GMAT Verbal › Correcting Other Errors and Recognizing Correct 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.
He decided to try meditation as a way of relieving stress.
He decided to try meditation as a way
He decided, to try meditation as a way
He decided: to try meditation as a way
He decided to: try meditation as a way
He decided to try meditation, as a way
This sentence contains no errors. This is a simple sentence containing two prepositional phrases (starting with "as" and "of"). There is no need for punctuation anywhere in the sentence (and punctuation is never used to split up verb phrases). The correct choice is, "He decided to try meditation as a way."
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 teacher required the students to bring their own instruments when coming to the music lesson.
bring
take
carry
truck
lift
This sentence contains no errors. All of the available choices are synonyms for "carry," but the difference lies in the point of reference. "Carry," "lift," and "truck" are generic words for carrying something, but "bring" indicates that you are carrying something to the position where the subject is, and "take" indicates you are moving away from the subject. The words "when coming to the music lesson" indicate that they are moving towards the direction of the subject: the music teacher (presumably, the teacher is already there). The correct choice is, "bring."
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.
Christopher loved to play video games in his free time; he found playing them relaxing.
Christopher loved to play video games in his free time; he found playing them relaxing.
Christopher loved to play video games in his free time, he found playing them relaxing.
Christopher loved to play video games in his freetime; he found playing them relaxing.
Christopher loved to play video games in his free time; he finds playing them relaxing.
Christopher loved to plays video games in his free time; he found playing them relaxing.
There are no errors in the above sentence. This sentence joins two related independent clauses without the use of a coordinate conjunction, so there should be a semicolon present after the word "time." In the other sentences, there are issues with parallelism (found...finds), verb agreement (loved to plays), word errors (freetime is not one word), or using a comma where a semicolon should be used. The correct choice is, "Christopher loved to play video games in his free time; he found playing them relaxing."
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 new mural was enormous.
The new mural was enormous.
The new mural was great and enormous.
The new mural was: enormous.
The new, mural was enormous.
The new, mural was: enormous.
This sentence contains no errors. It is a simple sentence, so no punctuation is necessary (note: colons do no separate words in the same clause). Additionally, "great and enormous" is redundant because both of those words have the same meaning. The correct choice is, "The new mural was enormous."
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.
Christopher loved to play video games in his free time; he found playing them relaxing.
Christopher loved to play video games in his free time; he found playing them relaxing.
Christopher loved to play video games in his free time, he found playing them relaxing.
Christopher loved to play video games in his freetime; he found playing them relaxing.
Christopher loved to play video games in his free time; he finds playing them relaxing.
Christopher loved to plays video games in his free time; he found playing them relaxing.
There are no errors in the above sentence. This sentence joins two related independent clauses without the use of a coordinate conjunction, so there should be a semicolon present after the word "time." In the other sentences, there are issues with parallelism (found...finds), verb agreement (loved to plays), word errors (freetime is not one word), or using a comma where a semicolon should be used. The correct choice is, "Christopher loved to play video games in his free time; he found playing them relaxing."
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.
He decided to try meditation as a way of relieving stress.
He decided to try meditation as a way
He decided, to try meditation as a way
He decided: to try meditation as a way
He decided to: try meditation as a way
He decided to try meditation, as a way
This sentence contains no errors. This is a simple sentence containing two prepositional phrases (starting with "as" and "of"). There is no need for punctuation anywhere in the sentence (and punctuation is never used to split up verb phrases). The correct choice is, "He decided to try meditation as a way."
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 teacher required the students to bring their own instruments when coming to the music lesson.
bring
take
carry
truck
lift
This sentence contains no errors. All of the available choices are synonyms for "carry," but the difference lies in the point of reference. "Carry," "lift," and "truck" are generic words for carrying something, but "bring" indicates that you are carrying something to the position where the subject is, and "take" indicates you are moving away from the subject. The words "when coming to the music lesson" indicate that they are moving towards the direction of the subject: the music teacher (presumably, the teacher is already there). The correct choice is, "bring."
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 new mural was enormous.
The new mural was enormous.
The new mural was great and enormous.
The new mural was: enormous.
The new, mural was enormous.
The new, mural was: enormous.
This sentence contains no errors. It is a simple sentence, so no punctuation is necessary (note: colons do no separate words in the same clause). Additionally, "great and enormous" is redundant because both of those words have the same meaning. The correct choice is, "The new mural was enormous."
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.
Unlikely though it seems, people meet each other and develop lifelong relationships strictly through online games.
strictly through online games.
through strictly online games.
strictly through online game's.
strictly because of online games.
strict through online games.
The sentence as written does not contain any grammatical errors. The adverb form "strictly" is necessary, as it describes action, and the phrase "through online games" is perfectly suitable.
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 painters were revolutionaries in their time, although their work now seems quaint.
The painters were revolutionaries in their time, although their work now seems quaint.
The painters were revolutionaries in their time; although their work now seems quaint.
The painters were revolutionaries in their time, although their work now seems quaintly.
The painters were revolutionaries in there time, although their work now seems quaint.
The painters, were revolutionaries in their time, although their work now seems quaint.
The sentence is perfectly correct as it is written, and needs no improvements made to it. All of the answer choices that do make some change in the sentence actually create a grammatical issue. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence alone.