GMAT Verbal : Correcting Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Correcting Appositive 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.
John Smith the notable economist has difficulty distinguishing his publications from those of other prominent colleagues due to the commonness of his name.
The notable economist, John Smith, has difficulty distinguishing his publications
A notable economist, John Smith has difficulty distinguishing his publications
The notable economist John Smith has difficulty distinguishing his publications
Notable economist, John Smith has difficulty distinguishing his publications
John Smith the notable economist has difficulty distinguishing his publications
The notable economist John Smith has difficulty distinguishing his publications
This appositive clause (that John Smith is a notable economist at a certain university) is necessary to understand the meaning of the sentence; therefore, it must not be surrounded by commas. If it is surrounded by commas, the identify of the John Smith in the sentence is still not known because he has several other colleagues that go by the same name. Presumably, identifying him as "the notable economist" removes this ambiguity.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Appositive 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.
Mary Williams, the interim CEO, took control of the company following a debacle at one of the company's international manufacturing plants.
Mary Williams the interim CEO, took control of the company
The interim CEO Mary Williams took control of the company
Mary Williams the interim CEO took control of the company
Mary Williams, the interim CEO, took control of the company
Interim CEO, Mary Williams, took control of the company
Mary Williams, the interim CEO, took control of the company
This sentence is correct as written. Appositive clauses that supply additional information should be surrounded by commas.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Appositive 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 projections, a new tool for sports franchises gave front offices advantages over their competitors who did not employ as many number crunchers.
The projections a new tool for sports franchises, gave
The projections, a new tool for sports franchises gave
The projections, a new tool for sports franchises, gave
The projections, a new tool for sports franchises have given
The projections a new tool for sports franchises gave
The projections, a new tool for sports franchises, gave
In the sentence, the phrase "a new tool for sports franchises" is an appositive phrase, a phrase that adds extra meaning to the subject "projections," but is not a part of the main subject of the sentence. Any such appositive phrase must be set apart from the rest of the sentence with commas, both before and after the phrase. "The projections, a new tool for sports franchises, gave" is the only answer choice that correctly places commas around the phrase.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Appositive 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.
For John Duns Scotus, the most notable Scholastic philosopher of the generation after Aquinas, God is a being, albeit one of a very different sort than material beings.
For John Duns Scotus, the most notable Scholastic philosopher, of the generation after Aquinas God
For John Duns Scotus, the most notable Scholastic philosopher of the generation after Aquinas God
For John Duns Scotus the most notable Scholastic philosopher of the generation after Aquinas, God
For John Duns Scotus, the most notable Scholastic philosopher of the generation after Aquinas, God
For John Duns Scotus the most notable Scholastic philosopher of the generation after Aquinas God
For John Duns Scotus, the most notable Scholastic philosopher of the generation after Aquinas, God
The appositive phrase that renames "John Duns Scotus" is "the most notable Scholastic philosopher of the generation after Aquinas." Commas are required at both ends of this complete phrase to set it off, but commas are not needed before the prepositional phrases "of the generation" or "after Aquinas."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Appositive 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.
It is worth considering the work of a transitional figure the Englishman Richard Melville if we are to understand the changes that took place in the twenty years between these two philosophers.
the work of a transitional figure, the Englishman, Richard Melville, if we are to understand
the work of a transitional figure the Englishman, Richard Melville, if we are to understand
the work of a transitional figure the Englishman Richard Melville, if we are to understand
the work of a transitional figure, the Englishman Richard Melville, if we are to understand
the work of a transitional figure the Englishman Richard Melville if we are to understand
the work of a transitional figure, the Englishman Richard Melville, if we are to understand
Appositive phrases, which rename a noun, are set off by commas from the rest of the sentence. However, "Richard Melville" is not itself an appositive renaming "the Englishman," as it tells us which Englishman the sentence is talking about, rather than renaming a known Englishman "Richard Melville."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Appositive And Interrupting Phrase 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
One such transitional figure Richard Melville, who worked in the time between Aquinas and Duns Scotus, developed several new positions that would later be incorporated into the work of later authors.
