GMAT Verbal : Correcting Punctuation Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #211 : 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.

While looking through the company's books the accountant found many errors.

Possible Answers:

the company's books, the accountant found many errors.

the companies books, the accountant found many errors.

the companies books the accountant found many errors.

the company's books; the accountant found many errors.

the company's books the accountant found many errors.

Correct answer:

the company's books, the accountant found many errors.

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain a comma where one is necessary. The phrase "While looking through the company's books" 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, "the company's books, the accountant found many errors."

Example Question #83 : 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 small fast car was representative of many innovations in the car industry.

Possible Answers:

The small, fast, car was representative of many innovations

The small, fast car was representative of many innovations

The small fast car was representative, of many innovations

The small fast, car was representative of, many innovations

The small, fast car was representative, of many innovations

Correct answer:

The small, fast car was representative of many innovations

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain a comma where one is necessary. The words "small" and "fast" 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, "The small, fast car was representative of many innovations."

Example Question #84 : 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.

His collection of World War II memorabilia was one of the largest in the town, he had been collecting these items for many years. 

Possible Answers:

one of the largest in the town; he had been collecting these items for many years. 

one of the largest in the town he had been collecting these items for: many years. 

one of the largest in the town he had been collecting these items for many years. 

one of the largest in the town, he had been collecting these items for: many years. 

one of the largest in the town, he had been collecting these items for many years. 

Correct answer:

one of the largest in the town; he had been collecting these items for many years. 

Explanation:

This sentence misuses a comma. This sentence combines two independent clauses without the use of a conjunction. The necessary punctuation for this spot is a semicolon, which should appear after the word "town." No additional punctuation is needed. The correct choice is, "one of the largest in the town; he had been collecting these items for many years."

Example Question #85 : 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.

After running he decided to eat a snack and watch a short film.

Possible Answers:

After running, he decided to eat a snack and, watch

After running he decided to eat a snack and watch

After running, he decided to eat a snack and watch

After running, he decided to eat a snack, and watch

After running he decided to eat a snack, and watch

Correct answer:

After running, he decided to eat a snack and watch

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain a comma where one is needed. The phrase "after running" 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 choice is: "After running, he decided to eat a snack and watch."

Example Question #86 : 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.

He loved animals so much, that he wanted to open up an animal sanctuary in the future.

Possible Answers:

He loved animals so much - that - he wanted to open up an animal sanctuary

He loved animals so much, that he wanted to open up an animal sanctuary

He loved animals so much that he wanted to open up an animal sanctuary

He loved animals so much; that he wanted to open up an animal sanctuary

He loved animals so much that: he wanted to open up an animal sanctuary

Correct answer:

He loved animals so much that he wanted to open up an animal sanctuary

Explanation:

This sentence contains a comma where one is not necessary. Commas are usually used to separate two different clauses, but the phrase "that he wanted to open up an animal sanctuary" is a part of the same clause as the previous phrase: "He loved animals so much." The comma should be omitted. The correct choice is: "He loved animals so much that he wanted to open up an animal sanctuary."

Example Question #87 : 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.

Jeremy, kindly invited me to stay at his house.

Possible Answers:

Jeremy kindly invited; me to stay at his house.

Jeremy, kindly invited me to stay at his house.

Jeremy, kindly invited me to stay; at his house.

Jeremy, kindly invited me to stay, at his house.

Jeremy kindly invited me to stay at his house.

Correct answer:

Jeremy kindly invited me to stay at his house.

Explanation:

In this sentence, a comma incorrectly separates the subject from modified verb of the sentence. "Jeremy" is not an introductory word or phrase, it is a proper noun acting as the subject of this sentence. This is a simple sentence that requires no punctuation.

Example Question #88 : 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.

Though many people loved the brand Abigail felt the product was overrated.

Possible Answers:

the brand Abigail felt the product was overrated. 

the brand Abigail felt: the product was overrated. 

the brand, Abigail felt the product was overrated. 

the brand Abigail felt the product was: overrated. 

the brand; Abigail felt the product was overrated. 

Correct answer:

the brand, Abigail felt the product was overrated. 

Explanation:

This sentence does not contain a comma where one is necessary. The phrase "Though many people loved the brand" 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 choice is, "the brand, Abigail felt the product was overrated."

Example Question #89 : 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 considered herself a collector of fine arts, and took much pride in the pieces that adorned her walls.

Possible Answers:

a collector of fine arts and took much pride in: the pieces

a collector of fine arts, and took much pride in: the pieces

a collector of fine arts and took much pride, in the pieces

a collector of fine arts and took much pride in the pieces

a collector of fine arts, and took much pride in the pieces

Correct answer:

a collector of fine arts and took much pride in the pieces

Explanation:

This sentence contains an error in the usage of the comma. Commas should only appear before a coordinating conjunction like "and" when the conjunction joins two independent clauses. The phrase "took much pride in the pieces that adorned her walls" is not an independent clause, however. If the phrase had the word "she" before the word "took," then the comma would be appropriate. The correct choice is, "a collector of fine arts and took much pride in the peices."

Example Question #91 : 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.

Nina had been collecting stamps for years, her collection is now filled with many rare stamps.

Possible Answers:

collecting stamps for years; her collection is now filled

had been collecting stamps for years, her collection filled now

had been collecting stamps for years, her collection is now filled

had been collecting stamps for years: her collection is now filled

had been collecting stamps for years; her collection is now filled

Correct answer:

had been collecting stamps for years; her collection is now filled

Explanation:

This sentence misuses a comma. Commas can only be used to combine independent clauses when a conjunction is present. This is not the case. When a conjunction is not present, the most appropriate punctuation in this case is a semicolon. Note that a colon would not be appropriate since the second clause, while related, does not actually explain anything about the act of collecting the stamps. The correct choice is "had been collecting stamps for years; her collection is now filled."

Example Question #92 : 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.

He visited the library, in hope of finding a rare book.

Possible Answers:

the library, in hope of finding a rare book.

the library in hope of finding the rare book he searched for.

the library, in hope of finding a rare book he wanted.

the library in hope of finding a rare book.

the library in hope of finding a rare book he was searching for.

Correct answer:

the library in hope of finding a rare book.

Explanation:

This sentence misuses a comma. Commas are generally used to separate clauses, but a prepositional phrase (here: "in hope of finding a rare book") does not start a new clause. Commas generally do not appear before prepositions. The correct chocie is "the library in hope of finding a rare book." The other choices contain dangling prepositions or the same error in using the comma (among others). 

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