GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #5 : Correcting Subordinating Conjunction Errors
A small army of secretaries accompanied Aquinas where he went throughout his many travels in every part of Europe.
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 small army of secretaries accompanied Aquinas where he went throughout his many travels in every part of Europe.
A small army of secretaries accompanied Aquinas wherever he went through his many travels in every part of Europe.
A small army of secretaries accompanied Aquinas wherever he went throughout his many travels in every part of Europe.
A small army of secretaries accompanied Aquinas wherever he went, throughout his many travels in every part of Europe.
A small army of secretaries accompanied Aquinas where he went, throughout his many travels in every part of Europe.
A small army of secretaries accompanied Aquinas wherever he went throughout his many travels in every part of Europe.
"Wherever," not "where," is the appropriate subordinating conjunction in this instance, as "where" implies a singular and somewhat specific place; however, the passage implies a large area or a multitude of places. As the subordinate clause does not come at the beginning of the sentence, it does not need to be separated from the main clause by a comma.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Subordinate 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.
Because the giant squid is an elusive creature rarely seen by humans, scientists are beginning to gain a better understanding of the creature by studying it using remote cameras.
Although
Considering
As
Because
Since
Although
The sentence is trying to explain that in spite of the giant squid's elusiveness, scientists are finding new ways of studying it. The sentence therefore is trying to contrast two ideas, as opposed to showing causation with the word "because." The only answer choice that uses a contrasting conjunction is "Although," so it is the correct answer.
Example Question #1231 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Because my father was afraid of fish, so he would never take us to the aquarium.
Although my father was afraid of fish, he would never take us to the aquarium.
Because my father was afraid of fish, so he would never take us to the aquarium.
Because my father was afraid of fish the aquarium he would never take us to.
He would never take us to the aquarium because my father was afraid of fish.
Because my father was afraid of fish, he would never take us to the aquarium.
Because my father was afraid of fish, he would never take us to the aquarium.
Subordination problems happen when there are two subordinate clauses and no main clause. The "because" and "so" in the original sentence clash with each other. We only need one. That way, the clause from which a subordinating conjunction is omitted becomes an independent clause, and we need at least one independent clause in the sentence for it to be complete.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Subordinate 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Prisons are a relatively recent phenomenon in world history, because exorbitant costs.
exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant cost.
because they have exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant costs of prisons.
because exorbitant costs.
because they have exorbitant costs.
The underlined phrase, a separate clause further explaining the first half of the sentence, does not work as a complet sentence. In order to appropriately fit after "because," the phrase needs to be turned into a complete thought. "Because they had exorbitant costs" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1231 : 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Whether the Donatists were active while Augustine was bishop, their roots were in controversies and long-simmering resentments from the time of his childhood.
Whether the Donatists were active whether or not Augustine was bishop their roots
Whether the Donatists were active while Augustine was bishop, their roots
While the Donatists were active whether or not Augustine was bishop, their roots
While the Donatists were active while Augustine was bishop, their roots
While the Donatists were active while Augustine was bishop their roots
While the Donatists were active while Augustine was bishop, their roots
As the context implies, "while" is the appropriate subordinating conjunction to use in both places; however, it is worth noting that, in the credited response, it is used in two different senses—first to indicate a sort of concession or piece of important information that will find a contrast later, and later in the sentence to indicate a time when something was happening. Finally, the subordinate clause that begins the sentence should be separated from the main clause by a comma.
Example Question #52 : 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.
Some prescription drugs can produce dangerous interactions when combined with other chemicals, and you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
so you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
but you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
and you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
and you should always be telling your physician about any medications you take at home.
although you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
so you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
This sentence contains an error in its logic of cause and effect. The first part of the sentence is the reason for the advice offered in the second part. So, you should change "and" to a word that demonstrates the cause-and-effect relationship. Do not add a contrast word like "but" or "although" unless the sentence includes some sort of contradiction or opposition.
Example Question #4 : Correcting Subordinate 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.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, and I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, or I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, although I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes and was closed on Monday, I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, and I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, so I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, so I had to take an alternate route to work.
Based on the information in this sentence, we can infer that there is a cause-and-effect relationship: as a result of the highway being closed, the speaker had to take a different route to work. “So” is the only conjunction here that indicates cause and effect.
Example Question #11 : Correcting Subordinating 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.
Since our family had never before been to Seattle, so our restaurant selection was a shot in the dark based on advice from others.
Since our family had never before been to Seattle so our restaurant selection was a shot in the dark based on advice from others.
Since our family had never before been to Seattle, our restaurant selection was a shot in the dark based on advice from others.
Since our family had never before been to Seattle; our restaurant selection was a shot in the dark based on advice from others.
Since our family had never before been to Seattle, so our restaurant selection was a shot in the dark based on advice from others.
Since our family had never before been to Seattle; so our restaurant selection was a shot in the dark based on advice from others.
Since our family had never before been to Seattle, our restaurant selection was a shot in the dark based on advice from others.
Each of the clauses in this sentence starts with a subordinating conjunction. This makes for an ill-crafted sentence. Only one of the two clauses should start like this. Deleting either "since" or "so" would make this sentence better. Beginning two consecutive clauses with subordinating conjunctions will almost always result in either a contradiction or a redundancy.
Example Question #13 : Correcting Subordinating Conjunction Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Because the company lacked the proper funds to launch the new research project, so they turned back to the board of directors to ask for a relatively minor additional investment.
Because the company lacked the proper funds to launch the new research project; they turned back to the board of directors
The company, lacking the proper funds to launch the new research project, so they turned back to the board of directors
The company lacked the proper funds to launch the new research project, they turned back to the board of directors
The company lacked the proper funds to launch the new research project, so they turned back to the board of directors
Because the company lacked the proper funds to launch the new research project so they turned back to the board of directors
The company lacked the proper funds to launch the new research project, so they turned back to the board of directors
This sentence, as written, has an issue with its subordinating conjunctions. Both of its clauses start with these conjunctions - one with "because" and one with "so." This is problematic. The sentence, to be grammatical, can only have one of these clauses start with such a conjunction. Either one could be deleted to make the sentence grammatically correct - "because," in this case.
Example Question #1232 : 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.
Terrorism is often defined as a violent act that is intended to create fear; perpetrated for a religious, political, or ideological goal; and deliberately targets noncombatants.
a violent act that intends to create fear; perpetrated for a religious, political, or ideological goal; and deliberately targets noncombatants.
a violent act that is intended to create fear; is perpetrated for a religious, political, or ideological goal; and is deliberately targeting of noncombatants.
a violent act that is intended to create fear; perpetrated for a religious, political, or ideological goal; and deliberately targets noncombatants.
a violent act that intends to create fear; perpetrates for a religious, political, or ideological goal; and targets noncombatants.
a violent act intended to create fear; perpetrated for a religious, political, or ideological goal; and targeted towards noncombatants.
a violent act intended to create fear; perpetrated for a religious, political, or ideological goal; and targeted towards noncombatants.
The correct answer is the only one that employs parallel structure in the construction of the list of items.
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