GMAT Verbal : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #391 : Word Usage Errors
Politics has gains such a nasty tone in recent years that it has turned off many voters.
has gains such a nasty tone
gains such a nasty tone
has gained such a nasty tone
has gains such nasty tone
has gains a nasty tone
has gained such a nasty tone
The underlined phrase needs to be parallel to the later verb usage of "has turned off" later in the sentence. The underlined phrase then needs to similarly be in the past perfect tense. "Has gained such a nasty tone" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
All of the people know the costs of done business with the corrupt shopkeeper.
doing business
done business
business doing
does business
do business
doing business
The underlined phrase does not appropriately parallel the earlier verb use of "know" in the sentence. Thus, the correct answer choice needs to make the verb form into a present tense verb. "Doing business" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
By the time Bobby and Elvis sat in their seats, the opposing team scored four touchdowns.
the opposing team had scored four touchdowns
the scoring of four touchdowns by the opposing team happened
the opposing team scored four touchdowns
the opposing team were scoring four touchdowns
the four touchdowns were scored by the opposing team
the opposing team had scored four touchdowns
This sentence contains two different past tense verbs: sat and scored. One verb was completed before the other (scored before sat); therefore, scored needs to be put in the past perfect tense: had scored.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Less than five people attend the event that took place six months ago.
attends
attendance
attend
attending
attended
attended
The underlined word in the sentence is in the incorrect tense for the sentence, best indicated by the fact the event "took place six months ago;" therefore, the sentence needs a past tense verb, so "attended" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Musicians frequently discuss the ability to play without thinking, let the music flow right out of them.
lets music flow right out of them.
let the music flow right out of them.
letting the music flow right out of them.
let music flow out of them.
letting so that music flows right out of them.
letting the music flow right out of them.
The underlined portion of the sentence is a dependent clause, a complete thought that cannot stand alone, but is reliant on the other part of the sentence. A dependent clause cannot have an active verb form, as it has no connection to the previous portion of the sentence. "Letting the music flow right out of them" is the answer choice that best solves this issue.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Unbeknownst to her colleagues, she was suffered from a serious illness.
she was suffering from
she had been suffered from
she being suffering from
she suffering from
she was suffered from
she was suffering from
The use of the past tense verb "suffered" is incorrect in this construction. Being paired with "was," the verb needs to become a gerund, a verb from that can function as a noun. "She was suffering from" is the only answer choice that correctly uses the gerund form.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
The old path worn out, to the point that no vegetation would grow on it.
worn around
wearing out
worn through
was worn out
worn out
was worn out
The use of the verb phrase "worn out" is incorrect, as the past tense verb "worn" coupled with the preposition "out" is actually used as an adverb to describe the path. The sentence can be made correct by adding a form of the verb "to be," and "was worn out" is the only answer choice that does this.
Example Question #11 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
In contrast to his father he had an impetuous streak that often got him into trouble.
In contrast, to his father, he had
In contrast to his father he has
In contrast, to his father he had
In contrast to his father, he had
In contrast to his father he had
In contrast to his father, he had
The phrase "In contrast to his father" is an introductory clause, which is not essential to the structure of the sentence but conditions its meaning. Introductory phrases must always be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma; therefore, "In contrast to his father, he had" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #281 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Traffic problems have been plagued the city for decades.
have plaguing
plaguing have been
have plague
have plagued
have been plagued
have plagued
The use of "been" with the past tense verb "plagued" is awkward and incorrect in the sentence. Either the use of a form of "be" should be removed or the past tense should be changed; therefore "have plagued" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #21 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
The tallest boys on the team were always tasked with playing near the rim, no matter how skilled they are at the game.
no matter how skilled they are at the game.
no matter how skilled they were at the game.
not mattering how skilled they are at the game.
no matter how skillful they are at the game.
no matter how skilled they having been at a game.
no matter how skilled they were at the game.
The use of the verb "are," a present tense verb, to describe actions already placed in the past by the use of the verb "were" is confusing and improper. To correct this, the verbs should be made to match; therefore, the correct answer is "no matter how skilled they were at the game."
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