GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
All GMAT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #151 : Correcting Punctuation 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.
During his vacation Dave visited many countries.
During his vacation, Dave, visited many countries.
During his vacation Dave visited, many countries.
During his vacation, Dave visited many countries.
During his, vacation Dave visited many countries.
During his vacation Dave, visited many countries.
During his vacation, Dave visited many countries.
The phrase "During his vacation" 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 correct answer choice is "During his vacation, Dave visited many countries."
Example Question #153 : Correcting Punctuation 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.
New York is a major financial center and many people flock there every year looking for work.
New York is a major financial center and many people flock there every year looking for work.
New York is a major financial center and many, people flock there every, year looking for work.
New York is a major financial center, and many people flock there every year looking for work.
New York is a major financial center, and many people flock there, every year looking for work.
New York is a major financial center and many people flock there every year looking, for work.
New York is a major financial center, and many people flock there every year looking for work.
In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by a coordinate conjunction. When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. The correct answer choice is "New York is a major financial center, and many people flock there every year looking for work."
Note here that while a comma is required before "and" there is no need for any other commas. Placing a single comma in the middle of a clause is itself an error.
Example Question #152 : Correcting Punctuation 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 company was opening a new branch office in Asia and with this decision, it was hoping to secure a better supply line.
The company was opening a new branch office in Asia, and with this decision it was hoping
The company was opening a new branch office in Asia, and, with this decision, it was hoping
The company was opening a new branch office in Asia and with this decision it was hoping
The company was opening a new branch office in Asia and with this decision, it was hoping,
The company was opening a new branch office in Asia and with this decision, it was hoping
The company was opening a new branch office in Asia, and, with this decision, it was hoping
In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by a coordinate conjunction. When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. Furthermore, the phrase "with this decision" that occurs in the second half of the sentence is 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 answer choice is "The company was opening a new branch office in Asia, and, with this decision, it was hoping."
Example Question #155 : Correcting Punctuation 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.
Many modern companies such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit seem to have been started in someone's garage.
Many modern companies such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit, seem to have been started in someone's garage.
Many modern companies such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit seem, to have been started in someone's garage.
Many modern companies, such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit seem to have been started in someone's garage.
Many modern companies, such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit, seem to have been started in someone's garage.
Many modern companies, such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit, seem to have been started, in someone's garage.
Many modern companies, such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit, seem to have been started in someone's garage.
The phrase "such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit" is 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 answer choice is "Many modern companies, such as Jungle Region and Tree Fruit, seem to have been started in someone's garage."
Example Question #153 : Correcting Punctuation 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.
Organizing events takes much time money and patience.
Organizing events takes much, time, money, and patience.
Organizing events takes much, time, money and patience.
Organizing events takes much time, money and patience.
Organizing events takes much time, money, and patience.
Organizing events, takes much time money, and patience.
Organizing events takes much time, money, and patience.
The phrase "much time money and patience" is a list of qualities. All items in any sort of list/parallel words or phrases should be separated by commas. Additionally, a comma must come before the "and" because the action "money" and "patience" are not related in concept exclusively, so they should not be grouped together. The correct answer is "Organizing events takes much time, money, and patience."
Example Question #157 : Correcting Punctuation 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 company's fans were very excited about its new product but they were not enthused about the expected price.
The company's fans were very excited about its new product, but they were not enthused, about the expected price.
The company's fans were very excited about its new product, but they were not enthused about the expected price.
The company's fans were very excited about its new, product but they were not enthused about the expected price.
The company's fans were very, excited about its new product but they were not enthused about the expected price.
The company's fans were very excited about its new product but they were not enthused, about the expected price.
The company's fans were very excited about its new product, but they were not enthused about the expected price.
In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by a coordinate conjunction. When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. The correct answer choice is "The company's fans were very excited about its new product, but they were not enthused about the expected price."
Example Question #22 : Correcting Comma 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.
Poetry readings are often quite boring and many people, even poets, avoid them at all costs.
Poetry readings are often quite boring and many people, even poets, avoid them at all costs.
Poetry readings are often quite boring and many people, even poets, avoid them at all costs.
Poetry readings are often quite boring; and many people, even poets, avoid them at all costs.
Poetry readings are often quite boring and many people even poets avoid them at all costs.
Poetry readings are, often quite boring and many people, even poets, avoid them at all costs.
Poetry readings are often quite boring and many people, even poets, avoid them at all costs.
In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by a coordinate conjunction. When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. The correct answer choice is "Poetry readings are often quite boring, and many people, even poets, avoid them at all costs."
Example Question #31 : Correcting Comma 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 company adopted a new plan of action: they were about to acquire several smaller competitors.
The company adopted a new plan of action: it was about to acquire several smaller competitors.
The company adopted a new plan of action: them were about to acquire several smaller competitors.
The company adopted a new plan of action: it were about to acquire several smaller competitors.
The company adopted a new plan of action: they were about to acquire several smaller competitors.
The company adopted a new plan of action: they was about to acquire several smaller competitors.
The company adopted a new plan of action: it was about to acquire several smaller competitors.
The word "company" is an example of a collective noun. Even though it may possibly refer to many different individuals, it is singular grammatically. The correct answer choice is "The company adopted a new plan of action: it was about to acquire several smaller competitors."
Example Question #32 : Correcting Comma 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 kept jewelry which she got on her travels in her dresser.
She kept, jewelry which she got on her travels in her dresser.
She kept jewelry, which she got on her travels, in her dresser.
She kept jewelry; which she got on her travels; in her dresser.
She kept, jewelry, which she got on her travels in her dresser.
She kept jewelry which she got on her travels in her dresser.
She kept jewelry, which she got on her travels, in her dresser.
The phrase "which she got on her travels" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: keepsakes. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is "She kept jewelry, which she got on her travels, in her dresser."
Example Question #33 : Correcting Comma 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 secretary was useless without his own laptop, it contained all the notes and schedules he needed to do his job effectively.
The secretary was useless without his own laptop; it contained all the notes and schedules he needed to do his job effectively.
The secretary was useless without his own laptop it contained all the notes and schedules he needed to do his job effectively.
The secretary, useless without his own laptop, it contained all the notes and schedules he needed to do his job effectively.
The secretary was useless without his own laptop, it contained all the notes and schedules he needed to do his job effectively.
The secretary was useless without his own laptop: it contained all the notes and schedules he needed to do his job effectively.
The secretary was useless without his own laptop; it contained all the notes and schedules he needed to do his job effectively.
The original sentences is a comma splice. The two clauses (on either side of the comma) are both independent clauses - meaning each could stand on its own as a full sentence. Since this is the case, they cannot be joined by just a comma. To work, it would need either a semicolon (the correct choice here) or a comma with a coordinating conjunction.
All GMAT Verbal Resources
