Correcting Other Errors and Recognizing Correct Sentences - GMAT Verbal
Card 1 of 1168
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.
Even though although his dad's shoes were too big for him, Devin was proud to wear them to church.
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.
Even though although his dad's shoes were too big for him, Devin was proud to wear them to church.
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Saying both "even though" and "although" is redundant, so we should use only "even though" in the updated sentence.
Saying both "even though" and "although" is redundant, so we should use only "even though" in the updated sentence.
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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.
Meanwhile at the same time, José was running back home to retrieve his keys.
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.
Meanwhile at the same time, José was running back home to retrieve his keys.
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Saying both "meanwhile" and "at the same time" is redundant, so it is best here to use only "meanwhile" to start the sentence.
Saying both "meanwhile" and "at the same time" is redundant, so it is best here to use only "meanwhile" to start the sentence.
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Keeping track of the different machinations of the politician was a difficult job for the reporters assigned to the beat.
Keeping track of the different machinations of the politician was a difficult job for the reporters assigned to the beat.
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Although the sentence as written is a little too wordy, and could be slightly simplified, there is nothing inherently wrong grammatically. Overall, the best choice among the answers is to leave the sentence as written.
Although the sentence as written is a little too wordy, and could be slightly simplified, there is nothing inherently wrong grammatically. Overall, the best choice among the answers is to leave the sentence as written.
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Few ever took the typically jovial boy seriously, which made it hard for him to be understood in the moment.
Few ever took the typically jovial boy seriously, which made it hard for him to be understood in the moment.
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The sentence is actually perfectly correct as it is written, and needs no changes to be made correct. Additionally, all the other answer choices are either incorrect grammatically or change the meaning of the sentence.
The sentence is actually perfectly correct as it is written, and needs no changes to be made correct. Additionally, all the other answer choices are either incorrect grammatically or change the meaning of the sentence.
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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 team was praised by management for their great contributions to the company.
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 team was praised by management for their great contributions to the company.
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There are two errors in the sentence above. First, the main verb of the sentence, "praised," is in passive voice. While the passive voice is not necessarily grammatically incorrect, in this case the subject should always be doing the action of the verb, not having the action done to it for clarity's sake. Second, the word "team" is an example of a collective noun. Even though it refers to many different individuals, it is grammatically singular, so the correct modifier for it in this sentence is "its." The most clear and concise choice is, "Management praised the team for its great contributions to the company."
There are two errors in the sentence above. First, the main verb of the sentence, "praised," is in passive voice. While the passive voice is not necessarily grammatically incorrect, in this case the subject should always be doing the action of the verb, not having the action done to it for clarity's sake. Second, the word "team" is an example of a collective noun. Even though it refers to many different individuals, it is grammatically singular, so the correct modifier for it in this sentence is "its." The most clear and concise choice is, "Management praised the team for its great contributions to the company."
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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.
Many people consider William Shakespeare being the best English writer of all 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.
Many people consider William Shakespeare being the best English writer of all time.
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This sentence contains an error in verb usage. The word "to be" is being used to complete the action of "consider," so the infinitive form of this word should be used instead of "being." The correct answer is: "William Shakespeare to be the best English writer of all time."
This sentence contains an error in verb usage. The word "to be" is being used to complete the action of "consider," so the infinitive form of this word should be used instead of "being." The correct answer is: "William Shakespeare to be the best English writer of all time."
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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 children saw many deers through the windows of the vehicle.
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 children saw many deers through the windows of the vehicle.
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This sentence contains a pluralization error. The plural of "deer" is "deer," so the correct answer choice is "deer," as in: "The children saw many deer through the windows of the vehicle."
This sentence contains a pluralization error. The plural of "deer" is "deer," so the correct answer choice is "deer," as in: "The children saw many deer through the windows of the vehicle."
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The young boy, tired from the long trip, immediately went to sleep when he arrived at his grandparent's house.
The young boy, tired from the long trip, immediately went to sleep when he arrived at his grandparent's house.
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The phrase "tired from the long trip" is an interrupting phrase, a clause that is unnecessary to the structure of the sentence but gives crucial information. All such clauses need to be set off by commas, making the sentence correct as written.
The phrase "tired from the long trip" is an interrupting phrase, a clause that is unnecessary to the structure of the sentence but gives crucial information. All such clauses need to be set off by commas, making the sentence correct as written.
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The most disappointing element of the art exhibit was its inability to attain the painter's most well known works.
The most disappointing element of the art exhibit was its inability to attain the painter's most well known works.
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The sentence is perfectly correct as written, and needs no changes to improve it. Further, all of the answer choices that do change the sentence make it incorrect grammatically.
The sentence is perfectly correct as written, and needs no changes to improve it. Further, all of the answer choices that do change the sentence make it incorrect grammatically.
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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.
Lennard asked Carla "do you have the reports?"
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.
Lennard asked Carla "do you have the reports?"
