GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #581 : 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 assigned it's latest project to Tim.
its latest project to Tim.
it's latest project: to Tim.
its latest project to: Tim.
it's latest project to: Tim.
it's latest project to Tim.
its latest project to Tim.
This sentence uses the wrong form of "it." When the apostrophe is present (it's), the word is a contraction for "it is." The possessive form, which is needed here, is "its" (without the apostrophe). No additional punctuation or other changes are necessary - colons are never used to split up a clause. The correct choice is, "its latest project to Tim."
Example Question #582 : 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
I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted it was her's.
I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted they were her's.
I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted it was her's.
I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted it was hers.
I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted they were hers.
I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted it was belonging to her.
I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted it was hers.
The possessive pronouns "hers," "his," "yours," "its," "ours," and "theirs" are never used with apostrophes. The correct version of this sentence reads: "I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted it was hers."
Example Question #583 : 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.
She wished to study in Rome because she was enamored with it's history.
Rome: because she was enamored with it's history.
Rome, because she was enamored with it is history.
Rome because she was enamored with its history.
Rome because she was enamored with it's history.
Rome; because she was enamored with it's history.
Rome because she was enamored with its history.
This sentence misuses the pronoun "it's," which is a contraction for "it is." The correct form (the possessive) is "its," without an apostrophe. The correct choice is, "Rome because she was enamored with its history." No additional punctuation is necessary. The word "because" does not take a comma before it when joining clauses.
Example Question #584 : Sentence Correction
If students can just study harder, our test scores will benefit.
Which option best replaces the underlined sentence?
If students can just study harder, your test scores will benefit.
If students can just study harder, their test scores will benefit.
If students can just study harder, it will benefit our test scores.
If we can just study harder, it will benefit their test scores.
If students can just study harder, our test scores will benefit.
If students can just study harder, their test scores will benefit.
This is an error of inconsistent usage. "Students" does not clearly match up with "our." The speaker needs to identify himself in both words—"we and our" or "students and their."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
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.
If one wishes to understand a musical composition fully, we must consider the time period in which it was written.
one must consider the time period in which it was written.
we will have to consider the time period in which it was written.
we must consider the time period in which it was written.
we must have considered the time period in which it was written.
we must consider the time period corresponding to when it was written.
one must consider the time period in which it was written.
The answer choice "one must consider the time period in which it was written" is correct because it contains the word "one," which matches the word "one" used in the first clause of the sentence.
All of the other answer choices are incorrect because they contain the pronoun "we," and therefore lead to pronoun agreement errors.
Example Question #2001 : Correcting Grammatical 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.
If one is to construct a comprehensive model of the global economy, we must first account for alternating periods of expansion and contraction in the business cycle.
one must first account for
we must first account for
one must first account to
we must account firstly for
one had first accounted for
one must first account for
The original text contains a pronoun consistency error. The underlined portion of the sentence contains the pronoun "we," but the sentence uses "one" before that. In order to maintain consistency, the underlined portion should use "one" rather than "we."
The answer choice "one had first accounted for" contains a tense error, even though it correctly uses "one" instead of "we."
The answer choice "one must first account to" is incorrect because the correct idiom is "account for."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
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.
Does one have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
Does one have a responsibility to the helping of the others, or does one only have a responsibility to the helping of yourself?
Does one have a responsibility to help others, or does one only have a responsibility to help themselves?
Do you have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
Does one have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
Do ones have a responsibility to help others, or do ones only have a responsibility to help his or herself?
Do you have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
In the sentence as it is written, "one" and "you" are both used. You should stick to using one of these pronouns or the other, and not switch between them in a sentence.
Example Question #2003 : Correcting Grammatical 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.
When you go to a buffet, one should make sure that you do not overeat.
one should make sure
then make sure
make sure
be sure of
and make sure
make sure
The sentence begins by using the pronoun "you," but then switches to using the pronoun "one." These should be kept consistent.
Example Question #106 : 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.
When one is trying a dangerous sport such as rock-climbing, you should always use the proper safety equipment.
they should always use the proper safety equipment.
he or she should always be using the proper safety equipment.
one should always use the proper safety equipment.
you should always use the proper safety equipment.
he should always be using proper safety equipment.
one should always use the proper safety equipment.
Because “one” is the subject in the relative clause that begins the sentence, “one” must also be the subject of the main independent clause that concludes the sentence. Pronouns and their antecedents must match, and “you,” “they,” and “he” do not match “one.” Also, “use” is more concise than “be using,” which is unnecessarily wordy.
Example Question #7 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
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.
If a person wants to live fully and reach their potential, he or she must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach his or her potential, he or she must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach its potential, it must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach their potential, he or she must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach his potential, he must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach their potential, they must first find a meaningful passion.
If a person wants to live fully and reach his or her potential, he or she must first find a meaningful passion.
Because the antecedent (“a person”) is singular, “their” and “they” are incorrect pronouns. Because the antecedent doesn’t indicate gender, the male “he” isn’t sufficient and “he or she” must be used. Although “its” and “it” are singular pronouns, they are used to talk about objects and not about people, so they are incorrect.
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