Correcting Appositive and Interrupting Phrase Errors
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GMAT Verbal › Correcting Appositive and Interrupting Phrase 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.
John Smith the notable economist has difficulty distinguishing his publications from those of other prominent colleagues due to the commonness of his name.
The notable economist John Smith has difficulty distinguishing his publications
John Smith the notable economist has difficulty distinguishing his publications
The notable economist, John Smith, has difficulty distinguishing his publications
A notable economist, John Smith has difficulty distinguishing his publications
Notable economist, John Smith has difficulty distinguishing his publications
Explanation
This appositive clause (that John Smith is a notable economist at a certain university) is necessary to understand the meaning of the sentence; therefore, it must not be surrounded by commas. If it is surrounded by commas, the identify of the John Smith in the sentence is still not known because he has several other colleagues that go by the same name. Presumably, identifying him as "the notable economist" removes this ambiguity.
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.
According to Thomas Aquinas the thirteenth-century philosopher, and theologian, God is not a being in the strict sense and thus, in a way, not a subject for metaphysical investigation.
According to Thomas Aquinas, the thirteenth-century philosopher and theologian, God
According to Thomas Aquinas the thirteenth-century philosopher, and theologian, God
According to Thomas Aquinas, the thirteenth-century philosopher, and theologian, God
According to Thomas Aquinas, the thirteenth-century philosopher and theologian God
According to Thomas Aquinas the thirteenth century philosopher and theologian God
Explanation
In the sentence, "the thirteenth-century philosopher and theologian" is an appositive that renames "Thomas Aquinas"; appositives are set off by commas at both ends, as in the credited response. No comma is needed between "philosopher" and "theologian," however. Because "thirteenth-century" is being used as an adjective in this case a hyphen is needed.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection, was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection, was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection was shut down in 2001, following intense legal scrutiny.
Explanation
"The music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection" is a phrase modifying the subject noun "Napster." It is an appositive phrase and should, therefore, be offset by two commas. Appositives define or rename the subject of the sentence, in this case Napster (the subject) is being re-characterized as "the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection." The appositive must be offset with commas because it is outside of the fundamental grammatical structure of the sentence.
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 seminar presentation, scheduled to take place at 2:00 had to be delayed until 3:30 because of severe technical difficulties.
The seminar presentation, scheduled to take place at 2:00, had to be delayed
The seminar presentation, scheduled to take place at 2:00 had to be delayed
The seminar presentation scheduled to take place at 2:00 had to be delayed
The seminar presentation scheduled to take place at 2:00, had to be delayed
The seminar presentation, was scheduled to take place at 2:00, and had to be delayed
Explanation
"scheduled to take place at 2:00" is an appositive phrase, adding meaning to the subject "the seminal presentation. Appositive phrases such as these should be offset by commas at both beginning and end. Such phrases often rename the subject of a sentence.
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 seminar presentation, scheduled to take place at 2:00 had to be delayed until 3:30 because of severe technical difficulties.
The seminar presentation, scheduled to take place at 2:00, had to be delayed
The seminar presentation, scheduled to take place at 2:00 had to be delayed
The seminar presentation scheduled to take place at 2:00 had to be delayed
The seminar presentation scheduled to take place at 2:00, had to be delayed
The seminar presentation, was scheduled to take place at 2:00, and had to be delayed
Explanation
"scheduled to take place at 2:00" is an appositive phrase, adding meaning to the subject "the seminal presentation. Appositive phrases such as these should be offset by commas at both beginning and end. Such phrases often rename the subject of a sentence.
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.
John Smith the notable economist has difficulty distinguishing his publications from those of other prominent colleagues due to the commonness of his name.
The notable economist John Smith has difficulty distinguishing his publications
John Smith the notable economist has difficulty distinguishing his publications
The notable economist, John Smith, has difficulty distinguishing his publications
A notable economist, John Smith has difficulty distinguishing his publications
Notable economist, John Smith has difficulty distinguishing his publications
Explanation
This appositive clause (that John Smith is a notable economist at a certain university) is necessary to understand the meaning of the sentence; therefore, it must not be surrounded by commas. If it is surrounded by commas, the identify of the John Smith in the sentence is still not known because he has several other colleagues that go by the same name. Presumably, identifying him as "the notable economist" removes this ambiguity.
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.
According to Thomas Aquinas the thirteenth-century philosopher, and theologian, God is not a being in the strict sense and thus, in a way, not a subject for metaphysical investigation.
According to Thomas Aquinas, the thirteenth-century philosopher and theologian, God
According to Thomas Aquinas the thirteenth-century philosopher, and theologian, God
According to Thomas Aquinas, the thirteenth-century philosopher, and theologian, God
According to Thomas Aquinas, the thirteenth-century philosopher and theologian God
According to Thomas Aquinas the thirteenth century philosopher and theologian God
Explanation
In the sentence, "the thirteenth-century philosopher and theologian" is an appositive that renames "Thomas Aquinas"; appositives are set off by commas at both ends, as in the credited response. No comma is needed between "philosopher" and "theologian," however. Because "thirteenth-century" is being used as an adjective in this case a hyphen is needed.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection, was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection, was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection was shut down in 2001, following intense legal scrutiny.
Explanation
"The music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection" is a phrase modifying the subject noun "Napster." It is an appositive phrase and should, therefore, be offset by two commas. Appositives define or rename the subject of the sentence, in this case Napster (the subject) is being re-characterized as "the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection." The appositive must be offset with commas because it is outside of the fundamental grammatical structure of the sentence.
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 Treasurer of Acme Inc. Melissa Williams presented the CFO with a rigorous analysis of the high-yield bond market ahead of the company’s debt issuance.
Melissa Williams, the Treasurer of Acme Inc., presented the CFO with a rigorous analysis of the high-yield bond market ahead of
The Treasurer of Acme Inc. Melissa Williams presented the CFO with a rigorous analysis of the high-yield bond market ahead of
Treasurer Melissa Williams of Acme Inc. presented the CFO with rigorous analysis of the high-yield bond market ahead of
The CFO was presented with a rigorous analysis of the high-yield bond market by Melissa Williams, Treasurer of Acme Inc., ahead of
The CFO was presented with a rigorous analysis, of the high-yield bond market, by Melissa Williams, Treasurer of Acme Inc., ahead of
Explanation
Appositive clauses that supply additional or optional information must be contained within commas. Since we do not need to know that Melissa is the Treasure of Acme Inc. that information must be contained by commas. The correct answer also uses the active voice.
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 Treasurer of Acme Inc. Melissa Williams presented the CFO with a rigorous analysis of the high-yield bond market ahead of the company’s debt issuance.
Melissa Williams, the Treasurer of Acme Inc., presented the CFO with a rigorous analysis of the high-yield bond market ahead of
The Treasurer of Acme Inc. Melissa Williams presented the CFO with a rigorous analysis of the high-yield bond market ahead of
Treasurer Melissa Williams of Acme Inc. presented the CFO with rigorous analysis of the high-yield bond market ahead of
The CFO was presented with a rigorous analysis of the high-yield bond market by Melissa Williams, Treasurer of Acme Inc., ahead of
The CFO was presented with a rigorous analysis, of the high-yield bond market, by Melissa Williams, Treasurer of Acme Inc., ahead of
Explanation
Appositive clauses that supply additional or optional information must be contained within commas. Since we do not need to know that Melissa is the Treasure of Acme Inc. that information must be contained by commas. The correct answer also uses the active voice.