GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
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.
Held for the purpose of bringing Nazi war criminals to justice, the Nuremberg trials were a series of 13 trials carried out in Nuremberg, Germany, beginning in 1945.
the Nuremberg trials, were a series of 13 trials carried out in Nuremberg, Germany, beginning in 1945.
the Nuremberg trials were a series, of 13 trials carried out in Nuremberg, Germany, beginning in 1945.
the Nuremberg trials were a series of 13 trials, carried out in Nuremberg Germany, beginning in 1945.
the Nuremberg trials were a series of 13 trials carried, out in Nuremberg, Germany, beginning in 1945.
the Nuremberg trials were a series of 13 trials carried out in Nuremberg, Germany, beginning in 1945.
the Nuremberg trials were a series of 13 trials carried out in Nuremberg, Germany, beginning in 1945.
The sentence is grammatically and mechanically correct as is. All of the other answer choices contain errors related to comma usage. One of the incorrect answers omits the comma between the city "Nuremberg" and the country "Germany" and inserts an unnecessary comma after "trials."
Example Question #257 : 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.
However effective you think your fire resistance is, there are compelling reasons for never taking it for granted.
However, effective you think your fire resistance is, there are compelling reasons for never taking it for granted.
However effective you think your fire resistance is, there are compelling reasons for never taking it for granted.
However; effective you think your fire resistance is, there are compelling reasons for never taking it for granted.
However, effective you think your fire resistance is there are compelling reasons for never taking it for granted.
However effective you think your fire resistance is there are compelling reasons, for never taking it for granted.
However effective you think your fire resistance is, there are compelling reasons for never taking it for granted.
The sentence is correct as is. All of the other answer choices incorrectly implement commas and semicolons, resulting in gross punctuation errors and comma splices. One must always consider that the sentence may contain no error.
Example Question #255 : 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 text above the form read "You have created 10 of 12 questions in this problem set."
The text above the form read "You have created 10 of 12 questions in this problem set."
The text above the form was reading, "You have created 10 of 12 questions in this problem set."
The text above the form was saying that "You have created 10 of 12 questions in this problem set."
The text above the form were reading "You have created 10 of 12 questions in this problem set."
The text above the form read, "You have created 10 of 12 questions in this problem set."
The text above the form read "You have created 10 of 12 questions in this problem set."
Notice that most of the answer choices correct gross errors in punctuation (comma usage), subject-verb agreement, or awkwardly modifies the original sentence. The sentence was correctly written to begin with; it contains no errors. Can you identify all of the errors in the answer choices?
Example Question #259 : 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’s a boatswain now in charge of making sure a vessel’s able-bodied seamen enjoy safe working conditions.
She is a boatswain; now in charge of making sure a vessel’s able-bodied seamen enjoy safe working conditions.
She is a boatswain—now in charge—of making sure, a vessel’s able-bodied seamen enjoy safe working conditions.
She is a boatswain, now in charge of making sure, a vessel’s able-bodied seamen enjoy safe working conditions.
A boatswain, she's now in charge of a vessel’s able-bodied seamen, making sure to enjoy safe working conditions.
She’s a boatswain now in charge of making sure a vessel’s able-bodied seamen enjoy safe working conditions.
She’s a boatswain now in charge of making sure a vessel’s able-bodied seamen enjoy safe working conditions.
The sentence is correct as is. As is sometimes the case, the original sentence presents no errors. All of the answer choices, however, result in odd syntax or gross mechanical errors related to punctuation. Keep in mind that the correct answer choice must resolve some major issue. Identify the issue first and then seek the answer that correctly resolves that issue.
Example Question #256 : 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.
Witnessing the atrocious conditions suffered by inmates in military detainment facilities is seeing firsthand the military's human rights violations.
Having witnessed
Once the witnesses
Witnessing
To witness
To have witnessed
Witnessing
The issue being raised in this sentence is one of parallel structure. The basic structure of this sentence is: Gerund x is gerund y, in the same way that one might say "Seeing is believing. The only choice that fits this pattern is in fact the correct answer.
Example Question #261 : 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.
In a recent survey, Cosmopop found that vocalists who practice daily consider themselves no more skilled than do those who practice approximately three times a week.
not any more skilled than do those practicing
no more as skilled as those who practiced
not as skilled as are those who are practicing
no more skilled than do those who practice
no more skilled than do those that practice
no more skilled than do those who practice
One must consider parallel structure here, beginning with "vocalists who practice daily". The original option is indeed the correct one. Note that "those who practice approximately three times a week" agrees with "vocalists who practice daily". The options using "not as" or "not any more" change the meaning of the sentence.
Example Question #262 : 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 leading campaign finance reformer has indicated that the political machine is in danger of becoming a mere extension of big corporate agendas.
is in danger of becoming
has been in danger of becoming
is in danger to become
has become through danger
is becoming in danger
is in danger of becoming
The sentence is indeed correct as written. The verb "is" agrees with its noun "political machine." The verb form "becoming" is used appropriately as well.
The answer using the infinitive form is not used correctly in this sentence: the participle is required. The answer using the present perfect tense "has become" is not the correct verb form here. The answer using "has been" (i.e. ended at some point in the past) and "in danger of becoming a mere extension" (i.e. in the future) connote different time frames, rendering the meaning of this choice unclear. Finally, though "is becoming in danger" may sound correct on its own, it does not make sense when placed back in the original sentence.
Example Question #262 : 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 worked on the project all night, but he was still very far behind in his work.
all night, but he was still very far behind, in
all night but he was still very far behind, in
all night but he was still very far behind in
all night, but he was still very far behind in
all night; but he was still very far behind in
all night, but he was still very far behind in
This sentence contains no errors. The comma in this sentence is used in order to separate two independent clauses with the help of the conjunction "but," which is a proper use for this punctuation mark. No changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "all night, but he was still very far behind in."
Example Question #263 : 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.
Katrina did not look forward to the long, uncomfortable flight.
to the long uncomfortable flight
to the long, uncomfortable flight
to: the long, uncomfortable flight
to the long; uncomfortable flight
to the long, uncomfortable, flight
to the long, uncomfortable flight
There are no errors in this sentence. The words "long" and "uncomfortable" 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. No other changes are necessary (semicolons and colons do not appear in the middle of clauses). The correct choice is, "to the long, uncomfortable flight."
Example Question #264 : 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 new mural was enormous.
The new mural was: enormous.
The new mural was great and enormous.
The new, mural was: enormous.
The new mural was enormous.
The new, mural was enormous.
The new mural was enormous.
This sentence contains no errors. It is a simple sentence, so no punctuation is necessary (note: colons do no separate words in the same clause). Additionally, "great and enormous" is redundant because both of those words have the same meaning. The correct choice is, "The new mural was enormous."
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