GMAT Verbal : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #552 : 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 guitar is an extremely difficult instrument learning as an adult.
learned for an adult.
to learn in an adult.
learning as an adult.
to learn as an adult.
learning that took place as an adult.
to learn as an adult.
The use of the verb "learning" is incorrect in the sentence. The correct answer needs to feature an infinitive as the sentence describes a capacity of learning. "To learn as an adult" is the only grammatically correct answer choice.
Example Question #162 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Since the foundation of the club, new members entering all the time.
new members enter
new members enters
new members entered
new member entering
new members entering
new members entered
The use of the phrase "Since the foundation of the club," indicates that the verb used in the underlined portion should be in the past tense. Additionally, the phrase needs to become a complete sentence on its own. "New members entered" is the only answer choice that fits both criteria.
Example Question #163 : Correcting Usage Errors
Magicians use the fact people having trouble focusing on multiple things at once to fool their audiences.
had trouble focusing
have trouble focusing
having trouble focusing
having troubles focused
having trouble focus
have trouble focusing
The underlined words are a compound verb, or multiple words that function as one verb in the sentence. These still need to follow a correct tense and form, which is not done with just "having" being placed after people. "Have trouble focusing" is the best way to improve the sentences among the answer choices.
Example Question #52 : Correcting Other Verb Errors
The young family was heavily reliance on the kindness of strangers.
was heavily reliant
was heavy reliant
was heavy reliance
was heavily relianced
was heavily reliance
was heavily reliant
The word "reliance" is inappropriate in the context of this sentence as it indicates the relationship of relying. "Reliant," in contrast, Connors the state of being; therefore, the correct answer choice is "was heavily reliant."
Example Question #872 : Sentence Correction
Rita began work on the project last year, but she has yet to reach completion.
she has yet to complete it.
she has yet to reach completion.
it is not at completion yet.
it has yet to reach completion.
she is still yet to be completed.
she has yet to complete it.
The original sentence is wordy and awkward. The correct answer is concise, active, and clear.
Example Question #873 : Sentence Correction
Being that he passed the driver’s test, Timothy was looking forward to getting his license.
If he had passed
Having passed
For passing
Passing
Being that he passed
Having passed
Sentences rarely start with “being.” Furthermore, "having passed" conveys the timing and cause of events with more precision.
Example Question #271 : Verb Formation Errors
For amateur swimmers, or those who are lacking experience swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
For amateur swimmers, or those who lack swimming experience, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, which are swimmers that are lacking in swimming experience, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, or those who have a lack of experience, which is in swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
No improvement necessary.
For amateur swimmers, meaning those who are lacking experience swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, or those who lack swimming experience, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
The improved sentence is better than the original because it cuts out unnecessary words, changing "or those who are lacking," to "or those who lack." This change also avoids having the same word next to itself, as was the case in "swimming, swimming." Although there was nothing grammatically wrong with this sentence, there was room for stylistic improvement, which was made.
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
In no uncertain terms, the principal outlawing the use of live models for art classes.
outlawed the use
outlaw using
outlawing the use
outlawed using
outlawing using
outlawed the use
The best clue to the correct answer is the fact "of" is not underlined, indicating the form must stay as "the use." The only issue is the form of "outlawing," which cannot be used with the subject of "the principal" as a verb on its own. "Outlawed the use" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #421 : 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 young girl was surprisingly involving in the decisions her parents made.
was surprising involved
was surprisingly involving
was surprisingly involved
was surprised involving
was surprising involving
was surprisingly involved
The underlined portion of the sentence has an odd verb usage in the word "involving." The sentence actually needs a past tense verb to make appropriate sense. "Was surprisingly involved" is the best choice among the answers.
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Having eaten little food while lost at sea, the sailors attacking their meal upon arrival on dry land.
the sailors attacking their own meal
the sailor's attacking their meal
the sailors attacking their meal
the sailors attacked their meal
the sailors' attacking their meal
the sailors attacked their meal
The use of the word "attacking" is actually not a verb in the sentence, but a gerund, that is a verb form that can be used as a noun. The word needs to be turned into the appropriate verb form. "The sailors attacked their meal" is the correct answer choice.
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