GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Correcting Pronoun 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

The businessman decided to pamper him with nice meals on the road.

Possible Answers:

to pamper him with nice meals on the road.

to pamper himself with nice meals on the road.

pampering him with nice meals on the road.

to pamper him around nice meals on the road.

to pamper him with nice meals in the road.

Correct answer:

to pamper himself with nice meals on the road.

Explanation:

The use of the simple pronoun "him" is confusing in this sentence, as it is unclear exactly who the pronoun refers to, the subject or some other person. The best way to clear this confusion up is by using the reflexive pronoun "himself" to refer back to the subject. Thus, the correct answer choice is "to pamper himself with nice meals on the road."

Example Question #22 : Other Pronoun 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

When Sheila, Veronica, and I spend time together, we always go to her favorite restaurant. No error

Possible Answers:

they always go to their favorite restaurant.

we always go to our favorite restaurant. 

we always went to our favorite restaurant.

we always go to her favorite restaurant.

she always goes to our favorite restaurant. 

Correct answer:

we always go to our favorite restaurant. 

Explanation:

This phrase must have a pronoun and a possessive pronoun which refer to all three individuals: "we" and "our."

In the answer choice "she always goes to our favorite restaurant," the pronoun “she” does not agree with the subject of “Sheila, Veronica, and I”—it should be “we.”

In the answer choice "we always go to her favorite restaurant," the possessive pronoun “her” should be “our,” as it refers to a restaurant preferred by all three subjects. Though this sentence could be correct, it is not the best option because “her” is not specified.

In the answer choice "we always went to our favorite restaurant," the verb “go” must agree with the present tense of “spend,” so it is incorrect.

In the answer choice "they always go to their favorite restaurant," the pronouns “they” and “their” exclude “I” as a subject, so it is incorrect.

Example Question #12 : Correcting Pronoun 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

The political boss was notorious for making deals with his rival that only benefitted him.

Possible Answers:

that only benefitted himself

that only benefits him

that only benefitted him

which only benefitted him

that benefitted only him

Correct answer:

that only benefitted himself

Explanation:

The use of "him" at the end of the sentence is confusing and awkward, as it is not clear to whom the pronoun is referring. Changing the simple pronoun to a reflexive pronoun allows the pronoun to refer back to the subject of the sentence clearly. Thus, the correct answer choice is "that only benefitted himself."

Example Question #13 : Correcting Pronoun 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

The bankers loved the technological improvement of their new computers, but they didn't work well with them.

Possible Answers:

Though they loved their new computers, the bankers didn't work well with them.

The new computers were loved, but the bankers didn't work well with them.

The bankers loved the technological improvement of their new computers, but they didn't work well with them.

The bankers loved their new computers, but didn't work well with them.

The bankers, though they loved their new computers, didn't work well with them.

Correct answer:

Though they loved their new computers, the bankers didn't work well with them.

Explanation:

The sentence is faulty because it uses a pronoun with an ambiguous antecedent. The reader can't be sure who either "they" or "them" is referring to -- the bankers or the computers. The error can be fixed by rearranging the sentence so that "they" is followed by the clarifying subject "bankers."

Example Question #481 : Usage 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Bessie knew when her cat started fighting her dog she had to give him away.

Possible Answers:

Bessie knew when her cat, fighting her dog, had to give away. 

Bessie knew when her cat was fighting her dog, she had to give him away. 

Bessie knew when her cat started fighting her dog she had to give him away.

Bessie knew once her cat started fighting her dog, she had to give him away. 

Bessie knew when her cat started fighting her dog, she had to give the former away.

Correct answer:

Bessie knew when her cat started fighting her dog, she had to give the former away.

Explanation:

This is an example of an ambiguous pronoun. The "him" in "to give him away" in the original sentence could be applying to either the dog or the cat, so we must make clear that it is one or the other.

Example Question #471 : 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

Both Hildegard von Bingen and Teresa of Avila have strongly mystical philosophies; however, in her earliest work, the Scivas, she tempers this mysticism slightly through an amalgamation with Scholastic philosophy.

