GMAT Verbal : Correcting Other Errors and Recognizing Correct Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #141 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Occasionally, the old memories would come back to the woman and give her nightmares.
Occasionally the old memories,
Occasionally, the old memories
Occasionally the old memories
Occasionally, the old, memories
Occasionally, the old memories,
Occasionally, the old memories
The single word "occasionally," in this instance, operates as an introductory clause that gives a condition to the action of the sentence. All such introductory clauses must be set apart from the rest of the sentence with a comma; therefore, the sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #141 : 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.
Non-profit organizations often need much more help with their taxes than many corporations do.
Non-profit organizations often need much more help with their taxes than many corporations do.
Non-profit organizations often need much more helping with their taxes than many corporations do.
Non-profit organizations often needing much more help with their taxes than many corporations do.
Non-profit organizations often need much more help with there taxes than many corporations do.
Non-profit organizations often need many more help with their taxes than many corporations do.
Non-profit organizations often need much more help with their taxes than many corporations do.
The sentence is perfectly correct as written, and needs nothing done to make it grammatically correct. Additionally, all the choices that do make a change turn the sentence into a grammatically incorrect one. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence alone.
Example Question #143 : 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 man was barred from entering any of the company's franchises until five years had passed.
The man was barred, from entering any of the company's franchises, until five years had passed.
The man was barred from entering, any of the company's franchises, until five years had passed.
The man was barred from entering any of the company's franchises, until five years had passed.
The man was barred from entering any of the company's franchises until five years had passed.
The man, was barred from entering any of the company's franchises, until five years had passed.
The man was barred from entering any of the company's franchises until five years had passed.
The sentence is perfectly correct as written, and needs nothing done to it in order to improve it. Additionally, all of the answer choices that do add punctuation add it incorrectly. The best answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.
Example Question #141 : 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.
"Tumbleweed" is one of Suzannah's lesser known works.
"Tumbleweed," is one of Suzannah's
"Tumbleweed" is one, of Suzannah's
"Tumbleweed," is one, of Suzannah's
"Tumbleweed" is one of Suzannah's,
"Tumbleweed" is one of Suzannah's
"Tumbleweed" is one of Suzannah's
No correction is necessary for this sentence. While the work's name, "Tumbleweed," is in quotations, it is because it is the name of a creative work. Short stories, poems, and essays are put in quotation marks, as opposed to italics, which are used to signal full-length works. The correct answer choice is "'Tumbleweed' is one of Suzannah's."
Example Question #142 : 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.
At times, learning grammar can be rather complex, but it is rewarding once you know it.
grammar can be rather, complex, but it is rewarding once you know it.
grammar can be rather complex but it is rewarding once you know it.
grammar can be rather complex, but it is rewarding, once you know it.
grammar can be rather complex, but it is rewarding once you know it.
grammar can be rather complex but it is rewarding, once you know it.
grammar can be rather complex, but it is rewarding once you know it.
There are no errors in this sentence: the sentence joins two independent clauses with a coordinate conjunction. When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. The correct answer choice is "grammar can be rather complex, but it is rewarding once you know it."
Example Question #143 : 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 man wanted to buy a new phone; he could not justify the purchase to himself.
The man wanted to buy a new phone, though, he could not justify the purchase to himself.
The man wanted to buy a new phone...he could not justify the purchase to himself.
The man wanted to buy a new phone; he could not justify the purchase to himself.
The man wanted to buy a new phone, though he could not, justify the purchase to himself.
The man wanted to buy a new phone he could not justify the purchase to himself.
The man wanted to buy a new phone; he could not justify the purchase to himself.
This sentence has no errors. This sentence joins two independent clauses with a semicolon. The correct answer choice is "The man wanted to buy a new phone; he could not justify the purchase to himself. "
Example Question #144 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Without being able to confer with his top adviser, the CEO was clueless; people started to realize that hiring him may have been misguided after all.
Without being able to confer with his top adviser, the CEO was clueless: people started to realize
Without being able to confer with his top adviser, the CEO was clueless; people started to realize
Without being able to confer with his top adviser the CEO was clueless, people started to realize
Without being able to confer with his top adviser, the CEO was clueless; and people started to realize
Without being able to confer with his top adviser, the CEO was clueless, people started to realize
Without being able to confer with his top adviser, the CEO was clueless; people started to realize
This sentence is grammatically correct as written. The semicolon is appropriately used to separate two independent clauses - each with its own subject and predicate.
Example Question #148 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Nick, feeling stifled and underutilized in his current position, decided to quit his job and relocate to a new city.
Nick, feeling stifled and underutilized in his current position so he decided to quit his job and relocate to a new city.
Nick, feeling stifled and underutilized in his current position, decided to quit his job and relocate to a new city.
Nick, feeling stifled and underutilized in his current position, so he decided to quit his job and relocate to a new city.
Nick, who feeling stifled and underutilized in his current position, decided to quit his job and relocate to a new city.
Nick was feeling stifled and underutilized in his current position, decided to quit his job and relocate to a new city.
Nick, feeling stifled and underutilized in his current position, decided to quit his job and relocate to a new city.
The sentence is correct as originally written. The appositive phrase modifying "Nick" should be offset by two commas. Additionally, there is no need for a semicolon or a subordinating conjunction after the appositive.
Example Question #145 : 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.
Sandra knew that it would be hard to work while taking classes, but she knew it would be worth it.
knew that it would be hard to work while taking classes, but she knew it would be worth it.
knew that it would be hard to work while taking classes but she knew it would be worth it.
knew, that it would be hard to work while taking classes, but she knew it would be worth it.
knew that, it would be hard to work while taking classes, but she knew it would be worth it.
knew, that it would be hard to work while taking classes but she knew it would be worth it.
knew that it would be hard to work while taking classes, but she knew it would be worth it.
This sentence is correct as written. No comma should come before the word "that," but a comma does need to appear before the word "but" since the following clause is an independent one.
Example Question #145 : 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.
Joy rushed to submit her report by noon; it was essential for the presentation later that day.
Joy rushed to submit her report by noon; because it was essential for the presentation later that day.
Joy rushed to submit her report by noon it was essential for the presentation later that day.
Joy rushed to submit her report by noon and it was essential for the presentation later that day.
Joy rushed to submit her report by noon; it was essential for the presentation later that day.
Joy rushed to submit her report by noon, it was essential for the presentation later that day.
Joy rushed to submit her report by noon; it was essential for the presentation later that day.
This sentence contains no errors. The sentence contains two related independent clauses which are correctly joined by a semicolon. No additional punctuation is needed. Furthermore, the choice with "and" is inappropriate because it does not properly fit the meaning of the sentence: if anything, the two clauses show cause and effect, not the joining of two separate and related things. The correct answer choice is, "Joy rushed to submit her report by noon; it was essential for the presentation later that day."
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