GMAT Verbal : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #95 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
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 wished to study in Rome because she was enamored with it's history.
Rome; because she was enamored with it's history.
Rome: because she was enamored with it's history.
Rome, because she was enamored with it is history.
Rome because she was enamored with its history.
Rome because she was enamored with it's history.
Rome because she was enamored with its history.
This sentence misuses the pronoun "it's," which is a contraction for "it is." The correct form (the possessive) is "its," without an apostrophe. The correct choice is, "Rome because she was enamored with its history." No additional punctuation is necessary. The word "because" does not take a comma before it when joining clauses.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
If students can just study harder, our test scores will benefit.
Which option best replaces the underlined sentence?
If students can just study harder, it will benefit our test scores.
If students can just study harder, their test scores will benefit.
If students can just study harder, our test scores will benefit.
If students can just study harder, your test scores will benefit.
If we can just study harder, it will benefit their test scores.
If students can just study harder, their test scores will benefit.
This is an error of inconsistent usage. "Students" does not clearly match up with "our." The speaker needs to identify himself in both words—"we and our" or "students and their."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
If one wishes to understand a musical composition fully, we must consider the time period in which it was written.
we must have considered the time period in which it was written.
one must consider the time period in which it was written.
we must consider the time period corresponding to when it was written.
we must consider the time period in which it was written.
we will have to consider the time period in which it was written.
one must consider the time period in which it was written.
The answer choice "one must consider the time period in which it was written" is correct because it contains the word "one," which matches the word "one" used in the first clause of the sentence.
All of the other answer choices are incorrect because they contain the pronoun "we," and therefore lead to pronoun agreement errors.
Example Question #2001 : Correcting Grammatical 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
If one is to construct a comprehensive model of the global economy, we must first account for alternating periods of expansion and contraction in the business cycle.
one must first account for
we must first account for
one must first account to
we must account firstly for
one had first accounted for
one must first account for
The original text contains a pronoun consistency error. The underlined portion of the sentence contains the pronoun "we," but the sentence uses "one" before that. In order to maintain consistency, the underlined portion should use "one" rather than "we."
The answer choice "one had first accounted for" contains a tense error, even though it correctly uses "one" instead of "we."
The answer choice "one must first account to" is incorrect because the correct idiom is "account for."
Example Question #2001 : Correcting Grammatical 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.
Does one have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
Does one have a responsibility to help others, or does one only have a responsibility to help themselves?
Does one have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
Do ones have a responsibility to help others, or do ones only have a responsibility to help his or herself?
Do you have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
Does one have a responsibility to the helping of the others, or does one only have a responsibility to the helping of yourself?
Do you have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
In the sentence as it is written, "one" and "you" are both used. You should stick to using one of these pronouns or the other, and not switch between them in a sentence.
Example Question #2003 : Correcting Grammatical 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
When you go to a buffet, one should make sure that you do not overeat.
one should make sure
then make sure
make sure
be sure of
and make sure
make sure
The sentence begins by using the pronoun "you," but then switches to using the pronoun "one." These should be kept consistent.
Example Question #106 : Correcting Pronoun 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
When one is trying a dangerous sport such as rock-climbing, you should always use the proper safety equipment.
they should always use the proper safety equipment.
he or she should always be using the proper safety equipment.
one should always use the proper safety equipment.
you should always use the proper safety equipment.
he should always be using proper safety equipment.
one should always use the proper safety equipment.
Because “one” is the subject in the relative clause that begins the sentence, “one” must also be the subject of the main independent clause that concludes the sentence. Pronouns and their antecedents must match, and “you,” “they,” and “he” do not match “one.” Also, “use” is more concise than “be using,” which is unnecessarily wordy.
Example Question #7 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
If a person wants to live fully and reach their potential, he or she must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach his or her potential, he or she must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach its potential, it must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach their potential, he or she must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach his potential, he must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach their potential, they must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach his or her potential, he or she must first find a meaningful passion.
Because the antecedent (“a person”) is singular, “their” and “they” are incorrect pronouns. Because the antecedent doesn’t indicate gender, the male “he” isn’t sufficient and “he or she” must be used. Although “its” and “it” are singular pronouns, they are used to talk about objects and not about people, so they are incorrect.
Example Question #107 : Correcting Pronoun 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
If one is to fully reform the nation's educational system, you must first account for the need to provide academic opportunities for students regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds.
one must first account for
he must first account for
we must first account for
you must first account for
they must first account for
one must first account for
The sentence initially uses the pronoun "one," but then switches to "you." These pronouns should be kept consistent.
Example Question #111 : Correcting Word Usage 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. One of the underlined choices repeats the answer as it is written.
In order for one to be prepared for the SATs, you must practice every skill on the test until one is confident in the material.
one must practice every skill
we must practice every skill
he must practice every skill
she must practice every skill
you must practice every skill
one must practice every skill
The error in the sentence is in the consistency of pronouns. The sentence begins with "one" and therefore "one" must be used as the pronoun through the remainder of the sentence.
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