GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #494 : 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.
Some writers use literary illusions to tactfully reference authors who previously wrote about similar themes.
use literary allusions to tactfully reference authors
use literary illusions to tactfully reference authors
use literary illusions tactfully to reference authors
tactfully use literary allusions to reference authors
tactfully use literary illusions to reference authors
tactfully use literary allusions to reference authors
An illusion is a hallucination, an image that isn’t really there. An allusion is a reference or citation, especially to/from another text. Also, there is a split infinitive; the adverb “tactfully” must be moved elsewhere in the sentence so the verb “to reference” is kept together.
Example Question #495 : 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.
Floridians often have to secure and fortify their homes in anticipation of an eminent costal hurricane.
in anticipation of an imminent costal hurricane
having to anticipate an imminent costal hurricane
as they anticipate an eminent costal hurricane
in anticipation of an eminent costal hurricane
anticipating an eminent costal hurricane
in anticipation of an imminent costal hurricane
Eminent means famous or well known, while imminent means threatening or looming. These two words sound identical in speech, but only imminent can describe a hurricane (unless it is a specific and famous hurricane in history, such as Hurricane Sandy).
Example Question #41 : Correcting Other 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.
During the political debate, it was quite obvious whom the speaker’s insult was directed at.
to who the speaker had directed his insult
at whom the speaker’s insult was directed
who the speaker’s insult was directed at
whom the speaker’s insult was directed at
at who the speaker’s insult was directed
at whom the speaker’s insult was directed
In a grammatical sense, the person being insulted acts as an object, so we should use “whom” to describe him/her. Also, sentences should not be ended with prepositions, so the word “at” should be placed earlier on in the sentence.
Example Question #501 : 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.
If you enter the contest, you could win a sneak peak at the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peek to the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peak to the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peek at the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peak at the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peak in the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peek at the fall fashion line.
In conventional usage, people take a peek “at” something, not “to” or “in” it. The word “peak” refers to a mountaintop; “peek” is the synonym for a glance or look.
Example Question #1781 : Act English
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 magician performed a cunning illusion for the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning illusion for the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning illusion at the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning allusion for the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning allusion to the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning illusion to the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning illusion for the captivated audience.
An “illusion” is a trick; an “allusion” is a reference (often literary). Tricks and illusions are performed “for” audiences, not “to” or “at” them.
Example Question #2101 : Sat Writing
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 politicians couldn't hardly believe their luck.
couldn't hardly believe their luck.
couldn't hardly believe his or her luck.
would not hardly believe their luck.
could hardly believe their luck.
couldn't nearly believe their luck.
could hardly believe their luck.
We are looking for the answer choice without negation. "Could hardly believe their luck" is the only answer that does not contain a negative.
Example Question #51 : Correcting Other 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.
Kim felt nauseous after he ate at the restaurant.
felt nauseous
feels nauseous
feels nauseated
felt nauseated
will feel nauseous
felt nauseated
The word "nauseous" is used incorrectly in this sentence. While this word is often used colloquially to mean "to feel sick," the word "nauseous" actually means something that causes nausea. The correct word here is "nauseated." Furthermore, the choice should contain the verb "felt" in order to keep consistent with the tense used in the rest of the sentence. The correct choice is, "felt nauseated."
Example Question #52 : Correcting Other 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.
Brooke always talked about politics, but her friends could care less.
talked about politics, but her friends cared less.
talked about politics but her friends could not care less.
talked about politics, but her friends could care less.
talked about politics, but her friends could not care less.
talked about politics but her friends could care less.
talked about politics, but her friends could not care less.
This sentence misuses a common idiom. The phrase "could care less" indicates that the friends actually care about the topic to some extent. The correct phrasing is, "could not care less." No other changes should be made to the sentence. The correct choice is, "talked about politics, but her friends could not care less."
Example Question #53 : Correcting Other 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.
Driverless cars are an example of new age technology.
Driverless cars are an example of new age technology.
Driverless cars are an example of new aged technology.
Driverless cars are an example of news age technology.
Driverless cars are an example of modern technology.
Driverless cars are an example of newly aged technology.
Driverless cars are an example of modern technology.
This sentence misuses the phrase "new age." The phrase "new age" means spiritual, not new/modern, which is what is meant here. The correct choice is, "Driverless cars are an example of modern technology."
Example Question #54 : Correcting Other 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.
Since his wife began playing the piano, Tommy has become far more expert a distinguisher of a tuned instrument and an out of tune one, a grand piano and a baby grand.
far more expert in distinguishing a tuned instrument from an out of tune one, a grand piano from
far more expert a distinguisher of a tuned instrument and an out of tune one, a grand piano and
far more expert in distinguishing a tuned one and an out of tune one, a grand piano or
much more expert when it comes to distinguishing a tuned instrument and an out of tune one, a grand piano from
far more the expert as far as distinguishing between a tuned instrument, an out of tune one, a grand piano, and
far more expert in distinguishing a tuned instrument from an out of tune one, a grand piano from
This question queries the idiomatic usage of distinguish. One should observe immediately upon reading the underlined section of this sentence the extreme strangeness and awkwardness of the language, suggesting that a significant revision is required.
One can distinguish one thing from another, or distinguish between one thing and thing. The correct answer is the only one which follows this idiomatic pattern.
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