GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #265 : 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 the new show made record profits, it did not meet the company's expectations.
Though the new show made record profits, it did not meet
Though the new show made record profits it did not meet
Though, the new show made record profits, it did not meet
Though the new show made record profits, the show did not meet
Though, the new show made record profits it did not meet
Though the new show made record profits, it did not meet
This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "Though the new show made record profits" 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. Note that the sentence that restates the words "the show" after the comma is a little redundant as it does not add anything useful to the sentence to restate these words at this point. The correct choice is, "Though the new show made record profits, it did not meet."
Example Question #266 : 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.
Keith bought a boomerang on his trip, but he could not figure out how to throw it properly.
Keith bought a boomerang on his trip but was at a loss in trying to figure out how to make it work and function properly.
Keith bought a boomerang on his trip, but he could not figure out how to throw it properly.
Keith bought a boomerang on his trip but he could not figure out how to throw it properly.
Keith bought a boomerang, but he could not figure out.
Keith bought a boomerang on his trip; but he could not figure out how to throw it properly.
Keith bought a boomerang on his trip, but he could not figure out how to throw it properly.
This sentence contains no errors. The sentence contains two independent clauses that are joined with a comma and conjunction, which is an appropriate way to combine the clauses. The other choices are wordy, misuse the punctuation, or are sentence fragments. The correct choice is, "Keith bought a boomerang on his trip, but he could not figure out how to throw it properly."
Example Question #267 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No Errors
Choose the best version of the underlined phrase. One option will remain unchanged.
The public was shocked to hear the beloved local restaurant was closing after forty years in business.
The public was shocked to hear the beloved local restaurant were closing after forty years in business.
The public were shocked to hear the beloved local restaurant was closing after forty years in business.
The public were shocked to hear the beloved local restaurant were closing after forty years in business.
The public was shocked to hear the beloved local restaurant was closing after forty years in business.
The public was shocked to hear the beloved local restaurant was closing after forty years in business.
Here, we need to have agreement between the noun and the verbs. 'The public', and 'the restaurant' are both singular nouns. Therefore, they both require singular verbs. Thus, the best version remains unchanged.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other 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.
Toni Morrison does not identify her works as “feminist,” but critics have referred to them as exemplifying characteristics of "postmodern feminism" because she typically focuses on black female protagonists and makes use of shifting narration.
but critics have characterized them as exemplifying characteristics of “postmodern feminism” because
but critics have characterized them as "postmodern feminism" because
but critics have referred to them, exemplifying characteristics of "postmodern feminism," because
but critics are characterizing them as “postmodern feminism” because
but critics have referred to them as exemplifying characteristics of "postmodern feminism" because
but critics have characterized them as "postmodern feminism" because
The correct answer not only uses the correct tense but also has a concise (i.e., non-wordy) construction. There are no extra words or strange constructions.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other 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 order to prevent rhino poaching, members of the Rhino Rescue Project have developed a novel technique, injecting a mixture of indelible dye and a parasiticide that allows them to track the horns and poison the rhino horn consumers.
members of the Rhino Rescue Project have developed a novel technique, which consists of injecting a mixture of indelible dye and parasiticide that allows them to track the horns and that poisons the horn consumers
members of the Rhino Rescue Project have developed a novel technique, injecting a mixture of indelible dye and a parasiticide that allows them to track the horns and poison the rhino horn consumers
members of the Rhino Rescue Project track the horns and poison the rhino horn consumers, using a novel technique that they developed, which includes injecting a mixture of indelible dye and a parasiticide into the rhino horn
members of the Rhino Rescue Project track the horns with an indelible dye and poison the rhino horn consumers with a parasiticide, both of which are in a mixture that is injected into the rhino horn
members of the Rhino Rescue Project have developed a novel technique that consists of injecting a mixture of indelible dye that allow them to track the horns, and a parasiticide that poisons rhino horn consumers
members of the Rhino Rescue Project have developed a novel technique, which consists of injecting a mixture of indelible dye and parasiticide that allows them to track the horns and that poisons the horn consumers
The correct answer is the only one that constructs the sentence is a logical way that is not wordy or convoluted.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Other 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.
Colleges have begun offering students more courses related to careers in fields such as those like petroleum engineering, environmental sciences, and natural gas extraction.
in fields such as petroleum engineering, environmental sciences, and natural gas extraction.
in such fields as those like petroleum engineering, environmental sciences, and natural gas extraction.
in fields such as those that are like petroleum engineering, environmental sciences, and natural gas extraction.
in fields such as those like petroleum engineering, the environmental sciences, and natural gas extraction.
in fields such as those like petroleum engineering, environmental sciences, and natural gas extraction.
in fields such as petroleum engineering, environmental sciences, and natural gas extraction.
The phrase "such as those like" is simultaneously awkward and redundant, as its two component parts, "such as" and "those like," mean essentially the same thing. The best approach to improving the sentence is to delete one half of the awkward phrase. The only answer choice which properly does this is "in fields such as petroleum engineering, environmental sciences, and natural gas extraction."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Other 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.
Sania asked her friends to bring desserts to the potluck such as like cookies, cupcakes, and cake.
to the potluck like such as cookies, cupcakes, and cake
to the potluck like including cookies, cupcakes, and cake
to the potluck like also cookies, cupcakes, and cake
to the potluck like cookies, cupcakes, and cake
to the potluck such as also cookies, cupcakes, and cake
to the potluck like cookies, cupcakes, and cake
"Such as" and "like" are similar words and therefore having both next to each other in the sentence is redundant. It makes the most sense to keep only "like" in the sentence.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Other 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 although his dad's shoes were too big for him, Devin was proud to wear them to church.
However even though his dad's shoes were too big for him
Although even though his dad's shoes were too big for him
Even though however his dad's shoes were too big for him
Even though his dad's shoes were too big for him
Although however his dad's shoes were too big for him
Even though his dad's shoes were too big for him
Saying both "even though" and "although" is redundant, so we should use only "even though" in the updated sentence.
Example Question #4 : Correcting Other 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.
Meanwhile at the same time, José was running back home to retrieve his keys.
While at the same time, José was running back home to retrieve his keys.
At the same time however, José was running back home to retrieve his keys.
Whereas at the same time, José was running back home to retrieve his keys.
At the same time meanwhile, José was running back home to retrieve his keys.
Meanwhile, José was running back home to retrieve his keys.
Meanwhile, José was running back home to retrieve his keys.
Saying both "meanwhile" and "at the same time" is redundant, so it is best here to use only "meanwhile" to start the sentence.
Example Question #5 : Correcting Other 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 team was praised by management for their great contributions to the company.
Management praised the team for its great contributions to the company.
The managers of the company praised the team for its great contributions to the company.
The team was to be praised by management for their great contributions to the company.
The team was praised by management for their great contributions to the company.
Management praised the team for their great contributions to the company.
Management praised the team for its great contributions to the company.
There are two errors in the sentence above. First, the main verb of the sentence, "praised," is in passive voice. While the passive voice is not necessarily grammatically incorrect, in this case the subject should always be doing the action of the verb, not having the action done to it for clarity's sake. Second, the word "team" is an example of a collective noun. Even though it refers to many different individuals, it is grammatically singular, so the correct modifier for it in this sentence is "its." The most clear and concise choice is, "Management praised the team for its great contributions to the company."
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