GMAT Verbal : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #71 : Other Pronoun 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.
Unsure of how to complete the math problem, Tony asked his teacher, which hesitated before answering.
who
and that
whom
that
and which
who
We need to chose a relative pronoun to replace "which" that can describe a person, because the pronoun is referring to Tony's teacher. Of the available answer choices, only "who" and "whom" can refer to people. "Whom" is an objective pronoun while "who" is a subjective pronoun. A trick for deciding which form to use in a sentence is to replace the pronoun with the word "him." If "him" makes grammatical sense, you need to use the objective form, "whom." In this sentence, it does not make sense to say "him hesitated before answering," so we need to use the subjective form, "who."
Example Question #72 : Other Pronoun Errors
Rarely does a person get such an opportunity more than once in their lifetime.
more than once in their lifetime.
more than once in a lifetime.
more than once in there lifetime.
more then once in their lifetime.
more than once for their lifetime.
more than once in a lifetime.
The use of the word "their" in the sentence is highly problematic, as it is both plural when the subject is singular and creates an odd referent. These issues can both be cleared by replacing it with the article "a," as in the correct answer choice "more than once in a lifetime."
Example Question #72 : Other Pronoun 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.
Reading the daily paper was the usual morning routine for himself.
to himself.
on himself.
for himself.
from himself.
for him.
for him.
The use of the reflexive pronoun is incorrect in the sentence, as "himself" needs a previous use of the third person pronoun to refer back to in its usage. This pronoun needs to be changed to the simple pronoun "him," and otherwise there are no further issues with the sentence. The correct answer choice is "for him."
Example Question #74 : Other Pronoun 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 report was immediately given to himself when I was done reading it.
gave to himself
giving to himself
given for himself
given to him
given to himself
given to him
The use of the reflexive pronoun "himself" is incorrect in the sentence as a reflexive pronoun needs to refer back to an earlier use of the regular pronoun of the same person. The pronoun needs to be changed to the simple "him," making "given to him" the correct answer choice.
Example Question #41 : 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.
Are you mad about me going to the party with them?
Are you mad about the party?
(No changes to original.)
Are you mad with them going to the party about me?
Are you mad about my going to the party with them?
Are you mad about the going of the party of me with them?
Are you mad about my going to the party with them?
When the "–ing" form of a verb is used as a noun (called a "gerund"), the pronoun immediately preceding it should be in the possessive form.
Example Question #41 : Correcting Pronoun 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.
Wealthy patrons often give anonymous gifts because identities are protected.
because their identities protection.
so their identities are protected.
because identities be protected.
so identities are protected.
because identities are protected.
so their identities are protected.
The sentence as written is incorrect because it does not specify what or whose "identities are protected" by "anonymous gifts." The correct answer needs to at least refer back to the "wealthy patrons" in order to explain their behavior. "So their identities are protected" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #43 : 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.
The board only requires you to attend this meeting.
only requires yourself
requires just yourself
only requires you
requires only yourself
only require you
only requires you
The sentence is correct as it is written. The use of "you" in this sentence is proper instead of "yourself," because "yourself" is a reflexive pronoun, meaning it needs to refer back to an earlier use of "you."
Example Question #76 : Other Pronoun 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.
There is many issues with the prosecution's case against the mafia leader.
There are
These have
There is
Those are
That is
There are
The verb in the underlined portion is used with the "many issues," a plural. Therefore, the verb needs to be plural. Also, the word beginning the sentence needs to appropriately reference the "many issues." "There are" is the only answer choice that fits both criteria.
Example Question #77 : Other Pronoun 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.
This has been a favorite band of me for a while.
For a while, this has been one of mine favorite bands.
This band has been a favorite of mine for a while.
This has been a favorite band of myself's for a while.
Of I, this has been a favorite band for a while.
Of myself for a while, this has been a favorite band.
This band has been a favorite of mine for a while.
Instead of using the first-person objective pronoun "me," the first-person possessive pronoun "mine" should be used in order to imply ownership of opinion in this sentence. So, the correct answer is, "This band has been a favorite of mine for a while."
Example Question #80 : Correcting Pronoun 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.
If you ever see someone walking along this street at night trying to hitch a ride, make sure you don't pick them up.
him and her
he
them
they
him or her
him or her
"Someone" is singular, so a singular pronoun must be used to refer back to it. Because "someone" can be male or female, it's best to use the phrase "him or her."
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