Correcting Word Usage Errors
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GMAT Verbal › Correcting Word Usage 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Some writers use literary illusions to tactfully reference authors who previously wrote about similar themes.
tactfully use literary allusions to reference authors
tactfully use literary illusions to reference authors
use literary allusions to tactfully reference authors
use literary illusions tactfully to reference authors
use literary illusions to tactfully reference authors
Explanation
An illusion is a hallucination, an image that isn’t really there. An allusion is a reference or citation, especially to/from another text. Also, there is a split infinitive; the adverb “tactfully” must be moved elsewhere in the sentence so the verb “to reference” is kept together.
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.
Kenda complemented Michael's effort on the project when she made him employee of the month.
complimented
complemented
completed
censured
claimed
Explanation
This sentence contains an error in word choice. The word "complement" means to complete. It is clear from the context of the sentence that Kendra intends to give Michael recognition for his effort. The choice that means this is "compliment (with an "i")."
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.
For all intensive purposes, the new plan was essentially the same as the old plan, but with a much tighter time frame in which to accomplish everything.
For all intents and purposes, the new plan was essentially the same
For all intensive purposes, the new plan was essentially the same
For all intensive purposes, the new plan was effectively the same
For all intensive purposes, the new plan was essentially the same thing
For all intensive purposes, the new plan being essentially the same
Explanation
The use of the phrase "for all intensive purposes," as it is in this sentence, is incorrect. The idiom is actually "for all intents and purposes," which indicates that every element was considered. "For all intents and purposes, the new plan was essentially the same," is the correct answer choice as it is the only one that uses the correct idiom.
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 many problems accruing in the project seeming to get worse over time.
seemed to get worse over time.
seeming to get worse over time.
have seeming to get worse over time.
have been seemed to get worse over time.
seeming to getting worse over time.
Explanation
The use of the verb "seeming" in the sentence makes the sentence incomplete. As "seeming" is a gerund, or a verb form that functions as a noun, there is actually no verb in the sentence. The correct answer is "seemed to get worse over 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.
Kenda complemented Michael's effort on the project when she made him employee of the month.
complimented
complemented
completed
censured
claimed
Explanation
This sentence contains an error in word choice. The word "complement" means to complete. It is clear from the context of the sentence that Kendra intends to give Michael recognition for his effort. The choice that means this is "compliment (with an "i")."
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 students were shocked learning of their teacher's past life as a rock musician.
were shocked to learn
were shocked learning
were shocking to learn
were shocking learning
were shocking to learn
Explanation
The use of the verb "learn" is essentially as a modifier of the students "shock." This means that "learning" must be turned into a form that will describe why the students were "shocked." "Were shocked to learn," using an infinitive form, 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.
The new bylaws of the organization was ratified by a unanimous vote yesterday.
The new bylaws of the organization were
The new bylaws of the organization was
The new bylaws for the organization was
The new bylaws from the organization was
The newer bylaws of the organization was
Explanation
While the singular verb "was" is next to the singular noun "organization," the subject of the sentence is the plural noun "bylaws." This means that the verb "was" needs to be changed to a plural form; therefore, "The new bylaws of the organization were" 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.
The spokesperson noted that over the past year, a new wave of technological advances have increased the company’s profitability.
has increased the company’s profitability.
increased the company’s profitability.
will have increased the company’s profitability.
had increased the company’s profitability.
have increased the company’s profitability.
Explanation
We know that the proper tense to describe an event that happened "over the course of past year" is the present perfect, which narrows down potentially correct answer choices to either "have increased the company's profitability" or "has increased the company's profitability."
Since the subject of the increasing event is "wave," not "advances," we should go with the answer choice that uses the singular verb—"has increased the company's profitability."
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.
It is important to turn in you're homework every day.
to turn in your homework every day.
to turn in you're homework every day.
to turn in: you're homework every day.
to turn: in your homework every day.
to turn in you're homework, every day.
Explanation
This sentence misuses the word "you're." This word is a contraction for "you are," when the possessive form is meant here. The correct word is "your." No additional punctuation or changes is needed, so the correct choice is, "to turn in your homework every day."
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.
Kenda complemented Michael's effort on the project when she made him employee of the month.
complimented
complemented
completed
censured
claimed
Explanation
This sentence contains an error in word choice. The word "complement" means to complete. It is clear from the context of the sentence that Kendra intends to give Michael recognition for his effort. The choice that means this is "compliment (with an "i")."