GMAT Verbal : Correcting Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : 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 document was immediately given upon its completion to he and and I.

Possible Answers:

to me and him.

to he and me.

to him and I.

to I and he.

to he and and I.

Correct answer:

to me and him.

Explanation:

The use of the subjective pronouns "he" and "I" as the objects of the sentence is incorrect, as they should only be used as subjects. Both pronouns should be replaced with their respective objective pronouns, "him" and "me." As the only answer choice that does this, the correct answer is "to me and him."

Example Question #537 : 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.

The report was read out in full to both the Commissioner and I.

Possible Answers:

to both I and the Commissioner.

to both the Commissioner and I.

to both the Commissioner and me.

to both Commissioner and I.

for both the Commissioner and I.

Correct answer:

to both the Commissioner and me.

Explanation:

The use of the subjective first person pronoun "I" is incorrect in this sentence, as it used as the object of the sentence. The only first person pronoun that should be used as the object is "me." The correct answer, therefore, is "to both the Commissioner and me."

Example Question #22 : 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 race proved much more difficult than expected for both he and me.

Possible Answers:

than expecting for both he and me.

than expected for both me and him.

than expected by both he and me.

than expected for both he and I.

than expected for both he and me.

Correct answer:

than expected for both me and him.

Explanation:

The use of the third person subjective pronoun "he" is incorrect as the object of the sentence. The pronoun should be changed to the objective form to improve the sentence. The only answer choice that uses the correct pronoun is "than expected for both me and him."

Example Question #23 : 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.

Me and him never go anywhere together, even after all these years.

Possible Answers:

Him and me never go anywhere together

He and I never go anywhere together

Me and him never go anywhere together

Me and him never goes anywhere together

Me and him never goes anywhere together

Correct answer:

He and I never go anywhere together

Explanation:

The pronouns "me" and "him" are both objective pronouns, but are in this sentence used incorrectly as the subjects of the sentence. Both need to be changed to their respective subjective forms. "He and I never go anywhere together" is the only answer choice that uses the correct pronoun.

Example Question #21 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Information has been concealed from everyone, including every member of the board and I.

Possible Answers:

including every member of the board and me.

including every member of the board, and I.

including each member of the board and I.

including every member of the board and I.

including I and every member of the board.

Correct answer:

including every member of the board and me.

Explanation:

The use of "I" in the object of a sentence or verbal phrase is always wrong, as it should only be used as a subject. The subjective first person pronoun should be changed to the objective first person pronoun. Thus, the correct answer choice is "including every member of the board and me."

Example Question #52 : Subjective And Objective 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.

Me and her have been working on that routine for years.

Possible Answers:

Me and her had been working

She and I have been working

Me and her have being working

Me and her have been working

Me and her have been worked

Correct answer:

She and I have been working

Explanation:

The use of both "me" and "her" as subjects in the sentence is incorrect, as both of those pronouns are the objective forms. Both need to be changed to their respective subjective forms. "She and I have been working" is the only answer choice to make this change properly.

Example Question #24 : 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 child's gifts were all given directly to she and I.

Possible Answers:

direct to she and I.

directly to she and I.

directly to her and me.

directly for she and I.

directly to I and she.

Correct answer:

directly to her and me.

Explanation:

The use of "she and I" as the object of a sentence is wrong, as both "she" and "I" should only be used as the subjects of a sentence. The pronouns need to be changed to their respective objective forms. The only answer choice that uses the correct pronouns is "directly to her and me."

Example Question #161 : 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.

She and him never got along very well as small children.

Possible Answers:

She and him never got along

Him and she never got along

Her and him never got along

She and him had never got along

She and he never got along

Correct answer:

She and he never got along

Explanation:

The use of "him" in the subject is incorrect, as "him" is the objective third person male pronoun. It needs to be changed to the subjective third person male pronoun, "he." "She and he never got along" is the only answer choice that uses the correct pronouns.

Example Question #171 : 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.

The delivery was given to her, but it was only supposed to be received by I.

Possible Answers:

only supposed to be received by I

only supposed to be received from I

only supposed to be received by me

supposed to be only received by I

only supposing to be received by I

Correct answer:

only supposed to be received by me

Explanation:

The use of the subjective first person pronoun "I" in this sentence is incorrect, as it is in the position of an object. The pronoun must be changed to the proper objective first person pronoun, "me." The only answer choice that uses the correct pronoun is "only supposed to be received by me."

Example Question #172 : 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.

The full load was given directly to both the coach and I.

Possible Answers:

for both the coach and I

to both of the coach and I

to both the coach and me

to both I and the coach

to both the coach and I

Correct answer:

to both the coach and me

Explanation:

The use of "I" in the object of a sentence or phrase incorrect. "I" needs to be changed to the objective first person pronoun, "me." The only answer choice that correctly makes this change is "to both the coach and me."

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