GMAT Verbal : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
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 speech was viewed curiously by his fellow candidates, all of who were interested in what political positions the governor would outline for his presidential run.
all who were interested for what political positions
all who were interesting in what political positions
all who were interested in which political positions
all of whom were interested in what political positions
all who were interested in what political positions
all of whom were interested in what political positions
The use of the objective pronoun "who" in this sentence is incorrect, as the pronoun is the object of the preposition "of." Pronouns that function as objects of prepositions need to be in their objective forms, not their subjective forms. The correct answer choice is the one in which "who" is changed to "whom"; this means that "all of whom were interested in what political positions" is the correct choice.
Example Question #4 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
The newspaper was delivered every morning to him and I.
from him and I.
to me and him.
to he and I.
for him and I.
to he and me.
to me and him.
The underlined portion of the sentence is the object, and both words need to be in the objective form. "Him" is objective, but "I" should only be used as a subject. The correct answer is "to me and him."
Example Question #5 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
Me and you have never seen eye to eye on any issue.
Me and you
You and I
You, me
I and You
You and me
You and I
The problem with the sentence is in the two pronouns underlined. The correct usage of the first person pronoun as an object is "I," not "me." Additionally, "you" should come before "I."
Example Question #31 : Subjective And Objective Pronoun Errors
In the sentence below, select the phrasing of the underlined portion that produces the best sentence.
I know that Trudy is generally a kind girl, but I and her have never enjoyed spending time together.
but she and me have never enjoyed spending time together.
but her and I have never enjoyed spending time together.
but her and me have never enjoyed spending time together.
but I and her have never enjoyed spending time together.
but she and I have never enjoyed spending time together.
but she and I have never enjoyed spending time together.
The speaker and Trudy together form the subject of the underlined clause, and so both pronouns need to be subject pronouns. Of the options given here, "she and I" is the only one where this is the case ("we," of course, would also work).
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
Us and them are going to join together for the greater good.
Them and we
They and we
Us and they
Them and us
Us and them
They and we
The pronouns "us" and "them" are actually the object forms of their respective pronouns, but are used as the subjects of the sentence. Both words need to be changed into the subject forms. The correct answer choice is "They and we."
Example Question #31 : Subjective And Objective Pronoun Errors
Me and you have to go to the store.
Me and you has
Me and you have
You and I has
You and me have
You and I have
You and I have
"Me" is always appropriately used as the object of a sentence, while it is used in this sentence as the subject. The first person subjective pronoun "I" must be used instead. "You and I have" is the only answer choice that does this and uses the appropriate verb form "have."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
Him and I are going to make the case in the morning for tougher standards.
Him and I are gone
He and I are going
Him and I going
I and him are going
Him and I are going
He and I are going
The use of the pronoun "him" in the subject of the sentence is incorrect, as "him" should only be used as the object of the sentence. The proper third person male pronoun for the subject of the sentence is "he," making "He and I are going" the correct answer choice.
Example Question #141 : Correcting Pronoun Errors
She and him have been bitter enemies since they were children in Little League.
She and him having been
She and he have been
She and he having been
She and him has been
She and him have been
She and he have been
The use of the pronoun "him" is incorrect in the sentence, as it used as the subject, but can only be used as the object of the sentence. The pronoun needs to be changed to "he," but otherwise the sentence is absolutely correct. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "She and he have been."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
Me and the boys are going to travel there once the weather is better.
Me and the boys go
The boys and I are going
Me and the boys are going
The boys and me are going
The boys and I am going
The boys and I are going
The use of the pronoun "me" is incorrect, as it used as the subject of the sentence, but is only correctly used as an object. The form needs to be change to "I." The only choice which does this and is grammatically correct is "The boys and I are going."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
Me and him have always had trouble getting along with each other.
Him and me have always
Him and me has always
He and I have always
Me and him have always
Me and him has always
He and I have always
The use of the pronouns "me" and "him" are both objective pronouns, but are used here as the subject of the sentence. They both need to be changed to the appropriate subjective forms "He" and "I;" therefore, the correct answer choice is "He and I have always."
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