GMAT Verbal : Correcting Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #91 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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.
Kendra loves to read in the afternoons, but walked on some days of the week.
Kendra loves to read in the afternoons, but loves to walk on some days of the week.
Kendra loves to read in the afternoons, but walked on some days of the week.
Kendra loves to read in the afternoons, but walking on some days of the week.
Kendra loves to read in the afternoons, but walks on some days of the week.
Kendra loves to read in the afternoons, but loves to walking on some days of the week.
Kendra loves to read in the afternoons, but loves to walk on some days of the week.
This sentence contains errors in parallelism. The latter half of the sentence does not follow the same pattern of verb + infinitive, which makes reading the sentence awkward. The best choice is, "Kendra loves to read in the afternoons, but loves to walk on some days of the week" since it follows the same pattern in the last half of the sentence. The other sentences are also incorrect because they contain shifts in tense, in addition to the parallelism issue.
Example Question #92 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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.
Leah loved poetry and likes to write poems in her spare time.
Leah loved poetry and was liking to write poems in her spare time.
Leah loved poetry and likes to write poems in her spare time.
Leah loves poetry and likes to write poems in her spare time.
Leah loves poetry and likes: to write poems in her spare time.
Leah loves poetry and likes to: write poems in her spare time.
Leah loves poetry and likes to write poems in her spare time.
This sentence contains an error in parallel structure. Since the verb in the first clause is "loved," one would expect the following verb to also be in the past tense. This is not the case, however. One of these verbs needs to be changed in order to match the same tense of the other in order for the sentence to make sense. The choice "Leah loves poetry and likes to write poems in her spare time" takes care of this issue. It is the correct choice.
Example Question #93 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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.
Poor academic performance among students of rural schools has not resulted from shortcomings in classroom instruction but insufficiently supportive home environments.
not resulted from shortcomings in classroom instruction but
resulted not from shortcomings in classroom instruction but from
resulted not from shortcomings in classroom instruction but have stemmed from
resulted from shortcomings not in classroom instruction but
resulted from shortcomings not in classroom instruction but have been stemming from
resulted not from shortcomings in classroom instruction but from
This question deals primarily with parallel structure. You can say something has resulted not from X but from Y. The correct answer choice is the only one that maintains parallel structure in this way. If the "poor academic performance" "resulted from shortcoming in classroom instruction" they must also result FROM "insufficiently supportive home environments."
Example Question #94 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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.
Witnessing the inhuman conditions suffered by political prisoners in North Korean detainment facilities is seeing firsthand the government’s human rights violations.
Witnessing
Once one witnesses
To have witnessed
To witness
Having witnessed
Witnessing
The issue being raised in this sentence is one of parallel structure. The basic structure of this sentence is: Gerund x is gerund y, in the same way that one might say "Seeing is believing. The only choice that fits that pattern is the correct answer, which replicates the correct and consistent parallel structure of the example sentence.
Example Question #101 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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 great composers who create celebrated masterpieces are similar to the world-class screenwriters penning cinematic gems; both are critical in the composition of the very substance which brings together the talents of many individuals into a singular and beauteous form.
world-class screenwriters who pen
the world-class screenwriter which pen
ones used in penning the world-class screenplays
ones that pen the world-class screenplays
the world-class screenwriters penning
world-class screenwriters who pen
This question concerns parallel structure. "Composers who create" are similar to screenwriters who pen. Eliminate the choices which use the incorrect verb direct. The correct choice will reflect this parallel structure.
Example Question #102 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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 a recent survey, Musician's Cosmos found that guitarists who practice daily consider themselves no more skilled than doing those who practice three to five times a week.
no more skilled than doing those who practice
no more as skilled as those who practiced
no more skilled than do those who practice
not as skilled as are those who are practicing
not any more skilled than do those practicing
no more skilled than do those who practice
One must consider parallel structure here, beginning with "guitarists who practice daily". Note that "those who practice three to five times a week" agrees with "guitarists who practice daily. The options using "not as" or "not any more" change the meaning of the sentence. The original sentence incorrectly drops a gerund into the sentence.
Example Question #103 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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 best way to encourage good behavior among children is not to promise rewards for positive actions, but to offer recognition and verbal praise.
but to offer recognition and verbal praise.
but to offer that the child who behaves well receive recognition and verbal praise.
but rather by offering that the child behaving receives recognition and verbal praise.
but instead make sure that the child will receive recognition and verbal praise.
but rather offer the good behaving child recognition and verbal praise.
but to offer recognition and verbal praise.
The original statement is correct as is. Consider the wordiness of the incorrect answers. Also consider how parallelism plays a role in correctly articulating the sentence.
Example Question #101 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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.
After hours of war games on the paintball field, the sight of the white flag being raised relieved as much the winning team than it did the losing.
both the winning team as well as the losers.
as much the winning team than it did the losing.
both for the winning team and the losing team.
as much the winning team as it did it did the losers.
the winning team as much as it did the losing.
the winning team as much as it did the losing.
The correct answer uses parallelism without error, is idiomatic, and is efficient. "As much as" is the correct correlative conjunction pair.
Example Question #102 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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 great painters who create museum-worthy masterpieces are similar to the celebrated intellectuals authoring literary treasures; both are key in the representation of the human condition.
similar with the celebrated intellectuals who author
similar for the celebrated intellectuals who author
similar to the celebrated intellectuals' that keep on authoring
similar to the celebrated intellectuals who author
similar as the celebrated intellectuals authoring
similar to the celebrated intellectuals who author
This question concerns parallel structure. "Painters who create" are similar to "intellectuals who author." Eliminate the choices which use unidiomatic combinations of the word similar and the prepositions "for," "with," and "as." The correct choice will reflect the proper parallel structure and the idiomatic "similar to."
Example Question #106 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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 1973 construction began on the Sears Tower, a building that, taking two years until completion, and that supplanted the World Trade Center towers as the tallest man-made structure in the world.
construction began on the Sears Tower, a building that had taken two years to complete and that supplanted
began constructing the Sears Tower, a building that took two years until completion and that supplanted
construction began on the Sears Tower, a building that took two years to complete and that supplanted
the construction of the Sears Tower began, a building that took two years to complete, and which supplanted
construction began on the Sears Tower, a building that, taking two years until completion, and that supplanted
construction began on the Sears Tower, a building that took two years to complete and that supplanted
Here we have three facts about the Sears Tower that need to be organized somehow—they started building it in 1973, it took two years to complete, and when they were done it replaced the World Trade Towers as the tallest building in the world.
Since all five of the answer choices contain the phrase a building that, the correct answer will need to be built to accommodate that that, by creating two relative clauses that describe the building out of the last two of the facts.
In the correct answer, The Sears tower, or more immediately a building, is described by two correctly constructed, parallel relative clauses.
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