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

She and him were going to the dance after they had dinner.

Possible Answers:

She and him were going to the dance after they had dinner.

She and him were going to the dance after they dined.

She and him going to the dance after they had dinner.

She and he were going to the dance after they had dinner.

She and him go to the dance after they had dinner.

Correct answer:

She and he were going to the dance after they had dinner.

Explanation:

The use of the pronoun "him," which should only be used as a sentence's object, is incorrect as a subject of the sentence. Thus, "him" needs to be changed to the third person subjective pronoun, "he;" therefore, "She and he were going to the dance after they had dinner," is the correct answer choice, as there are no other issues in the sentence.

Example Question #41 : Pronoun Case Errors

This problem is one that has to be dealt with by both you and I.

Possible Answers:

for both you and I.

by both you and me.

by each of you and I.

from both you and I.

by both you and I.

Correct answer:

by both you and me.

Explanation:

The use of "I" in the object of the sentence is an absolutely incorrect usage, and needs to be fixed. The appropriate pronoun in the objective space is "me." As this is the only change that should be made to the sentence, the correct answer choice is "by both you and me."

Example Question #42 : Pronoun Case Errors

Running a marathon was a task that was unimaginable for both she and him.

Possible Answers:

for both she and him.

for both of she and him.

for both she and he.

to both she and him.

for both him and her

Correct answer:

for both him and her

Explanation:

The use of "she" in the sentence is incorrect, as "she" is a subjective pronoun and should only be used as the subject of the sentence. The pronoun should be changed to match "him," as an objective pronoun; therefore, the correct answer choice is "for both him and her."

Example Question #41 : Pronoun Case 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.

Him and me will always be on time for any event the group holds.

Possible Answers:

Him and me will be always

Him and me will always being

Him and me going to always be

He and I will always be

Him and me will always be

Correct answer:

He and I will always be

Explanation:

The use of the pronouns "me" and "him" is incorrect, as both are in their objective forms, but are used as the subjects. Both pronouns need to be changed to their appropriate subjective forms. "He and I will always be" is the only answer choice that uses the correct pronoun forms.

Example Question #152 : 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.

The strongest supporter of the cause has been I.

Possible Answers:

The strongest supporter of the cause has been me.

The strongest supporter of the cause has been I.

The strongest supporter above the cause has been I.

The strongest supporter of the cause have been I.

The strongest supporters of the cause has been I.

Correct answer:

The strongest supporter of the cause has been me.

Explanation:

The use of "I" as the object of the sentence is incorrect. There are no other issues in the sentence, so the only thing that needs to be done is to change "I" to the objective pronoun "me"; therefore, the correct answer choice is "The strongest supporter of the cause has been me."

Example Question #1661 : Act English

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.

Me and the major were always at odds with each other on various policy ideas.

Possible Answers:

The major and I were always 

Me and the major always were

The major and me were always 

Me and the major was always 

Me and the major were always 

Correct answer:

The major and I were always 

Explanation:

The use of "me" in the subject of a sentence is always incorrect, as it is the first person objective pronoun. "Me" needs to be replaced by the first person subjective pronoun "I." Only one answer choice, "The major and I were always," makes this change, making it the correct answer choice.

Example Question #1662 : Act English

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 gesture was meant as a token of goodwill between he and I.

Possible Answers:

between me and him.

from he and I.

between he and I.

for he and I.

between he and me.

Correct answer:

between me and him.

Explanation:

Both pronouns in the underlined portion of the sentence, "he" and "I," are subjective pronouns, and should only be used as the subject of a sentence. Instead, they are used as objects of the sentence in question; each needs to be changed to its objective form. The answer choice that correctly uses both pronouns is "between me and him."

Example Question #1663 : Act English

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.

Me and the girls were completely taken by surprise when the package came.

Possible Answers:

The girls and me were

The girls and I were

Me and the girls were

Me and the girls was

The girls and me was

Correct answer:

The girls and I were

Explanation:

The use of "me," an objective pronoun, in the subject of a sentence is always wrong. In the subject, the first person pronoun should always be "I." Therefore, the correct answer choice is "The girls and I were."

Example Question #42 : Pronoun Case 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.

Me and my friends have all taken a pledge to stick by each other no matter what.

Possible Answers:

My friends and me have all taken

Me and my friends have each taken

Me and my friends have taken all

My friends and I have all taken

Me and my friends have all taken

Correct answer:

My friends and I have all taken

Explanation:

The use of "me" in the subject of a sentence is always wrong, as it can only be used as the object of the sentence. The word "me" should be changed to the first person subjective pronoun, "I." The only answer choice that does this is "My friends and I have all taken."

Example Question #43 : Pronoun Case 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.

Them and me were going to go to the lake together on Saturday.

Possible Answers:

Them and me was going

They and I were going

Them and I were going

They and me were going

Them and me were going

Correct answer:

They and I were going

Explanation:

The use of the objective pronouns "them" and "me" in the subject of a sentence is always wrong. Both pronouns need to be changed to their respective subjective pronouns "they" and "I." Thus, "They and I were going" is the correct answer choice.

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