Correcting Other Usage Errors

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GMAT Verbal › Correcting Other Usage Errors

Questions 1 - 10
1

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 affects of the changes saved billions of dollars.

The effects of the changes saved

The affects of the changes saved

The effects of: the changes saved

The affects of: the changes saved

The affects of the changes, saved

Explanation

This sentence misuses the word "affect." "Affect" is a verb meaning to change. It is clear that the results of the changes (hence, a noun) is meant in this sentence. "Effect" is the correct choice, meaning a change/result of something. No other changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "The effects of the changes saved."

2

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.

Kenda complemented Michael's effort on the project when she made him employee of the month.

complimented

complemented

completed

censured

claimed

Explanation

This sentence contains an error in word choice. The word "complement" means to complete. It is clear from the context of the sentence that Kendra intends to give Michael recognition for his effort. The choice that means this is "compliment (with an "i")."

3

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 woman had severed all ties with her family after they had shown strong disapproval for her choice to move across the country.

they had shown strong disapproval of her choice

they had shown strong disapproval for her choice

they have shown strong disapproval for her choice

they had shown strong disapproval for her choices

them had shown strong disapproval for her choice

Explanation

The use of the preposition "for" in this sentence is incorrect, as it is not the common preposition matched with disapproval. The commonly used word is "of," which more properly conveys the connection to disapproval. The only answer choice which makes this change is "they had shown strong disapproval of her choice."

4

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.

Some writers use literary illusions to tactfully reference authors who previously wrote about similar themes.

tactfully use literary allusions to reference authors

tactfully use literary illusions to reference authors

use literary allusions to tactfully reference authors

use literary illusions tactfully to reference authors

use literary illusions to tactfully reference authors

Explanation

An illusion is a hallucination, an image that isn’t really there. An allusion is a reference or citation, especially to/from another text. Also, there is a split infinitive; the adverb “tactfully” must be moved elsewhere in the sentence so the verb “to reference” is kept together.

5

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.

Before she went running, Jennifer made sure to sit the bills on the counter so that she would not forget to attend to them when she returned.

Before she went running, Jennifer made sure to set the bills on the counter so that she would not forget to attend to them when she returned.

Before she went running, Jennifer made sure to sit the bills on the counter so that she would not forget to attend to them when she returned.

Before she went running, Jennifer made sure to sit the bills on the counter, so that she would not forget to attend to them when she returned.

Before she went running, Jennifer made sure to set the bills on the counter, so that she would not forget to attend to them when she returned.

Before she went running Jennifer made sure to sit the bills on the counter so that she would not forget to attend to them when she returned.

Explanation

This sentence misuses the word "sit." The word "sit" means to rest, remain, or place one's self. The appropriate word here is "set," which means to put/place something. No additional changes are necessary. The phrase "Before she went running" is an example of an introductory statement, explaining information necessary to the context of the sentence, but outside of the main sentence, grammatically. These types of phrases must be followed by a comma in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence. The rest of the sentence is one independent clause. The correct choice is, "Before she went running, Jennifer made sure to set the bills on the counter so that she would not forget to attend to them when she returned."

6

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.

For all intensive purposes, the new plan was essentially the same as the old plan, but with a much tighter time frame in which to accomplish everything.

For all intents and purposes, the new plan was essentially the same

For all intensive purposes, the new plan was essentially the same

For all intensive purposes, the new plan was effectively the same

For all intensive purposes, the new plan was essentially the same thing

For all intensive purposes, the new plan being essentially the same

Explanation

The use of the phrase "for all intensive purposes," as it is in this sentence, is incorrect. The idiom is actually "for all intents and purposes," which indicates that every element was considered. "For all intents and purposes, the new plan was essentially the same," is the correct answer choice as it is the only one that uses the correct idiom.

7

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 woman had severed all ties with her family after they had shown strong disapproval for her choice to move across the country.

they had shown strong disapproval of her choice

they had shown strong disapproval for her choice

they have shown strong disapproval for her choice

they had shown strong disapproval for her choices

them had shown strong disapproval for her choice

Explanation

The use of the preposition "for" in this sentence is incorrect, as it is not the common preposition matched with disapproval. The commonly used word is "of," which more properly conveys the connection to disapproval. The only answer choice which makes this change is "they had shown strong disapproval of her choice."

8

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.

Apple revolutionized the phone industry with the introduction of it's iPhone.

with the introduction of its iPhone.

with the introduction of it's iPhone.

with the introduction of its, iPhone.

with the introduction of its' iPhone.

with the introduction of it's, iPhone.

Explanation

This sentence misuses the word "it's." It's is a contraction for "it is," but it is clear from the context of the sentence that what is needed here is the possessive form of the word: its. The possessive form of "it" does not include an apostrophe before the s. Furthermore, the form " its' " is not an actual form of "it" - it is not a word - and no comma is necessary in this sentence. The best choice is, "with the introduction of its iPhone."

9

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.

Some writers use literary illusions to tactfully reference authors who previously wrote about similar themes.

tactfully use literary allusions to reference authors

tactfully use literary illusions to reference authors

use literary allusions to tactfully reference authors

use literary illusions tactfully to reference authors

use literary illusions to tactfully reference authors

Explanation

An illusion is a hallucination, an image that isn’t really there. An allusion is a reference or citation, especially to/from another text. Also, there is a split infinitive; the adverb “tactfully” must be moved elsewhere in the sentence so the verb “to reference” is kept together.

10

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.

For all intensive purposes, the new plan was essentially the same as the old plan, but with a much tighter time frame in which to accomplish everything.

For all intents and purposes, the new plan was essentially the same

For all intensive purposes, the new plan was essentially the same

For all intensive purposes, the new plan was effectively the same

For all intensive purposes, the new plan was essentially the same thing

For all intensive purposes, the new plan being essentially the same

Explanation

The use of the phrase "for all intensive purposes," as it is in this sentence, is incorrect. The idiom is actually "for all intents and purposes," which indicates that every element was considered. "For all intents and purposes, the new plan was essentially the same," is the correct answer choice as it is the only one that uses the correct idiom.

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