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 #1801 : 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 decided to try meditation as a way of relieving stress.

Possible Answers:

He decided, to try meditation as a way

He decided to: try meditation as a way

He decided: to try meditation as a way

He decided to try meditation, as a way

He decided to try meditation as a way

Correct answer:

He decided to try meditation as a way

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. This is a simple sentence containing two prepositional phrases (starting with "as" and "of"). There is no need for punctuation anywhere in the sentence (and punctuation is never used to split up verb phrases). The correct choice is, "He decided to try meditation as a way."

Example Question #1802 : 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 big, heavy machine was necessary in order to complete the construction of the building.

Possible Answers:

The big heavy machine was necessary in order to complete

The big: heavy machine was necessary in order to complete

The big, heavy machine was necessary in order to complete

The big, heavy, machine was necessary in order to complete

The big; heavy machine was necessary in order to complete

Correct answer:

The big, heavy machine was necessary in order to complete

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The words "big" and "heavy 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 answer choice is, "The big, heavy machine was necessary in order to complete."

Example Question #1803 : 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.

While looking through her scrapbook, she remembered many pleasant events from her life.

Possible Answers:

through her scrapbook, she remembered: many pleasant events from her life.

through her scrapbook, she remembered many, pleasant events from her life.

through her scrapbook she remembered many pleasant events from her life.

through her scrapbook she remembered: many pleasant events from her life.

through her scrapbook, she remembered many pleasant events from her life.

Correct answer:

through her scrapbook, she remembered many pleasant events from her life.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "While looking through her scrapbook" 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. No other changes are necessary.The correct answer choice is, "through her scrapbook, she remembered many pleasant events from her life."

Example Question #1804 : 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 dreamt of starting his own publishing company one day.

Possible Answers:

He was dreaming that starting his own publishing

He dreamed that he would start his own publishing

He was dreaming that he would start his own publishing

He dreamt that he would start his own publishing

He dreamt of starting his own publishing

Correct answer:

He dreamt of starting his own publishing

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The word "dreamt" is a valid form of the word "dream." It is the simple past tense form of the word. No changes are necessary; the other choices only add unnecessary words. The correct choice is, "He dreamt of starting his own publishing."

Example Question #1805 : 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 children ran among the trees in the woods. 

Possible Answers:

between

among

near

inside

about

Correct answer:

among

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The word "among" means in the presence of, specifically when whatever mentioned is not a group of things in general. "Between" is used when you have separate and individual things (e.g. between the two rocks). Note that "about" is not a synonym for "among." It means concerning/near. The correct choice is "among."

Example Question #241 : 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 spent her weekends fishing in the river near her house.

Possible Answers:

weekends fishing in the river near her house.

weekends fishing in the river, near her house.

weekends fishing, in the river, near her house.

weekends fishing, in the river near her house.

weekends fishing in: the river near her house.

Correct answer:

weekends fishing in the river near her house.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. Note that the words "in" and "near" are prepositions and start prepositional phrases: such phrases are not separated from the main clause with commas. No changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "weekends fishing in the river near her house."

Example Question #242 : 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.

Because the factory uses up all of its stock by the end of the day, he delivers new supplies every day.

Possible Answers:

Often

Everyday

Commonly

Every day

Diurnal

Correct answer:

Every day

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The words "every day" means literally, every single day. As one word, "everyday" means commonplace. It is clear from the context of the sentence, however, that this particular factory needs a daily delivery. The other choices all have something to do with days or frequency, but do not quite hit the mark. "Every day" is the correct choice.

Example Question #243 : 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 scientists discovered a new animal; its amazing abilities surprised them.

Possible Answers:

its amazing abilities surprised, them.

its' amazing abilities surprised them.

its amazing abilities surprised them.

it's amazing abilities surprised them.

it is amazing abilities surprised them.

Correct answer:

its amazing abilities surprised them.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. "Its," without an apostrophe, is the proper possessive form of the word "it." With the apostrophe (it's), it is a contraction for "it is." The correct choice is, "its amazing abilities surprised them."

Example Question #244 : 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 teacher required the students to bring their own instruments when coming to the music lesson.

Possible Answers:

lift

carry

truck

take

bring

Correct answer:

bring

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. All of the available choices are synonyms for "carry," but the difference lies in the point of reference. "Carry," "lift," and "truck" are generic words for carrying something, but "bring" indicates that you are carrying something to the position where the subject is, and "take" indicates you are moving away from the subject. The words "when coming to the music lesson" indicate that they are moving towards the direction of the subject: the music teacher (presumably, the teacher is already there). The correct choice is, "bring."

Example Question #245 : 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.

Though he searched for days, he was unable to find the documents he needed.

Possible Answers:

Though he searched for days he; was unable to find

Though he searched for days; he was unable to find

Though he searched for days, he was unable to find

Though he searched for days he, was unable to find

Though he searched for days he was unable to find

Correct answer:

Though he searched for days, he was unable to find

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "Though he searched for days" 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. No other changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "Though he searched for days, he was unable to find."

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