GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #41 : 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.
Cara’s mother berated her in front of the entire basketball team, that was especially humiliating because everyone was talking about it the next morning.
basketball team, that was especially more humiliating
basketball team, that was especially humiliating
basketball team; that was especially humiliating
basketball team, which was especially more humiliating
basketball team, which was especially humiliating
basketball team, which was especially humiliating
“Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, the part of the sentence before the comma is being modified by the part of the sentence after the comma, so “which” is appropriate, not “that.”
Example Question #42 : 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 construction worker studied the building carefully and thoughtful because he knew how important it was to have an understanding of his surroundings before beginning work.
thoughtfully because he knows how important
thoughtful because he knew how important
thoughtfully because he knew how important
thoughtfully because he was knowing how important
thoughtful because he was knowing how important
thoughtfully because he knew how important
In this sentence, the adjective “thoughtful” modifies the verb “studied.” Given that only adverbs can modify verbs, the proper word would instead be “thoughtfully,” which is an adverb.
Example Question #43 : 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.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, author of beloved classics such as One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera, has been hospitalized with an unknown condition.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, author of beloved classics such as One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera, has been hospitalized with an unknown condition.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who is the author of beloved classics such as One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera, has been hospitalized because he has an unknown condition.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who is the author of beloved classics such as One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera, has been hospitalized with an unknown condition.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, author of beloved classics such as One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera, has been hospitalized because he has an unknown condition.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, author of beloved classics such as One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera, is being hospitalized with an unknown condition.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, author of beloved classics such as One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera, has been hospitalized with an unknown condition.
The original sentence is correct as written! The other variations are less concise.
Example Question #44 : 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.
Historically, individuals' contributions to political campaigns have been legally limited with the purpose being to limit corruption.
Historically, the contributions of individuals to political campaigns have been legally limited in order to limit corruption.
Historically, individuals' contributions to political campaigns have been legally limited with the purpose of limiting corruption.
Historically, individuals' contributions to political campaigns have been legally limited with the purpose being to limit corruption.
Historically, the contributions of individuals to political campaigns have been legally limited with the purpose being to limit corruption.
Historically, individuals' contributions to political campaigns have been legally limited in order to limit corruption.
Historically, individuals' contributions to political campaigns have been legally limited in order to limit corruption.
The original sentence uses the wordy transition "with the purpose being to." The best, most concise alternative presented here is "in order to." The phrasing in "individuals' contributions" is also fine, and changing it to "contributions of individuals" simply adds more words.
Example Question #43 : 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 Sunflower Student Movement is a Taiwanese protest movement that its members demand a line-by-line review of the Cross-Strait Trade Agreement.
that its members demand a line-by-line review of the Cross-Strait Trade Agreement.
that its members demand a review of the Cross-Strait Trade Agreement, line-by-line.
that the members demand a line-by-line review of the Cross-Strait Trade Agreement.
that its members are demanding a line-by-line review of the Cross-Strait Trade Agreement.
whose members demand a line-by-line review of the Cross-Strait Trade Agreement.
whose members demand a line-by-line review of the Cross-Strait Trade Agreement.
The original sentence uses an incorrect transition. When "that" is used, the following information should share a subject with the previous noun. Here, a new subject "its members" is introduced. The coordinator "whose" is more appropriate.
Example Question #44 : 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.
Frank is an extremely cautious driver because he already has several incidents on his driving record, that would make it especially bad for him if he got another ticket.
that makes it especially bad for him if he got another ticket.
which would make it especially bad for him if he got another ticket.
that would be making it especially bad for him if he got another ticket.
which makes it especially bad for him if he got another ticket.
that would make it especially bad for him if he got another ticket.
which would make it especially bad for him if he got another ticket.
“Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, the part of the sentence before the comma is being modified by the part of the sentence after the comma. Therefore, “which” is appropriate, not “that.”
Example Question #45 : 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.
Most nutritionists say that when comparing raw brown sugar, white sugar, and honey, that honey is more healthy.
raw brown sugar, white sugar, and honey, that honey is the most healthy.
raw brown sugar, white sugar, and honey, that honey is more healthy.
raw brown sugar, white sugar and honey that honey is the most healthy.
raw brown sugar, white sugar, and honey, that honey is healthier.
raw brown sugar, white sugar, and honey, that honey is most healthiest.
raw brown sugar, white sugar, and honey, that honey is the most healthy.
When two items are being compared, “more” is the appropriate word to use, while “most” is appropriate for comparisons involving three or more items. Here, three items are being compared: "raw brown sugar, white sugar, and honey." Therefore, “most” is the appropriate word to use, not “more.”
Example Question #46 : Sentence Correction
If Albert Einstein would have stayed in his home country of Germany, he probably would have been killed in Hitler’s genocide.
(No changes needed)
If Albert Einstein would have stayed in his home country of Germany, he probably will have been killed in Hitler’s genocide.
If Albert Einstein was to have stayed in his home country of Germany, he probably would have been killed in Hitler’s genocide.
If Albert Einstein were to stay in his home country of Germany, he probably would have been killed in Hitler’s genocide.
If Albert Einstein had stayed in his home country of Germany, he probably would have been killed in Hitler’s genocide.
If Albert Einstein had stayed in his home country of Germany, he probably would have been killed in Hitler’s genocide.
One can never say, “If I would have done this, that would have happened”. One can only say, “If I had done this, that would have happened.”
Example Question #47 : Sentence Correction
I had gone to the opening of the new pet store after I said good-bye to you.
I went to the opening of the new pet store after I said good-bye to you.
(No changes needed)
I will go to the opening of the new pet store after I said good-bye to you.
I had gone to the opening of the new pet store after saying good-bye to you.
I had gone to the opening of the new pet store after I was saying good-bye to you.
I went to the opening of the new pet store after I said good-bye to you.
The original sentence uses the pluperfect verb form (had gone to the opening) erroneously because the event of going to the opening happened after saying goodbye. The pluperfect is for an event in the past that happens before another event in the past.
Example Question #48 : 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.
Joey made the decision to leave home, despite all of its comforts, and decides to travel to California because his dad had did so in the 1970s.
and decided to traveling to California because his dad had done so in the 1970s.
and decides to travel to California because his dad had done so in the 1970s.
and had decided to travel to Califronia because his dad does so in the 1970s.
and decides to travel to California because his dad had did so in the 1970s.
and decided to travel to California because his dad had done so in the 1970s.
and decided to travel to California because his dad had done so in the 1970s.
The key here is to not get confused with the different verb tenses being used. Joey both makes the decision to leave home and decides to travel to California in the past. Therefore, the verb "decided" should be used in place of “decides." On the other hand, Joey's dad had already made the decision to travel to California before Joey made the decision. Whenever one event happens before the other in the past tense, the earlier event must be placed in the past perfect tense (“had done” instead of “did”). Therefore, the correct answer is "and decided to travel to California because his dad had done so in the 1970s."
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