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 #191 : 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 developers were building many, new neighborhoods near the city.

Possible Answers:

The developers were building many, new, neighborhoods near the city.

The developers were building many new neighborhoods, near the city.

The developers were building, many new neighborhoods near the city.

The developers were building many, new neighborhoods near the city.

The developers were building many new neighborhoods near the city.

Correct answer:

The developers were building many, new neighborhoods near the city.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The words "many" and "new" are coordinate adjectives: adjectives that modify the same noun separately, but are not separated with a conjunction. Coordinate adjectives need to be separated with a comma. The correct choice is, "The developers were building many, new neighborhoods near the city."

Example Question #1755 : 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.

In the past century, engines have not changed much.

Possible Answers:

In the past century, people have not changed engines

In the past century; were not changed

In the past century, were not changed

In the past century; engines have not changed

In the past century, engines have not changed

Correct answer:

In the past century, engines have not changed

Explanation:

There are no errors in this sentence. The phrase "In the past century" 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.

Note that the choice with the phrasing "were not changed" is incorrect because it is in the passive voice, which is an unnecessary, if not strictly grammatically incorrect, change to make. Additionally, you do not need to rephrase the sentence to say that people changed engines, as the phrasing of this sentence is already correct and is - in fact - more concise. The correct answer choice is, "In the past century, engines have not changed."

Example Question #193 : 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 prevalence of smartphones and the Internet in the world is allowing many people, who would otherwise not have the opportunity, to share their experiences. 

Possible Answers:

the Internet in the world allows many people, who would otherwise not have the opportunity, to let their voices be heard.

the Internet in the world is allowing many people, who would otherwise not have the opportunity, to let their voices be heard.

the Internet in the world is allowing many people, who would otherwise not have the opportunity, to share their experiences. 

the Internet in the world is allowing many people - who would otherwise not have the opportunity to share their experiences. 

the Internet in the world allowing many people, who would otherwise not have the opportunity, to share their experiences. 

Correct answer:

the Internet in the world is allowing many people, who would otherwise not have the opportunity, to share their experiences. 

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain any errors. The phrase "who would otherwise not have the opportunity" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: people. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct choice is, "the Internet in the world is allowing many people, who would otherwise not have the opportunity, to share their experiences. "

Example Question #194 : 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.

In addition to autonomous vehicles, many companies are still working on alternative modes of transportation, such as flying cars, steam- or air-powered cars, and changes to current public transportation.

Possible Answers:

many companies are still working on alternative modes of transportation such as flying cars, steam or air-powered cars, and changes to current public transportation.

many companies are still working on alternative modes of transportation, such as flying cars, steam- or air-powered cars, and changes to current public transportation.

many companys are still working on alternative modes of transportation: such as flying cars, steam- or air-powered cars, and changes to current public transportation.

many companies are still working on alternative modes of transportation; such as flying cars, steam or air-powered cars, and changes to current public transportation.

many companies are still working on alternative modes of transportation; such as flying cars; steam- or air-powered cars; and changes to current public transportation.

Correct answer:

many companies are still working on alternative modes of transportation, such as flying cars, steam- or air-powered cars, and changes to current public transportation.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. This is a complex sentence with various clauses. The phrase "In addition to autonomous vehicles" 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.

"many companies are still working on alternative modes of transportation" is the main clause of this sentence. The following part, "such as flying cars, steam- or air-powered cars, and changes to current public transportation" is a parenthetical expression: a phrase 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. Furthermore, the items in this expression are in a list, so they should be separated by commas.

Last, the word "steam-" should have the hyphen after it in order to indicate that it is part of the compound word "steam-powered." It is shorter alternative to saying "steam-powered and air-powered." Without the hyphen, the word "steam" should be treated as separate and unrelated to the word "air-powered," which then makes the phrase confusing.

The correct choice is, "many companies are still working on alternative modes of transportation, such as flying cars, steam- or air-powered cars, and changes to current public transportation."

Example Question #192 : 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.

Arthur spent many nights working on his inventions, but he was never satisfied with the end results. 

Possible Answers:

his inventions: but he was never satisfied with the end results. 

his inventions, but he was never satisfied, with the end results. 

his inventions but he was never satisfied with the end results. 

his inventions, but he was never satisfied with the end results. 

his inventions; but he was never satisfied with the end results. 

Correct answer:

his inventions, but he was never satisfied with the end results. 

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The sentence combines two independent clauses with the use of the coordinating conjunction "but" and a comma. This is the correct usage. No other punctuation or changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "his inventions, but he was never satisfied with the end results."

