GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #241 : 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 spent her weekends fishing in the river near her house.

Possible Answers:

weekends fishing in the river near her house.

weekends fishing in the river, near her house.

weekends fishing, in the river, near her house.

weekends fishing, in the river near her house.

weekends fishing in: the river near her house.

Correct answer:

weekends fishing in the river near her house.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. Note that the words "in" and "near" are prepositions and start prepositional phrases: such phrases are not separated from the main clause with commas. No changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "weekends fishing in the river near her house."

Example Question #242 : 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.

Because the factory uses up all of its stock by the end of the day, he delivers new supplies every day.

Possible Answers:

Often

Everyday

Commonly

Every day

Diurnal

Correct answer:

Every day

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The words "every day" means literally, every single day. As one word, "everyday" means commonplace. It is clear from the context of the sentence, however, that this particular factory needs a daily delivery. The other choices all have something to do with days or frequency, but do not quite hit the mark. "Every day" is the correct choice.

Example Question #243 : 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 scientists discovered a new animal; its amazing abilities surprised them.

Possible Answers:

its amazing abilities surprised, them.

its' amazing abilities surprised them.

its amazing abilities surprised them.

it's amazing abilities surprised them.

it is amazing abilities surprised them.

Correct answer:

its amazing abilities surprised them.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. "Its," without an apostrophe, is the proper possessive form of the word "it." With the apostrophe (it's), it is a contraction for "it is." The correct choice is, "its amazing abilities surprised them."

Example Question #244 : 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 teacher required the students to bring their own instruments when coming to the music lesson.

Possible Answers:

lift

carry

truck

take

bring

Correct answer:

bring

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. All of the available choices are synonyms for "carry," but the difference lies in the point of reference. "Carry," "lift," and "truck" are generic words for carrying something, but "bring" indicates that you are carrying something to the position where the subject is, and "take" indicates you are moving away from the subject. The words "when coming to the music lesson" indicate that they are moving towards the direction of the subject: the music teacher (presumably, the teacher is already there). The correct choice is, "bring."

Example Question #245 : 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.

Though he searched for days, he was unable to find the documents he needed.

Possible Answers:

Though he searched for days he; was unable to find

Though he searched for days; he was unable to find

Though he searched for days, he was unable to find

Though he searched for days he, was unable to find

Though he searched for days he was unable to find

Correct answer:

Though he searched for days, he was unable to find

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "Though he searched for days" 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 choice is, "Though he searched for days, he was unable to find."

Example Question #251 : 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.

She often commuted between the two cities.

Possible Answers:

between

amidst

about

laying

among

Correct answer:

between

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The word "between" indicates in the space separating specific points. In this case, those specific points are the two cities. No change is necessary. The correct choice is, "between." 

Example Question #252 : 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.

She bought a large, bright umbrella.

Possible Answers:

a large, bright: umbrella.

a large bright umbrella.

a large, bright; umbrella.

a large, bright, umbrella.

a large, bright umbrella.

Correct answer:

a large, bright umbrella.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The words "large" and "bright" 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, "a large, bright umbrella."

Example Question #253 : 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.

Kendrick rode his bike to work every day; today, he decided to take a new route.

Possible Answers:

rode his bike to work every day today, he decided to

rode his bike to work every day; today he decided to

rode his bike to work every day, today, he decided to

rode his bike to work every day today he decided to

rode his bike to work every day; today, he decided to

Correct answer:

rode his bike to work every day; today, he decided to

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The sentence joins two related independent clauses together without the use of a conjunction, so a semicolon should appear after the words "every day." Furthermore, "today" is 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 correct answer choice is, "rode his bike to work every day; today, he decided to."

Example Question #254 : 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.

She tested the new application, which helped streamline the manufacturing process of the factory.

Possible Answers:

helped streamline the manufacturing process of the factory.

which helped streamline the manufacturing process of the factory.

that helped streamline the manufacturing process of the factory.

who helped streamline the manufacturing process of the factory.

which helping streamline the manufacturing process of the factory.

Correct answer:

which helped streamline the manufacturing process of the factory.

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors. The word "which" refers back to the word "application," so this is the appropriate pronoun. Note that the word "that" never takes a comma before it when used this way. The correct choice is, "which helped streamline the manufacturing process of the factory."

Example Question #1820 : 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.

Claiming to understand the times means denying that one's scope is not biased by social factors that shape our worldview.

Possible Answers:

Claiming to understand the times and denying that one's scope is not biased by social factors that shape our worldview.

Claiming to understand the times means denying that one's scope is not biased by social factors that shape our worldview.

Claiming to understand the times but denying that one's scope is not biased by social factors that shape our world's view.

Claiming to understand the times means, so denying that one's scope is not biased by social factors that shape our world's view.

Claiming to understand the times and denying that one's scope is not biased by social factors that shape our world's view.

Correct answer:

Claiming to understand the times means denying that one's scope is not biased by social factors that shape our worldview.

Explanation:

First, "world's view" is incorrect; "worldview" is the correct idiomatic choice. All of the remaining answer choices incorrectly insert a coordinating conjunction. These syntactic (odd compound subjects or incomplete sentences) and mechanical errors (comma usage) result in gross errors. The sentence is correct as is.

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