GMAT Verbal › Correcting Subordinating Conjunction Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Because the company lacked the proper funds to launch the new research project, so they turned back to the board of directors to ask for a relatively minor additional investment.
The company lacked the proper funds to launch the new research project, so they turned back to the board of directors
Because the company lacked the proper funds to launch the new research project so they turned back to the board of directors
The company lacked the proper funds to launch the new research project, they turned back to the board of directors
Because the company lacked the proper funds to launch the new research project; they turned back to the board of directors
The company, lacking the proper funds to launch the new research project, so they turned back to the board of directors
This sentence, as written, has an issue with its subordinating conjunctions. Both of its clauses start with these conjunctions - one with "because" and one with "so." This is problematic. The sentence, to be grammatical, can only have one of these clauses start with such a conjunction. Either one could be deleted to make the sentence grammatically correct - "because," in this case.
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 I was busy working on the grant proposal; Kevin was taking care of the day-to-day operations of the organization.
While I was busy working on the grant proposal,
While I was busy working on the grant proposal.
While I was busy working on the grant proposal:
While I was busy working on the grant proposal
While I was busily working on the grant proposal;
"While I was busy working on the grant proposal" is a subordinate clause, so the sentence requires the second clause—an independent clause—in order to be a complete grammatical sentence. Because "While I was busy working on the grant proposal" is a dependent clause, it should thus be followed with a comma. Semicolons and periods can only be used to punctuate independent clauses. The correct version of the sentence reads, "While I was busy working on the grant proposal, Kevin was taking care of the day-to-day operations of the organization."
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.
Since our family had never before been to Seattle, so our restaurant selection was a shot in the dark based on advice from others.
Since our family had never before been to Seattle, our restaurant selection was a shot in the dark based on advice from others.
Since our family had never before been to Seattle, so our restaurant selection was a shot in the dark based on advice from others.
Since our family had never before been to Seattle; so our restaurant selection was a shot in the dark based on advice from others.
Since our family had never before been to Seattle; our restaurant selection was a shot in the dark based on advice from others.
Since our family had never before been to Seattle so our restaurant selection was a shot in the dark based on advice from others.
Each of the clauses in this sentence starts with a subordinating conjunction. This makes for an ill-crafted sentence. Only one of the two clauses should start like this. Deleting either "since" or "so" would make this sentence better. Beginning two consecutive clauses with subordinating conjunctions will almost always result in either a contradiction or a redundancy.
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.
Although we examine the Augustinian corpus carefully, we see that the "Last of the Romans" had a critical view of the Roman Empire, but not one without qualifications.
If we examine the Augustinian corpus carefully,
Although we examine the Augustinian corpus carefully,
Whereas we examine the Augustinian corpus carefully,
Since we examine the Augustinian corpus carefully,
Wherever we examine the Augustinian corpus carefully,
The structure of the sentence suggests a need for a conditional subordinating conjunction—one indicating an if-then relationship between the dependent and independent clauses.
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.
Whether the Donatists were active while Augustine was bishop, their roots were in controversies and long-simmering resentments from the time of his childhood.
While the Donatists were active while Augustine was bishop, their roots
Whether the Donatists were active while Augustine was bishop, their roots
While the Donatists were active while Augustine was bishop their roots
Whether the Donatists were active whether or not Augustine was bishop their roots
While the Donatists were active whether or not Augustine was bishop, their roots
As the context implies, "while" is the appropriate subordinating conjunction to use in both places; however, it is worth noting that, in the credited response, it is used in two different senses—first to indicate a sort of concession or piece of important information that will find a contrast later, and later in the sentence to indicate a time when something was happening. Finally, the subordinate clause that begins the sentence should be separated from the main clause by a comma.
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 of Augustine's writings evince the growing influence of Punic identity, however, his many surviving letters showcase this influence most prominently.
Punic identity; however, his many surviving letters showcase
Punic identity, however, his many surviving letters showcase
Punic identity, however his many surviving letters showcase
Punic identity, and his many surviving letters showcase
Punic identity; nevertheless, his many surviving letters showcase
"However" in this instance indicates a case worthy of special consideration among many other cases, rather than a strict contrast indicated by "nevertheless," or similarity indicated by "and." Furthermore, the two independent clauses should be joined by a semicolon before the conjunction, rather than a comma or no punctuation.
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.
Because the giant squid is an elusive creature rarely seen by humans, scientists are beginning to gain a better understanding of the creature by studying it using remote cameras.
Although
Since
As
Considering
Because
The sentence is trying to explain that in spite of the giant squid's elusiveness, scientists are finding new ways of studying it. The sentence therefore is trying to contrast two ideas, as opposed to showing causation with the word "because." The only answer choice that uses a contrasting conjunction is "Although," so it 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.
Wherever he writes about his native Africa Augustine does so in the context of the Roman Empire it was a part of during his lifetime.
Wherever he writes about his native Africa, Augustine does so
Wherever he writes about his native Africa Augustine does so
Should he write about his native Africa, Augustine does so
Whenever he writes about his native Africa Augustine does so
However he writes about his native Africa, Augustine does so
Dependent clauses introduced by a subordinating conjunction are followed by a comma before the independent clause. Furthermore, because this passage discusses its subject writing, rather than speaking, a subordinating conjunction referring to locations in a body of work ("wherever") rather than moments in time ("whenever") is more contextually appropriate.
A small army of secretaries accompanied Aquinas where he went throughout his many travels in every part of Europe.
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.
A small army of secretaries accompanied Aquinas wherever he went throughout his many travels in every part of Europe.
A small army of secretaries accompanied Aquinas wherever he went through his many travels in every part of Europe.
A small army of secretaries accompanied Aquinas wherever he went, throughout his many travels in every part of Europe.
A small army of secretaries accompanied Aquinas where he went throughout his many travels in every part of Europe.
A small army of secretaries accompanied Aquinas where he went, throughout his many travels in every part of Europe.
"Wherever," not "where," is the appropriate subordinating conjunction in this instance, as "where" implies a singular and somewhat specific place; however, the passage implies a large area or a multitude of places. As the subordinate clause does not come at the beginning of the sentence, it does not need to be separated from the main clause by a comma.
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 highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, and I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, so I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, and I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes and was closed on Monday, I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, or I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, although I had to take an alternate route to work.
Based on the information in this sentence, we can infer that there is a cause-and-effect relationship: as a result of the highway being closed, the speaker had to take a different route to work. “So” is the only conjunction here that indicates cause and effect.