GMAT Verbal : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #39 : Correcting Verb Voice 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.
Music was considered extremely important by her.
She considered music to be the most important thing in her life.
She considered music extremely important.
Music was to be considered extremely important by her.
Music was considered extremely important by her.
Music was considered to be an extremely important influence on her.
She considered music extremely important.
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. The phrase "Music was considered" is in the passive voice, which is totally unnecessary in this context. The correct answer will be in the active voice (i.e. the subject of the clause should always do the action of the main verb). The sentence needs to be reworded. The correct choice is, "She considered music extremely important." The other choices only add unnecessary words to the sentence.
Example Question #40 : Correcting Verb Voice 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.
Though no one truly understood it, the joke was laughed at by many.
many were laughing at the joke because it was funny.
many laughed at the joke.
many laughed at the joke, because it was funny.
the joke was laughed at by many.
the joke were laughed at by many.
many laughed at the joke.
The phrase "the joke was laughed at" is in the passive voice. The correct choice should always be in the active voice (the subject of the clause should always do the action of the main verb). The sentence needs to be reworded. The correct choice is, "many laughed at the joke." The other choices are either still in the passive voice or are too wordy.
Example Question #41 : Correcting Verb Voice 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 progress of the team was viewed as insufficient.
The progress of the team was viewed as insufficient.
The team's progress was considered insufficient.
The team's progress was viewed as insufficient.
The progress of the team was labelled as insufficient.
They viewed the team's progress as insufficient.
They viewed the team's progress as insufficient.
The phrase "The progress...was viewed" is in the passive voice. The correct choice should always be in the active voice (i.e. the subject of the clause should be doing the action of the main verb). The sentence needs to be reworded. All of the choices but one, however, are in the passive voice. The correct choice is, "They viewed the team's progress as insufficient."
Example Question #42 : Correcting Verb Voice 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 painting was found mesmerizing by the kids.
The painting was found amazing by
The painting is considered amazing by
The painting was found mesmerizing by
The painting, mesmerizing to
The painting amazed
The painting amazed
This sentence contains an error in verb-voice. The phrase "The painting was found mesmerizing" is in the passive voice. The correct choice should always be in the active voice (i.e. the subject of the clause should always do the action of the main verb). The sentence needs to be reworded. The correct choice is "The painting amazed" as all the other options are still in the passive voice or a fragments.
Example Question #43 : Correcting Verb Voice 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.
Experience is earned with practice and time.
You earns experience
Experience earned
Earning experience
Experience is earned
You earn experience
You earn experience
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. The phrase "Experience is earned" is in the passive voice. The correct choice in this case should be in the active voice (i.e. the subject of the clause should always do the action of the main verb) because it is more concise and clear. The sentence needs to be reworded. The correct choice is, "You earn experience" as all the other choices contain fragments, passive voice, or subject-verb agreement errors.
Example Question #41 : 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 answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
As the suit was finished quickly, that it still needed alterations did not surprise Henry.
it still needed alterations, which did not surprise Henry.
it was not surprising to Henry that it still needed alterations.
because it still needed alterations, which surprised Henry.
Henry was not surprised that it still needed alterations.
that it still needed more alterations did not surprise Henry.
Henry was not surprised that it still needed alterations.
Avoid the passive voice of the original ("it still needed alterations") and choose the simplest answer which preserves the meaning of the original sentence.
Example Question #44 : Correcting Verb Voice 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.
By the time he reached the front of the line, he has realized that he left his wallet at home.
he realized that he had left
he had been realizing that he left
he has realized that he has left
he realizes that he had left
he has been realizing that he has left
he realized that he had left
Note that the past perfect tense is used to refer to an action (A) which was initiated in the past and completed by the time of another action (B) also in the past. In this case the subject (B) "realized" that he (B) "had left his wallet at home". The other answer choices use active verb tenses such as the perfect progressive inappropriately and do not convey the meaning that is intended.
Example Question #45 : Correcting Verb Voice 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.
Many individuals around the world read the magazine.
Many individuals around the world read
Many, individuals around the world read
Many, individuals, around the world, read
Many individuals, around the world read
Many individuals, around the world, read
Many individuals around the world read
This sentence contains no errors. "Around the world" is a prepositional phrase that is not separate from the rest of the sentence, so it is not necessary to offset it with commas. Additionally, commas are not used to separate an adjective from the noun it describes, so no comma should appear between "many" and "individuals." The correct choice is, "Many individuals around the world read."
Example Question #46 : Correcting Verb Voice 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.
Having been abandoned by their owners is the cause of salient sadness for dogs.
Abandoned by their owners, a salient sadness is what the dogs feel.
Dogs’ being abandoned by their owners is the cause of salient sadness.
Having been abandoned by their owners is the cause of salient sadness for dogs.
Being abandoned by their owners, they feel salient sadness.
Dogs' sadness is salient when their owners abandon them.
Dogs' sadness is salient when their owners abandon them.
The constructions using “having been” and “being” can be awkward and wordy if injudiciously chosen. Moreover, the dangling modifier in one of the incorrect options does not modify the appropriate noun. The correct answer is clearly articulated and in the active voice throughout.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense 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.
Shortly after their first expeditions to the region, the Spanish initiated a number of attempts to subjugate the Maya, but it takes some 170 years before the Spanish established substantive control over all Maya lands.
but they would take some 170 years
but it takes some 170 years
but they took some 170 years
but it was going to take some 170 years
but it took some 170 years
but it took some 170 years
This correct answer uses the right verb tense. It also refers to the correct (singular) subject of the sentence.
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