GMAT Verbal : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #33 : 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 secretary was useless without his own laptop, it contained all the notes and schedules he needed to do his job effectively.
The secretary was useless without his own laptop; it contained all the notes and schedules he needed to do his job effectively.
The secretary was useless without his own laptop it contained all the notes and schedules he needed to do his job effectively.
The secretary, useless without his own laptop, it contained all the notes and schedules he needed to do his job effectively.
The secretary was useless without his own laptop, it contained all the notes and schedules he needed to do his job effectively.
The secretary was useless without his own laptop: it contained all the notes and schedules he needed to do his job effectively.
The secretary was useless without his own laptop; it contained all the notes and schedules he needed to do his job effectively.
The original sentences is a comma splice. The two clauses (on either side of the comma) are both independent clauses - meaning each could stand on its own as a full sentence. Since this is the case, they cannot be joined by just a comma. To work, it would need either a semicolon (the correct choice here) or a comma with a coordinating conjunction.
Example Question #34 : Correcting Comma Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The mayoral candidate was extremely out of touch with his voter base, his campaign ads made him even less attractive an option to the town's residents.
The mayoral candidate was extremely out of touch with his voter base; his campaign ads made him even less attractive an option to the town's residents.
The mayoral candidate was extremely out of touch with his voter base, whose campaign ads made him even less attractive an option to the town's residents.
The mayoral candidate was extremely out of touch with his voter base, the campaign ads of which made him even less attractive an option to the town's residents.
The mayoral candidate, extremely out of touch with his voter base, his campaign ads made him even less attractive an option to the town's residents.
The mayoral candidate was extremely out of touch with his voter base, his campaign ads made him even less attractive an option to the town's residents.
The mayoral candidate was extremely out of touch with his voter base; his campaign ads made him even less attractive an option to the town's residents.
As written, this sentence contained a comma splice. A comma cannot be used to separate two independent clauses without a conjunction. In this instance, the best option is the one containing a semicolon, which is the appropriate punctuation to use when dividing two independent clauses with different subjects such as these.
Example Question #35 : 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 manufacturer recalled the product but most customers did not bother to get it fixed.
recalled the product, but most customers did not bother
recalled the product, but most customers did not bother,
recalled, the product but most customers did not bother
recalled, the product but most customers did not bother,
recalled the product but most customers, did not bother
recalled the product, but most customers did not bother
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 "recalled the product, but most customers did not bother."
Example Question #36 : 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 man decided to change his morning routine which he had had since childhood because he wanted to try something new.
The man decided to change, his morning routine which he had had since childhood because he wanted to try something new.
The man decided to change his morning routine which he had had since childhood, because he wanted to try something new.
The man decided to change his morning routine, which he had had since childhood because he wanted to try something new.
The man decided to change his morning routine, which he had had since childhood, because he wanted to try something new.
The man decided to change his morning routine which he had had since childhood because he wanted to try something, new.
The man decided to change his morning routine, which he had had since childhood, because he wanted to try something new.
The phrase "which he had had since childhood" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: the man's routine. 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 man decided to change his morning routine, which he had had since childhood, because he wanted to try something new."
Example Question #36 : 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.
On his days off, Mark likes to go to the park and he likes to feed the birds.
Mark likes to go to the park, and he likes to feed the birds.
Mark likes to go to the park and he likes to feed the birds.
Mark likes, to go to the park and he likes, to feed the birds.
Mark, likes to go to the park and he likes to feed the birds.
Mark likes to go to the park and he likes, to feed the birds.
Mark likes to go to the park, and he likes to feed the birds.
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, "Mark likes to go to the park, and he likes to feed the birds."
Example Question #162 : 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 woman's new home which was on the outskirts of the city was very close to her workplace.
The woman's new home, which was on the outskirts of the city, was very close to her workplace.
The woman's new home, which was on the outskirts, of the city was very close to her workplace.
The woman's new home which was on the outskirts of the city was very close, to her workplace.
The woman's new home, which was on the outskirts of the city was very close, to her workplace.
The woman's new home, which was on the outskirts of the city was very close to her workplace.
The woman's new home, which was on the outskirts of the city, was very close to her workplace.
The phrase "which was on the outskirts of the city" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: "home." 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 woman's new home, which was on the outskirts of the city, was very close to her workplace."
Example Question #37 : 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 woman worked with most of her clients remotely so her schedule was usually very flexible.
The woman worked with most of her clients remotely so her schedule was usually very flexible.
The woman worked with, most of her clients remotely, so her schedule was usually very flexible.
The woman worked with most of her clients remotely, so her schedule was usually very flexible.
The woman worked, with most of her clients remotely so her schedule was usually very flexible.
The woman worked with most of her clients remotely so her schedule was usually very, flexible.
The woman worked with most of her clients remotely, so her schedule was usually very flexible.
In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by the coordinate conjunction "so." When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. The correct answer choice is "The woman worked with most of her clients remotely, so her schedule was usually very flexible."
Example Question #38 : 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.
In the next year, she hopes to get a promotion and she plans to take on much more responsibility at work.
she hopes to get a promotion, and she plans to take on much more responsibility at work.
she hopes to get a promotion and she plans to take on much more responsibility at work.
she hopes to get a promotion, and she plans to take on much, more responsibility at work.
she hopes to get a promotion, and she plans to take on much more responsibility, at work.
she hopes, to get a promotion and she plans, to take on much more responsibility at work.
she hopes to get a promotion, and she plans to take on much more responsibility at work.
In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by the coordinate conjunction "and." When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. The correct answer choice is "she hopes to get a promotion, and she plans to take on much more responsibility at work."
Example Question #165 : 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 upcoming announcement which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs put everyone on edge.
The company's upcoming announcement which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs put everyone, on edge.
The company's upcoming announcement which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs, put everyone on edge.
The company's upcoming announcement, which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs put everyone on edge.
The company's upcoming, announcement which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs, put everyone on edge.
The company's upcoming announcement, which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs, put everyone on edge.
The company's upcoming announcement, which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs, put everyone on edge.
The phrase "which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: announcement. 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 company's upcoming announcement, which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs, put everyone on edge."
Example Question #41 : 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 new CEO who was a very controversial choice was hired in order to fix the company's image, but many people doubted whether or not he would be able to do so.
The new CEO who was a very controversial choice, was hired in order to fix
The new, CEO, who was a very controversial choice was hired in order to fix
The new CEO who was a very controversial choice was hired, in order to fix
The new CEO, who was a very controversial choice was hired in order to fix
The new CEO, who was a very controversial choice, was hired in order to fix
The new CEO, who was a very controversial choice, was hired in order to fix
The phrase "who was a very controversial choice" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: the CEO. 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 new CEO, who was a very controversial choice, was hired in order to fix."
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