GMAT Verbal › Correcting Other Conjunction 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.
Mark's conviction was laudable, and his behavior, however, was completely unprofessional.
Mark's conviction was laudable; his behavior, however,
Mark's conviction was laudable, so his behavior, however,
Mark's conviction was laudable, for his behavior, however,
Mark's conviction was laudable, however, his behavior
Mark's conviction was laudable however his behavior
In order to arrive at the correct answer, one must effectively combine the two independent clauses. Because they contrast in meaning, using the conjunctive adverb however after a semi-colon is appropriate. The other answers incorrectly implement conjunctions or punctuation to resolve the issue. Using a semi-colon to join two independent clauses that contrast will work when using a conjunctive adverb like "however" to convey the appropriate relationship between the clauses. Note that comma usage also comes into play here.
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.
Her father indicated his willingness to lend her the money and she hated the idea of being indebted to her father.
the money, but she hated the idea of
the money and hated the idea of
the money, and she hated the idea of
the money but she hated that the idea
the money but then she hated the idea that
When connecting two independent clauses using a coordinating conjunction, one should use a comma after the word preceding the conjunction. When the sentences seem to contrast, it is most likely most appropriate to implement "but" rather than "and". The incorrect answers all show errors of this kind. Some of the incorrect answer choices also incorrectly use the relative pronoun "that" in place of the preposition "of," resulting in a syntactic error.
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 international organization is currently updating its Human Index, which takes into account life expectancy, education, as well as income per person.
into account life expectancy and education, as well as income per person
into account life expectancy, education, as well as income per person
into account life expectancy, and education, and income per person
life expectancy, education, as well as income per person into account
life expectancy, education, and income per person in its account
The problem with the original sentence is the list: It is missing an "and," and we must find the right place for it. We can only have a list in the vein of "a, b, and c" when we intend the items to have equal weight. Otherwise we can have a list such as "a and b, as well as c" to denote that the first two items are to be taken together. But we cannot have a combination of the two lists in the form of "a, b, as well as c." Nor can we have "a and b and c." This is answer is best, as it also avoids an unnecessary "its."
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.
Janice was the top student in her graduating high school class, but so the principal invited her to be valedictorian of the class.
Janice was the top student in her graduating high school class, so the principal invited her to be valedictorian of the class.
Janice was the top student in her graduating high school class, and so the principal invited her to be valedictorian of the class.
Janice was the top student in her graduating high school class, that so the principal invited her to be valedictorian of the class.
Janice was the top student in her graduating high school class, while so the principal invited her to be valedictorian of the class.
Janice was the top student in her graduating high school class, however so the principal invited her to be valedictorian of the class.
The original sentence consists of two clauses, the second of which is the result of the first. "But" is therefore not an appropriate conjunction to use in this sentence, and the inclusion of the word "so" is enough to demonstrate cause and effect.
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.
He was never very happy during his school days, and his post-graduation depression was a completely different kind of problem.
his school days, but his post-graduation depression
his school days, and his post-graduation depression
his school days, so his post-graduation depression
his school days, therefore his post-graduation depression
his school days, then his post-graduation depression
The construction of this sentence makes it clear that the two parts of this compound sentence are contrasted with one another. This makes the use of the conjunction "and" to join the two a mistake, as the conjunction "but" is used to draw a sharp contrast between the two parts. As the only answer choice to use the correct conjunction, "his school days, but his post-graduation depression" 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.
Paul knew that summer was coming, and he hadn't confirmed any plans for vacation.
Paul knew that summer was coming, but he hadn't confirmed any plans for vacation.
Paul knew that summer was coming, so he hadn't confirmed any plans for vacation.
Paul knew that summer was coming, while he hadn't confirmed any plans for vacation.
Paul knew that summer was coming, that he hadn't confirmed any plans for vacation.
Paul knew that summer was coming, which he hadn't confirmed any plans for vacation.
The second clause in the sentence is intended to stand in contrast to the first, so the best conjunction to use in this instance is "but."
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.
She carefully reviewed her case notes, such as not to be surprised in court.
She carefully reviewed her case notes, so as not to be surprised in court.
She carefully reviewed her case notes, therefore not to be surprised in court.
She carefully reviewed her case notes, but not to be surprised in court.
She carefully reviewed her case notes, not to be so surprised in court.
She carefully reviewed her case notes, such as not to have been surprised in court.
The example sentence makes use of an incorrect conjunction. "Such" is used to indicate a result, whereas "so" is used (as a conjunction) to indicate purpose. Because the sentence is discussing someone's precautionary measure, the correct conjunction here is "so". "She carefully reviewed her case notes, so as not to be surprised in court."
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.
Neither she faltered nor she hesitated when questioned under oath.
She neither faltered nor hesitated when questioned under oath.
Nor she faltered nor hesitated when questioned under oath.
Neither faltered nor hesitated when questioned under oath did she.
When questioned under oath neither she faltered nor hesitated.
She faltered nor hesitated when questioned under oath.
The example sentence begins with a negative word ("Neither") and uses the corresponding negative conjunction ("nor"); therefore, it must either be changed to begin with the subject, or changed to add a "do" verb immediately after "neither." In modern English it is considered smoother, and more common, to simply begin the sentence with the subject, and then treat the negative conjunction normally, rather than adding a "do" verb, but adding a "do" verb would also be grammatically correct. Of the options provided, the best solution to this conjunction error would be, "She neither faltered nor hesitated when questioned under oath."
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.
While evidence of the the growing influence of Punic identity in North Africa can be found in many of his writings, and it is most prominent in his many surviving letters.
many of his writings, it is most prominent
many of his writings, but it is most prominent
many of his writings, and it is most prominent
many of his writings, though it is most prominent
many of his writings; and it is most prominent
In this case, no conjunction is needed between the two clauses. This is because the part of the sentence before the comma consists of a subordinate clause, not an independent clause. In other words, this part of the sentence cannot stand on its own. Commas followed by conjunctions are used to combine two independent clauses into a compound sentence, and since this sentence consists of a subordinate clause and an independent clause instead of two independent clauses, a comma is sufficient and the conjunction ("and") is not only unnecessary, but grammatically incorrect.
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.
He was instructed to create compelling questions for the exam, and what did she mean by compelling?
He was instructed to create compelling questions for the exam, but
He was instructed to create compelling questions for the exam, when
He was instructed to create compelling questions for the exam, where
He was instructed to create compelling questions for the exam, for
He was instructed to create compelling questions for the exam, in which
The central issue here is correctly joining the two clauses using an effective conjunction. The first clause contrasts with the second clause, making the conjunctions and modifiers "for," "when," "in which," and "where" irrelevant. The correct conjunction is "but"; it is the only answer choice which conveys the correct relationship between the clauses.