Correcting Other Verb Errors - GMAT Verbal
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The trail was much steeper than appearing from the bottom of the mountain.
The trail was much steeper than appearing from the bottom of the mountain.
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The non-underlined, and therefore correct, verb in the sentence is "was," which is in the past tense. Therefore, the verb in the underlined portion of the sentence must also be in the past tense. The only answer choice that is both a correct grammatical form and in the past tense is "than it had appeared."
The non-underlined, and therefore correct, verb in the sentence is "was," which is in the past tense. Therefore, the verb in the underlined portion of the sentence must also be in the past tense. The only answer choice that is both a correct grammatical form and in the past tense is "than it had appeared."
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.
Had been immersed in the literature since childhood, he maintained an appreciation for it as an adult.
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.
Had been immersed in the literature since childhood, he maintained an appreciation for it as an adult.
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The sentence's introductory clause seems to intend to describe the subject "he," but it begins with a verb that doesn't clearly connect to the rest of the sentence and is grammatically incorrect. Introductory clauses can begin with participles, which would make much more sense in this sentence by allowing the start of the sentence to connect clearly to the subject. Of the potential answer choices, only "Having been immersed" omits the incorrect verb and replaces it with a grammatically correct participle. The other answer choices don't make sense: "Immersion having happened" and "Immersion happening" don't clearly connect the first phrase to the subject, and "He who had been immersed" introduces a grammatical error by making the sentence contain two disconnected subjects, "He who had been immersed in the literature since childhood" and "he." The corrected sentence reads, "Having been immersed in the literature since childhood, he maintained an appreciation for it as an adult."
The sentence's introductory clause seems to intend to describe the subject "he," but it begins with a verb that doesn't clearly connect to the rest of the sentence and is grammatically incorrect. Introductory clauses can begin with participles, which would make much more sense in this sentence by allowing the start of the sentence to connect clearly to the subject. Of the potential answer choices, only "Having been immersed" omits the incorrect verb and replaces it with a grammatically correct participle. The other answer choices don't make sense: "Immersion having happened" and "Immersion happening" don't clearly connect the first phrase to the subject, and "He who had been immersed" introduces a grammatical error by making the sentence contain two disconnected subjects, "He who had been immersed in the literature since childhood" and "he." The corrected sentence reads, "Having been immersed in the literature since childhood, he maintained an appreciation for it as an adult."
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 guitar is an extremely difficult instrument learning as an adult.
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 guitar is an extremely difficult instrument learning as an adult.
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The use of the verb "learning" is incorrect in the sentence. The correct answer needs to feature an infinitive as the sentence describes a capacity of learning. "To learn as an adult" is the only grammatically correct answer choice.
The use of the verb "learning" is incorrect in the sentence. The correct answer needs to feature an infinitive as the sentence describes a capacity of learning. "To learn as an adult" is the only grammatically correct answer choice.
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.
Though meteorologists continue to gain access to more and more advanced technology, their weather forecasts wrong more than 50% of the time.
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.
Though meteorologists continue to gain access to more and more advanced technology, their weather forecasts wrong more than 50% of the time.
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This is a sentence fragment because it is lacking a verb. Only "their weather forecasts are wrong" adds a verb in the right tense.
This is a sentence fragment because it is lacking a verb. Only "their weather forecasts are wrong" adds a verb in the right tense.
Since the foundation of the club, new members entering all the time.
Since the foundation of the club, new members entering all the time.
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The use of the phrase "Since the foundation of the club," indicates that the verb used in the underlined portion should be in the past tense. Additionally, the phrase needs to become a complete sentence on its own. "New members entered" is the only answer choice that fits both criteria.
The use of the phrase "Since the foundation of the club," indicates that the verb used in the underlined portion should be in the past tense. Additionally, the phrase needs to become a complete sentence on its own. "New members entered" is the only answer choice that fits both criteria.
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.
In no uncertain terms, the principal outlawing the use of live models for art classes.
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.
In no uncertain terms, the principal outlawing the use of live models for art classes.
