Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors - GMAT Verbal
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Very few professional athletes are in the top percentile for running, jumping, and the ability to throw.
Very few professional athletes are in the top percentile for running, jumping, and the ability to throw.
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The list at the end of the sentence features different verb forms. Any list of such verbs all need to take the same form for a parallel structure; therefore, the correct answer is "for running, jumping, and throwing."
The list at the end of the sentence features different verb forms. Any list of such verbs all need to take the same form for a parallel structure; therefore, the correct answer is "for running, jumping, and throwing."
Alexander held his intelligence in high regard, and so he believed that his grades should be higher than the other students in the class.
Alexander held his intelligence in high regard, and so he believed that his grades should be higher than the other students in the class.
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The initial sentence contains an illogical comparison. Her grades cannot be higher than the other students. They can only be higher than the grades of the other students. In this sentence, the pronoun those can stand in for grades.
The initial sentence contains an illogical comparison. Her grades cannot be higher than the other students. They can only be higher than the grades of the other students. In this sentence, the pronoun those can stand in for grades.
Choose the best way to rephrase the underlined portion of the sentence. One of the answer choices repeats the original phrasing.
The man who waved goodbye and headed back into the cold, wintry night.
Choose the best way to rephrase the underlined portion of the sentence. One of the answer choices repeats the original phrasing.
The man who waved goodbye and headed back into the cold, wintry night.
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The relative pronoun “who” makes this sentence into a fragment, because there is no longer a predicate. The best answer simply removes “who.”
The relative pronoun “who” makes this sentence into a fragment, because there is no longer a predicate. The best answer simply removes “who.”
Their dog will always be loved by them.
What sentence best replaces the underlined sentence above?
Their dog will always be loved by them.
What sentence best replaces the underlined sentence above?
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Sentences should almost always be written in the active voice, rather than the passive voice. There is no need for parentheses, and "their" is correct, not "they're." So "They will always love their dog" is the best answer.
Sentences should almost always be written in the active voice, rather than the passive voice. There is no need for parentheses, and "their" is correct, not "they're." So "They will always love their dog" is the best answer.
The kids took too much time cleaning their rooms, left little time to do outdoor chores.
The kids took too much time cleaning their rooms, left little time to do outdoor chores.
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The underlined phrase in the sentence, being the second part of a complex sentence, needs to have a parallel structure to the phrase in the first half of the sentence; therefore, "leaving little time to do outdoor chores," is the best choice among the answers.
The underlined phrase in the sentence, being the second part of a complex sentence, needs to have a parallel structure to the phrase in the first half of the sentence; therefore, "leaving little time to do outdoor chores," 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.
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffries are nervous about finding out where they will be accepted to graduate school, as where they are accepted may force them to have a long-distance relationship and they have never had that before.
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.
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffries are nervous about finding out where they will be accepted to graduate school, as where they are accepted may force them to have a long-distance relationship and they have never had that before.
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The correct answer is: "may force them to have a long-distance relationship, which they have never had before," because it is the most efficiently phrased and is grammatically correct.
The answer choice "may force them to have a long-distance relationship, and they have not had a long-distance relationship before" is incorrect because the phrase "and they have not" is unnecessarily wordy compared to the correct answer.
The answer choice "may be forcing them to have a long-distance relationship, and that is something they have never had that before" is incorrect because "may be forcing" refers to present action, and Mr. and Mrs. Jeffries have not yet found out where they have been accepted to graduate school.
The answer choice "may be forcing them to have a long-distance relationship, which they have never had that before" is wrong because "which they have never had that before" is grammatically improper.
The answer choice "may force them to have a long-distance relationship and they have never had that before" is somewhat of a run-on sentence, and the correct answer is more succinctly phrased.
The correct answer is: "may force them to have a long-distance relationship, which they have never had before," because it is the most efficiently phrased and is grammatically correct.
The answer choice "may force them to have a long-distance relationship, and they have not had a long-distance relationship before" is incorrect because the phrase "and they have not" is unnecessarily wordy compared to the correct answer.
The answer choice "may be forcing them to have a long-distance relationship, and that is something they have never had that before" is incorrect because "may be forcing" refers to present action, and Mr. and Mrs. Jeffries have not yet found out where they have been accepted to graduate school.
The answer choice "may be forcing them to have a long-distance relationship, which they have never had that before" is wrong because "which they have never had that before" is grammatically improper.
The answer choice "may force them to have a long-distance relationship and they have never had that before" is somewhat of a run-on sentence, and the correct answer is more succinctly phrased.
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.
Forecasters warn of a sharp drop in oil prices, although loved by consumers, could have dire consequences for the world economy.
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.
Forecasters warn of a sharp drop in oil prices, although loved by consumers, could have dire consequences for the world economy.
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The key word to consider when answering this question is the conditional word "could" in the last portion of the sentence. Because the forecasted shop drop in oil prices is discussed in conditional terms after the comma, it must also be discussed in conditional terms before the comma, and in the way the sentence is presented, it is not. The only answer choice that features appropriate wording is "Forecasters warn that a sharp drop in oil prices"; the "that" allows for the conditional, in the sense of the forecasters warning that if a sharp drop in oil prices occurs, it could have dire consequences for the world economy.
