GMAT Verbal : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #231 : 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.

Unbeknownst to many people, the United States used to print two dollar bills as well as many bills much larger than the one hundred dollar bill.

Possible Answers:

Unbeknownst to many people, the United States used to print two dollar bills, as well as many bills much larger than the $100 dollar bill.

Unbeknownst to many people, the United States used to print two dollar bills as well as many bills much larger than the one hundred dollar bill.

Unbeknownst to many people, the United States used to print two dollar bills; as well as many bills much larger than the one hundred dollar bill.

Unbeknownst to many people the United States used to print two dollar bills as well as many bills much larger than the one hundred dollar bill.

Unbeknownst to many people, the United States used to print $2 bills, as well as many bills much larger than the one hundred dollar bill.

Correct answer:

Unbeknownst to many people, the United States used to print two dollar bills as well as many bills much larger than the one hundred dollar bill.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "Unbeknownst to many people" 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.

Additionally, the word "as" acts as a preposition in this sentence, so a comma preceeding the word is unncessary. Lastly, while it is common to spell numbers less than 10, it is best that the "two" and "one hundred" are both spelled out for the sake of consistency (not to mention, in one choice, "$100 dollar" is redundant).

The correct choice is, "Unbeknownst to many people, the United States used to print two dollar bills as well as many bills much larger than the one hundred dollar bill."

Example Question #1793 : 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.

He planned to retire to the mountains after this year.

Possible Answers:

to retire to the mountains after: this year.

to retire, to the mountains, after this year.

to retire to the mountains, after this year.

to retire to the mountains after this year.

to retire to: the mountains after this year.

Correct answer:

to retire to the mountains after this year.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The words "to" and "after" both start prepositional phrases, meaning that they are a part of the main clause as well. No additional punctuation is necessary: commas are used to separate clauses (there is only one) and colons combine clauses when the second one explains or clarifies the first (again, only one clause). The correct choice is, "He planned to retire to the mountains after this year."

Example Question #1794 : 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.

She has played the guitar ever since she was very little.

Possible Answers:

She has played the guitar ever, since she was very little.

She has played the guitar ever since, she was very little.

She has played the guitar ever since; she was very little.

She has played the guitar ever since: she was very little.

She has played the guitar ever since she was very little.

Correct answer:

She has played the guitar ever since she was very little.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors: it is a simple sentence. Note that prepositions (e.g. "since") do not mark the beginning of a new clause, but simply a prepositional phrase - they are still considered a part of the same clause as the words preceding it. Additionally, commas are generally used to separate clauses (as stated before, there is only one clause). No changes should be made. The correct choice is, "She has played the guitar ever since she was very little."

Example Question #234 : 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.

He always expressed himself in his poetry; though his poems were short and sweet, they contained much gravitas.

Possible Answers:

himself in his poetry, though his poems were short and sweet, they contained much gravitas.

himself in his poetry, though his poems were short and sweet; they contained much gravitas.

himself in his poetry though his poems were short and sweet they contained much gravitas.

himself in his poetry; though his poems were short and sweet they contained much gravitas.

himself in his poetry; though his poems were short and sweet, they contained much gravitas.

Correct answer:

himself in his poetry; though his poems were short and sweet, they contained much gravitas.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The sentence combines two related independent clauses without the use of a conjunction, so a semicolon is appropriate after the word "poetry." Additionally, "though his poems were short and sweet" 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, "himself in his poetry; though his poems were short and sweet, they contained much gravitas."

Example Question #1795 : 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 large, strong foundation was necessary for a building of this sort.

Possible Answers:

The large, strong, foundation was necessary for a building

The large strong, foundation was necessary for a building

The large, strong foundation was necessary for a building

The large strong foundation was necessary for a building

The large, strong, foundation, was necessary for a building

Correct answer:

The large, strong foundation was necessary for a building

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The words "large" and "strong" are coordinate adjectives describing the word "foundation." These adjectives modify the same noun separately, but are not separated with a conjunction. Coordinate adjectives need to be separated with a comma. The correct answer choice is, "The large, strong foundation was necessary for a building."

Example Question #231 : 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.

Shauna is generally faster than Bob in completing projects.

Possible Answers:

faster then

fast then

faster than

fast than

more fast then

Correct answer:

faster than

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The word "then" indicates a progression in time, whereas the word "than" indicates a comparison of things. The latter applies to this sentence (Additionally, a comparative adjective is used). The correct choice is, "faster than."

Example Question #231 : 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.

The children decided to play with their toys outside.

Possible Answers:

decided to play with their toys outside.

decided: to play with their toys outside.

decided to play, with their toys outside.

decided to play with they're toys outside.

decided: to play with they're toys outside.

Correct answer:

decided to play with their toys outside.

Explanation:

This sentence contain no errors. The word "their" is the possessive form of "they," which is exactly what is needed here. "They're" is a contraction for "they are." The correct choice is, "decided to play with their toys outside."

Example Question #232 : 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.

His aptitude in combining colors resulted in some of the most miraculous paintings.

Possible Answers:

resulted in some of the most, miraculous paintings.

result in: some of the most miraculous paintings.

resulted in some of: the most miraculous paintings.

resulting in some of the most miraculous paintings.

resulted in some of the most miraculous paintings.

Correct answer:

resulted in some of the most miraculous paintings.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. It is a simple sentence. Note that prepositions do not usually take any sort of punctuation preceeding them and never have punctuation between it and its object. The correct choice is, "resulted in some of the most miraculous paintings."

Example Question #234 : 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.

As they prepared for the mission, which many thought was dangerous, they made sure to check all of their equipment.

Possible Answers:

mission, which many thought was dangerous, they made sure to check all of their equipment.

mission which many thought was dangerous they made sure to check all of their equipment.

mission which many thought was dangerous, they made sure to check all of their equipment.

mission; which many thought was dangerous they made sure to check all of their equipment.

mission; which many thought was dangerous, they made sure to check all of their equipment.

Correct answer:

mission, which many thought was dangerous, they made sure to check all of their equipment.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "which many thought was dangerous" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: the mission. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is, "mission, which many thought was dangerous, they made sure to check all of their equipment."

Example Question #233 : 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.

She believed that failure, while frustrating, was an essential part of learning.

Possible Answers:

She believed that failure, while frustrating, was

She believed that failure; while frustrating was

She believed that failure, while frustrating, was:

She believed that failure while frustrating, was

She believed that failure while frustrating was

Correct answer:

She believed that failure, while frustrating, was

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "while frustrating" is an example of an interjection, explaining the subject's feelings on the matter of "failure." Interjections are outside of the main clause, grammatically, and should be offset by commas on both ends of the phrase in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence. The correct choice is, "She believed that failure, while frustrating, was."

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