All GMAT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #462 : Correcting Word 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.
If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and me, you will see that I am the shorter of the group.
If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and me, you will see that I am the shorter of the group.
If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and me, you would see that I am the shorter of the group.
If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and me, you will see that I am the shortest of the group.
If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and I, you will see that I am the shorter of the group.
If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and I, you will see that I am the shortest of the group.
If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and me, you will see that I am the shortest of the group.
We use comparative adjectives when comparing two people or things (bigger, worse, etc.); we use superlative adjectives when comparing one person or thing with three or more people or things (the biggest, the worst, etc.). Thus, here we use the superlative adjective “the shortest.” In the first clause, we use “me” instead of “I” because “me” is an object pronoun, and “me” is the indirect object of the verb “look.”.
Example Question #211 : Improving Sentences
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 strongest boy that grew up into the biggest teenager in his town.
a stronger boy
the strongest boy
a strongly boy
a strongest boy
the strongly boy
the strongest boy
The use of the form "strongest" is a superlative that indicates the peak of an adjective; therefore, there can be only one "strongest boy," and the phrase needs a definite article, "the," instead of the indefinite article, "a."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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.
I have a lot of friends who did well on those exams, but I think that I will do more well than them.
gooder
more good
best
better
more well
better
"More well" is not a phrase—the comparative form of "well" is not "more well," but "better." Since we are only comparing two groups (the speaker versus the speaker's friends), "better" is the most appropriate here.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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.
Between my younger sister, my older sister, and me, my older sister walks most fast.
most fast
most quickly
more quick
faster
more quickly
most quickly
In the sentence as it is written, "fast," an adjective, is being used to modify "walks." This is incorrect; only adverbs can modify verbs. So, we need to pick out an answer choice which uses the adverbial form of "fast," which is "quickly." This lets us eliminate the answer choice "most fast." "Faster" cannot be correct because more than two subjects are being compared in the sentence, and "faster" is a comparative adjective that is used to compare two subjects. "More quick," "more fast," and "more quickly" can each be eliminated for this same reason, in addition to the fact that "more quick" isn't grammatically correct at all—one would say "quicker," not "more quick." This leaves us with the correct answer, "most quickly."
Example Question #471 : Correcting Word 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.
The chefs of New York City cannot compare with the home-cooked meals of my mother.
The chefs of New York City were not comparing with the home-cooked meals of my mother.
The chefs of New York City cannot compare to the home-cooked meals of my mother.
The chefs of New York City cannot compare with my mother.
The chefs of New York City cannot hardly compare with the home-cooked meals of my mother.
(No changes to original.)
The chefs of New York City cannot compare with my mother.
We must compare the chefs to my mother, not to the home-cooked meals.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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 more difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.
The more difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthier obstacle course.
The more difficult steps in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.
The more difficult step in the process of all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.
The more difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.
The most difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.
The most difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.
The use of "more" in this sentence is odd and confusing, as "more" should be used in a direct comparison between two things. As no comparison is made in this sentence, the modifier should simply indicate a great degree of difficulty. The word "most," a superlative adjective, properly conveys such a meaning, making the correct answer, "The most difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course."
Example Question #3 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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 lifetime, few people knew about the fuller extent of his condition.
about the full extent of his condition.
about the fuller extent of his condition.
about the fuller extents of his condition.
about the fuller extent for his condition.
around the fuller extent of his condition.
about the full extent of his condition.
The use of "fuller" is incorrect in this sentence, as "fuller" implies a comparison, but is not comparing anything in the sentence. The use of the simple adjective "full" is perfectly appropriate in the sentence, making the correct answer choice "about the full extent of his condition."
Example Question #211 : Improving Sentences
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.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats do.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have fewer calories per gram than fats do.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats were to have.
Carbohydrates and proteins have less calories per gram than fats.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats do.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have fewer calories per gram than fats do.
Calories can be counted, and so we use the word "fewer." "Less" is for quantities that cannot be counted, such as water.
Example Question #11 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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.
Amy drinks lesser water than Johnny, which is why Johnny refills his water bottle more often than Amy does.
least
less
few
fewer
fewest
less
As the question compares two people, a comparative form of the adjective in question must be used, meaning that "few," the regular form of the adjective, and "least" and "fewest," which are each superlative forms, are incorrect. While "fewer" and "less" might each look like a potentially correct answer, "fewer" is used to distinguish between countable nouns, while "less" is used to distinguish between uncountable nouns, like "water." (You can tell if a noun is countable or not if you could precede it with a number, and "seven water" doesn't make sense, given how "water" is used here.) So, "less" is the correct answer.
Example Question #21 : Comparative And Superlative 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Why do you look at me like I am so much lesser intelligently than you are?
much less intelligent
much lesser in intelligent
much fewer intelligent
much lessly intelligently
lessly intelligently
much less intelligent
"Intelligently" is an adverb and adverbs are not used comparatively, so we need to change "intelligently" to "intelligent," an adjective. Also, "lesser," an adjective, needs to be changed to a determiner, "less." So, "less intelligent" is the correct answer.