GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction
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Example Questions
Example Question #143 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences
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 man wanted to buy a new phone; he could not justify the purchase to himself.
The man wanted to buy a new phone, though, he could not justify the purchase to himself.
The man wanted to buy a new phone...he could not justify the purchase to himself.
The man wanted to buy a new phone; he could not justify the purchase to himself.
The man wanted to buy a new phone, though he could not, justify the purchase to himself.
The man wanted to buy a new phone he could not justify the purchase to himself.
The man wanted to buy a new phone; he could not justify the purchase to himself.
This sentence has no errors. This sentence joins two independent clauses with a semicolon. The correct answer choice is "The man wanted to buy a new phone; he could not justify the purchase to himself. "
Example Question #144 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Without being able to confer with his top adviser, the CEO was clueless; people started to realize that hiring him may have been misguided after all.
Without being able to confer with his top adviser, the CEO was clueless: people started to realize
Without being able to confer with his top adviser, the CEO was clueless; people started to realize
Without being able to confer with his top adviser the CEO was clueless, people started to realize
Without being able to confer with his top adviser, the CEO was clueless; and people started to realize
Without being able to confer with his top adviser, the CEO was clueless, people started to realize
Without being able to confer with his top adviser, the CEO was clueless; people started to realize
This sentence is grammatically correct as written. The semicolon is appropriately used to separate two independent clauses - each with its own subject and predicate.
Example Question #148 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Nick, feeling stifled and underutilized in his current position, decided to quit his job and relocate to a new city.
Nick, feeling stifled and underutilized in his current position so he decided to quit his job and relocate to a new city.
Nick, feeling stifled and underutilized in his current position, decided to quit his job and relocate to a new city.
Nick, feeling stifled and underutilized in his current position, so he decided to quit his job and relocate to a new city.
Nick, who feeling stifled and underutilized in his current position, decided to quit his job and relocate to a new city.
Nick was feeling stifled and underutilized in his current position, decided to quit his job and relocate to a new city.
Nick, feeling stifled and underutilized in his current position, decided to quit his job and relocate to a new city.
The sentence is correct as originally written. The appositive phrase modifying "Nick" should be offset by two commas. Additionally, there is no need for a semicolon or a subordinating conjunction after the appositive.
Example Question #145 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences
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.
Sandra knew that it would be hard to work while taking classes, but she knew it would be worth it.
knew that it would be hard to work while taking classes, but she knew it would be worth it.
knew that it would be hard to work while taking classes but she knew it would be worth it.
knew, that it would be hard to work while taking classes, but she knew it would be worth it.
knew that, it would be hard to work while taking classes, but she knew it would be worth it.
knew, that it would be hard to work while taking classes but she knew it would be worth it.
knew that it would be hard to work while taking classes, but she knew it would be worth it.
This sentence is correct as written. No comma should come before the word "that," but a comma does need to appear before the word "but" since the following clause is an independent one.
Example Question #145 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.
Joy rushed to submit her report by noon; it was essential for the presentation later that day.
Joy rushed to submit her report by noon; because it was essential for the presentation later that day.
Joy rushed to submit her report by noon it was essential for the presentation later that day.
Joy rushed to submit her report by noon and it was essential for the presentation later that day.
Joy rushed to submit her report by noon; it was essential for the presentation later that day.
Joy rushed to submit her report by noon, it was essential for the presentation later that day.
Joy rushed to submit her report by noon; it was essential for the presentation later that day.
This sentence contains no errors. The sentence contains two related independent clauses which are correctly joined by a semicolon. No additional punctuation is needed. Furthermore, the choice with "and" is inappropriate because it does not properly fit the meaning of the sentence: if anything, the two clauses show cause and effect, not the joining of two separate and related things. The correct answer choice is, "Joy rushed to submit her report by noon; it was essential for the presentation later that day."
Example Question #151 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.
He kept up-to-date on the news, even though he thought it was boring.
He kept up-to-date on the news; even though he thought it was boring.
