GMAT Verbal › Correcting Verb Voice 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.
Japanese longswords, katanas, are considered the best swords in the world by many individuals.
Many individuals consider Japanese longswords, katanas, the best swords in the world.
Japanese longswords, katanas, are considered the best swords in the world by many individuals.
Many individuals consider Japanese longswords, a katana, the best sword in the world.
Japanese longswords, katanas, are the best swords in the world according to the opinion of many individuals.
Many individuals might consider Japanese longswords, also known as katanas, to be the best swords in the world.
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. The phrase "Japanese longswords...are considered..." is in the passive voice. Since there is already an interrupting appositive renaming the subject here, it is best to simply re-phrase this sentence in the active voice in order to avoid an overly wordy and complex sentence. The most clear and concise choice in this instance is, "Many individuals consider Japanese longswords, katanas, the best swords in the world." The other choices are too wordy or contain inconsistencies (e.g. longswords...a katana).
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.
Mike and Jonas were asked to spar by the boxing coach, eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match.
Eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match, the boxing coach asked Mike and Jonas to spar.
Mike and Jonas were asked to spar by the boxing coach, eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match.
Mike and Jonas, eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match, were asked to spar by the boxing coach.
The boxing coach, eagerly sees how Mike and Jonas would perform in a simulated match, asked them to spar.
Mike and Jonas, eager to see how the boxing coach would perform in a simulated match, asked them to spar.
The initial independent clause in the sentence, "Mike and Jonas were asked to spar by the boxing coach," uses passive voice ("were asked"); it becomes clearer when we use active voice ("the boxing coach asked Mike and Jonas . . .").
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 time that was had by Jenny at the circus was good.
Jenny had a good time at the circus.
Jenny's time at the circus was good.
A time that was good was had by Jenny at the circus.
Jenny at the circus had a good time.
The circus was there for Jenny to have a good time at.
The voice of the verb in the example sentence is passive. In general, where possible, it is best to use active voice over passive voice. Active sentences use the subject as the agent of the main verb, and are therefore usually simpler and clearer than passive sentences. The best version of this sentence reads, "Jenny had a good time at the circus."
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.
Perhaps the shift in the profit sectors will reverse itself in the next few months, makes the entire conversation unnecessary in the long run.
making the entire conversation unnecessary in the long run.
makes the entire conversation unnecessary in the long run.
to make the entire conversation unnecessary in the long run.
has made the entire conversation unnecessary in the long run.
makes an entire conversation unnecessary in the long run.
The use of the present tense verb "makes" in the final, underlined portion of the sentence creates a confusing meaning. The present participle is the only verb from which appropriately connects to the main portion of the sentence. The only answer choice which correctly makes this change is "making the entire conversation unnecessary in the long run."
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.
Music was considered extremely important by her.
She considered music extremely important.
Music was considered extremely important by her.
Music was to be considered extremely important by her.
She considered music to be the most important thing in her life.
Music was considered to be an extremely important influence on her.
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. The phrase "Music was considered" is in the passive voice, which is totally unnecessary in this context. The correct answer will be in the active voice (i.e. the subject of the clause should always do the action of the main verb). The sentence needs to be reworded. The correct choice is, "She considered music extremely important." The other choices only add unnecessary words to the sentence.
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 key issue in the case concerned whether or not the defendant ever having possession of the murder weapon.
ever had possession of the murder weapon.
ever having possession of the murder weapon.
ever having possession to the murder weapon.
ever having possession with the murder weapon.
even having possession of the murder weapon.
The use of the present participle "having" in this sentence is incorrect, as the issue is whether the defendant had possesion in the past. The verb needs to be changed to the past participle form. The only answer choice which contains the correct verb form is "ever had possession of the murder weapon."
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.
Rock is said to have evolved from African-American styles of music, like Jazz.
Rock evolved from African-American styles
Rock is said to have evolved from African-American styles
Rock has evolved from African-American styles
Rock was created from African-American styles
Rock evolved African-American styles
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. The passive voice is used (is said). Since "Rock" is the subject of the sentence, it should do the action of the sentence. The best choice is "Rock evolved from African-American styles" since it is the most concise choice that fixes this issue. The choice "Rock evolved African-American styles" is incorrect because it changes the entire meaning of the sentence.
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.
More than any other person who having held the position, the student body president actually ran a vigorous campaign to be elected to his office.
More than any other person who held the position,
More than any other person who having held the position,
More than any other person who having held this position,
More than any other persons who having held the position,
More than every other person who having held the position,
The use of "having" in the underlined phrase is both unnecessary and awkwardly introduces a passive voice construction. Simply by eliminating the word "having" makes the clause use an active voice construction and have a much simpler construction. "More than any other person who having held his position," is, therefore, 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.
The band's music was acclaimed by many as innovative and thrilling.
Many people thought the band's music was innovative and thrilling.
The band's music was acclaimed by many as innovative and thrilling.
The band's music, acclaimed by many as innovative and thrilling, was written about in many magazines.
Many people thought the band's music was innovative, and thrilling.
Many people thought the music of the band was very innovative, and thrilling.
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. The phrase "The band's music was acclaimed" is in the passive voice. The correct choice should always be in the active voice (i.e. the subject of the sentence should be doing the action of the main verb). No other changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "Many people thought the band's music was innovative and thrilling."
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 reminded by his friends to bring back gifts from his trip.
His friends reminded him to bring back gifts from his trip.
He was reminded by his friends to bring back gifts from his trip.
He was reminded by his friends to bring back gifts: from his trip.
He, reminded to bring back gifts by his friends, decided to buy some gifts at the store.
He was buying gifts because his friends reminded him to get gifts.
This sentence contains an error in verb voice. It is most proper for the subject of the verb to be doing the action of the verb. In this sentence; however, the subject "he" is not doing the action "remind." He is being reminded, which means someone else is doing the action to him. The best choice is: "He was reminded by his friends to bring back gifts from his trip" because it fixes this error, is concise, and is not redundant, like the other sentences.