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The best clue to the correct answer is the fact "of" is not underlined, indicating the form must stay as "the use." The only issue is the form of "outlawing," which cannot be used with the subject of "the principal" as a verb on its own. "Outlawed the use" is the correct answer choice.
The best clue to the correct answer is the fact "of" is not underlined, indicating the form must stay as "the use." The only issue is the form of "outlawing," which cannot be used with the subject of "the principal" as a verb on its own. "Outlawed the use" is the correct answer choice.
How long a person could live in outer space is a question scientists still debating.
How long a person could live in outer space is a question scientists still debating.
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The underlined portion of the sentence needs to align with what it describes, the "scientists." To make it grammatically correct, the verb form of "debating" needs to be changed to a simple present form. "Still debate" is the correct answer choice.
The underlined portion of the sentence needs to align with what it describes, the "scientists." To make it grammatically correct, the verb form of "debating" needs to be changed to a simple present form. "Still debate" is the correct answer choice.
Many people who do not believe in them, seeing ghosts.
Many people who do not believe in them, seeing ghosts.
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The underlined portion of the senetence awkwardly separates out the seeing of ghosts from the rest of the sentence. The correct answer needs to smoothly place what people have done with those people as a subject. "Them see ghosts," is the best choice among the answer choices.
The underlined portion of the senetence awkwardly separates out the seeing of ghosts from the rest of the sentence. The correct answer needs to smoothly place what people have done with those people as a subject. "Them see ghosts," is the best choice among the answer choices.
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.
Lots of voters pay little attention to the actual issues candidates advocating.
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.
Lots of voters pay little attention to the actual issues candidates advocating.
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The underlined portion needs to be improved by straightening out the verb "advocating." The verb tense in the final word needs to match with the use of "pay little attention" at the beginning of the sentence, which is in the present tense. "Candidates advocate" is the best choice among the answers.
The underlined portion needs to be improved by straightening out the verb "advocating." The verb tense in the final word needs to match with the use of "pay little attention" at the beginning of the sentence, which is in the present tense. "Candidates advocate" is the best choice among the answers.
Magicians use the fact people having trouble focusing on multiple things at once to fool their audiences.
Magicians use the fact people having trouble focusing on multiple things at once to fool their audiences.
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The underlined words are a compound verb, or multiple words that function as one verb in the sentence. These still need to follow a correct tense and form, which is not done with just "having" being placed after people. "Have trouble focusing" is the best way to improve the sentences among the answer choices.
The underlined words are a compound verb, or multiple words that function as one verb in the sentence. These still need to follow a correct tense and form, which is not done with just "having" being placed after people. "Have trouble focusing" is the best way to improve the sentences among the answer choices.
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.
Quite apart from the transportation issues, many consumers could not afford the cars once they having been arrived at the dealerships.
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.
Quite apart from the transportation issues, many consumers could not afford the cars once they having been arrived at the dealerships.
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The underlined portion of the sentence features an overwrought complex verb which also features an inappropriate verb usage. The use of "once" indicates the cars arrived in the past, so a past tense needs to be used. "Had arrived" is the best choice among the answers.
The underlined portion of the sentence features an overwrought complex verb which also features an inappropriate verb usage. The use of "once" indicates the cars arrived in the past, so a past tense needs to be used. "Had arrived" is the best choice among the answers.
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.
Having eaten little food while lost at sea, the sailors attacking their meal upon arrival on dry land.
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.
Having eaten little food while lost at sea, the sailors attacking their meal upon arrival on dry land.
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The use of the word "attacking" is actually not a verb in the sentence, but a gerund, that is a verb form that can be used as a noun. The word needs to be turned into the appropriate verb form. "The sailors attacked their meal" is the correct answer choice.
The use of the word "attacking" is actually not a verb in the sentence, but a gerund, that is a verb form that can be used as a noun. The word needs to be turned into the appropriate verb form. "The sailors attacked their meal" is the correct answer choice.
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 allied movements are designed making their opponents uneasy.
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 allied movements are designed making their opponents uneasy.
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The issue in the sentence is with the verb "making." It is used not as the verb, but as a modifier of "designed;" therefore, it needs to take a form that can appropriately do so, such as an infinitive. "To make their opponents uneasy," is the best choice among the answers.