The key word to consider when answering this question is the conditional word "could" in the last portion of the sentence. Because the forecasted shop drop in oil prices is discussed in conditional terms after the comma, it must also be discussed in conditional terms before the comma, and in the way the sentence is presented, it is not. The only answer choice that features appropriate wording is "Forecasters warn that a sharp drop in oil prices"; the "that" allows for the conditional, in the sense of the forecasters warning that if a sharp drop in oil prices occurs, it could have dire consequences for the world economy.
The engineer was unsure as to whether his critical reasoning skills or his plethora of internships were to thank for his new job.
Which answer best replaces the underlined section of the sentence?
The engineer was unsure as to whether his critical reasoning skills or his plethora of internships were to thank for his new job.
Which answer best replaces the underlined section of the sentence?
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"As to whether" should always be just "whether." The same is true for "which." Finally, adding a comma to the section renders it incorrect.
"As to whether" should always be just "whether." The same is true for "which." Finally, adding a comma to the section renders it incorrect.
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 competition initially meant to provide new forms of interest for the salesman, soon created serious divisions inside the office that were quite difficult to smooth over.
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 competition initially meant to provide new forms of interest for the salesman, soon created serious divisions inside the office that were quite difficult to smooth over.
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In this sentence, the participial phrase "initially meant to provide new forms of interest for the salesman" is an interrupting phrase, a phrase that provides extra meaning to the sentence, but is not a necessary part of the sentence's construction. All such phrases must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. "The competition, initially meant to provide new forms of interest for the salesman, soon created" is the only answer choice which makes such a change.
In this sentence, the participial phrase "initially meant to provide new forms of interest for the salesman" is an interrupting phrase, a phrase that provides extra meaning to the sentence, but is not a necessary part of the sentence's construction. All such phrases must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. "The competition, initially meant to provide new forms of interest for the salesman, soon created" is the only answer choice which makes such a change.
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.
With just a few quick swings of the machete, the debris was cleared away by the guide, allowing his group to follow his path without obstruction.
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.
With just a few quick swings of the machete, the debris was cleared away by the guide, allowing his group to follow his path without obstruction.
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Eliminate the answer choices which include the passive voice. This question also has to do with order of relevance. Consider that the initial prepositional phrase describes the guide's most relevant action. What is the most important thing the guide did? He cleared away the debris. That should be mentioned in the active voice before the fact that he allowed his group to follow his path. Choose the answer that most efficiently describes the primary action (in the active voice) and sets up the clauses about the consequences of his action.
Eliminate the answer choices which include the passive voice. This question also has to do with order of relevance. Consider that the initial prepositional phrase describes the guide's most relevant action. What is the most important thing the guide did? He cleared away the debris. That should be mentioned in the active voice before the fact that he allowed his group to follow his path. Choose the answer that most efficiently describes the primary action (in the active voice) and sets up the clauses about the consequences of his action.
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.
With just a few quick swings of his ax, the log was split down the middle by the carpenter, allowing the wood to sit in the fireplace just right.
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.
With just a few quick swings of his ax, the log was split down the middle by the carpenter, allowing the wood to sit in the fireplace just right.
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Eliminate the answer choices which include the passive voice. This question also has to do with order of relevance. Consider that the initial prepositional phrase describes the carpenter’s most relevant action. What is the most important thing the carpenter did? He split the log down the middle. That should be mentioned in the active voice before the fact that his action allowed the wood to sit in the fireplace. Choose the answer that most efficiently describes the primary action (in the active voice) and sets up the clauses about the consequences of his action.
Eliminate the answer choices which include the passive voice. This question also has to do with order of relevance. Consider that the initial prepositional phrase describes the carpenter’s most relevant action. What is the most important thing the carpenter did? He split the log down the middle. That should be mentioned in the active voice before the fact that his action allowed the wood to sit in the fireplace. Choose the answer that most efficiently describes the primary action (in the active voice) and sets up the clauses about the consequences of his action.
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.
There is no other specialized term for those who study tsunamis than "seismologist," as the study of tsunamis is but a subspecialty of those who study the Earth's movements in general.
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.
There is no other specialized term for those who study tsunamis than "seismologist," as the study of tsunamis is but a subspecialty of those who study the Earth's movements in general.
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The "as" at the beginning of the sentence’s final clause, "as the study of…" makes that clause dependent—it can’t stand on its own. Thus, the underlined clause must remain independent, or else the sentence will become a fragment.
The word "seismologist" must be linked to noun phrase that begins "no specialized term…" with a word that makes sense in context and is idiomatically correct.
"Other than" makes perfect sense in context, and adding a conjunction to the beginning of the sentence would leave us with two dependent clauses.
The "as" at the beginning of the sentence’s final clause, "as the study of…" makes that clause dependent—it can’t stand on its own. Thus, the underlined clause must remain independent, or else the sentence will become a fragment.
The word "seismologist" must be linked to noun phrase that begins "no specialized term…" with a word that makes sense in context and is idiomatically correct.
