GMAT Verbal : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #42 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Making up stories are one of the chief ways a child learns to develop critical thinking skills.
Making up stories are one of the chief way's
Making up stories are one of the chief ways
Making up stories is one of the chief ways
Making up, stories are one of the chief ways
Making up stories are one chief way
Making up stories is one of the chief ways
The subject of the sentence is actually the gerund phrase "Making up stories," which is a singular construction, despite the use of "stories." The verb, therefore, must match the singular subject, but is written in a plural form. "Making up stories is one of the chief ways" is the answer choice that best corrects this issue.
Example Question #41 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Freud and other advocates of introspective psychology argue that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contribute to the overall health of an individual.
argues that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contribute to the overall health
argue that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contributes to the overall health
argues that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contributes to the overall health
argue that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contribute for the overall health
argue that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contribute to the overall health
argue that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contributes to the overall health
The answer choice "argue that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contributes to the overall health" is correct. It contains the correct number agreement of the verb "contributes" with its subject, "a feeling of connectedness with other human beings."
The answer choices containing "contribute" instead of "contributes" are incorrect. The subject of "contribute" is singular, not plural.
Although the answer choice "argues that a feeling of connectedness with other human beings, along with a positive self-image, contributes to the overall health" correctly contains "contributes," the verb "argues" introduces a number agreement error, as "argues" is singular but being used with a plural subject, "Freud and other advocates of introspective psychology."
Example Question #1121 : Sentence Correction
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.
Neither the line manager nor the quality control team were aware that there was a flaw in the car manufacturer’s airbag system that would prevent the airbag from deploying at speeds under fifteen miles per hour.
were aware that under fifteen miles per hour a flaw in the car manufacturer’s airbag system that will prevent the airbag from deploying
was aware that there was a flaw that would prevent the airbag from deploying at speeds under fifteen miles per hour in the car manufacturer’s airbag system
were aware that there was a flaw in the car manufacturer’s airbag system that would prevent the airbag from deploying at speeds under fifteen miles per hour
was aware that there was a flaw in the car manufacturer’s airbag system that would prevent the airbag from deploying at speeds under fifteen miles per hour
was aware that under fifteen miles per hour a flaw in the car manufacturer’s airbag system that will prevent the airbag from deploying
was aware that there was a flaw in the car manufacturer’s airbag system that would prevent the airbag from deploying at speeds under fifteen miles per hour
Two singular subjects connected by "or," "either . . . or," or "neither . . . nor" require a singular verb.
Example Question #133 : 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.
Tom, Dick, and Harry all laments the loss of a previous innocence they possessed as children.
all lament
all lamenting
laments
all laments
each lament
all lament
The use of "all" is the key indicator of the correct answer in the sentence. While "Tom, Dick, and Harry" are singular as individuals, they are "all" together sharing their feeling as a plural group; therefore, "all lament" is the correct choice among the answers.
Example Question #42 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Each of the children are playing with a different toy.
Children is
Each of the children are
Each one of the children are
Children are
Each of the children is
Each of the children is
The underlined portion does not show proper subject-verb agreement. Although there are "children" playing, the sentence refers to "each," which is singular. "Each of the children is" is the correct answer.
Example Question #52 : 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.
The manager will accepts your idea, or she will tells you why she does not think it will work.
The manager will accept your idea, or she will tells you why she does not think it will work.
The manager will accepts your idea, or she will tells you why she does not thinks it will work.
The manager will accepts your idea, or she will tell you why she does not think it will work.
The manager will accept your idea, or she will tell you why she does not thinks it will work.
The manager will accept your idea, or she will tell you why she does not think it will work.
The manager will accept your idea, or she will tell you why she does not think it will work.
This sentence contains subject-verb agreement errors. The subject in each clause of the sentence, "she," is 3rd person singular. In the future tense, which is the tense of all clauses in this sentence, there is no -s ending. The correct answer choice is "The manager will accept your idea, or she will tell you why she does not think it will work."
Example Question #51 : 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.
The manufacturer is releases a new product this Fall.
The manufacturer is releasings a new product this Fall.
The manufacturer is releases a new product this Fall.
The manufacturer is release a new product this Fall.
The manufacturer is releasing a new product this Fall.
The manufacturer is released a new product this Fall.
The manufacturer is releasing a new product this Fall.
This sentence contains a subject-verb agreement error. This sentence is in the present tense, and the subject, "the manufacturer" is in the 3rd person singular. The correct answer choice is "The manufacturer is releasing a new product this Fall."
Example Question #1123 : Sentence Correction
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 like to work with his hands, and he is renown for his craftsmanship.
He liking to work with his hands and he is renowned for his craftsmanship.
He likes to work with his hands, and he is renowns for his craftsmanship.
He like to work with his hands, and he is renowning for his craftsmanship.
He likes to work with his hands, and he is renown for his craftsmanship.
He likes to work with his hands, and he is renowned for his craftsmanship.
He likes to work with his hands, and he is renowned for his craftsmanship.
This sentence contains two subject-verb agreement errors. This sentence is in the present tense and the subject of both clauses (he) is in the 3rd person singular. In the Present Simple (e.g. like), the third person singular takes an -s ending. The second verb (is renowned) is passive and must have the -ed ending in the present tense. The correct answer choice is "He likes to work with his hands, and he is renowned for his craftsmanship."
Example Question #52 : 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.
Gabrielle want a tattoo of a dolphin.
wants a tattoo
wants a tattoo of
wanting a tattoo of
want a tattoo of
want a tattoo
wants a tattoo of
This sentence contains an error in noun-verb agreement. Since Gabrielle is a name, the verb must be in its third person, singular form in order to correctly agree. The correct form is "wants." The correct choice is, " wants a tattoo of."
Example Question #61 : 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.
The people stands in the lobby as they wait for the announcement.
The people stood in the lobby as they wait
The people stands in the lobby, as they wait
The people stands in the lobby as they wait
The people standing in the lobby as they wait
The people stand in the lobby as they wait
The people stand in the lobby as they wait
This sentence contains an error in noun-verb agreement. The word people should be paired with the word "stand," since it is a plural noun. "Stands" is the third person, singular form of the verb stand. The correct choice is, "The people stand in the lobby as they wait." Note that "stood" is incorrect because it is a tense shift that would make no sense: it would indicate that the people are no longer standing and that any events have already been completed (which is inconsistent with "waiting," which indicates waiting in the present/now).
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