GMAT Verbal : Correcting Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.

Certain scientific theories were actually developed by two researchers simultaneous.

Possible Answers:

of two researchers simultaneous.

by two researchers simultaneously.

by two researchers simultaneous.

of two researchers simultaneously.

by two researchers in simultaneous.

Correct answer:

by two researchers simultaneously.

Explanation:

The use of the word "simultaneous" actually describes the verb "developed," even though it is next to the verb "researchers." The issue can be corrected by making the word "simultaneous" an adverb. "By two researchers simultaneously" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #2 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.

He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

Possible Answers:

He was a horribly comedian, and can't make anyone laugh.

He were a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make one laugh.

He was a horrible comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

Correct answer:

He was a horrible comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

Explanation:

The use of the adverb "horribly" is wrong, as the word modifies a noun, "comedian," and should actually be an adjective. This problem can be corrected by shifting "horribly" to its adjectival form. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "He was a horrible comedian, with no ability to make anybody laugh."

Example Question #51 : Other Adjective And Adverb 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 non-profit organization never had financial issues, as it always handled its money perfect.

Possible Answers:

as it always handles its money perfect.

so it always handled its money perfect.

as it always handled its money perfectly.

as it always handled it's money perfect.

as it always handled its money perfect.

Correct answer:

as it always handled its money perfectly.

Explanation:

The use of the adjective "perfect" is incorrect in this sentence, as it modifies the verb "handled." A verb can only be modified by an adverb, meaning "perfect" must be changed to its adverbial form. As the only answer choice to use the adverb "perfectly" instead of the adjective "perfect," the correct answer choice is "as it always handled its money perfectly."

Example Question #5 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.

Even after giving it thoughtfully consideration, we are unfortunately not able to accept your application.

Possible Answers:

thoughtfully give it consderation

giving it thoughtfully considering

giving it thoughtful consideration

giving it thoughtfully consideration

thoughtfully given it consideration

Correct answer:

giving it thoughtful consideration

Explanation:

The use of the adverb "thoughtfully" is incorrect here, as it is being used to modify the noun "consideration." Adjectives, not adverbs, are used to modify nouns. The correct phrase is therefore "giving it thoughtful consideration," which uses the adjective "thoughtful" instead of the adverb "thoughtfully."

Example Question #2211 : Correcting Grammatical 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.

Questions abounded in the inquiry into illegal payments alleged made by the college to student athletes.

Possible Answers:

alleged made

alleged making

allegedly making

made alleged

allegedly made

Correct answer:

allegedly made

Explanation:

The word "alleged" is modifying the word "made," a verb, which needs an adverb to modify it. The adverb form of "alleged" is "allegedly," which makes the correct answer "allegedly made."

Example Question #11 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb 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

We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitter cold.

Possible Answers:

We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitterly coldly.

We had a terrible time at the football game. It was coldly bitter.

We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitterly cold.

We had a terrible time at the football game. It was terrible cold.

We had a terrible time at the football game it was bitter cold.

Correct answer:

We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitterly cold.

Explanation:

The example sentence incorrectly uses an adjective where an adverb is needed. "Bitter", in this context, modifies the verb "was," and therefore should be replaced by the adverb "bitterly." If the cold were being used as a noun, then the adjective form of "bitter" would be appropriate—for example, "We were wrapped in a bitter cold." The correct version of the example reads, "We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitterly cold."

Example Question #11 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb 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 old man usual took his walk around the neighborhood at roughly three in the afternoon.

Possible Answers:

The old man usual took

The old man usual takes

The old man usual taken

The usual old man took

The old man usually took

Correct answer:

The old man usually took

Explanation:

The use of the word "usual" in the sentence is incorrect, as it describes the verb "took," which means it needs to take an adverb form. The only answer choice with the correct form that also keeps the intended meaning of the sentence is "The old man usually took."

Example Question #52 : Other Adjective And Adverb 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.

Marriages are increasing being delayed among young adults throughout the nation.

Possible Answers:

Marriages are increasing being delayed

Marriages are increasing being delaying

Marriages are increasingly being delayed

Marriages are increasingly being delaying

Marriages are increasingly been delayed

Correct answer:

Marriages are increasingly being delayed

Explanation:

The word "increasing" in the sentence is used to describe the verb phrase "being delayed." Even though these words are not the verb in the sentence, they still need an adverb form to describe them. The correct answer is "Marriages are increasingly being delayed."

Example Question #12 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb 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.

Ahmed was known for his quickly response times to emails.

Possible Answers:

Ahmed was known for his more quickly

Ahmed was known for his quick

Ahmed was known for his quicks

Ahmed was known for his quickening

Ahmed was known for his quickly

Correct answer:

Ahmed was known for his quick

Explanation:

This sentence contains a misuse of an adverb. The word "quickly" is meant to describe the noun "response," but adverbs cannot describe nouns. What is needed here is the adjective form of the word, which is "quick." The proper choice is, "Ahmed was known for his quick." 

Example Question #11 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.

Jenny built programs fast.

Possible Answers:

Jenny built programs with speed.

Jenny built programs fastly.

Jenny built programs quick.

Jenny built programs quickly.

Jenny built programs fast.

Correct answer:

Jenny built programs quickly.

Explanation:

The word "fast" is supposed to modify the word "built." Adverbs modify verbs, but "fast" is an adjective. The correct choice is "quickly" (fastly is not a word). While "with speed," is technically also correct, it adds another word, which makes it less concise. The correct choice is, "Jenny built programs quickly."

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