GMAT Verbal : Correcting Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #42 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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.

Fishing in the pond.

Possible Answers:

What Kara loves to do some days is to fish in the pond.

Fishing in the pond.

Kara loves fishing in the pond.

Fishing in the pond, Kara loves to do it.

Fishing in the pond, Kara loves to fish.

Correct answer:

Kara loves fishing in the pond.

Explanation:

This is an example of a sentence fragment. It is lacking a subject. The most clear and concise choice that fixes this error is, "Kara loves fishing in the pond." The other choices are wordy or redundant.

Example Question #43 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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.

Gina, who is the authority in her field.

Possible Answers:

Gina, who is the authority in her field, just published.

Gina, the authority in her field, just published book.

Gina, who is the authority in her field, just published a new book.

Gina just published a new book, who is the authority in her field.

Gina, who is the authority in her field.

Correct answer:

Gina, who is the authority in her field, just published a new book.

Explanation:

This sentence is not a sentence: it is a segment fragment. The correct choice is, "Gina, who is the authority in her field, just published a new book" because it completes the sentence. The other choices are also fragments or just do not make any sense.

Example Question #44 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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.

Tiffany studying for her exams.

Possible Answers:

Tiffany studying for her exams.

Tiffany, was studying for her exams.

Tiffany was studying for her exams.

Tiffany study for her exams.

Tiffany studying for the exams.

Correct answer:

Tiffany was studying for her exams.

Explanation:

The example above is a sentence fragment; the word "studying" by itself is not a verb in English and every sentence must have a subject and a verb at least. The correct choice is, "Tiffany was studying for her exams." This is the only choice that fixes this error.

Example Question #45 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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.

Trina was not able.

Possible Answers:

Trina was not able to finish her assignment.

Trina was not able.

Trina not able.

Trina was not able: to finish her assignment.

Trina, was not able.

Correct answer:

Trina was not able to finish her assignment.

Explanation:

The above example is a sentence fragment. Even though the sentence contains a subject and verb, the verb "to be able" must have an object - it makes no sense by itself or without context. The choice that fixes this error is, "Trina was not able to finish her assignment." Note that a colon would be inappropriate after "able" because colons are used to join two separate clauses when the second one explains something about the first. This sentence only contains one clause.

Example Question #51 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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.

Unable to fix the device.

Possible Answers:

Unable to fix the device.

They were unable to fix the device.

They, were unable to fix the device.

They were, unable to fix the device.

They unable to fix the device.

Correct answer:

They were unable to fix the device.

Explanation:

The example above is not a sentence but a sentence fragment. Every proper sentence must have a subject and a main verb; this sentence contains neither (note that infinitives, while a verb form, do not function as a main verb). The correct choice is "They were unable to fix the device."

Example Question #52 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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 the library.

Possible Answers:

In the library.

He studied, in the library.

In, the library he studied.

He studied: in the library.

He studied in the library.

Correct answer:

He studied in the library.

Explanation:

The example above is a sentence fragment. Every proper sentence must have a subject and a main verb. This sentence contains neither, but is simply a prepositional phrase. The correct choice is "He studied in the library"and conveys the point of the sentence, which is a simple sentence, so no other punctuation or changes are necessary.

Example Question #53 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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.

On New Year's Day.

Possible Answers:

On: New Year's Day.

On New Year's Day, Jenna decided to start working towards accomplishing all of her dreams.

On New Year's Day, Jenna decided: to start working towards accomplishing all of her dreams.

On New Year's Day.

On New Year's Day Jenna decided to start working towards accomplishing all of her dreams.

Correct answer:

On New Year's Day, Jenna decided to start working towards accomplishing all of her dreams.

Explanation:

The above example is a sentence fragment. Any proper sentence must have a subject and a main verb. Three options have subjects and verbs, but only one has the correct punctuation. The phrase "On New Year's Day" 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 is correct and needs no alteration. The correct choice is, "On New Year's Day, Jenna decided to start working towards accomplishing all of her dreams."

Example Question #54 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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.

While making plans for the party, Tom to invite all the guests.

Possible Answers:

While making plans for the party, Tom invited: all the guests

While making plans for the party, Tom invited all the guests.

While making plans for the party, Tom was given the job of inviting all the guests.

While making plans for the party, Tom was given the job: of inviting all the guests.

While making plans for the party, Tom to invite all the guests.

Correct answer:

While making plans for the party, Tom invited all the guests.

Explanation:

The example above is a sentence fragment. All proper sentences must contain a subject and a main verb. While a subject is present, there is no main verb present in the sentence. Four of the choices fix this, but "While making plans for the party, Tom invited all the guests" is the correct choice because it is in the active voice, and contains no excess punctuation. 

Example Question #55 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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 of the new millennium, the traditional office environment seems to be becoming.

Possible Answers:

the traditional office environment seems to be becoming. 

the traditional office environment seems to be becoming obsolete. 

the traditional office environment seems: to be becoming. 

the traditional office environment seems: to be becoming obsolete. 

the traditional office environment seems to be.

Correct answer:

the traditional office environment seems to be becoming obsolete. 

Explanation:

The above example is a sentence fragment. The verb "becoming" always needs an object of some sort (the word does not make any sense without one). The only example that provides an adequate direct object for the word (and therefore completing the sentence) is, "the traditional office environment seems to be becoming obsolete."

Example Question #56 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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.

Knowing your options in this bustling business climate—the housing market is booming for investors.

Possible Answers:

Your knowing your options for you to understand this bustling business climate—the housing market is booming for investors.

You should know your options in this bustling business climate—the housing market is booming for investors.

You, knowing your options, in this bustling business climate, the housing market is booming for investors.

Knowing your options in this bustling business climate housing market is booming for investors.

Knowing your options in this bustling business climate, the housing market is booming for investors.

Correct answer:

You should know your options in this bustling business climate—the housing market is booming for investors.

Explanation:

All of the incorrect answer choice present sentence fragment errors. The noun phrase "knowing your options" represents the subject of a clause. The subject requires a verb to complete the independent clause. The correct answer choice adjusts the beginning of the sentence with "The clause "you should know," resolving the sentence fragment error.

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