Possible Answers:

philosophies; however, in their earliest work,

philosophies; however, in these earliest work,

philosophies; however, in Hildegard's earliest work,

philosophies; however, in her earliest work,

philosophies; however, in their earliest works,

Correct answer:

philosophies; however, in Hildegard's earliest work,

Explanation:

The sentence implies that a single female author wrote the Scivas; however, the first clause mentions two women. To resolve the potential ambiguity that "her," which could refer to either Teresa or Hildegard, would introduce, the name of the author must be used rather than a pronoun. "They," which is commonly used in vernacular English to refer to a subject whose gender is either unknown or not specified, is only used to refer to plural antecedents according to the strict rules of standard written English. Finally, as only one work (the Scivas) is mentioned in the passage, the pronoun referring to it must also be singular.

Example Question #561 : Usage 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.

Since the advent of the original flu vaccine, they have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, help to reduce the risk of influenza.

Possible Answers:

researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, help to reduce the risk of influenza. 

they have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, helps to reduce the risk of influenza. 

researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, has helped to reduce the risk of influenza. 

they have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, help to reduce the risk of influenza. 

researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, helps in reducing the risk of influenza. 

Correct answer:

researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, help to reduce the risk of influenza. 

Explanation:

Answer choices "researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, has helped to reduce the risk of influenza" and "researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, helps in reducing the risk of influenza" contain subject-verb agreement errors because they use singular verbs—"helps" and "has helped"—rather than the plural verbs required by the plural noun "drugs."

The answer choices containing "they" as opposed to "researchers" are incorrect because they contain an ambiguous pronoun. We don't know to whom "they" refers.

The answer choice "researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, help to reduce the risk of influenza" is correct because it is the only answer choice that correctly avoids using an ambiguous pronoun and doesn't introduce any subject-verb agreement errors.

Example Question #471 : 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 company bought a new machine; its reputation for efficiency was incredible.

Possible Answers:

The company bought a new machine because its CEO wanted its reputation for efficiency to be incredible.

The company bought a new machine, and its reputation for efficiency was incredible.

The company bought a new machine; its reputation for efficiency was incredible.

The company bought a new machine, for its reputation for efficiency was incredible.

The company bought a new machine which had a reputation for incredible efficiency.

Correct answer:

The company bought a new machine which had a reputation for incredible efficiency.

Explanation:

The correct choice is, "The company bought a new machine which had a reputation for incredible efficiency." All of the other sentences are ambiguous and confusing because the pronoun "its" could refer to either the company or the machine as it is used here. The use of "which" clears the confusion, since English grammar dictates that the antecedent of "which" and other relative pronouns come directly before the pronoun.

Example Question #472 : 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 parents lectured the children, even though it was unpleasant for them.

Possible Answers:

The parents lectured the children, even though they found it unpleasant.

The parents lectured the children, even though it was unpleasant for them.

The parents lectured the children, but it was unpleasant for them.

Though the parents found lecturing unpleasant, they lectured the children.

The parents lectured the children, unpleasant as it was.

Correct answer:

Though the parents found lecturing unpleasant, they lectured the children.

Explanation:

The best conveys the idea of this sentence is: "Though the parents found lecturing unpleasant, they lectured the children." The other choices are vague, since the pronouns used make it unclear as to who finds the lecturing unpleasant - the children, the parents, or both? It is also possible that no one specifically considers the lecturing unpleasant, but the sentence is making a statement that lecturing in general is unpleasant. The choice "Though the parents found lecturing unpleasant, they lectured the children" is very specific as to who finds the lecturing unpleasant and why.

Example Question #473 : 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.

Kelly loved to speak with them.

Possible Answers:

to them.

with they.

with her friends.

them.

with them.

Correct answer:

with her friends.

Explanation:

This sentence contains an ambiguous pronoun. A reader would have no idea to whom "them" refers in this sentence. It is always important to clarify who or what the subject/object is before you are able to refer to it using a pronoun. The correct choice is, "with her friends."

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