GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
All GMAT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #181 : Gmat Verbal
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 scholar, who had paid three research assistants to help him write a new book and invested countless hours in the project, was frustrated with their progress when it came to securing a publication date.
their progress when it came to securing a publication date
their progressing when it came to securing a publication date
their progress when it came to having secured a publication date
their progressing when it came to securing a publication date
his progress when it came to securing a publication date
his progress when it came to securing a publication date
In this sentence, the plural possessive pronoun “their” does not correspond to the singular antecedent “scholar.” The correct answer is "his progress when it came to securing a publication date" because it uses the masculine singular possessive pronoun "his," which agrees with the sentence's male "scholar," instead of "their."
Example Question #182 : Gmat Verbal
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.
Despite it’s widespread popularity, many critics detested the new action film because it had no artistic value.
its widespread popularity, many critics detested
their widespread popularity, many critics detested
their widespread popularity, there were many critics detested
its widespread popularity, many critics detesting
it’s widespread popularity, many critics detested
its widespread popularity, many critics detested
“Its” is used to show possession, while “it’s” is the abbreviated version of “it is.” Here, possession is being shown, and so “its” should be used.
Example Question #183 : Gmat Verbal
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.
When you go to see a movie, it is wise for one to always bring a form of identification because certain films have minimum age requirements.
to always bring forms of identifications because
for one to always bring a form of identification because
for you to always bring a form of identification because
for everyone to always bring a form of identification because
to always bring a form of identification because
to always bring a form of identification because
If a sentence is describing how “you” should behave, it creates discontinuity to then begin using the word “one" in place of "you" as a pronoun. Therefore, “one" should be changed to "you," or in this case, omitted from the sentence, without introducing other errors.
Example Question #184 : Gmat Verbal
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 pilot must maintain their focus on the flight, as hundreds of lives depend on that person’s navigational abilities.
their focus on the flight, as there are hundreds of lives
its focus on the flight, as hundreds of lives
his or her focus on the flight, as hundreds of lives
his or her focus on the flying, as hundreds of lives
their focus on the flight, as hundreds of lives
his or her focus on the flight, as hundreds of lives
In this sentence, the plural pronoun “their” does not correspond to the singular antecedent “pilot.” Pilots can be men or women, so we shouldn't assign one gender or the other to the pilot the sentence is discussing. So, "their" should be replaced by "his or her." The correct version of this sentence would be, "A pilot must maintain his or her focus on the flight, as hundreds of lives depend on that person’s navigational abilities."
Example Question #185 : Gmat Verbal
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 United Nations was frustrated by the lack of cooperation on the part of the international community when it came to addressing the issue of human trafficking, and so they will be adopting more proactive measures.
came to addressing the issue of human trafficking and so it will be adopting more proactive measures.
came to addressing the issue of human trafficking, and so they will be adopting a more proactive measure.
came to addressing the issue of human trafficking, and so it will be adopting more proactive measures.
came to addressing the issue of human trafficking, and so they will be adopting more proactive measures.
came to addressing the issue of human trafficking, and so they have been adopting more proactive measures.
came to addressing the issue of human trafficking, and so it will be adopting more proactive measures.
In this sentence, “they” does not correspond to the antecedent “United Nations,” which is a single organization, and therefore singular. (This is made obvious by the phrase, “United Nation was,” as opposed to “United Nations were.”) The correct version of this sentence would therefore use “its” instead of “they.” Additionally, proper comma usage is necessary to avoid run-on sentences.
Example Question #96 : 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.
Japan claimed that its whale hunt in the Southern Ocean is for scientific purposes, but the claim was not being agreed with by the International Court of Justice, who ruled that it must stop.
the claim was not being agreed with by the International Court of Justice, who ruled that it must stop.
the claim was disagreed with by the International Court of Justice, who ruled that the hunt must stop.
the claim was disagreed with by the International Court of Justice, who ruled that it must stop.
the International Court of Justice ruled that it must stop because they disagreed with this claim.
the International Court of Justice disagreed with this claim and ruled that the hunt must stop.
the International Court of Justice disagreed with this claim and ruled that the hunt must stop.
The original sentence has several problems that the correct answer fixes. "It" is an ambiguous pronoun that could refer to "the claim" or the "whale hunt"; one can clarify the sentence by replacing "it" with "the hunt." "Not being agreed with" is a confusing way of saying "disagreed with." Finally, the original sentence is needlessly in the passive voice, and the correct answer makes it active.
Example Question #186 : Gmat Verbal
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 High Court of Australia has recently made a controversial ruling; they have recognized a third "neutral" gender.
ruling, it has recognized a third "neutral" gender.
ruling; recognizing a third "neutral" gender.
ruling; they have recognized a third "neutral" gender.
ruling; it has recognized a third "neutral" gender.
ruling, they have recognized a third "neutral" gender.
ruling; it has recognized a third "neutral" gender.
The original sentence has a plural pronoun "they" that does not agree with its singular antecedent, "The High Court of Australia." The correct answer replaces this with the singular pronoun "it" and adjusts the verb as necessary. The punctuation is correct; semicolons are used to separate two independent clauses.
Example Question #187 : Gmat Verbal
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.
Rebecca knows that price is a concern of Lisa's when it comes to choosing a restaurant, so when a new diner came into town, she thought they should visit it.
she thought she
they thought they
she had thought they
Rebecca thought they
she thought they
Rebecca thought they
In this sentence, "she" is an ambiguous pronoun because it can refer to either Rebecca or Lisa. Therefore, the better way to construct this sentence would be to replace "she" with "Rebecca" in order to eliminate the ambiguity.
Example Question #188 : Gmat Verbal
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.
It broke Lisa's heart to see the dog limp out of the house, wincing each time it's broken paw barely scraped the ground.
wincing each time his broken paw barely scraped the ground.
wincing each time its broken paw barely scraped the ground.
wincing each time their broken paw barely scraped the ground.
wincing each time it's broken paw barely scraped the ground.
wincing each time her broken paw barely scraped the ground.
wincing each time its broken paw barely scraped the ground.
The correct answer is "wincing each time its broken paw barely scraped the ground."
Given that a dog is not a person, it would be acceptable to use "it" as a pronoun. The possessive form of "it" is "its."
Given that a gender is not specified for the dog, "his" and "her" would not be appropriate. Additionally, there is one dog, so "their" would not be appropriate either.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Punctuation 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 government found that recovering oil from its deep-water deposits was not economically viable and it decided to cancel the public procurement process.
was not economically viable; therefore, it decided to cancel the public procurement process
was not economically viable; therefore the government decided to cancel the public procurement process
was not economically viable, and they decided to cancel the public procurement process
was not economically viable, therefore, the government decided to cancel the public procurement process
was not economically viable and it decided to cancel the public procurement process
was not economically viable; therefore, it decided to cancel the public procurement process
Use a semicolon before such words and terms as "namely," "however," "therefore," "that is," "i.e.," "for example," "e.g.," "for instance," etc., when they introduce a complete sentence. It is also preferable to use a comma after these words and terms.
All GMAT Verbal Resources
