GMAT Verbal : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #170 : Correcting Verb 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 young girl showing great aptitude for playing the piano from an early age.
showing greater aptitude for playing the piano
showing great aptitude on playing the piano
showing great aptitude at playing the piano
showed great aptitude for playing the piano
showing great aptitude for playing the piano
showed great aptitude for playing the piano
The use of the present participle "showing" as the verb in the sentence makes the verb actually not have a verb. A participle needs to be accompanied by some form of the verb "to be" in order to be a workable verb in a sentence. The answer choice that corrects this issue is "showed great aptitude for playing the piano," which uses a straightforward past tense verb.
Example Question #871 : 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 old man worked making sure he could get home before the sunset.
The old man worked to make sure that he could get home before the sunset.
The old man worked making sure that he could get home before the sunset.
The old man working to make sure that he can get home before the sunset.
The old man to work making sure that he could get home before the sunset.
The old man to work to make sure that he could get home before the sunset.
The old man worked to make sure that he could get home before the sunset.
The use of the participle form "making" is awkward in this sentence, as a participle can only be used with a form of the verb "to be." The word can be changed to an infinitive form, making it pair better with a regular past tense verb to show what the man was working towards. Therefore, the correct answer is "The old man worked to make sure that he could get home before the sunset."
Example Question #3491 : Sat Writing
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 novice having few role models in his career, so he took his own route.
The novice had few role models in his career,
The novice having few role models from his career,
The novice having few role models in his own career,
The novice having few role models in his career,
The novice, having few role models in his career,
The novice had few role models in his career,
The use of the present participle "having" as the main verb makes this sentence actually have no verb. A participle can only be a complete verb if it is used with some form of the verb "to be." "The novice had few role models in his career," using the simple past tense form, is the only answer choice that fixes this issue.
Example Question #551 : 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 whole group working under an immense amount of pressure from the higher-ups in the office.
working over an immense amount of pressure
worked under an immense amount of pressure
working under an immense amounts of pressure
working under an immense amount of pressure
working under an immensely amount of pressure
worked under an immense amount of pressure
The use of the participle "working" as the verb in this sentence is incorrect, as a participle needs to be preceded by some form of the verb "to be" in order to function as the verb of a sentence. Either the verb needs to be changed to a workable verb, a form of "to be" needs to be inserted into the sentence right before it. The only answer choice that does either is "worked under an immense amount of pressure," which uses a simple past tense verb.
Example Question #3492 : Sat Writing
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 puppies reacting to their mother for the first time soon after their birth.
reacting to their mother for the first time
reacting to there mother for the first time
reacting to their mother for a first time
reacting to their mother in the first time
reacted to their mother for the first time
reacted to their mother for the first time
The use of the participle "reacting" makes the sentence actually have no proper verb, as a participle needs to be preceded by a form of the verb "to be." Either the verb form needs to be changed, or some version of the verb "to be" needs to be added into the sentence to make the sentence have a usable verb. The only answer choice that addresses this problem, by changing the participle to a past tense verb, is "reacted to their mother for the first time."
Example Question #3493 : Sat Writing
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 grandmother baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived.
The grandmother was baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived.
The grandmother, baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived.
The grandmother baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived.
The grandmother baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arriving.
The grandmother baking pies, in the kitchen, when everybody arrived.
The grandmother was baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived.
The use of the participle "baking" in the sentence means the sentence does not contain an actual verb. A participle needs to be preceded by some version of the verb "to be" in order to be a complete verbal phrase and act as a verb in a sentence. The only answer choice that makes such a change is "The grandmother was baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived."
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.
The group's biggest concerns centering on the political process itself.
The groups biggest concerns centering on the political process itself.
The group's biggest concerns centered on the political process itself.
The group's biggest concerns centering on the political process its own self.
The group's biggest concerns centering around the political process itself.
The group's biggest concerns centering on the political process itself.
The group's biggest concerns centered on the political process itself.
The use of the participle "centering" as the verb in this sentence actually makes the sentence not have a verb, as a participle needs to be preceded by some form of the verb "to be" in order to function as a verb. The only answer choice that takes care of this problem, by changing the participle to a past tense verb, is "The group's biggest concerns centered on the political process itself."
Example Question #162 : 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Lots of voters pay little attention to the actual issues candidates advocating.
candidates advocate of issues.
candidates advocate.
advocating of candidates.
candidates advocating them.
candidates advocating.
candidates advocate.
The underlined portion needs to be improved by straightening out the verb "advocating." The verb tense in the final word needs to match with the use of "pay little attention" at the beginning of the sentence, which is in the present tense. "Candidates advocate" is the best choice among the answers.
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Quite apart from the transportation issues, many consumers could not afford the cars once they having been arrived at the dealerships.
having been arrived
arriving
had arrived
have arriving
having been arriving
had arrived
The underlined portion of the sentence features an overwrought complex verb which also features an inappropriate verb usage. The use of "once" indicates the cars arrived in the past, so a past tense needs to be used. "Had arrived" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #411 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The allied movements are designed making their opponents uneasy.
make opponents of theirs uneasy.
making their opponents uneasy.
to make their opponents uneasy.
make their opponents uneasy.
making opponents of theirs uneasy.
to make their opponents uneasy.
The issue in the sentence is with the verb "making." It is used not as the verb, but as a modifier of "designed;" therefore, it needs to take a form that can appropriately do so, such as an infinitive. "To make their opponents uneasy," is the best choice among the answers.
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