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This sentence contains two errors. The first is a punctuation error: a comma should appear after the name "Carla," since this is where the quote begins in the sentence. This is a more appropriate choice than a colon. The second error lies in the capitalization (or lack thereof) of the word "do." The first word in a direct quote should always be capitalized. The correct answer choice is, "asked Carla, "Do you have the reports?" "
This sentence contains two errors. The first is a punctuation error: a comma should appear after the name "Carla," since this is where the quote begins in the sentence. This is a more appropriate choice than a colon. The second error lies in the capitalization (or lack thereof) of the word "do." The first word in a direct quote should always be capitalized. The correct answer choice is, "asked Carla, "Do you have the reports?" "
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Among other critiques, Martin Luther attacked the Catholic Church for the sale of indulgences, the practice of allowing congregants to purchase expiation for their sins.
Among other critiques, Martin Luther attacked the Catholic Church for the sale of indulgences, the practice of allowing congregants to purchase expiation for their sins.
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The original sentence, which contains an appositive noun phrase, is best. The other options lead to illogical statements or sentence fragments.
The original sentence, which contains an appositive noun phrase, is best. The other options lead to illogical statements or sentence fragments.
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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.
Children frequently want toys they have seen advertised on their favorite television shows.
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.
Children frequently want toys they have seen advertised on their favorite television shows.
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The underlined portion of the sentence, while slightly awkwardly worded, is perfectly correct grammatically. All of the other answer choices have either an incorrect verb tense or a construction that muddles the meaning of the sentence.
The underlined portion of the sentence, while slightly awkwardly worded, is perfectly correct grammatically. All of the other answer choices have either an incorrect verb tense or a construction that muddles the meaning of the sentence.
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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 law prevented both active wiretapping and snooping.
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 law prevented both active wiretapping and snooping.
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The key word in the sentence is "both." This indicates that the underlined portion holds two items, "active wiretapping" and "snooping." Thus, the use of "and" appropriately separates the two items, and no punctuation is necessary.
The key word in the sentence is "both." This indicates that the underlined portion holds two items, "active wiretapping" and "snooping." Thus, the use of "and" appropriately separates the two items, and no punctuation is necessary.
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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.
Rivers were once the key transportation method in civilization, but the paving of roads created concrete rivers across land masses.
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.
Rivers were once the key transportation method in civilization, but the paving of roads created concrete rivers across land masses.
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The underlined portion of the sentence features a gerund, a present verb form that can be used as a noun. Thus, the phrase "the paving of roads" can appropriately be a subject in the phrase, and the sentence is correct as written.
The underlined portion of the sentence features a gerund, a present verb form that can be used as a noun. Thus, the phrase "the paving of roads" can appropriately be a subject in the phrase, and the sentence is correct as written.
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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.
You and I will be the ones to go into the room first.
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.
You and I will be the ones to go into the room first.
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The appropriate use of the pronouns "you" and "I" together as the subject of the sentence is in the sentence as it is written. The correct answer is to leave it as "You and I."
The appropriate use of the pronouns "you" and "I" together as the subject of the sentence is in the sentence as it is written. The correct answer is to leave it as "You and I."
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The identity of the killer remained a mystery for the next fifty years.
The identity of the killer remained a mystery for the next fifty years.
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The "identity of the killer" was unknown a while, so the use of the preposition "for" is correct, as it indicates the length of time was fully taken by the mystery of the killer's identity. The sentence is correct as written.
The "identity of the killer" was unknown a while, so the use of the preposition "for" is correct, as it indicates the length of time was fully taken by the mystery of the killer's identity. The sentence is correct as written.
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Hungry and tired, the group stopped under the tree by the river bank for the night.
Hungry and tired, the group stopped under the tree by the river bank for the night.
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The underlined phrase, although slightly awkward and over worded, is actually perfectly grammatically correct. As none of the "corrected" answer choices are grammatically correct, the unchanged form of the underlined portion is the correct answer.
The underlined phrase, although slightly awkward and over worded, is actually perfectly grammatically correct. As none of the "corrected" answer choices are grammatically correct, the unchanged form of the underlined portion is the correct answer.
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The massive effort to clean up the mess from the storm was a months long process.
The massive effort to clean up the mess from the storm was a months long process.
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While the underlined section of the sentence is rather wordy, and not perfectly stated, it is absolutely grammatically correct. More importantly, none of the other answer choices are grammatically correct. The best choice is to leave it as written.
While the underlined section of the sentence is rather wordy, and not perfectly stated, it is absolutely grammatically correct. More importantly, none of the other answer choices are grammatically correct. The best choice is to leave it as written.
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No one will come to our defense but ourselves in our time of need.
No one will come to our defense but ourselves in our time of need.
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The use of "ourselves" is actually correct in the sentence, as it refers to the previous use of "our" in the phrase "our defense;" therefore, the correct answer is to keep the word as "ourselves."
The use of "ourselves" is actually correct in the sentence, as it refers to the previous use of "our" in the phrase "our defense;" therefore, the correct answer is to keep the word as "ourselves."
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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.
Toni Morrison does not identify her works as “feminist,” but critics have referred to them as exemplifying characteristics of "postmodern feminism" because she typically focuses on black female protagonists and makes use of shifting narration.
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.
Toni Morrison does not identify her works as “feminist,” but critics have referred to them as exemplifying characteristics of "postmodern feminism" because she typically focuses on black female protagonists and makes use of shifting narration.
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The correct answer not only uses the correct tense but also has a concise (i.e., non-wordy) construction. There are no extra words or strange constructions.
The correct answer not only uses the correct tense but also has a concise (i.e., non-wordy) construction. There are no extra words or strange constructions.
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