GMAT Verbal › Correcting Other Verb 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.
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.
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The allied movements are designed making their opponents uneasy.
to make their opponents uneasy.
making their opponents uneasy.
make their opponents uneasy.
making opponents of theirs uneasy.
make opponents of theirs uneasy.
The issue in the sentence is with the verb "making." It is used not as the verb, but as a modifier of "designed;" therefore, it needs to take a form that can appropriately do so, such as an infinitive. "To make their opponents uneasy," is the best choice among the answers.
For amateur swimmers, or those who are lacking experience swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
For amateur swimmers, or those who lack swimming experience, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, meaning those who are lacking experience swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, which are swimmers that are lacking in swimming experience, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, or those who have a lack of experience, which is in swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
No improvement necessary.
The improved sentence is better than the original because it cuts out unnecessary words, changing "or those who are lacking," to "or those who lack." This change also avoids having the same word next to itself, as was the case in "swimming, swimming." Although there was nothing grammatically wrong with this sentence, there was room for stylistic improvement, which was made.
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.
Working out of a former garage, the business growing rapidly into a multinational corporation.
the business grew rapidly
the business growing rapidly
the business growing rapid
the business growing more rapidly
that business growing rapidly
The use of the participle "growing" makes the sentence actually not have a verb, as a participle needs some form of the verb "to be" to make a complete verbal phrase. "Growing" needs to be changed to a verb that can work on its own as the main verb of the sentence. The only answer choice to do so is "the business grew rapidly."
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 young girl showing great aptitude for playing the piano from an early age.
showed great aptitude for playing the piano
showing great aptitude for playing the piano
showing greater aptitude for playing the piano
showing great aptitude at playing the piano
showing great aptitude on playing the piano
The use of the present participle "showing" as the verb in the sentence makes the verb actually not have a verb. A participle needs to be accompanied by some form of the verb "to be" in order to be a workable verb in a sentence. The answer choice that corrects this issue is "showed great aptitude for playing the piano," which uses a straightforward past tense verb.
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.
Many psychologists now argue that vacations being one of the best ways for people to reduce their stress.
are one of the best ways
being one of the best ways
being one the best ways
being one of the best way
being one for the best ways
The use of "being" makes the sentence actually not have a verb, as "being" is a gerund, or a verb form that is used as a noun. The sentence needs to be changed so that it contains a verb. The only answer choice that corrects the issue is "are one of the best ways."
He regularly went seeing the parades that went through downtown.
went to see
went seeing
seeing
went seen
went saw
The verb form used in the underlined section is completely wrong. The use of the present participle "seeing" confuses the meaning of the sentence and is unclear. The verb "went" needs a complement form, such as an infinitive. Therefore, the correct answer is "went to see."
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 whole group working under an immense amount of pressure from the higher-ups in the office.
worked under an immense amount of pressure
working under an immense amount of pressure
working under an immensely amount of pressure
working under an immense amounts of pressure
working over an immense amount of pressure
The use of the participle "working" as the verb in this sentence is incorrect, as a participle needs to be preceded by some form of the verb "to be" in order to function as the verb of a sentence. Either the verb needs to be changed to a workable verb, a form of "to be" needs to be inserted into the sentence right before it. The only answer choice that does either is "worked under an immense amount of pressure," which uses a simple past tense verb.
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 child considering the model truck his favorite toy as soon as he played with it.
The child considered the model truck
The child considering the model truck
The child considering that model truck
The child's considering the model truck
The child considering of the model truck
The use of the participle form "considering" in the sentence actually causes the sentence to not have a verb. A participle needs some form of the verb "to be" to make a complete verb phrase. "The child considered the model truck," which uses a simple past tense verb, is the only answer choice that corrects this issue.
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 CEO was astonishing at the state of the company's finances.
The new CEO was astonished
The new CEO was astonishing
The new CEO is astonishing
The new CEO were astonishing
The new CEO astonishing
The verbal phrase "was astonishing" is structured as though the CEO is astonishing the company's finances. The only answer choice that fixes this issue is "The new CEO was astonished."