GMAT Verbal : Correcting Punctuation Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #484 : Gmat Verbal

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.

Nuclear energy which has a bad reputation for being dangerous is actually quite safe.

Possible Answers:

energy which has a bad reputation for being dangerous is actually

energy; which has a bad reputation for being dangerous is actually

energy, which has a bad reputation for being dangerous is actually

energy, which has a bad reputation for being dangerous, is actually

energy; which has a bad reputation for being dangerous, is actually

Correct answer:

energy, which has a bad reputation for being dangerous, is actually

Explanation:

The phrase "which has a bad reputation for being dangerous" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: nuclear energy. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is, "energy, which has a bad reputation for being dangerous, is actually."

Example Question #485 : Gmat Verbal

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 remaining items on Jake's to-do list were to clean his car, to buy groceries and to pay his bills. 

Possible Answers:

to clean his car, to buy groceries and to pay his bills. 

to clean his car to buy groceries, and to pay his bills. 

to clean his car, to buy groceries, and to pay his bills. 

to clean his car, to buy groceries, and, to pay his bills. 

to clean his car to buy groceries and to pay his bills. 

Correct answer:

to clean his car, to buy groceries, and to pay his bills. 

Explanation:

The phrase "to clean his car, to buy groceries and to pay his bills" is a list of actions. 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 actions "buy" and "pay" are not related in this case, so they should not be grouped together. The correct answer is, "to clean his car, to buy groceries, and to pay his bills." 

Example Question #183 : 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.

Though acting may seem easy to most people it takes much effort and practice.

Possible Answers:

acting may seem easy to most people; it takes much effort, and practice.

acting may seem easy to most people, it takes much effort, and practice.

acting may seem easy to most people it takes much effort and practice.

acting may seem easy to most people, it takes much effort and practice.

acting may seem easy to most people it takes much effort, and practice.

Correct answer:

acting may seem easy to most people, it takes much effort and practice.

Explanation:

This sentence is missing a comma where needed. The phrase "Though acting may seem easy to most people" is 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 clause "it takes much effort and practice" is fine and functions as an independent clause. No additional changes are necessary, so the correct choice is, "acting may seem easy to most people, it takes much effort and practice."

Example Question #486 : Gmat Verbal

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.

Fred decided to learn about economics, in order to gain a better understanding of the world.

Possible Answers:

to learn about economics, in order to gain a better understanding

to learn about economics: in order to gain a better understanding

to learn about economics in order to gain a better understanding:

to learn about economics in order to gain a better understanding

to learn about economics, in order to gain a better understanding:

Correct answer:

to learn about economics in order to gain a better understanding

Explanation:

This sentence misuses a comma. The sentence is a simple sentence, so no punctuation of any sort is needed. The placement of the comma is strange because it is not joining clauses, being used in a list, or otherwise. In fact, the comma is in the middle of the same clause. The same issue lies with the usage of the other punctuation: there is only one clause in this sentence and any punctuation awkwardly splits it up. The correct choice is, "to learn about economics in order to gain a better understanding."

Example Question #487 : Gmat Verbal

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.

Kara's favorite novel 1984 is a literary classic, according to most people.

Possible Answers:

Kara's favorite novel, 1984, is a literary classic, according to most people.

Kara's favorite novel, 1984 is a literary classic, according to most people.

Kara's favorite novel: 1984 is a literary classic, according to most people.

Kara's favorite novel: 1984, is a literary classic according to most people.

Kara's favorite novel 1984 is a literary classic, according to most people.

Correct answer:

Kara's favorite novel, 1984, is a literary classic, according to most people.

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain commas where necessary. The title, George Orwell's 1984 (1949), is an example of 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 choice is, "Kara's favorite novel, 1984, is a literary classic, according to most people."

Example Question #488 : Gmat Verbal

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, elements on the periodic table are very volatile.

Possible Answers:

Many elements on the periodic table - 

Many elements on the periodic table

Many elements on the periodic table:

Many, elements on the periodic table:

Many, elements on the periodic table

Correct answer:

Many elements on the periodic table

Explanation:

This sentence misuses a comma. This sentence is a simple sentence, so no punctuation of any sort is needed. The comma should be omitted because it comes in the middle of an independent clause. The correct choice is, "Many elements on the periodic table."

Example Question #489 : Gmat Verbal

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.

Adam and his friends always engaged in competitions with one another but many around them did not see the point in the trials.

Possible Answers:

competitions with one another, but many around them did not see the point

competitions with one another, but many around them did not see the point,

competitions with one another but many around them did not see the point,

competitions with one another but many around them did not see the point

competitions: with one another but many around them did not see the point

Correct answer:

competitions with one another, but many around them did not see the point

Explanation:

This sentence is missing a comma. The sentence joins two independent clauses with the coordinate conjunction "but," so a comma should appear before "but." No additional punctuation is needed. The correct choice is, "competitions with one another, but many around them did not see the point."

Example Question #181 : 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.

Though Reese was an accountant by trade his passion was singing and dancing.

Possible Answers:

Reese was an accountant by trade, his passion was singing

Reese was an accountant, by trade, his passion was singing

Reese was an accountant by trade his passion was singing

Reese was an accountant, by trade his passion was singing

Reese was an accountant: by trade his passion was singing

Correct answer:

Reese was an accountant by trade, his passion was singing

Explanation:

This sentence is missing a comma where necessary. The phrase "Though Reese was an accountant by trade" is an example of an introductory phrase, which explains 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. No additional punctuation is necessary. The correct choice is, "Reese was an accountant by trade, his passion was singing."

Example Question #61 : 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.

Atlas Shrugged, is one of the largest novels ever written.

Possible Answers:

Atlas Shrugged: is one of the largest novels ever written.

Atlas Shrugged, is one of the largest, novels ever written.

Atlas Shrugged is one of the largest, novels ever written.

Atlas Shrugged, is one of the largest novels ever written.

Atlas Shrugged is one of the largest novels ever written.

Correct answer:

Atlas Shrugged is one of the largest novels ever written.

Explanation:

This sentence misuses a comma. Since this sentence is a simple sentence, no punctuation is needed whatsoever. The correct choice is, "Atlas Shrugged is one of the largest novels ever written."

Atlas Shrugged was published by Ayn Rand in 1957.

Example Question #62 : 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.

Dubai has a series of large sculptured islands that look like palm trees.

Possible Answers:

Dubai has a series of large, sculptured islands

Dubai has a series of large sculptured islands

Dubai has a series of: large, sculptured islands

Dubai has a series, of large, sculptured, islands,

Dubai has a series of large, sculptured, islands,

Correct answer:

Dubai has a series of large, sculptured islands

Explanation:

The words "large" and "sculptured" are coordinate adjectives: adjectives that modify the same noun separately, but are not separated with a conjunction. Coordinate adjectives need to be separated with a comma. The correct answer choice is, "Dubai has a series of large, sculptured islands."

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