GMAT Verbal : Sentence Correction

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.

Few people will ever remember too many detail from their early childhood.

Possible Answers:

too much detail

too much details

too many detail

many detail

much details

Correct answer:

too much detail

Explanation:

The two words "many" and "much" mean the same thing, "a lot of," but are used in two distinct ways. "Many" is used exclusively with counting nouns, while "much" is used with noncounting nouns; therefore, when used with "detail," "much" is correct, while "many" would be correct with "details."

Example Question #692 : 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. 

Until you completely comprehend the message of the author’s first novel, you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel.

Possible Answers:

otherwise you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.

you did not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.

you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.

you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel.

only after fully appreciating the equally poignant sequel.

Correct answer:

you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.

Explanation:

The answer choice "otherwise you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel" is another subordinate clause, so this answer choice is incorrect because it leaves the sentence with no independent clause.

In the answer choice "you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel," "equal" is an adjective, but you must choose an adverb that modifies the adjective “poignant." "Equally" is the correct form, so this answer choice is incorrect.

The answer choice "only after fully appreciating the equally poignant sequel," is another subordinate clause, so this answer choice is incorrect. You must pick an independent clause.

In the answer choice "you did not appreciate the equally poignant sequel,"the past tense form of “did appreciate” does not agree with the insubordinate clause, which indicates that something will happen in the future (after you comprehend the message). The appropriate choice should indicate somethign that occurrs in the future, so this answer choice is incorrect.

The answer choice "you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel" is a future-tense independent clause with the appropriate adverb form of "equally." It is correct!

Example Question #3 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.

Certain scientific theories were actually developed by two researchers simultaneous.

Possible Answers:

of two researchers simultaneous.

by two researchers simultaneously.

by two researchers simultaneous.

of two researchers simultaneously.

by two researchers in simultaneous.

Correct answer:

by two researchers simultaneously.

Explanation:

The use of the word "simultaneous" actually describes the verb "developed," even though it is next to the verb "researchers." The issue can be corrected by making the word "simultaneous" an adverb. "By two researchers simultaneously" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #2 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.

He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

Possible Answers:

He was a horribly comedian, and can't make anyone laugh.

He were a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make one laugh.

He was a horrible comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

Correct answer:

He was a horrible comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

Explanation:

The use of the adverb "horribly" is wrong, as the word modifies a noun, "comedian," and should actually be an adjective. This problem can be corrected by shifting "horribly" to its adjectival form. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "He was a horrible comedian, with no ability to make anybody laugh."

Example Question #1951 : Sat Writing

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 non-profit organization never had financial issues, as it always handled its money perfect.

Possible Answers:

so it always handled its money perfect.

as it always handled its money perfectly.

as it always handled it's money perfect.

as it always handled its money perfect.

as it always handles its money perfect.

Correct answer:

as it always handled its money perfectly.

Explanation:

The use of the adjective "perfect" is incorrect in this sentence, as it modifies the verb "handled." A verb can only be modified by an adverb, meaning "perfect" must be changed to its adverbial form. As the only answer choice to use the adverb "perfectly" instead of the adjective "perfect," the correct answer choice is "as it always handled its money perfectly."

Example Question #5 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.

Even after giving it thoughtfully consideration, we are unfortunately not able to accept your application.

Possible Answers:

thoughtfully give it consderation

giving it thoughtfully considering

giving it thoughtful consideration

giving it thoughtfully consideration

thoughtfully given it consideration

Correct answer:

giving it thoughtful consideration

Explanation:

The use of the adverb "thoughtfully" is incorrect here, as it is being used to modify the noun "consideration." Adjectives, not adverbs, are used to modify nouns. The correct phrase is therefore "giving it thoughtful consideration," which uses the adjective "thoughtful" instead of the adverb "thoughtfully."

Example Question #2211 : 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.

Questions abounded in the inquiry into illegal payments alleged made by the college to student athletes.

Possible Answers:

alleged made

alleged making

allegedly making

made alleged

allegedly made

Correct answer:

allegedly made

Explanation:

The word "alleged" is modifying the word "made," a verb, which needs an adverb to modify it. The adverb form of "alleged" is "allegedly," which makes the correct answer "allegedly made."

Example Question #11 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb 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

We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitter cold.

Possible Answers:

We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitterly coldly.

We had a terrible time at the football game. It was coldly bitter.

We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitterly cold.

We had a terrible time at the football game. It was terrible cold.

We had a terrible time at the football game it was bitter cold.

Correct answer:

We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitterly cold.

Explanation:

The example sentence incorrectly uses an adjective where an adverb is needed. "Bitter", in this context, modifies the verb "was," and therefore should be replaced by the adverb "bitterly." If the cold were being used as a noun, then the adjective form of "bitter" would be appropriate—for example, "We were wrapped in a bitter cold." The correct version of the example reads, "We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitterly cold."

Example Question #11 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb 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 old man usual took his walk around the neighborhood at roughly three in the afternoon.

Possible Answers:

The old man usual took

The old man usual takes

The old man usual taken

The usual old man took

The old man usually took

Correct answer:

The old man usually took

Explanation:

The use of the word "usual" in the sentence is incorrect, as it describes the verb "took," which means it needs to take an adverb form. The only answer choice with the correct form that also keeps the intended meaning of the sentence is "The old man usually took."

Example Question #52 : Other Adjective And Adverb 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.

Marriages are increasing being delayed among young adults throughout the nation.

Possible Answers:

Marriages are increasing being delayed

Marriages are increasing being delaying

Marriages are increasingly being delayed

Marriages are increasingly being delaying

Marriages are increasingly been delayed

Correct answer:

Marriages are increasingly being delayed

Explanation:

The word "increasing" in the sentence is used to describe the verb phrase "being delayed." Even though these words are not the verb in the sentence, they still need an adverb form to describe them. The correct answer is "Marriages are increasingly being delayed."

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