"Other than" makes perfect sense in context, and adding a conjunction to the beginning of the sentence would leave us with two dependent clauses.
The boys all enjoyed swimming, hiking, and to run on the camp's property.
The boys all enjoyed swimming, hiking, and to run on the camp's property.
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The three activities in the list all need to have a parallel structure, and be grammatically correct, ruling out the answer choice featuring the construction "to running . . ." The best answer choice, therefore, is "to swim, to hike, and to run on the camp's property."
The three activities in the list all need to have a parallel structure, and be grammatically correct, ruling out the answer choice featuring the construction "to running . . ." The best answer choice, therefore, is "to swim, to hike, and to run on the camp's property."
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.
With just a few quick swings of his ax, the debris was cleared away by forester, allowing his vehicle to pass without obstruction.
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.
With just a few quick swings of his ax, the debris was cleared away by forester, allowing his vehicle to pass without obstruction.
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Eliminate the answer choices that include the passive voice. This question also has to do with order of relevance. Consider that the initial prepositional phrase describes the forester's most relevant action. What is the most important thing the forester did? He cleared away the debris. That should be mentioned in the active voice before the fact that his action allowed his vehicle to pass. Choose the answer that most efficiently describes the primary action (in the active voice) and sets up the clauses about the consequence of his action. If the subject of the first clause is the forester "swinging" his axe, he must be the subject of the second clause to avoid a dangling modifier error.
Eliminate the answer choices that include the passive voice. This question also has to do with order of relevance. Consider that the initial prepositional phrase describes the forester's most relevant action. What is the most important thing the forester did? He cleared away the debris. That should be mentioned in the active voice before the fact that his action allowed his vehicle to pass. Choose the answer that most efficiently describes the primary action (in the active voice) and sets up the clauses about the consequence of his action. If the subject of the first clause is the forester "swinging" his axe, he must be the subject of the second clause to avoid a dangling modifier error.
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.
Since her husband began playing the guitar, Martha has become far more expert a distinguisher of a tuned instrument and an out of tune instrument, a classical guitar and an electric guitar.
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.
Since her husband began playing the guitar, Martha has become far more expert a distinguisher of a tuned instrument and an out of tune instrument, a classical guitar and an electric guitar.
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One can distinguish a from b, or distinguish between a and b. The correct answer is the only one that follows this idiomatic pattern.
One can distinguish a from b, or distinguish between a and b. The correct answer is the only one that follows this idiomatic pattern.
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 Great Gatsby examined the cultural excesses of America in the 1920's.
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 Great Gatsby examined the cultural excesses of America in the 1920's.
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Present tense is always preferable when referring to existing works. The book was written in the past but still exists in the present.
Present tense is always preferable when referring to existing works. The book was written in the past but still exists in the present.
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.
In February we will be married ten years.
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.
In February we will be married ten years.
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"February" is presumed to be in the future which requires the future tense "will." Adding "will" to "have been married" makes the future perfect tense. "Will be" is incorrect because it is the Simple Future tense which means that we will be married in February and then 10 years thereafter.
"February" is presumed to be in the future which requires the future tense "will." Adding "will" to "have been married" makes the future perfect tense. "Will be" is incorrect because it is the Simple Future tense which means that we will be married in February and then 10 years thereafter.
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.
My Advanced Literature class just finished reading: "Eve's Diary", a short story by Mark Twain.
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.
My Advanced Literature class just finished reading: "Eve's Diary", a short story by Mark Twain.
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There is no punctuation between the verb and its object. Additionally, the comma goes inside the quotation marks. Any combination of punctuation makes the other answers incorrect.
There is no punctuation between the verb and its object. Additionally, the comma goes inside the quotation marks. Any combination of punctuation makes the other answers incorrect.
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.
Hurricane Sandy caused destruction throughout the states of New Jersey and New York. Debris and fallen trees were laying all over the ground.
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.
Hurricane Sandy caused destruction throughout the states of New Jersey and New York. Debris and fallen trees were laying all over the ground.
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The past progressive tense of "to lie" is "were lying." The auxiliary verb "were" completes the sentence. The difference between lay and lie revolves around the rule that to "lie" means "to rest" whereas "lay"means "to put or place." In this example, the debris and trees were placed on the ground by the hurricane.
The past progressive tense of "to lie" is "were lying." The auxiliary verb "were" completes the sentence. The difference between lay and lie revolves around the rule that to "lie" means "to rest" whereas "lay"means "to put or place." In this example, the debris and trees were placed on the ground by the hurricane.
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.
After the school vandalism incident, the principal ordered the teachers to make a list of students who were most likely to have committed the offence.
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.
After the school vandalism incident, the principal ordered the teachers to make a list of students who were most likely to have committed the offence.
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We need to choose the best version of the sentence. In this case, the simplest version is the best! We also can eliminate any sentences that are not grammatically correct, or that change the meaning of the sentence, or are not in the correct tense. That eliminates all of the other options.
We need to choose the best version of the sentence. In this case, the simplest version is the best! We also can eliminate any sentences that are not grammatically correct, or that change the meaning of the sentence, or are not in the correct tense. That eliminates all of the other options.