GMAT Verbal › Correcting Other Adjective and Adverb 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.
Certain scientific theories were actually developed by two researchers simultaneous.
by two researchers simultaneously.
by two researchers simultaneous.
of two researchers simultaneous.
of two researchers simultaneously.
by two researchers in simultaneous.
The use of the word "simultaneous" actually describes the verb "developed," even though it is next to the verb "researchers." The issue can be corrected by making the word "simultaneous" an adverb. "By two researchers simultaneously" 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The non-profit organization never had financial issues, as it always handled its money perfect.
as it always handled its money perfectly.
as it always handled its money perfect.
as it always handled it's money perfect.
as it always handles its money perfect.
so it always handled its money perfect.
The use of the adjective "perfect" is incorrect in this sentence, as it modifies the verb "handled." A verb can only be modified by an adverb, meaning "perfect" must be changed to its adverbial form. As the only answer choice to use the adverb "perfectly" instead of the adjective "perfect," the correct answer choice is "as it always handled its money perfectly."
Under normal circumstances, the family would have never driven up to the frighteningly looking motel.
to the frightening looking motel.
to the frighteningly looking motel.
to the frighteningly looked motel.
for the frighteningly looking motel.
to a frighteningly looking motel.
The use of the word "frighteningly" is absolutely incorrect, as it is an adverb being used to describe a gerund, or a verb that takes the form of a noun, in "looking." Gerunds need to be modified with an adjective. Therefore, "to the frightening looking motel" is the correct answer.
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.
Highway construction involves a great deal of planning, as it can be quite unpredictably.
as it can be quite unpredictable.
as it can be quite unpredictably.
if it can be quite unpredictably.
if it can be quite unpredictable.
as it can be very unpredictably.
The use of the adverb "unpredictably" is incorrect in the sentence, as it describes a noun and should be an adjective. Otherwise, the sentence is absolutely correct; therefore, the best answer choice is "as it can be unpredictable."
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 Internet and texting are rapid changing the way people communicate.
The Internet and texting are rapidly changing
The Internet and texting are rapid changed
The Internet and texting are rapidly changed
The Internet and texting will rapidly changing
The Internet and texting are rapidly changes
This sentence contains a modifier error. The word "rapid" is supposed to modify the word "are changing," but rapid is an adjective, which only modify nouns and pronouns. What is needed here is an adverb: a word that describes verbs and adjectives. The correct word would be "rapidly." The correct choice provided below is, "The Internet and texting are rapidly changing."
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.
Ahmed was known for his quickly response times to emails.
Ahmed was known for his quick
Ahmed was known for his quickly
Ahmed was known for his quickening
Ahmed was known for his more quickly
Ahmed was known for his quicks
This sentence contains a misuse of an adverb. The word "quickly" is meant to describe the noun "response," but adverbs cannot describe nouns. What is needed here is the adjective form of the word, which is "quick." The proper choice is, "Ahmed was known for his quick."
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
We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitter cold.
We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitterly cold.
We had a terrible time at the football game. It was coldly bitter.
We had a terrible time at the football game it was bitter cold.
We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitterly coldly.
We had a terrible time at the football game. It was terrible cold.
The example sentence incorrectly uses an adjective where an adverb is needed. "Bitter", in this context, modifies the verb "was," and therefore should be replaced by the adverb "bitterly." If the cold were being used as a noun, then the adjective form of "bitter" would be appropriate—for example, "We were wrapped in a bitter cold." The correct version of the example reads, "We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitterly cold."
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 old man usual took his walk around the neighborhood at roughly three in the afternoon.
The old man usually took
The old man usual took
The usual old man took
The old man usual takes
The old man usual taken
The use of the word "usual" in the sentence is incorrect, as it describes the verb "took," which means it needs to take an adverb form. The only answer choice with the correct form that also keeps the intended meaning of the sentence is "The old man usually took."
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 entire project took over three years to complete, a much longer time frame than the one that had been initially given by the building’s architect.
than the one that initially had been given by the building’s architect.
than the one that had been initially given by the building’s architect.
than the one that had being initially given by the building’s architect.
than the one that having been initially given by the building’s architect.
than the one that had been initially given by the buildings' architect.
The placement of the adverb "initially" is incorrect in this sentence, as it places the modifier in the midst of the complex verb used in the second part of the sentence. It needs to be placed directly before the full verb construction. The only answer choice which does this is "than the one that initially had been given by the building’s architect."
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.
Questions abounded in the inquiry into illegal payments alleged made by the college to student athletes.
allegedly made
alleged made
made alleged
allegedly making
alleged making
The word "alleged" is modifying the word "made," a verb, which needs an adverb to modify it. The adverb form of "alleged" is "allegedly," which makes the correct answer "allegedly made."