GMAT Verbal : Correcting Punctuation Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #151 : Correcting Punctuation 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 workers who did not like how they were being treated decided to go on strike.

Possible Answers:

The workers who did not like how they were being treated decided to go on strike.

The workers, who did not like how they were being treated decided to go on strike.

The workers, who did not like how they were being treated, decided to go on strike.

The workers who did not like how they were being treated, decided to go on strike.

The workers who did not like, how they were being treated decided to go on strike.

Correct answer:

The workers, who did not like how they were being treated, decided to go on strike.

Explanation:

The phrase "who did not like how they were being treated"  is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: workers. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is "The workers, who did not like how they were being treated, decided to go on strike."

Such phrases are often called "interrupting phrases." Interrupting phrases are used to provide information that or provide useful context about (usually) the subject of the sentence, but they are not grammatically necessary to the overall structure of the sentence. An interrupting phrase, properly enclosed by commas, could be excised from the sentence and the sentence would remain grammatically viable.

Example Question #151 : Correcting Punctuation 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.

During his vacation Dave visited many countries.

Possible Answers:

During his vacation, Dave, visited many countries.

During his vacation Dave visited, many countries.

During his vacation, Dave visited many countries.

During his, vacation Dave visited many countries.

During his vacation Dave, visited many countries.

Correct answer:

During his vacation, Dave visited many countries.

Explanation:

The phrase "During his vacation" 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 correct answer choice is "During his vacation, Dave visited many countries."

Example Question #153 : Correcting Punctuation 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.

New York is a major financial center and many people flock there every year looking for work.

Possible Answers:

New York is a major financial center and many people flock there every year looking for work.

New York is a major financial center and many, people flock there every, year looking for work.

New York is a major financial center, and many people flock there every year looking for work.

New York is a major financial center, and many people flock there, every year looking for work.

New York is a major financial center and many people flock there every year looking, for work.

Correct answer:

New York is a major financial center, and many people flock there every year looking for work.

Explanation:

In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by a coordinate conjunction. When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. The correct answer choice is "New York is a major financial center, and many people flock there every year looking for work."

Note here that while a comma is required before "and" there is no need for any other commas. Placing a single comma in the middle of a clause is itself an error.

Example Question #152 : Correcting Punctuation 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 company was opening a new branch office in Asia and with this decision, it was hoping to secure a better supply line.

Possible Answers:

The company was opening a new branch office in Asia, and with this decision it was hoping

The company was opening a new branch office in Asia, and, with this decision, it was hoping

The company was opening a new branch office in Asia and with this decision it was hoping

The company was opening a new branch office in Asia and with this decision, it was hoping,

The company was opening a new branch office in Asia and with this decision, it was hoping

Correct answer:

The company was opening a new branch office in Asia, and, with this decision, it was hoping

Explanation:

In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by a coordinate conjunction. When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. Furthermore, the phrase "with this decision" that occurs in the second half of the sentence is a parenthetical expression: a phrase that explains more about a particular word or phrase in the sentence, but is not introduced by a relative pronoun. These phrases must be introduced and completed with a comma in order to separate them from the main clause of the sentence. The correct answer choice is "The company was opening a new branch office in Asia, and, with this decision, it was hoping."

Example Question #155 : Correcting Punctuation 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 modern companies such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit seem to have been started in someone's garage.

Possible Answers:

Many modern companies such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit, seem to have been started in someone's garage.

Many modern companies such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit seem, to have been started in someone's garage.

Many modern companies, such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit seem to have been started in someone's garage.

Many modern companies, such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit, seem to have been started in someone's garage.

Many modern companies, such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit, seem to have been started, in someone's garage.

Correct answer:

Many modern companies, such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit, seem to have been started in someone's garage.

Explanation:

The phrase "such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit" is a parenthetical expression: a phrase that explains more about a particular word or phrase in the sentence, but is not introduced by a relative pronoun. These phrases must be introduced and completed with a comma in order to separate them from the main clause of the sentence. The correct answer choice is "Many modern companies, such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit, seem to have been started in someone's garage."

Example Question #153 : Correcting Punctuation 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.

Organizing events takes much time money and patience.

Possible Answers:

Organizing events takes much, time, money, and patience.

Organizing events takes much, time, money and patience.

Organizing events takes much time, money and patience.

Organizing events takes much time, money, and patience.

Organizing events, takes much time money, and patience.

Correct answer:

Organizing events takes much time, money, and patience.

Explanation:

The phrase "much time money and patience" is a list of qualities. All items in any sort of list/parallel words or phrases should be separated by commas. Additionally, a comma must come before the "and" because the action "money" and "patience" are not related in concept exclusively, so they should not be grouped together. The correct answer is "Organizing events takes much time, money, and patience."

Example Question #157 : Correcting Punctuation 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 company's fans were very excited about its new product but they were not enthused about the expected price.

Possible Answers:

The company's fans were very excited about its new product, but they were not enthused, about the expected price.

The company's fans were very excited about its new product, but they were not enthused about the expected price.

The company's fans were very excited about its new, product but they were not enthused about the expected price.

The company's fans were very, excited about its new product but they were not enthused about the expected price.

The company's fans were very excited about its new product but they were not enthused, about the expected price.

Correct answer:

The company's fans were very excited about its new product, but they were not enthused about the expected price.

Explanation:

In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by a coordinate conjunction. When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. The correct answer choice is "The company's fans were very excited about its new product, but they were not enthused about the expected price."

Example Question #22 : Correcting Comma 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.

Poetry readings are often quite boring and many people, even poets, avoid them at all costs.

Possible Answers:

Poetry readings are often quite boring and many people, even poets, avoid them at all costs.

Poetry readings are often quite boring and many people, even poets, avoid them at all costs.

Poetry readings are often quite boring; and many people, even poets, avoid them at all costs.

Poetry readings are often quite boring and many people even poets avoid them at all costs.

Poetry readings are, often quite boring and many people, even poets, avoid them at all costs.

Correct answer:

Poetry readings are often quite boring and many people, even poets, avoid them at all costs.

Explanation:

In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by a coordinate conjunction. When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. The correct answer choice is "Poetry readings are often quite boring, and many people, even poets, avoid them at all costs."

Example Question #31 : Correcting Comma 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 company adopted a new plan of action: they were about to acquire several smaller competitors.

Possible Answers:

The company adopted a new plan of action: it was about to acquire several smaller competitors.

The company adopted a new plan of action: them were about to acquire several smaller competitors.

The company adopted a new plan of action: it were about to acquire several smaller competitors.

The company adopted a new plan of action: they were about to acquire several smaller competitors.

The company adopted a new plan of action: they was about to acquire several smaller competitors.

Correct answer:

The company adopted a new plan of action: it was about to acquire several smaller competitors.

Explanation:

The word "company" is an example of a collective noun. Even though it may possibly refer to many different individuals, it is singular grammatically. The correct answer choice is "The company adopted a new plan of action: it was about to acquire several smaller competitors."

Example Question #32 : Correcting Comma 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 kept jewelry which she got on her travels in her dresser.

Possible Answers:

She kept, jewelry which she got on her travels in her dresser.

She kept jewelry, which she got on her travels, in her dresser.

She kept jewelry; which she got on her travels; in her dresser.

She kept, jewelry, which she got on her travels in her dresser.

She kept jewelry which she got on her travels in her dresser.

Correct answer:

She kept jewelry, which she got on her travels, in her dresser.

Explanation:

The phrase "which she got on her travels" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: keepsakes. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is "She kept jewelry, which she got on her travels, in her dresser."

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