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 #2 : Correcting Other 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.

Colleges have begun offering students more courses related to careers in fields such as those like petroleum engineering, environmental sciences, and natural gas extraction.

Possible Answers:

in fields such as petroleum engineering, environmental sciences, and natural gas extraction.

in such fields as those like petroleum engineering, environmental sciences, and natural gas extraction.

in fields such as those that are like petroleum engineering, environmental sciences, and natural gas extraction.

in fields such as those like petroleum engineering, the environmental sciences, and natural gas extraction.

in fields such as those like petroleum engineering, environmental sciences, and natural gas extraction.

Correct answer:

in fields such as petroleum engineering, environmental sciences, and natural gas extraction.

Explanation:

The phrase "such as those like" is simultaneously awkward and redundant, as its two component parts, "such as" and "those like," mean essentially the same thing. The best approach to improving the sentence is to delete one half of the awkward phrase. The only answer choice which properly does this is "in fields such as petroleum engineering, environmental sciences, and natural gas extraction."

Example Question #2 : Correcting Other 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. 

Sania asked her friends to bring desserts to the potluck such as like cookies, cupcakes, and cake

Possible Answers:

to the potluck like such as cookies, cupcakes, and cake

to the potluck like including cookies, cupcakes, and cake

to the potluck like also cookies, cupcakes, and cake

to the potluck like cookies, cupcakes, and cake

to the potluck such as also cookies, cupcakes, and cake

Correct answer:

to the potluck like cookies, cupcakes, and cake

Explanation:

"Such as" and "like" are similar words and therefore having both next to each other in the sentence is redundant. It makes the most sense to keep only "like" in the sentence. 

Example Question #3 : Correcting Other 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. 

Even though although his dad's shoes were too big for him, Devin was proud to wear them to church. 

Possible Answers:

However even though  his dad's shoes were too big for him

Although even though his dad's shoes were too big for him

Even though however his dad's shoes were too big for him

Even though his dad's shoes were too big for him

Although however his dad's shoes were too big for him

Correct answer:

Even though his dad's shoes were too big for him

Explanation:

Saying both "even though" and "although" is redundant, so we should use only "even though" in the updated sentence. 

Example Question #4 : Correcting Other 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. 

Meanwhile at the same time, José was running back home to retrieve his keys. 

Possible Answers:

While at the same time, José was running back home to retrieve his keys. 

At the same time however, José was running back home to retrieve his keys. 

Whereas at the same time, José was running back home to retrieve his keys. 

At the same time meanwhile, José was running back home to retrieve his keys. 

Meanwhile, José was running back home to retrieve his keys. 

Correct answer:

Meanwhile, José was running back home to retrieve his keys. 

Explanation:

Saying both "meanwhile" and "at the same time" is redundant, so it is best here to use only "meanwhile" to start the sentence.

Example Question #5 : Correcting Other 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 team was praised by management for their great contributions to the company.

Possible Answers:

Management praised the team for its great contributions to the company.

The managers of the company praised the team for its great contributions to the company.

The team was to be praised by management for their great contributions to the company.

The team was praised by management for their great contributions to the company.

Management praised the team for their great contributions to the company.

Correct answer:

Management praised the team for its great contributions to the company.

Explanation:

There are two errors in the sentence above. First, the main verb of the sentence, "praised," is in passive voice. While the passive voice is not necessarily grammatically incorrect, in this case the subject should always be doing the action of the verb, not having the action done to it for clarity's sake. Second, the word "team" is an example of a collective noun. Even though it refers to many different individuals, it is grammatically singular, so the correct modifier for it in this sentence is "its." The most clear and concise choice is, "Management praised the team for its great contributions to the company."

Example Question #5 : Correcting Other 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.

Many people consider William Shakespeare being the best English writer of all time.

Possible Answers:

William Shakespeare was the best English writer of all time.

William Shakespeare be the best English writer of all time.

William Shakespeare is the best English writer of all time.

William Shakespeare to be the best English writer of all time.

William Shakespeare are the best English writer of all time.

Correct answer:

William Shakespeare to be the best English writer of all time.

Explanation:

This sentence contains an error in verb usage. The word "to be" is being used to complete the action of "consider," so the infinitive form of this word should be used instead of "being." The correct answer is: "William Shakespeare to be the best English writer of all time."

Example Question #6 : Correcting Other 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 saw many deers through the windows of the vehicle.

Possible Answers:

deers'

deers

does

deer's

deer

Correct answer:

deer

Explanation:

This sentence contains a pluralization error. The plural of "deer" is "deer," so the correct answer choice is "deer," as in: "The children saw many deer through the windows of the vehicle."

Example Question #7 : Correcting Other 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.

Lennard asked Carla "do you have the reports?"

Possible Answers:

asked Carla: "Do you have the reports?"

asked Carla, "do you have the reports?"

asked Carla "Do you have the reports?"

asked Carla, "Do you have the reports?"

asked Carla "do you have the reports?"

Correct answer:

asked Carla, "Do you have the reports?"

Explanation:

This sentence contains two errors. The first is a punctuation error: a comma should appear after the name "Carla," since this is where the quote begins in the sentence. This is a more appropriate choice than a colon. The second error lies in the capitalization (or lack thereof) of the word "do." The first word in a direct quote should always be capitalized. The correct answer choice is, "asked Carla, "Do you have the reports?" "

Example Question #11 : Correcting Other Errors

Which option best replaces the underlined sentence?

Some cities are now so big that we classify them as mega cities; the metro-Tokyo area - and this is amazing - has a population of over 36 million people. 

Possible Answers:

Tokyo is a mega-city with a population of over 36 million people .

Some cities are now so big that we classify them as mega cities; the metro-Tokyo area has a population of over 36 million people. 

Some cities are now so big that we classify them as mega cities; the metro-Tokyo area, and this is amazing, has a population of over 36 million people. 

Some cities are now so big that we classify them as mega cities; the metro-Tokyo area: has a population of over 36 million people. 

Some cities are now so big that we classify them as mega cities; the metro-Tokyo area - and this is amazing - has a population of over 36 million people. 

Correct answer:

Some cities are now so big that we classify them as mega cities; the metro-Tokyo area has a population of over 36 million people. 

Explanation:

While this sentence does not have anything grammatically wrong with it (the interjection is fine), it is wordy due to the inclusion of the interjection, which is somewhat unnecessary; therefore, it is best to omit it. The best choice is, "Some cities are now so big that we classify them as mega cities; the metro-Tokyo area has a population of over 36 million people."

Example Question #11 : Correcting Other 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.

Studies have found that the safer we make things, the more wreckless people act.

Possible Answers:

safer we make things, the more wreckless people act.

safer we make things, the more, wreckless people act.

safer we make things the more wreckless people act.

safer we make things the more reckless people act.

safer we make things, the more reckless people act.

Correct answer:

safer we make things, the more reckless people act.

Explanation:

This sentence contains a spelling error. "Wreckless" is not a word. It is spelled "reckless." The phrase "Studies have found that the safer we make things" 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, so the comma should stay where it is. The correct choice is, "safer we make things, the more reckless people act."

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