He kept up-to-date on the news: even though he thought it was boring.
He kept up-to-date on the news even though he thought it was boring.
He kept up-to-date on the news, even though he thought it was boring.
He kept current on the news even though he thought it was boring.
He kept up-to-date on the news, even though he thought it was boring.
There are no errors in this sentence. A comma is necessary before "even," as the phrase "even though he thought it was boring" is a dependent clause. Dependent clauses should be separated from the main clause with a comma. Using a semicolon would not be appropriate since semicolons are used to join two independent clauses without a conjunction, and a colon should not be used because the second clause does not explain anything about or within the first clause.
Example Question #152 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.
Salvador Dali, a Spanish painter, is known for his surreal works of art.
Salvador Dali, a Spanish painter is known for his surreal works of art.
Salvador Dali, a Spanish painter, is known for his surreal works of art.
Salvador Dali, a Spanish painter is known, for his surreal works of art.
Salvador Dali a Spanish painter is known for his surreal works of art.
Salvador Dali, a spanish painter, is known for his surreal works of art.
Salvador Dali, a Spanish painter, is known for his surreal works of art.
This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "a Spanish painter" needs to be offset in commas because it is a parenthetical expression. Furthermore, "Spanish" should be capitalized because the word refers to a nationality.
Example Question #153 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.
He thought it was unusual that Beatrice was late because she was usually punctual.
He thought it was unusual that Beatrice was late because she was usually punctual.
He thought it was unusual that Beatrice was late, as she was usually punctual.
He thought it was unusual, that Beatrice was late as she was usually punctual.
He thought it was unusual that Beatrice was late; for she was usually punctual.
He thought it was unusual, that Beatrice was late, since she was usually punctual.
He thought it was unusual that Beatrice was late because she was usually punctual.
There are no errors in this sentence. Note here that "because" does not require a comma before or after it because it comes in the middle of a clause. "Usually" is correctly framed in the adverbial form as the word it is modifying is the verb "was."
Example Question #154 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences
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 company was well known for its benefits; employees had access to free meals, transportation, and great healthcare.
The company was well known for its benefits employees had access to free meals, transportation, and great healthcare.
The company was well known for its benefits although employees had access to free meals, transportation, and great healthcare.
The company was well known for its benefits like employees had access to free meals, transportation, and great healthcare.
The company was well known for its benefits, employees had access to free meals, transportation, and great healthcare.
The company was well known for its benefits; employees had access to free meals, transportation, and great healthcare.
The company was well known for its benefits; employees had access to free meals, transportation, and great healthcare.
There are no errors in this sentence. The sentence joins two related independent clauses without the use of a conjunction; therefore, a semicolon is the most appropriate punctuation here. The use of "although" is inappropriate since the sentence shows a cause and effect, and not conflicting statements. The best choice is, "The company was well known for its benefits; employees had access to free meals, transportation, and great healthcare."
Example Question #154 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.
Michelle bought a new phone for work, but the company's IT department rejected her choice due to the phone's lack of security features.
Michelle bought a new phone for work but the company's IT department rejected her choice due to the it's lack of security features.
Michelle bought a new phone for work, but the company's IT department rejected her choice due to its lack of security features.
Michelle bought a new phone for work, but the company's IT department rejected her choice due to the phone's lack of security features.
Michelle bought a new phone for work but the company's IT department rejected her choice due to the phone's lack of security features.
Michelle bought a new phone for work, but the companies IT department rejected her choice due to the phone's lack of security features.
Michelle bought a new phone for work, but the company's IT department rejected her choice due to the phone's lack of security features.
There are no errors in this sentence. Note the sentence joins two independent clauses with the coordinating conjunction "but," so a comma must appear before the conjunction. Furthermore, using the word "its" in place of "the phone's" is not appropriate here, because it makes the sentence more ambiguous ("its" could then technically mean that either the phone or IT department has a lack of security features, which is untrue to the meaning in this sentence).
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