Correcting Modifier-Word Modified Agreement Errors

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GMAT Verbal › Correcting Modifier-Word Modified Agreement Errors

Questions 1 - 10
1

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 extraction of minerals left behind much different kinds of debris and detritus, all of which took months to fully clean up.

left behind many different kinds

left behind much different kinds

leaving behind much different kinds

left behind much different kind

left behind much differing kinds

Explanation

The use of "much" in this sentence is incorrect as the word should only be used with singular nouns, and the sentence uses it to refer to "different kinds." In this situation, the appropriate word is "many." The only answer choice that uses the correct word is "left behind many different kinds."

2

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.

Marcus enjoyed his work, civil engineers, finding that he could have a concrete impact on this community.

Marcus, a civil engineer, enjoyed his work, finding

Marcus enjoyed his work, finding civil engineers

Marcus enjoyed his work as civil engineers finding

Marcus enjoyed his work as a civil engineer finding

A civil engineer, his work made Marcus enjoy finding

Explanation

The major issue here is not only the misplaced modifier "civil engineers" but also modifier agreement. Note that using the plural "civil engineers" is inappropriate. The correct placement of the modifier uses the phrase to modify Marcus. To convey Marcus' profession (singular), one must adjust the modifier to agree with the singular noun. The incorrect answer choices fail to resolve both of these issues and result in awkward syntax or modifier placement errors.

3

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 after all these time, I still do not know how to swim.

Even after all this time, I still do not know how to swim.

Even after all these times, I still do not know how to swim.

Even after all some times, I still do not know how to swim.

Even after all time, I still do not know how to swim.

Even after all those time, I still do not know how to swim.

Explanation

The example sentence makes a modifier error. In order for the sentence to be correct, the "time" must either be treated as a unified, grammatically singular block of time (in which case "all this time" is the correct phrasing), or treated as multiple occurrences (grammatically plural) in which case "all these times" is correct. In either case, the modifier and the word modified must agree in number. Since it is the only one of these options that is included without additional errors, the correct response reads, "Even after all this time, I still do not know how to swim."

4

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 underlined choices repeats the answer as it is written.

Kasia was initially confused by all of the different part involved in constructing the cabinet, but she eventually came to understand how everything fit together.

all of the different parts

all of the different part

all the different part

all different of the part

all the part different

Explanation

The word "part" must be pluralized in order to reflect the use of the word "all." We should therefore change the phrase to "all of the different parts."

5

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.

All film directors must be thoughtful in his use of light and shadow.

All film directors must be thoughtful in their use of light and shadow.

All film directors must be thoughtful in her use of light and shadow.

All film directors must be thoughtful in one's use of light and shadow.

All film directors must be thoughtful in a use of light and shadow.

All film directors must be thoughtful in someone's use of light and shadow.

Explanation

"All film directors" is a plural noun in which all film directors are described as a unified group. The example sentence incorrectly shifts to a singular pronoun ("his") later in the sentence. In order for a singular pronoun to be correct in this situation, the sentence would have to be begin "Any film director" and the preferred pronoun form is gender neutral: "Any film director must be thoughtful in his or her use of light and shadow." The use of "all" means that the film directors must be treated as a unified group of many people. The correct version of the sentence reads, "All film directors must be thoughtful in their use of light and shadow."

6

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.

Having rammed into the tree at over one hundred miles per hour, the responsibility for the crash was placed squarely on the movie star despite his protestations.

the movie star had responsibility for the crash squarely placed on him despite his protestations.

the responsibility for the crash was placed squarely on the movie star despite his protestations.

the responsibility for the crash placed squarely on the movie star despite his protestations.

the responsibilities for the crash was placed squarely on the movie star despite his protestation.

the movie star has responsibility for the crash squarely placed on him despite his protestation.

Explanation

The sentence, as it is written, contains a misplaced modifier, as the sentence reads as though "the responsibility" is what "rammed into the tree." The sentence needs to be rewritten to show that it was "the movie star" who actually "rammed into the tree." The only answer choice that does this in a grammatically correct manner is "the movie star had responsibility for the crash squarely placed on him."

7

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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

The belief in evil spirits remains quite widespread in many different part of the world.

many different parts of the world.

many different part of the world.

many differentiated part of the world.

many different part of a world.

many different part of the world.

Explanation

The error in the underlined portion of the sentence is its use of the singular form "part" after the adjectives "many different." As both adjectives indicate the plurality of the noun they describe, the singular noun "part" needs to be a plural noun to correct the error. "Many different parts of the world" is the correct answer choice because it is the only one in which this error is corrected.

8

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.

Unlike previous efforts at changing the law, a wide range of political figures supported this new piece of legislation.

this new piece of legislation was supported by a wide range of political figures.

a wide range of political figures supported this new piece of legislation.

a wide range of political figures were supporting this new piece of legislation.

this new piece of legislation being supported from a wide range of political figures.

a wide ranging of political figures supported this new piece of legislation.

Explanation

As it is presently written, the sentence has a lack of agreement between the introductory phrase and the antecedent word. The subject of the sentence needs to more directly link back to "previous efforts." The answer choice which most clearly makes this link is "this new piece of legislation was supported by a wide range of political figures."

9

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 appeal of art is largely a subjective experience that critics nonetheless take as an objective studies.

an objective study.

an objective studies.

a studies of objectivity.

the objective studies.

the study's objective.

Explanation

The key issue with the underlined phrase is the simultaneous use of "an" and the plural form "studies." Either the singular "an" or the plural "studies" needs to be changed to make the forms match. "An objective study" is the correct answer choice.

10

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 underlined choices repeats the answer as it is written.

Having been alls over the world, Jeremy could confidently say that his favorite place to be is right here in his hometown.

Having been all over the world

Having been alls over the world

Having alls over the world been

Having been over alls the world

Having all been over the world

Explanation

The error in this sentence is the word "alls," which does not follow the rules of standard written English within the context of the sentence. We should change the word to "all," with the correct phrasing as "Having been all over the world."

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