Note that a single comma should not interrupt a clause, and that coordinating conjunctions cannot follow semicolons being used to join two independent clauses.

Example Question #1761 : 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.

Marla was fascinated by linguistics, so she decided to study it in college. 

Possible Answers:

Marla was fascinated by linguistics so she decided

Marla was fascinated by linguistics; so she decided

Marla is fascinated by linguistics, so she decided

Marla was fascinated by linguistics, so she decided

Marla, fascinated by linguistics, so she decided

Correct answer:

Marla was fascinated by linguistics, so she decided

Explanation:

There are no errors in this sentence. The phrase "was fascinated" is not in the passive voice because it does not mean that someone else is fascinating Marla in this sentence. The verb here is actually "was," simply acting as a linking verb with "fascinated" describing Marla. Changing the "was" to "is" or omitting it actually does not make any sense grammatically. Additionally, the sentence combines two independent clauses with the coordinate conjunction "so," so a comma is necessary before the conjunction. The correct answer replicates the underlined portion of the example sentence.

Example Question #197 : 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.

As Kelsey was writing the last parts of her book, her team worked on formatting, marketing, and everything else that would make her book successful.

Possible Answers:

As Kelsey was writing the last parts of her book; her team worked on formatting; marketing; and everything else that would make her book successful.

As Kelsey was writing the last parts of her book; her team worked on formatting, marketing, and everything else that would make her book successful.

As Kelsey was writing the last parts of her book, her team worked on formatting marketing and everything else that would make her book successful.

As Kelsey was writing the last parts of her book, her team worked on: formatting, marketing, and everything else that would make her book successful.

As Kelsey was writing the last parts of her book, her team worked on formatting, marketing, and everything else that would make her book successful.

Correct answer:

As Kelsey was writing the last parts of her book, her team worked on formatting, marketing, and everything else that would make her book successful.

Explanation:

This sentence contains, while somewhat awkward, contains no grammatical errors. The phrase "As Kelsey was writing the last parts of her book" is 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 main clause, "her team worked on: formatting, marketing, and everything else that would make her book successful" contains a list of parallel phrases which must be separated with commas. No corrections are necessary. The correct choice is, "As Kelsey was writing the last parts of her book, her team worked on formatting, marketing, and everything else that would make her book successful."

Example Question #194 : 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 person in the announcement declared that the airplane, which was supposed to arrive in ten minutes, would not arrive for one hour. 

Possible Answers:

that the airplane, that was supposed to arrive in ten minutes, was delayed

that the airplane, which was supposed to arrive in ten minutes, would not arrive

that the airplane which was supposed to arrive in ten minutes would not arrive

that the airplane, who was supposed to arrive in ten minutes, would not arrive

that the airplane, that was supposed to arrive in ten minutes, would not arrive

Correct answer:

that the airplane, which was supposed to arrive in ten minutes, would not arrive

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "which was supposed to arrive in ten minutes" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: the airplane. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is, "that the airplane, which was supposed to arrive in ten minutes, would not arrive."

Example Question #199 : 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.

Every time the company would announce a new product, people would line up outside the stores for days in anticipation of its release.

Possible Answers:

would announce a new product, people would line up outside the stores for days: in anticipation of its release.

would announce a new product, people would line up outside the stores for days in anticipation of its release.

would announce a new product; people would line up outside the stores for days in anticipation of its release.

would announce a new product, people would line up outside the stores for days, in anticipation of its release.

would announce a new product people would line up outside the stores for days in anticipation of its release.

Correct answer:

would announce a new product, people would line up outside the stores for days in anticipation of its release.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "Every time the company would announce a new product" 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 rest of the sentence does not need any sort of punctuation because it is a simple phrase. The correct choice: "would announce a new product, people would line up outside the stores for days in anticipation of its release."

Example Question #1762 : 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.

Rosa often sang a song while she worked: Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal."

Possible Answers:

while she worked; Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal."

while she worked; Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal.

while she worked: Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal."

while she worked, Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal."

while she worked: Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal.

Correct answer:

while she worked: Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal."

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The sentence combines an independent clause to a dependent clause with the use of a colon. This is correct because colons are used to combine clauses when the second one explains something about the first clause, provided that the first clause is an independent clause (note that a semicolon can only be used to join two independent clauses). Furthermore, the word "Smooth Criminal" must be in quotes because it is the name of a song (same rule as poems, short stories, etc.). The correct choice is, "while she worked: Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal." "

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