GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #231 : 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.

Shauna is generally faster than Bob in completing projects.

Possible Answers:

faster then

fast then

faster than

fast than

more fast then

Correct answer:

faster than

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The word "then" indicates a progression in time, whereas the word "than" indicates a comparison of things. The latter applies to this sentence (Additionally, a comparative adjective is used). The correct choice is, "faster than."

Example Question #231 : 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.

The children decided to play with their toys outside.

Possible Answers:

decided to play with their toys outside.

decided: to play with their toys outside.

decided to play, with their toys outside.

decided to play with they're toys outside.

decided: to play with they're toys outside.

Correct answer:

decided to play with their toys outside.

Explanation:

This sentence contain no errors. The word "their" is the possessive form of "they," which is exactly what is needed here. "They're" is a contraction for "they are." The correct choice is, "decided to play with their toys outside."

Example Question #232 : 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.

His aptitude in combining colors resulted in some of the most miraculous paintings.

Possible Answers:

resulted in some of the most, miraculous paintings.

result in: some of the most miraculous paintings.

resulted in some of: the most miraculous paintings.

resulting in some of the most miraculous paintings.

resulted in some of the most miraculous paintings.

Correct answer:

resulted in some of the most miraculous paintings.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. It is a simple sentence. Note that prepositions do not usually take any sort of punctuation preceeding them and never have punctuation between it and its object. The correct choice is, "resulted in some of the most miraculous paintings."

Example Question #234 : 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.

As they prepared for the mission, which many thought was dangerous, they made sure to check all of their equipment.

Possible Answers:

mission, which many thought was dangerous, they made sure to check all of their equipment.

mission which many thought was dangerous they made sure to check all of their equipment.

mission which many thought was dangerous, they made sure to check all of their equipment.

mission; which many thought was dangerous they made sure to check all of their equipment.

mission; which many thought was dangerous, they made sure to check all of their equipment.

Correct answer:

mission, which many thought was dangerous, they made sure to check all of their equipment.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "which many thought was dangerous" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: the mission. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is, "mission, which many thought was dangerous, they made sure to check all of their equipment."

Example Question #233 : 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 believed that failure, while frustrating, was an essential part of learning.

Possible Answers:

She believed that failure, while frustrating, was

She believed that failure; while frustrating was

She believed that failure, while frustrating, was:

She believed that failure while frustrating, was

She believed that failure while frustrating was

Correct answer:

She believed that failure, while frustrating, was

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "while frustrating" is an example of an interjection, explaining the subject's feelings on the matter of "failure." Interjections are outside of the main clause, grammatically, and should be offset by commas on both ends of the phrase in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence. The correct choice is, "She believed that failure, while frustrating, was."

Example Question #1801 : 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.

He decided to try meditation as a way of relieving stress.

Possible Answers:

He decided, to try meditation as a way

He decided to: try meditation as a way

He decided: to try meditation as a way

He decided to try meditation, as a way

He decided to try meditation as a way

Correct answer:

He decided to try meditation as a way

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. This is a simple sentence containing two prepositional phrases (starting with "as" and "of"). There is no need for punctuation anywhere in the sentence (and punctuation is never used to split up verb phrases). The correct choice is, "He decided to try meditation as a way."

Example Question #1802 : 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 big, heavy machine was necessary in order to complete the construction of the building.

Possible Answers:

The big heavy machine was necessary in order to complete

The big: heavy machine was necessary in order to complete

The big, heavy machine was necessary in order to complete

The big, heavy, machine was necessary in order to complete

The big; heavy machine was necessary in order to complete

Correct answer:

The big, heavy machine was necessary in order to complete

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The words "big" and "heavy are coordinate adjectives: adjectives that modify the same noun separately, but are not separated with a conjunction. Coordinate adjectives need to be separated with a comma. The correct answer choice is, "The big, heavy machine was necessary in order to complete."

Example Question #1803 : 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 looking through her scrapbook, she remembered many pleasant events from her life.

Possible Answers:

through her scrapbook, she remembered: many pleasant events from her life.

through her scrapbook, she remembered many, pleasant events from her life.

through her scrapbook she remembered many pleasant events from her life.

through her scrapbook she remembered: many pleasant events from her life.

through her scrapbook, she remembered many pleasant events from her life.

Correct answer:

through her scrapbook, she remembered many pleasant events from her life.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "While looking through her scrapbook" 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. No other changes are necessary.The correct answer choice is, "through her scrapbook, she remembered many pleasant events from her life."

Example Question #1804 : 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.

He dreamt of starting his own publishing company one day.

Possible Answers:

He was dreaming that starting his own publishing

He dreamed that he would start his own publishing

He was dreaming that he would start his own publishing

He dreamt that he would start his own publishing

He dreamt of starting his own publishing

Correct answer:

He dreamt of starting his own publishing

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The word "dreamt" is a valid form of the word "dream." It is the simple past tense form of the word. No changes are necessary; the other choices only add unnecessary words. The correct choice is, "He dreamt of starting his own publishing."

Example Question #1805 : 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 children ran among the trees in the woods. 

Possible Answers:

between

among

near

inside

about

Correct answer:

among

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The word "among" means in the presence of, specifically when whatever mentioned is not a group of things in general. "Between" is used when you have separate and individual things (e.g. between the two rocks). Note that "about" is not a synonym for "among." It means concerning/near. The correct choice is "among."

Tired of practice problems?

Try live online GMAT prep today.

1-on-1 Tutoring
Live Online Class
1-on-1 + Class
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors