GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #201 : 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.

She and I went skiing for the weekend.

Possible Answers:

Her and me went 

She and I went 

I and her went 

She and me went 

Her and I went 

Correct answer:

She and I went 

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors: the pronouns are appropriate. Since "she" and "I" are the subject of the sentence, they should not be changed to "her" or "me," which are used when the pronoun is the object. The correct choice is, "She and I went."

Example Question #202 : 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.

Even though it is not directly related to many fields, many view philosophy as an important subject of study.

Possible Answers:

related to many fields many view philosophy as an important subject of study.

related to many fields; many view philosophy as an important subject of study.

related to many fields; philosophy is viewed as an important subject of study.

related to many fields, philosophy is viewed as an important subject of study.

related to many fields, many view philosophy as an important subject of study.

Correct answer:

related to many fields, many view philosophy as an important subject of study.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "Even though it is not directly related to many fields" is an example of an introductory phrase, explaining information necessary to the context of the sentence, but outside of the main sentence, grammatically. These types of phrases must be followed by a comma in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence. Choices with "philosophy is viewed" is incorrect because of the use of passive voice. The correct choice is, "related to many fields, many view philosophy as an important subject of study."

Example Question #208 : 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.

Kenneth bought many of the things in his store from thrift shops and flea markets; he has a knack for finding items with hidden value.

Possible Answers:

store from thrift shops and flea markets, he had a knack for finding items with hidden value.

store from thrift shops and flea markets: he has a knack for finding items with hidden value.

store from thrift shops and flea markets, he has a knack for finding items with hidden value.

store from thrift shops and flea markets; he has a knack for finding items with hidden value.

store from thrift shops and flea markets; he had a knack for finding items with hidden value.

Correct answer:

store from thrift shops and flea markets; he has a knack for finding items with hidden value.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. It combines two related independent clauses without the use of a conjunction. When this occurs, a semicolon should be used. Note that a colon is inappropriate because the phrase "he had a knack for finding items with hidden value" does not exactly explain why he bought things from flea markets, specifically. He could easily acquire things with value in other places. It is clear, however, that these phrases are related somewhat, so a semicolon is the most appropriate punctuation to use.

Also note that "had" would be inappropriate in the second clause because that would imply that Kenneth is no longer around (i.e. no longer selling, dead, etc.), which is inconsistent with the implications of the first clause in this sentence (that he is actively buying). The correct choice is, "store from thrift shops and flea markets; he has a knack for finding items with hidden value."

Example Question #209 : 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.

Shaun had a very specific ritual for when he wrote: he would sit in the back corner of the local coffee shop, listen to music, and type for hours. 

Possible Answers:

when he wrote; he would sit in the back corner of the local coffee shop listen to music and type for hours. 

when he wrote: he would sit in the back corner of the local coffee shop, listen to music, and type for hours. 

when he wrote - he would sit in the back corner of the local coffee shop listen to music, and type for hours. 

when he wrote: he would sit in the back corner of the local coffee shop listen to music and type for hours. 

when he wrote he would sit in the back corner of the local coffee shop listen to music and type for hours. 

Correct answer:

when he wrote: he would sit in the back corner of the local coffee shop, listen to music, and type for hours. 

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. It joins two related clauses with a colon because the second clause explains something about the first clause: the specifics of Shaun's ritual. Furthermore, the phrases "he would sit in the back corner of the local coffee shop, listen to music, and type for hours" are parallel actions, so they should be separated by commas in order to show that they are each distinct actions in his ritual. The correct choice is, " when he wrote: he would sit in the back corner of the local coffee shop, listen to music, and type for hours."

Example Question #203 : 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.

Jamal preferred eBooks, instead of physical books, because they saved space in his house. 

Possible Answers:

preferred eBooks, instead of physical books, because they saved space

preferred eBooks; instead of physical books, because they saved space

preferred eBooks: instead of physical books because they saved space

preferred eBooks, instead of physical books because they saved space

preferred eBooks instead of physical books because they saved space

Correct answer:

preferred eBooks, instead of physical books, because they saved space

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "instead of physical books" is an example of a parenthetical expression: a phrase that explains more about a particular word or phrase in the sentence, but is not introduced by a relative pronoun. These phrases must be introduced and completed with a comma in order to separate them from the main clause of the sentence. The correct choice is, "preferred eBooks, instead of physical books, because they saved space."

