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.
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.
Before she went running, Jennifer made sure to sit the bills on the counter so that she would not forget to attend to them when she returned.
Before she went running, Jennifer made sure to set the bills on the counter so that she would not forget to attend to them when she returned.
Before she went running, Jennifer made sure to sit the bills on the counter so that she would not forget to attend to them when she returned.
Before she went running, Jennifer made sure to sit the bills on the counter, so that she would not forget to attend to them when she returned.
Before she went running, Jennifer made sure to set the bills on the counter, so that she would not forget to attend to them when she returned.
Before she went running Jennifer made sure to sit the bills on the counter so that she would not forget to attend to them when she returned.
Explanation
This sentence misuses the word "sit." The word "sit" means to rest, remain, or place one's self. The appropriate word here is "set," which means to put/place something. No additional changes are necessary. The phrase "Before she went running" is an example of an introductory statement, explaining information necessary to the context of the sentence, but outside of the main sentence, grammatically. These types of phrases must be followed by a comma in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence. The rest of the sentence is one independent clause. The correct choice is, "Before she went running, Jennifer made sure to set the bills on the counter so that she would not forget to attend to them when she returned."
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.
Apple revolutionized the phone industry with the introduction of it's iPhone.
with the introduction of its iPhone.
with the introduction of it's iPhone.
with the introduction of its, iPhone.
with the introduction of its' iPhone.
with the introduction of it's, iPhone.
Explanation
This sentence misuses the word "it's." It's is a contraction for "it is," but it is clear from the context of the sentence that what is needed here is the possessive form of the word: its. The possessive form of "it" does not include an apostrophe before the s. Furthermore, the form " its' " is not an actual form of "it" - it is not a word - and no comma is necessary in this sentence. The best choice is, "with the introduction of its iPhone."
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.
The affects of the changes saved billions of dollars.
The effects of the changes saved
The affects of the changes saved
The effects of: the changes saved
The affects of: the changes saved
The affects of the changes, saved
Explanation
This sentence misuses the word "affect." "Affect" is a verb meaning to change. It is clear that the results of the changes (hence, a noun) is meant in this sentence. "Effect" is the correct choice, meaning a change/result of something. No other changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "The effects of the changes saved."
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 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.
Due to the elliptical shape of celestial orbits, the distance between the sun and the planets vary over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time.
the distance between the sun with the planets vary over time.
the distance of the sun to the planets vary over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets have varied over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets vary over time.
Explanation
The answer choice "the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time" is correct. It correctly uses a singular verb—"varies"—to match the singular subject, "distance."
All of the other answer choices are incorrect because they contain a subject-verb number agreement error. They use plural verb forms when they should use singular verb forms instead.
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.
Due to the elliptical shape of celestial orbits, the distance between the sun and the planets vary over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time.
the distance between the sun with the planets vary over time.
the distance of the sun to the planets vary over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets have varied over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets vary over time.
Explanation
The answer choice "the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time" is correct. It correctly uses a singular verb—"varies"—to match the singular subject, "distance."
All of the other answer choices are incorrect because they contain a subject-verb number agreement error. They use plural verb forms when they should use singular verb forms instead.