All GMAT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #22 : Correcting Apostrophe 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 teacher collected the student's homework every day; however, many of them often did not do the assignments.
The teacher collected the students homework every day
The teacher collected the student's homework every day
The teacher collected the student's homework, every day
The teacher collected the students' homework, every day
The teacher collected the students' homework every day
The teacher collected the students' homework every day
This sentence misuses an apostrophe. It is clear from the context of the sentence that the sentence is referring to many students (they key word is "them"). The correct plural, possessive form of the word "student" is students'. No other changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "The teacher collected the students' homework every day."
Example Question #381 : Sentence Correction
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 gave its' employees particularly big bonuses this year.
gave its employees particularly big bonuses this year.
gave its employees particularly, big bonuses this year.
gave it's employees particularly big bonuses this year.
gave it's employees particularly, big bonuses this year.
gave its' employees particularly big bonuses this year.
gave its employees particularly big bonuses this year.
This sentence misuses the word "its'." In fact, "its' " is not a word at all. What is necessary in this spot is the possessive form of "it," which is "its (no apostrophe)." No other changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "gave its employees particularly big bonuses this year."
Example Question #382 : Sentence Correction
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.
Emille liked to speak with his coworker's every day.
speak with his coworker's, every day.
speak with his coworkers every day.
speak with his coworkers, every day.
speak with his coworkers' every day.
speak with his coworker's every day.
speak with his coworkers every day.
This sentence misuses an apostrophe. The word "coworkers" in this sentence is clearly meant to be plural; words should never be pluralized with an " 's." The correct choice is, "speak with his coworkers every day."
Example Question #383 : Sentence Correction
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 rabbit's ate their food in the corner of the kennel.
The rabbit's' ate their food
The rabbits ate their food
The rabbits' ate their food
The rabbits ate, their food
The rabbit's ate their food
The rabbits ate their food
This sentence misuses an apostrophe. While the latter half of the sentence contains a possessive statement ("their food"), the word "rabbits" is not possessive itself, but plural. An apostrophe should never be used to pluralize a word in English. The correct choice is, "The rabbits ate their food."
Example Question #384 : Sentence Correction
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 investor's opinions on the company greatly influenced their willingness to give it money.
The investor's opinions on the company greatly, influenced
The investors opinions on the company greatly influenced
The investors' opinions on the company greatly influenced
The investors' opinions on the company greatly, influenced
The investors opinions on the company greatly, influenced
The investors' opinions on the company greatly influenced
This sentence contains an error in the placement of the apostrophe. The word "investors" is plural, which we can deduce by the use of the pronoun "their" later on in the sentence. The correct possessive plural contains an apostrophe after the "s." The correct choice is, "The investors' opinions on the company greatly influenced."
Example Question #385 : Sentence Correction
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 Elsa visited all of the company's nearby, she was unable to interest them in her product.
the companys nearby, she was unable to interest them
the companies nearby, she was unable to interest them
the company's nearby, she was unable to interest them
the companies nearby, she was unable to interest it
the company's nearby, she was unable to interest it
the companies nearby, she was unable to interest them
This sentence misuses an apostrophe. It is clear from the context that the word "company" should be plural; however, you should never use an " 's" in order to pluralize a word. The correct plural form of "company" is "companies." The correct choice is, "the companies nearby, she was unable to interest them."
Example Question #287 : 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.
His' sister said she would visit in the near future.
His sister's said she would visit
Hi's sister said she would visit
His's sister said she would visit
His' sister said she would visit
His sister said she would visit
His sister said she would visit
This sentence contains an error in the use of the apostrophe. Even though the word "his" is possessive, it is possessive already without the need for an " 's." Omit the apostrophe; the correct choice is, "His sister said she would visit."
Example Question #386 : Sentence Correction
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 teacher reviewed the lesson with the student's that stayed behind.
the lesson' with the students that stayed behind.
the lesson with the students that stayed behind.
the lesson with the students' that stayed behind.
the lesson' with the student's that stayed behind.
the lesson with the student's that stayed behind.
the lesson with the students that stayed behind.
This sentence misuses the apostrophe. The word "students" has an apostrophe, when it is not possessive. The correct form is "students" note that you should never use an apostrophe in order to pluralize a word. The correct choice is, "the lesson with the students that stayed behind."
Example Question #387 : Sentence Correction
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.
Magaret took her horses' out of the stable so that they could walk around.
Magaret took her horse's out of the stable
Magaret took her's horses out of the stable
Magaret took her horses' out of the stable
Magaret took her horse' out of the stable
Magaret took her horses out of the stable
Magaret took her horses out of the stable
This sentence misuses an apostrophe. Even thought the word "her" is possessive, that does not make "horses" possessive. The apostrophe should be omitted for this reason. Note that you should never pluralize a word with an apostrophe. The correct choice is, "Magaret took her horses out of the stable."
Example Question #388 : Sentence Correction
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 the weekends, Timothy drove car's at the local racetrack.
On the weekends, Timothy drove cars
On the weekends, Timothy drove car's
On the weekends, Timothy drove cars'
On the weekends Timothy drove cars
On the weekends Timothy drove car's
On the weekends, Timothy drove cars
This sentence misuses an apostrophe. The word "cars" is simply the plural form of the word and is not possessive. Apostrophes should never be used in order to pluralize a word. The correct choice is, "On the weekends, Timothy drove cars."