One such transitional figure Richard Melville, who worked in the time between Aquinas and Duns Scotus
One such transitional figure: Richard Melville, who worked in the time between Aquinas and Duns Scotus
One such transitional figure, Richard Melville, who worked in the time between Aquinas and Duns Scotus
One such transitional figure Richard Melville who worked in the time between Aquinas and Duns Scotus
One such transitional figure, Richard Melville who worked in the time between Aquinas and Duns Scotus
One such transitional figure, Richard Melville, who worked in the time between Aquinas and Duns Scotus
In this case, an appositive comes at the beginning of the sentence, renaming "Richard Melville" as "one such transitional figure" among many. Appositives must be set off by commas from the rest of the sentence if they contain information that is unnecessary for understanding the rest of the sentence. Since taking out the appositive phrase ("One such transitional figure, who worked . . .") yields a complete sentence, the appositive "Richard Melville" must be set apart by commas.
Example Question #6 : Correcting Appositive 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.
According to Thomas Aquinas the thirteenth-century philosopher, and theologian, God is not a being in the strict sense and thus, in a way, not a subject for metaphysical investigation.
According to Thomas Aquinas, the thirteenth-century philosopher and theologian, God
According to Thomas Aquinas the thirteenth-century philosopher, and theologian, God
According to Thomas Aquinas, the thirteenth-century philosopher and theologian God
According to Thomas Aquinas, the thirteenth-century philosopher, and theologian, God
According to Thomas Aquinas the thirteenth century philosopher and theologian God
According to Thomas Aquinas, the thirteenth-century philosopher and theologian, God
In the sentence, "the thirteenth-century philosopher and theologian" is an appositive that renames "Thomas Aquinas"; appositives are set off by commas at both ends, as in the credited response. No comma is needed between "philosopher" and "theologian," however. Because "thirteenth-century" is being used as an adjective in this case a hyphen is needed.
Example Question #7 : Correcting Appositive 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.
Jeremy Bentham an early advocate for various civil rights and liberties, wished for his body to be preserved and displayed after his death.
Jeremy Bentham, an early advocate for various civil rights and liberties, wished
Jeremy Bentham an early advocate for various civil rights and liberties, wished
Jeremy Bentham was an early advocate for various civil rights and liberties, wished
Jeremy Bentham: an early advocate for various civil rights and liberties, wished
Jeremy Bentham an early advocate for various civil rights and liberties wished
Jeremy Bentham, an early advocate for various civil rights and liberties, wished
"an early advocate..." is an appositive, further describing, renaming, or defining the subject of the sentence (in this case "Jeremy Bentham" is being classified as "an early advocate for various civil right and liberties"). Appositives such as these should be offset by two commas, one each before and after.
Example Question #8 : Correcting Appositive 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 seminar presentation, scheduled to take place at 2:00 had to be delayed until 3:30 because of severe technical difficulties.
The seminar presentation, scheduled to take place at 2:00, had to be delayed
The seminar presentation scheduled to take place at 2:00 had to be delayed
The seminar presentation scheduled to take place at 2:00, had to be delayed
The seminar presentation, was scheduled to take place at 2:00, and had to be delayed
The seminar presentation, scheduled to take place at 2:00 had to be delayed
The seminar presentation, scheduled to take place at 2:00, had to be delayed
"scheduled to take place at 2:00" is an appositive phrase, adding meaning to the subject "the seminal presentation. Appositive phrases such as these should be offset by commas at both beginning and end. Such phrases often rename the subject of a sentence.
Example Question #11 : Correcting Appositive Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection was shut down in 2001, following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection, was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection, was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection, was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
"The music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection" is a phrase modifying the subject noun "Napster." It is an appositive phrase and should, therefore, be offset by two commas. Appositives define or rename the subject of the sentence, in this case Napster (the subject) is being re-characterized as "the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection." The appositive must be offset with commas because it is outside of the fundamental grammatical structure of the sentence.
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