GMAT Verbal › Correcting Sentence Fragment and Sentence Combination 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.
As of the new millennium, the traditional office environment seems to be becoming.
the traditional office environment seems to be becoming obsolete.
the traditional office environment seems: to be becoming.
the traditional office environment seems to be becoming.
the traditional office environment seems to be.
the traditional office environment seems: to be becoming obsolete.
The above example is a sentence fragment. The verb "becoming" always needs an object of some sort (the word does not make any sense without one). The only example that provides an adequate direct object for the word (and therefore completing the sentence) is, "the traditional office environment seems to be becoming obsolete."
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 detective was an expert in these kinds of cases, always called on when the force needed expert advice.
and was called on when the force needed expert advice.
always called on when the force needed expert advice.
always call on when the force needed expert advice.
always calling on when the force needed expert advice.
always called on when the force needs expert advice.
The underlined portion of the phrase is a dependent clause that is confusing because of the way it is worded. The phrase needs to be better linked to the main portion of the sentence. The answer choice which best does this is "and was called on when the force needed expert advice."
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.
Fishing in the pond.
Kara loves fishing in the pond.
Fishing in the pond.
Fishing in the pond, Kara loves to do it.
What Kara loves to do some days is to fish in the pond.
Fishing in the pond, Kara loves to fish.
This is an example of a sentence fragment. It is lacking a subject. The most clear and concise choice that fixes this error is, "Kara loves fishing in the pond." The other choices are wordy or redundant.
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 race track was known for being the venue of many dangerous events, with few companies willing to insure any races held there.
as a result of which very few companies are willing to insure any races held there.
with few companies willing to insure any races held there.
with less companies willing to insure any races held there.
and so then few companies willing to insure any races held there.
with few companies willing to insure any races being held there.
As written in the question, the final phrase of the sentence is awkwardly appended to the main body of the sentence, indicating no real link between the two ideas. The fact that "few companies" will "insure any races" needs to be tied more closely to the "dangerous" aspect of the track. The only answer choice that appropriately connects the two ideas is "as a result of which very few companies are willing to insure any races held there."
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.
Tiffany studying for her exams.
Tiffany was studying for her exams.
Tiffany studying for her exams.
Tiffany, was studying for her exams.
Tiffany studying for the exams.
Tiffany study for her exams.
The example above is a sentence fragment; the word "studying" by itself is not a verb in English and every sentence must have a subject and a verb at least. The correct choice is, "Tiffany was studying for her exams." This is the only choice that fixes this 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.
Knowing your options in this bustling business climate—the housing market is booming for investors.
You should know your options in this bustling business climate—the housing market is booming for investors.
Knowing your options in this bustling business climate, the housing market is booming for investors.
Knowing your options in this bustling business climate housing market is booming for investors.
Your knowing your options for you to understand this bustling business climate—the housing market is booming for investors.
You, knowing your options, in this bustling business climate, the housing market is booming for investors.
All of the incorrect answer choice present sentence fragment errors. The noun phrase "knowing your options" represents the subject of a clause. The subject requires a verb to complete the independent clause. The correct answer choice adjusts the beginning of the sentence with "The clause "you should know," resolving the sentence fragment 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.
Our guide decided that we needed to move our base camp, the risk of avalanche was too high.
Our guide decided that we needed to move our base camp; the risk of avalanche was too high.
Our guide decided that we needed, to move our base camp, the risk of avalanche was too high.
Our guide decided that we needed; to move our base camp, the risk of avalanche was too high.
Our guide decided that we needed to move our base camp, the risk of avalanche was too high where we were currently.
The risk of avalanche as too high, our guide decided that we needed to move our base camp.
The example sentence is run-on, as two independent clauses are connected using a comma. The best correction here would be to simply replace the comma with a semicolon or follow the comma with a conjunction. Both clauses could be their own sentences, but the writer wishes to connect them grammatically to suggest that one was caused by the other.
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.
Unable to fix the device.
They were unable to fix the device.
Unable to fix the device.
They unable to fix the device.
They were, unable to fix the device.
They, were unable to fix the device.
The example above is not a sentence but a sentence fragment. Every proper sentence must have a subject and a main verb; this sentence contains neither (note that infinitives, while a verb form, do not function as a main verb). The correct choice is "They were unable to fix the device."
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.
Gina, who is the authority in her field.
Gina, who is the authority in her field, just published a new book.
Gina, who is the authority in her field.
Gina, who is the authority in her field, just published.
Gina just published a new book, who is the authority in her field.
Gina, the authority in her field, just published book.
This sentence is not a sentence: it is a segment fragment. The correct choice is, "Gina, who is the authority in her field, just published a new book" because it completes the sentence. The other choices are also fragments or just do not make any sense.
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 on the project throughout the night.
She worked on the project throughout the night.
Working on the project throughout the night.
She working on the project throughout the night.
He working on the project throughout the night.
She work on the project throughout the night.
This is an example of a sentence fragment. There is no subject for this clause. The correct choice is "She worked on the project throughout the night" because it adds a subject and alters the verb in the appropriate way so that it agrees with the pronoun.