GMAT Verbal : Correcting Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words

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.

After spending many days in the desert, Oscar suspected that he was beginning to see allusions. 

Possible Answers:

Oscar suspected that he was beginning to see allusions. 

Oscar suspected, that he was beginning to see allusions. 

Oscar suspected that he was beginning to see illusions. 

Oscar suspected, that he was beginning to see illusions. 

Oscar suspected that he was beginning, to see illusions. 

Correct answer:

Oscar suspected that he was beginning to see illusions. 

Explanation:

This sentence misuses the word "allusion." An "allusion" is an indirect reference to something and is often used to make references to literary works. It is clear from the context of the sentence that what is meant here is "illusion," a hallucination. The correct choice is, "Oscar suspected that he was beginning to see illusions."

Example Question #22 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words

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.

Apple revolutionized the phone industry with the introduction of it's iPhone.

Possible Answers:

with the introduction of its, iPhone.

with the introduction of its' iPhone.

with the introduction of it's iPhone.

with the introduction of it's, iPhone.

with the introduction of its iPhone.

Correct answer:

with the introduction of its iPhone.

Explanation:

This sentence misuses the word "it's." It's is a contraction for "it is," but it is clear from the context of the sentence that what is needed here is the possessive form of the word: its. The possessive form of "it" does not include an apostrophe before the s. Furthermore, the form " its' " is not an actual form of "it" - it is not a word - and no comma is necessary in this sentence. The best choice is, "with the introduction of its iPhone."

Example Question #31 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words

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.

Sandra was adverse to the idea of bungee jumping with her friends.

Possible Answers:

Sandra was averse, to the idea,

Sandra was averse to the idea

Sandra was averse to the idea,

Sandra was adverse to the idea,

Sandra was adverse to the idea

Correct answer:

Sandra was averse to the idea

Explanation:

This sentence misuses the word "adverse." The word "adverse" means bad/detrimental. The word "averse" means opposed to/having a strong dislike of something. It is clear from the context of the sentence that the second definition is what is needed here. No additional changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "Sandra was averse to the idea."

Example Question #32 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words

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 audience quickly became disinterested in the speech because of its repetitiveness and lack of original content.

Possible Answers:

The audience quickly became aninterested

The audience quickly became noninterested

The audience quickly became disinterested

The audience quickly became ininterested

The audience quickly became uninterested

Correct answer:

The audience quickly became uninterested

Explanation:

This sentence uses the wrong word. The word "disinterested" means unbiased. The correct choice is "uninterested," which means not interested. The other choice all use common prefixes that mean "not" in English, but are not actually English words. The correct choice is, "The audience quickly became uninterested."

Example Question #33 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words

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.

He flouted his award in front of everyone.

Possible Answers:

He flouted his award

He flaunted his award

He flouted his award:

He flaunted his award:

He flouts his award

Correct answer:

He flaunted his award

Explanation:

This sentence misuses the word "flout," which means to disregard/mock. Since the award belongs to the subject, it is unlikely that he would mock it. Instead, he is likely showing it off, which is the definition of the word "flaunt." The correct choice is, "He flaunted his award."

Note that a colon should not interrupt the main clause of this sentence.

Example Question #34 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words

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 doctor proscribed some medicine for Misha's daughter.

Possible Answers:

The doctor proscribed some medicine, for Misha's daughter.

The doctor prescribed some medicine, for Misha's daughter.

The doctor proscribed some medicine for, Misha's daughter.

The doctor proscribed some medicine for Misha's daughter.

The doctor prescribed some medicine for Misha's daughter.

Correct answer:

The doctor prescribed some medicine for Misha's daughter.

Explanation:

This sentence misuses the word "proscribe," which means to forbid. The correct word here is "prescribe," which means to recommend. No punctuation is needed in this sentence because it is a simple sentence. The correct choice is, "The doctor prescribed some medicine for Misha's daughter."

Example Question #35 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words

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.

As more problems in coordinating the event arose, the amount of volunteers shrunk.

Possible Answers:

the amount of volunteers shrinks.

the amount of volunteers was shrinking.

the amount of volunteers shrinked.

the amount of volunteers shrunk.

the amount of volunteers shrank.

Correct answer:

the amount of volunteers shrank.

Explanation:

This sentence misuses the word "shrunk." "Shrunk" is the participle form of the word "shrink," NOT the past tense form. You may say something like: "The shrunk shirt was no longer wearable" or "I have strunk the shirt," but NEVER "I strunk the shirt." The correct word here is "shrank." The correct choice is, "the amount of volunteers shrank." Note: the other choices cause issues in tense agreement/parallelism.

Example Question #36 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words

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 Wow! signal was a phenomena that still perplexes many scientists today.

Possible Answers:

The Wow! signal was the phenomena that still 

The Wow! signal was a phenomena that still 

The Wow! signal was phenomena that still 

The Wow! signal was the phenomenon, that still 

The Wow! signal was a phenomenon that still 

Correct answer:

The Wow! signal was a phenomenon that still 

Explanation:

This sentence misuses the word "phenomena." The word "phenomena" is a plural noun. "The Wow! signal" is singular, so the correct word would be "phenomenon." Note: the use of the article "the" would not be appropriate because it would imply that the Wow! signal was the only thing that still confuses scientists, which is untrue. The correct choice is, "The Wow! signal was a phenomenon that still."

Example Question #37 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words

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.

His words were not credulous, since he would always break his promises.

Possible Answers:

credulous

incredulous

skeptical

thoughtful

credible

Correct answer:

credible

Explanation:

This sentence misuses the word "credulous," which means gullible. It is clear from the phrase "since he would always break his promises" that the sentence means not trustworthy. This is the definition of "credible," which is the correct answer.

Example Question #38 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words

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 invent of products like the GoPro have made extreme sports more popular.

Possible Answers:

The advent of products like the GoPro have made

The invent of products like the GoPro were made

The invent of products, like the GoPro have made

The invent of products; like the GoPro, have made

The advent of products, like the GoPro have made

Correct answer:

The advent of products like the GoPro have made

Explanation:

This sentence misuses the word "invent," which means to create. What is meant in this sentence is the arrival, which is the meaning of the word "advent." No punctuation is necessary because this is a simple sentence. Technically, you could use commas to separate the phrase "like the GoPro," because it can function as a parenthetical expression: a phrase that explains more about a particular word or phrase in the sentence, but is not introduced by a relative pronoun; however, the correct punctuation is not available as a choice here. The correct choice is, "The advent of products like the GoPro have made."

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