GMAT Verbal : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Correcting Agreement 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.
During its early years, Ford Motor Company produced just a few cars with groups of two or three men working on each car, but within a decade the company would lead the world in the expansion and refinement of the assembly line concept, which made use of in-house part production and vertical integration.
but within a decade the company led the world in the expansion and refinement of the assembly line concept, which made use of in-house part production and vertical integration
but within a decade the company had led the world in the expansion and refinement of the assembly line concept, making use of in-house part production and vertical integration
but within a decade the company led the world in the expansion and refinement of the assembly line concept, and was making use of in-house part production and vertical integration
but within a decade the company had led the world in the expansion and refinement of the assembly line concept, and was making use of in-house part production and vertical integration
but within a decade the company would lead the world in the expansion and refinement of the assembly line concept, which made use of in-house part production and vertical integration
but within a decade the company led the world in the expansion and refinement of the assembly line concept, which made use of in-house part production and vertical integration
The correct answer is the only one that uses the correct tense (simple past) to maintain the parallel structure of the sentence.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement 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.
A majority of the shareholders wants the company to pursue a more aggressive cost-reduction strategy because they fear that low-cost competition from Asia has the potential to put them out of business.
want the company to pursue a more aggressive cost-reduction strategy because they fear that low-cost competition from Asia has the potential to put it out of business
want the company to pursue a more aggressive cost-reduction strategy because they fear that low-cost competition from Asia has the potential to put them out of business
fear that low-cost competition from Asia has the potential to put the company out of business and want the company to pursue a more aggressive cost-reduction strategy
wants the company to pursue a more aggressive cost-reduction strategy because they fear that low-cost competition from Asia has the potential to put them out of business
wants the company to pursue a more aggressive cost-reduction strategy because it fears that low-cost competition from Asia has the potential to put the company out of business
wants the company to pursue a more aggressive cost-reduction strategy because it fears that low-cost competition from Asia has the potential to put the company out of business
The subject of the sentence is singular (“majority”). The verbs and pronouns used throughout the sentence must agree in number with the subject (i.e., wants, it, the company).
Example Question #4 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement 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.
In such a dismal investment climate, neither of the long/short equity funds have greater than a 50% chance of outperforming their benchmark.
neither of the long/short equity funds has greater than a 50% chance of outperforming its benchmark
neither of the long/short equity funds have greater than a 50% chance of outperforming their benchmarks
neither of the long/short equity funds have had a greater than 50% chance of outperforming their benchmark
neither of the long/short equity funds have had a greater than 50% chance of outperforming their benchmarks
neither of the long/short equity funds have greater than a 50% chance of outperforming their benchmark
neither of the long/short equity funds has greater than a 50% chance of outperforming its benchmark
Neither is a singular noun; the verb “has” must agree.
Example Question #4 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement 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.
Rational creatures can made items that augmented the natural capacities of themselves and other beings in ways that transcend the limitations of naturally gave substantial forms.
Rational creatures can make items that augment the natural capacities of themselves and other beings in ways that transcending the limitations of naturally give substantial forms.
Rational creatures can makes items that augments the natural capacities of themselves and other beings in ways that transcends the limitations of naturally given substantial forms.
Rational creatures can makeing items that augmented the natural capacities of themselves and other beings in ways that transcends the limitations of naturally given substantial forms.
Rational creatures can made items that augmented the natural capacities of themselves and other beings in ways that transcend the limitations of naturally gave substantial forms.
Rational creatures can make items that augment the natural capacities of themselves and other beings in ways that transcend the limitations of naturally given substantial forms.
Rational creatures can make items that augment the natural capacities of themselves and other beings in ways that transcend the limitations of naturally given substantial forms.
The correct answer is the only one in which all the verbs agree in number with their objects and in the present tense in line with the structure of the sentence.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Agreement 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 lions, each of which are a fine specimen, was raised entirely in captivity and never intended to be released into the wild.
each of which is a fine specimen, were raised
each of which is a fine specimen, was being raised
each fine specimens, was raised
each of which are a fine specimen, was raised
each of which are a fine specimen, were raised
each of which is a fine specimen, were raised
Although the interrupting phrase uses the singular "each," the subject of the sentence is the plural "lions," making the singular verb form "was" incorrect. The verb must be changed to a plural verb form. Furthermore, within the interrupting phrase itself, the singular "each" calls for a singular verb in the phrase: "is." As the only answer choice which makes this change, "each of which is a fine specimen, were raised" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Agreement 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.
Any attempt to summarize modern music is not only challenging but also misled, as there are an incredible range of styles and expression in today’s music.
but also misled, with there being an incredible range of styles
but also misled, as there are an incredible range of styles
but also misled, there being an incredible range of styles
but also misled, as there is an incredible range of styles
but also misled; there are an incredible range of styles
but also misled, as there is an incredible range of styles
The subject is "range of styles," which is singular. Therefore, the verb should refer to a singular subject. The correct answer choice does this and also makes the most efficient use of language.
Example Question #9 : Compound Subject Errors
John and Susan runs to the finish line as fast as possible.
runs to the finish line
having run to the finish line
run to the finish line
running to the finish line
are run
run to the finish line
The underlined portion of the sentence contains a verb error with "runs." "John and Susan," while both singular nouns, are together a plural, and need a plural verb form, instead of the singular "runs." "Run to the finish line" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement Errors
The boy, among many friends, celebrate his birthday in lavish style.
celebrate
is celibrant
celebrates
having been celebrated
is celebrated
celebrates
The subject of the sentence is singular, "the boy," and not the plural "many friends," meaning the verb needs to be singular as well. Additionally, the sentence must keep the same meaning, that they boy is doing the celebrating. "Celebrates" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Autocratic styles of leadership frequently annoys the people who must work under such leaders.
frequently annoys
frequent annoys
frequented annoying
frequently annoy
frequent annoy
frequently annoy
The verb "annoy" is used with the subject "styles," although the prepositional phrase "of leadership" and the adverb "frequently" come between the two words. Therefore, the verb form must take a plural form to match the subject. "Styles...frequently annoy" is the correct answer form.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Every one of the new coaches face serious troubles with their teams.
the new coach faces
new coaches face
the new coach face
the new coaches face
the new coaches faces
the new coaches faces
The verb in the sentence, written in the underlined portion as "face," must actually be in the singular form "faces." The subject of the sentence is "every," which is actually a singular form, even though the verb sits next to "new coaches." "The new coaches faces" is the correct answer.
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