Example Question #211 : 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.

Tom is exhausted after a long day of work.

Possible Answers:

Work exhausted: Tom.

Tom is exhausted after a long day of work.

Tom exhausted after a long day of work.

The long day of work and effort exhausted Tom.

Tom, exhausted after a long day of work.

Correct answer:

Tom is exhausted after a long day of work.

Explanation:

There are no errors in this sentence. This is a simple sentence and the word "exhausted" is not part of a verb (and therefore is not passive voice); it is an appositive adjective, joined to the word "Tom" by the linking verb "is." The other sentences contain errors in punctuation, are incomplete, or wordy. The correct choice is, "Tom is exhausted after a long day of work."

Example Question #212 : 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.

Every day, Martha would dance at 5 PM for one hour, and she would always end with the same song.

Possible Answers:

Martha would dance at 5 PM for one hour, and she would always end with the same song.

Martha would dance at 5 PM and she would always end with the same song.

Martha would dance at 5 PM for one hour and she would always end with the same song.

Martha would dance at 5 PM for one hour, and would always end with the same song.

Martha would dance at 5 PM for one hour; and she would always end with the same song.

Correct answer:

Martha would dance at 5 PM for one hour, and she would always end with the same song.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "every day" is an example of an introductory phrase, explaining information necessary to the context of the sentence, but outside of the main sentence, grammatically. These types of phrases must be followed by a comma in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence.

In the latter part of the sentence, two independent clauses are combined by the coordinate conjunction "and," so a comma is necessary. Note that omitting the word "she" makes the last clause dependent and would remove the need for the comma as a result. The correct choice is, "Martha would dance at 5 PM for one hour, and she would always end with the same song."

Example Question #212 : 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 people that attended the opening of the new restaurant were very pleased by the spectacular service.

Possible Answers:

The people that attended the opening of the new restaurant

The people, who attended the opening of the new restaurant

The people which attended the opening of the new restaurant

The people, that attended the opening of the new restaurant

The people, that attended the opening of the new restaurant,

Correct answer:

The people that attended the opening of the new restaurant

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The use of the word "that" is completely appropriate, as along the clause following it is not separated from the main sentence with commas or other punctuation. Since this is a simple sentence, no extra punctuation is necessary whatsoever. Note that "which" is inappropriate because "people" is a human group, and "which" is reserved for non-humans. The correct choice is, "The people that attended the opening of the new restaurant"

Example Question #213 : 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.

Ronaldo affected the rankings so greatly that many thought it would be impossible for another player to catch up for years. 

Possible Answers:

Ronaldo affected the rankings so greatly that many thought

Ronaldo affected the rankings, so greatly that many thought

Ronaldo effected the rankings so greatly that many thought

Ronaldo effected the rankings: so greatly that many thought

Ronaldo affected the rankings so greatly, that many thought

Correct answer:

Ronaldo affected the rankings so greatly that many thought

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The word "affect," meaning to cause a change, is used appropriately here. Furthermore, the sentence is a simple sentence and requires no additional punctuation. The correct choice is, "Ronaldo affected the rankings so greatly that many thought."

Example Question #215 : 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.

While Megan knew much about the stock market, she just did not have the time to do the research necessary in order to manage her investments herself. 

Possible Answers:

While Megan knew much about the stock market - she just did not have the time to do the research

While Megan knew much about the stock market, she just did not have the time to do the research

While Megan knew much about the stock market; she just did not have the time to do the research

While Megan knew much about the stock market, she just did not have the time: to do the research

While Megan knew much about the stock market she just did not have the time to do the research

Correct answer:

While Megan knew much about the stock market, she just did not have the time to do the research

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "While Megan knew much about the stock market" is an example of an introductory phrase, explaining information necessary to the context of the sentence, but outside of the main sentence, grammatically. These types of phrases must be followed by a comma in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence. The latter part of the sentence is a simple independent clause, needing no additional punctuation. The correct choice is, "While Megan knew much about the stock market, she just did not have the time to do the research."

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