subversive acts of aggression

Some experts believe that countries will engage in physical, warfare less in the future, and engage in more subversive acts of aggression

Some experts believe that countries will engage in physical warfare less in the future and engage in more subversive acts of aggression

Correct answer:

Some experts believe that countries will engage in physical warfare less in the future and engage in more subversive acts of aggression

Explanation:

There are no errors in this sentence. The underlined portion is one cohesive clause, so no punctuation is necessary. Specifically, a comma should not come before the "and," since the conjunction is not being used to join two independent clauses. Commas should only appear before a coordinate conjunction when the conjunction joins two independent clauses. The correct choice is, "Some experts believe that countries will engage in physical warfare less in the future and engage in more subversive acts of aggression." 

Example Question #180 : 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.

Duke preferred to listen to audiobooks in stead of reading because he could do other things while listening to them, while he could not do that with books.

Possible Answers:

Duke preferred to listen to audiobooks, in stead of reading because he could do other things while listening to them

Duke preferred to listen to audiobooks in stead of reading because he could do other things while listening to them;

Duke preferred to listen to audiobooks in stead of reading, because he could do other things while listening to them

Duke preferred to listen to audiobooks in stead of reading because he could do other things while listening to them

Duke preferred to listen to audiobooks: in stead of reading because he could do other things while listening to them

Correct answer:

Duke preferred to listen to audiobooks in stead of reading because he could do other things while listening to them

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain any errors. Commas do not appear before the word because when it joins clauses and no changes are needed in general. A semicolon at the end of this clause is also inappropriate because the following clause is not an independent one. The correct choice is, "Duke preferred to listen to audiobooks in stead of reading because he could do other things while listening to them."

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