GMAT Verbal : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #22 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent 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 committee has decided to forward their findings to the state licensing board in the hopes that being proactive will lessen the sanctions against the corporation.
their's
it's
its
their
theirs
its
The antecedent for the pronoun is "the committee" which is singular and must be referenced by a singular pronoun. "It's" means "it is" and is thus not appropriate in this sentence.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Modifier Word Modified 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 extraction of minerals left behind much different kinds of debris and detritus, all of which took months to fully clean up.
left behind much different kinds
left behind many different kinds
left behind much differing kinds
leaving behind much different kinds
left behind much different kind
left behind many different kinds
The use of "much" in this sentence is incorrect as the word should only be used with singular nouns, and the sentence uses it to refer to "different kinds." In this situation, the appropriate word is "many." The only answer choice that uses the correct word is "left behind many different kinds."
Example Question #713 : 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.
Unlike previous efforts at changing the law, a wide range of political figures supported this new piece of legislation.
a wide ranging of political figures supported this new piece of legislation.
a wide range of political figures were supporting this new piece of legislation.
a wide range of political figures supported this new piece of legislation.
this new piece of legislation being supported from a wide range of political figures.
this new piece of legislation was supported by a wide range of political figures.
this new piece of legislation was supported by a wide range of political figures.
As it is presently written, the sentence has a lack of agreement between the introductory phrase and the antecedent word. The subject of the sentence needs to more directly link back to "previous efforts." The answer choice which most clearly makes this link is "this new piece of legislation was supported by a wide range of political figures."
Example Question #3 : Correcting Modifier Word Modified 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.
Having rammed into the tree at over one hundred miles per hour, the responsibility for the crash was placed squarely on the movie star despite his protestations.
the movie star had responsibility for the crash squarely placed on him despite his protestations.
the responsibilities for the crash was placed squarely on the movie star despite his protestation.
the responsibility for the crash placed squarely on the movie star despite his protestations.
the responsibility for the crash was placed squarely on the movie star despite his protestations.
the movie star has responsibility for the crash squarely placed on him despite his protestation.
the movie star had responsibility for the crash squarely placed on him despite his protestations.
The sentence, as it is written, contains a misplaced modifier, as the sentence reads as though "the responsibility" is what "rammed into the tree." The sentence needs to be rewritten to show that it was "the movie star" who actually "rammed into the tree." The only answer choice that does this in a grammatically correct manner is "the movie star had responsibility for the crash squarely placed on him."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Modifier Word Modified 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
The belief in evil spirits remains quite widespread in many different part of the world.
many different part of a world.
many different part of the world.
many different part of the world.
many different parts of the world.
many differentiated part of the world.
many different parts of the world.
The error in the underlined portion of the sentence is its use of the singular form "part" after the adjectives "many different." As both adjectives indicate the plurality of the noun they describe, the singular noun "part" needs to be a plural noun to correct the error. "Many different parts of the world" is the correct answer choice because it is the only one in which this error is corrected.
Example Question #6 : Modifier Word Modified Number 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.
Unlike the plants at this local greenhouse, which has been around for thirty years, that at the chain store are wilted and dying.
them at the chain store is wilted and dying.
them at the chain store are wilted and dying.
that at the chain store is wilted and dying.
those at the chain store are wilted and dying.
that at the chain store are wilted and dying.
those at the chain store are wilted and dying.
Because "the plants" is a plural subject, the corresponding pronoun must be a plural subject pronoun. "Those" is the word that matches.
Example Question #715 : 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.
Peter believed that, despite all of the differing opinion on the subject, his theory about particle physics would be proven correct one day.
despite all of differing the opinion on the subject
despite all of the differing subject on the opinion
despite all of the opinion differing on the subject
despite all of the differing opinions on the subject
despite all of the differing opinion on the subject
despite all of the differing opinions on the subject
The phrase "all of" indicates that the noun it is modifying in the sentence should be plural. Therefore, "opinion" should be "opinions," and the correct phrase is "despite all of the differing opinions on the subject."
Example Question #716 : 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.
Despite the challenges involved, karate consists of many learnable technique that can be mastered by people from all walks of life.
consists of many learnable technique
consists of many learnable techniques
consists of technique many learnable
consists of many learnables techniques
consists of many learnables technique
consists of many learnable techniques
The adjective "many" in this sentence is intended to modify a plural noun; therefore, the correct phrase should be "many learnable techniques."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Modifier Word Modified 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 underlined choices repeats the answer as it is written.
Jamie wasn't aware that Lisa didn't want to be treated like those; she preferred to get to know her friends well before she hugged them.
be treated like that
be treated like those
be treated like this
be treated like thats
be treated like these
be treated like that
The error in the sentence is in the use of the word "those," as the remainder of the sentence refers to a specific way Lisa prefers to be treated. Therefore, "those" should become "that" and the underlined phrase should become "be treated like that."
Example Question #717 : 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 underlined choices repeats the answer as it is written.
Having been alls over the world, Jeremy could confidently say that his favorite place to be is right here in his hometown.
Having been all over the world
Having been over alls the world
Having all been over the world
Having been alls over the world
Having alls over the world been
Having been all over the world
The error in this sentence is the word "alls," which does not follow the rules of standard written English within the context of the sentence. We should change the word to "all," with the correct phrasing as "Having been all over the world."
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