GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Correlative Conjunction 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.
In the future, not Ellen and not Marcia are allowed to go outside without asking the teacher for permission.
neither Ellen and Marcia are allowed
not Ellen and not Marcia are allowed
not Ellen and not Marcia is allowed
neither Ellen nor Marcia are allowed
neither Ellen nor Marcia is allowed
neither Ellen nor Marcia is allowed
The correct form for this sentence is "neither . . . nor." In addition, "neither . . .nor" leads to use of the singular form "is" rather than "are."
Example Question #1221 : 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.
Neither the advisors' ominous projections or the board's grim outlook bothered the CEO enough to make her change her course.
Either the advisors' ominous projections nor the board's grim outlook
Neither the advisors' ominous projections or the board's grim outlook
Neither the advisors' ominous projections, nor the board's grim outlook
Neither the advisors' ominous projections nor the board's grim outlook
Neither of the advisors' ominous projections or the board's grim outlook
Neither the advisors' ominous projections nor the board's grim outlook
The correct correlative conjunction pair here is "neither/nor." No comma is needed. The other pairings listed are either mismatched or inappropriate. The correct correlative conjunction for "either" is "or."
Example Question #21 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The professor allowed her class to choose the assignment style for the semester: either several small quizzes and one large final exam and one large midterm exam and one large final exam.
semester: either several small quizzes and one large final exam or one large midterm exam and one large final exam.
semester, either several small quizzes and one large final exam, or one large midterm exam and one large final exam.
semester; either several small quizzes and one large final exam or one large midterm exam and one large final exam.
semester: either several small quizzes and one large final exam and one large midterm exam and one large final exam.
semester, either several small quizzes and one large final exam, and one large midterm exam and one large final exam.
semester: either several small quizzes and one large final exam or one large midterm exam and one large final exam.
Although the constituents in the list are a bit convoluted, this can be boiled down to a simple either A or B. A and B each have an "and," which can make the sentence seem more confusing, but, when simplified, it can be easier to tell that the sentence is describing a choice BETWEEN two options (both of which include two items and an "and"), so the "and" between "quizzes" and "one" needs to be replaced with "or."
Example Question #1222 : 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 temperature dropped suddenly in the chamber, which will mean that the pipes passing through the manifold will be frozen by the chill.
and this will mean that the pipes passing through the manifold will be frozen by the chill.
and as a result, the pipes will be frozen by the chill, passing through the manifold.
which will mean that the pipes passing through the manifold will be frozen by the chill.
which will mean that the chill will freeze the pipes passing through the manifold.
and the resulting chill will freeze the pipes that are passing through the manifold.
and the resulting chill will freeze the pipes that are passing through the manifold.
The word “which” does not have an antecedent noun, and so the construction is incorrect in the two answer choices in which it is present. Similarly, in the sentence implementing “this,” there is no noun to which it refers. The final incorrect answer leaves the modifier “passing through the manifold” dangling too far from the noun to which the modifier refers.
Example Question #1223 : 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.
Neither of my colleagues or our professor could answer the question I raised, which I found quite disconcerting.
Neither of my colleagues and our professor could answer the question I raised
Neither my colleagues or our professor could answer the question I raised
Neither my colleagues nor our professor could answer the question I raised
Neither of my colleagues and nor our professor could answer the question I raised
Neither of my colleagues, our professor could answer the question I raised
Neither my colleagues nor our professor could answer the question I raised
The central issue here is the proper implementation of the correlative conjunction "neither...nor." The use of the preposition "of" and the conjunctions "or," "and," etc., appropriately resolve the issue. If anything, these other modifications result in unidiomatic phrases or awkward syntax.
Example Question #1224 : 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.
Whenever it rains across an already flooded landscape the ecological devastation can be quite severe.
The ecological devastation can be quite severe whenever it rains across an already flooded landscape.
Whenever it rains, across an already flooded landscape, the ecological devastation can be quite severe.
Whenever it rains across an already flooded landscape the ecological devastation can be quite severe.
Whenever it begins to rain across an already flooded landscape the ecological devastation can be quite severe.
The ecological devastation can be quite severe; whenever it rains across an already flooded landscape.
The ecological devastation can be quite severe whenever it rains across an already flooded landscape.
The sentence as it is written constitutes a fragment, particularly thanks to the use of the subordinating conjunction "whenever" being used at the front of the sentence. The sentence can be made correct either by clearly differentiating the two phrases by using a comma or reversing the order of the phrases. The correct answer, which switches around the two phrases, is "The ecological devastation can be quite severe whenever it rains across an already flooded landscape."
Example Question #1224 : 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.
Although we examine the Augustinian corpus carefully, we see that the "Last of the Romans" had a critical view of the Roman Empire, but not one without qualifications.
Although we examine the Augustinian corpus carefully,
If we examine the Augustinian corpus carefully,
Whereas we examine the Augustinian corpus carefully,
Wherever we examine the Augustinian corpus carefully,
Since we examine the Augustinian corpus carefully,
If we examine the Augustinian corpus carefully,
The structure of the sentence suggests a need for a conditional subordinating conjunction—one indicating an if-then relationship between the dependent and independent clauses.
Example Question #1225 : 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.
Many of Augustine's writings evince the growing influence of Punic identity, however, his many surviving letters showcase this influence most prominently.
Punic identity; nevertheless, his many surviving letters showcase
Punic identity, however his many surviving letters showcase
Punic identity, and his many surviving letters showcase
Punic identity, however, his many surviving letters showcase
Punic identity; however, his many surviving letters showcase
Punic identity; however, his many surviving letters showcase
"However" in this instance indicates a case worthy of special consideration among many other cases, rather than a strict contrast indicated by "nevertheless," or similarity indicated by "and." Furthermore, the two independent clauses should be joined by a semicolon before the conjunction, rather than a comma or no punctuation.
Example Question #1226 : 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.
Wherever he writes about his native Africa Augustine does so in the context of the Roman Empire it was a part of during his lifetime.
Whenever he writes about his native Africa Augustine does so
Wherever he writes about his native Africa, Augustine does so
However he writes about his native Africa, Augustine does so
Should he write about his native Africa, Augustine does so
Wherever he writes about his native Africa Augustine does so
Wherever he writes about his native Africa, Augustine does so
Dependent clauses introduced by a subordinating conjunction are followed by a comma before the independent clause. Furthermore, because this passage discusses its subject writing, rather than speaking, a subordinating conjunction referring to locations in a body of work ("wherever") rather than moments in time ("whenever") is more contextually appropriate.
Example Question #1227 : 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.
While I was busy working on the grant proposal; Kevin was taking care of the day-to-day operations of the organization.
While I was busy working on the grant proposal
While I was busily working on the grant proposal;
While I was busy working on the grant proposal:
While I was busy working on the grant proposal.
While I was busy working on the grant proposal,
While I was busy working on the grant proposal,
"While I was busy working on the grant proposal" is a subordinate clause, so the sentence requires the second clause—an independent clause—in order to be a complete grammatical sentence. Because "While I was busy working on the grant proposal" is a dependent clause, it should thus be followed with a comma. Semicolons and periods can only be used to punctuate independent clauses. The correct version of the sentence reads, "While I was busy working on the grant proposal, Kevin was taking care of the day-to-day operations of the organization."
All GMAT Verbal Resources
