GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
All GMAT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #15 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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.
After the school vandalism incident, the principal ordered the teachers to make a list of students who were most likely to have committed the offence.
to make a list of students who was most likely to commit the offence.
to make a list of students most likely to have committed the offence.
to make a list of students who would most likely to commit the offence.
to make a list of students who most likely to commit the offence.
to make a list of students who were most likely to commit the offence.
to make a list of students most likely to have committed the offence.
We need to choose the best version of the sentence. In this case, the simplest version is the best! We also can eliminate any sentences that are not grammatically correct, or that change the meaning of the sentence, or are not in the correct tense. That eliminates all of the other options.
Example Question #16 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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 house contained five cats, four dogs, ten fish, and three gerbils, about equivalent to the amount of animals sold in the local pet store!
about equivalent as the amount of animals sold in the local pet store!
about as many as are sold in the local pet store!
about equal as the amount of animals sold in the local pet store!
about equivalent to the amount of animals sold in the local pet store!
about equal to the amount of animals sold in the local pet store!
about as many as are sold in the local pet store!
The best version of this sentence is to replace "equivalent to" with "as many as are." This succinctly rephrases the sentence without changing the meaning. This replacement flows better and is grammatically correct.
Example Question #17 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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.
If animals are not sufficiently played with and fed before bed, they can become agitated, bored, and perhaps even threatening their human owners.
and may even threaten their human owners.
and may even threat their human owners.
and perhaps threat their human owners.
and possibly even threatening their human owners.
and perhaps even threatening their human owners.
and may even threaten their human owners.
The best option is the simplest one. "Perhaps even threatening" is not grammatically correct, and the best replacement is "and may even threaten." We need the underlined portion is be grammatically correct and in the correct tense. The only option that does that is "may even threaten."
Example Question #18 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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.
Unlike that of burgers made from various meats, those of vegetable origin are not only nutritious, but also wholesome.
Dissimilar to
Unlike
Unlike those of
Similar to
Unlike that of
Unlike
The simplest version is the best version. "Unlike that of" is very wordy with not adding anything significant. Reducing this to just "unlike" is the best option. Other options change the meaning of the sentence ("similar"), or are not the best option.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Appositive 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 Treasurer of Acme Inc. Melissa Williams presented the CFO with a rigorous analysis of the high-yield bond market ahead of the company’s debt issuance.
The Treasurer of Acme Inc. Melissa Williams presented the CFO with a rigorous analysis of the high-yield bond market ahead of
Treasurer Melissa Williams of Acme Inc. presented the CFO with rigorous analysis of the high-yield bond market ahead of
Melissa Williams, the Treasurer of Acme Inc., presented the CFO with a rigorous analysis of the high-yield bond market ahead of
The CFO was presented with a rigorous analysis, of the high-yield bond market, by Melissa Williams, Treasurer of Acme Inc., ahead of
The CFO was presented with a rigorous analysis of the high-yield bond market by Melissa Williams, Treasurer of Acme Inc., ahead of
Melissa Williams, the Treasurer of Acme Inc., presented the CFO with a rigorous analysis of the high-yield bond market ahead of
Appositive clauses that supply additional or optional information must be contained within commas. Since we do not need to know that Melissa is the Treasure of Acme Inc. that information must be contained by commas. The correct answer also uses the active voice.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Appositive 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.
John Smith the notable economist has difficulty distinguishing his publications from those of other prominent colleagues due to the commonness of his name.
The notable economist, John Smith, has difficulty distinguishing his publications
A notable economist, John Smith has difficulty distinguishing his publications
The notable economist John Smith has difficulty distinguishing his publications
Notable economist, John Smith has difficulty distinguishing his publications
John Smith the notable economist has difficulty distinguishing his publications
The notable economist John Smith has difficulty distinguishing his publications
This appositive clause (that John Smith is a notable economist at a certain university) is necessary to understand the meaning of the sentence; therefore, it must not be surrounded by commas. If it is surrounded by commas, the identify of the John Smith in the sentence is still not known because he has several other colleagues that go by the same name. Presumably, identifying him as "the notable economist" removes this ambiguity.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Appositive 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.
Mary Williams, the interim CEO, took control of the company following a debacle at one of the company's international manufacturing plants.
Mary Williams the interim CEO, took control of the company
The interim CEO Mary Williams took control of the company
Mary Williams the interim CEO took control of the company
Mary Williams, the interim CEO, took control of the company
Interim CEO, Mary Williams, took control of the company
Mary Williams, the interim CEO, took control of the company
This sentence is correct as written. Appositive clauses that supply additional information should be surrounded by commas.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Appositive And Interrupting Phrase 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 projections, a new tool for sports franchises gave front offices advantages over their competitors who did not employ as many number crunchers.
The projections, a new tool for sports franchises gave
The projections a new tool for sports franchises gave
The projections a new tool for sports franchises, gave
The projections, a new tool for sports franchises have given
The projections, a new tool for sports franchises, gave
The projections, a new tool for sports franchises, gave
In the sentence, the phrase "a new tool for sports franchises" is an appositive phrase, a phrase that adds extra meaning to the subject "projections," but is not a part of the main subject of the sentence. Any such appositive phrase must be set apart from the rest of the sentence with commas, both before and after the phrase. "The projections, a new tool for sports franchises, gave" is the only answer choice that correctly places commas around the phrase.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Appositive 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.
For John Duns Scotus, the most notable Scholastic philosopher of the generation after Aquinas, God is a being, albeit one of a very different sort than material beings.
For John Duns Scotus, the most notable Scholastic philosopher, of the generation after Aquinas God
For John Duns Scotus, the most notable Scholastic philosopher of the generation after Aquinas God
For John Duns Scotus the most notable Scholastic philosopher of the generation after Aquinas, God
For John Duns Scotus, the most notable Scholastic philosopher of the generation after Aquinas, God
For John Duns Scotus the most notable Scholastic philosopher of the generation after Aquinas God
For John Duns Scotus, the most notable Scholastic philosopher of the generation after Aquinas, God
The appositive phrase that renames "John Duns Scotus" is "the most notable Scholastic philosopher of the generation after Aquinas." Commas are required at both ends of this complete phrase to set it off, but commas are not needed before the prepositional phrases "of the generation" or "after Aquinas."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Appositive 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.
It is worth considering the work of a transitional figure the Englishman Richard Melville if we are to understand the changes that took place in the twenty years between these two philosophers.
the work of a transitional figure, the Englishman, Richard Melville, if we are to understand
the work of a transitional figure the Englishman, Richard Melville, if we are to understand
the work of a transitional figure the Englishman Richard Melville, if we are to understand
the work of a transitional figure, the Englishman Richard Melville, if we are to understand
the work of a transitional figure the Englishman Richard Melville if we are to understand
the work of a transitional figure, the Englishman Richard Melville, if we are to understand
Appositive phrases, which rename a noun, are set off by commas from the rest of the sentence. However, "Richard Melville" is not itself an appositive renaming "the Englishman," as it tells us which Englishman the sentence is talking about, rather than renaming a known Englishman "Richard Melville."
All GMAT Verbal Resources
