GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1205 : 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.
Although the new legislature to protect immigrants will be expensive to execute, Senator Thompson believes that the laws are still practical, on the basis that the exploitation of immigrant laborers can border on human rights violations.
while the exploitation of immigrant laborers can border on human rights violations
solely in that the exploitation of immigrant laborers can border on human rights violations
on the basis that the exploitation of immigrant laborers can border on human rights violations
on the grounds of exploitation of immigrant laborers can border on human rights violations
if only because the exploitation of immigrant laborers can border on human rights violations
on the basis that the exploitation of immigrant laborers can border on human rights violations
The choices that add the words ‘alone’, ‘solely’ and ‘if only’ change the overall meaning of the sentence. These choices imply that the Senator supports the legislation for only one reason. It is possible that there are other reasons for the Senator’s support. ‘While’ introduces a contrast. There is no contrast between the Senator’s belief and the basis for that belief. The sentence is correct as is.
Example Question #1001 : 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.
Citing an obscure point of law, the firm’s general council insisted his client had every right to continue with the buyout, and that any challenge to the plan would be unsuccessful.
Citing an obscure point of law, the firm’s general council
Citing an obscure point of law, the firms general council
Citing an obscure point of law the firm’s general council
Citing the obscure point of law, the firm’s general council
Citing an obscure point of law, the firm’s general counsel
Citing an obscure point of law, the firm’s general counsel
The word "council" in this sentence is incorrect. A lawyer, which is clearly what is being described in this sentence, would be a firm's "counsel," which is the term for an organization's legal advisor. "Citing an obscure point of law, the firm’s general counsel" is the only answer choice to use the right word, making it the correct answer.
Example Question #1207 : 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.
Although the new act aimed at protecting African American voters will be difficult to pass, Senator Johnson believes that the issue must be addressed solely that impediments to voting can border on constitutional violations.
on the grounds of impediments to voting can border on constitutional violations
solely that impediments to voting can border on constitutional violations
on the basis that impediments to voting can border on constitutional violations
while the impediments to voting can border on the constitutional violations
if only because the impediments to voting can border on the constitutional violations
on the basis that impediments to voting can border on constitutional violations
The choices that add the words ‘alone’, and ‘if only’ change the overall meaning of the sentence. These choices imply that the Senator supports the new legislation for only one reason. It is possible that there are other reasons for the Senator’s support. ‘While’ introduces a contrast. There is no contrast between the Senator’s belief and the basis for that belief. 'Solely that" is not a correct idiomatic phrasing.
Example Question #1002 : 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.
Different groups of professional athletes have argued over the best way to increase player safety while at the same time maintaining the essence of their particular sports.
to
about
with
on
over
about
The correct idiomatic complement for the verb "over" in this case is "about". While "over" is very common in colloquial usage, its literal meaning is "to be situated above". Therefore, "over" is not appropriate in this sentence.
Example Question #1003 : 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.
The most likely explanation of such phenomenon is which geothermal forces under the earth produce the odd sights.
which geothermal forces under the earth, produce the odd sights.
which geothermal forces under the earth produce the odd sights.
which geothermal forces, under the earth, produce the odd sights.
whether geothermal forces under the earth produce the odd sights.
that geothermal forces under the earth produce the odd sights.
that geothermal forces under the earth produce the odd sights.
The use of "which" in the underlined portion of the sentence is incorrect, as which should only be used to refer to things that are not necessary parts of the sentence. The appropriate word choice in this context is "that," making the correct answer choice "that geothermal forces under the earth produce the odd sights."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
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.
Looking at a number of convicted criminals who had been charged with familiar crimes, the chief of detectives felt he would be able to solve the high profile case.
Looking at a number of convicted criminals who had been charged with similar crimes,
Looking at a number of convicted criminals who having been charged with familiar crimes,
Looking at a number of convicted criminals that had been charged with familiar crimes,
Looking to a number of convicted criminals who had been charged with familiar crimes,
Looking at a number of convicted criminals who had been charged with familiar crimes,
Looking at a number of convicted criminals who had been charged with similar crimes,
The use of "familiar" in this sentence is confusing and strange. Familiar means "resembling," when the sentence needs a word meaning "exactly like, or very close." "Looking at a number of convicted criminals who had been charged with similar crimes," is the only answer choice that replaces "familiar" with a word that better gets to the intended meaning of the sentence.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
There were two tests too every student there, too.
Which option best replaces the underlined sentence?
There were to tests to every student there, two.
There were two tests too every student there, to.
There were too tests to every student there, too.
There were two tests to every student there, too.
There were two tests to every student there, to.
There were two tests to every student there, too.
"To" is a preposition. "Too" is an adverb, meaning "also" in this sentence example.
Example Question #1004 : Sentence Correction
I'm going to have to take a look at it's foot, or else its going to fall off.
Which option best replaces the underlined sentence?
I'm going to have to take a look at its foot, or else it's going to fall off.
I'm going to have to take a look at it is foot, or else it is going to fall off.
I'm going to have to take a look at it's foot, or else it's going to fall off.
I'm going to have to take a look at its foot, or else its going to fall off.
I'm going to have to take a look at it's foot, or else its going to fall off.
I'm going to have to take a look at its foot, or else it's going to fall off.
Remember, if "it" owns something, that thing is "its" rather than "it's." Confusing, we know. Likewise, "it is" contracts to "it's."
Example Question #1005 : Sentence Correction
The sleeping man was so still he was literally dead.
Which option best replaces the underlined sentence?
The sleeping man was so still he was literarily dead.
The sleeping man was so still he was literally dead.
The sleeping man was so still he was figuratively dead.
The sleeping man was so still he was liberally dead.
The sleeping man was so still he was basically dead.
The sleeping man was so still he was figuratively dead.
"Literally" is often used as an exaggeration in service of a metaphor or image. This is incorrect. Never use this word.
Example Question #1006 : Sentence Correction
She went to the therapist's and laid down on the couch.
Which option best replaces the underlined sentence?
She went to the therapist's and lay down on the couch.
She went to the therapist's and lied down on the couch.
She went to the therapist's and layed down on the couch.
She went to the therapist's and laid down on the couch.
She went to the therapist's and lie down on the couch.
She went to the therapist's and lay down on the couch.
"Laid" is the past tense of "to lay," which means "to set something down." "Lay" is the past tense of "to lie," as in "to lie down."
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