The issue in the sentence is with the verb "making." It is used not as the verb, but as a modifier of "designed;" therefore, it needs to take a form that can appropriately do so, such as an infinitive. "To make their opponents uneasy," is the best choice among the answers.
Conflicting desires existing in every single person, and are quite difficult to sort out.
Conflicting desires existing in every single person, and are quite difficult to sort out.
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The issue in the underlined portion of the sentence is the use of the verb form "existing," which is a participle and not an actual verb. The word needs to be changed into a form that functions as a verb. "Conflicting desires exist in every single person" is the correct choice among the answers.
The issue in the underlined portion of the sentence is the use of the verb form "existing," which is a participle and not an actual verb. The word needs to be changed into a form that functions as a verb. "Conflicting desires exist in every single person" is the correct choice among the answers.
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 girls having a party commemorating the end of the school year.
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 girls having a party commemorating the end of the school year.
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The sentence as constructed does not actually contain a verb. "Having" in this sentence is the present participle, which always needs a form of the verb "to be." In this sentence, the appropriate form is "are," the plural form, making "The girls are having a party" the correct answer.
The sentence as constructed does not actually contain a verb. "Having" in this sentence is the present participle, which always needs a form of the verb "to be." In this sentence, the appropriate form is "are," the plural form, making "The girls are having a party" the correct answer.
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 young girl was surprisingly involving in the decisions her parents made.
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 young girl was surprisingly involving in the decisions her parents made.
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The underlined portion of the sentence has an odd verb usage in the word "involving." The sentence actually needs a past tense verb to make appropriate sense. "Was surprisingly involved" is the best choice among the answers.
The underlined portion of the sentence has an odd verb usage in the word "involving." The sentence actually needs a past tense verb to make appropriate sense. "Was surprisingly involved" is the best choice among the answers.
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.
Having seen many natural wonders in his life, the general was still astonishing at the massive waterfall.
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.
Having seen many natural wonders in his life, the general was still astonishing at the massive waterfall.
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The "waterfall" makes the "general" have a feeling of astonishment. The sentence as written makes this quite confusing. To make it correct grammatically, the form of the word needs to be something the general does. "Still astonished at the massive waterfall" is the correct answer choice.
The "waterfall" makes the "general" have a feeling of astonishment. The sentence as written makes this quite confusing. To make it correct grammatically, the form of the word needs to be something the general does. "Still astonished at the massive waterfall" is the correct answer choice.
After a large lunch, the whole group did not want eating for a few hours.
After a large lunch, the whole group did not want eating for a few hours.
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The underlined portion of the sentence has a problem with the verb form "eating." The gerund form, used here, is inappropriate, as it is actually a verb that functions as a noun; therefore, the correct answer is "did not want to eat for a few hours."
The underlined portion of the sentence has a problem with the verb form "eating." The gerund form, used here, is inappropriate, as it is actually a verb that functions as a noun; therefore, the correct answer is "did not want to eat for a few hours."
Hold back tears, the woman was moved deeply by her son's gift.
Hold back tears, the woman was moved deeply by her son's gift.
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The introductory phrase that is highlighted in the sentence describes the condition under which the woman reacted to her son's gift. Therefore, the verb form needs to describe a condition or way of being. Such a form is the present participle, which shows action currently being taken, and the correct answer is "Holding back tears."
The introductory phrase that is highlighted in the sentence describes the condition under which the woman reacted to her son's gift. Therefore, the verb form needs to describe a condition or way of being. Such a form is the present participle, which shows action currently being taken, and the correct answer is "Holding back tears."
He regularly went seeing the parades that went through downtown.
He regularly went seeing the parades that went through downtown.
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The verb form used in the underlined section is completely wrong. The use of the present participle "seeing" confuses the meaning of the sentence and is unclear. The verb "went" needs a complement form, such as an infinitive. Therefore, the correct answer is "went to see."
The verb form used in the underlined section is completely wrong. The use of the present participle "seeing" confuses the meaning of the sentence and is unclear. The verb "went" needs a complement form, such as an infinitive. Therefore, the correct answer is "went to see."