Test prep strategies for GMAT Grammar questions

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Example:

Jane and Katarina believe they passed the final exam.

The plural pronoun they refers to the compound subject Jane and Katarina.

Faulty Usage

Neither Jane nor Katarina believes they passed the final.

Correct: Neither Jane nor Katarina believes she passed the final.

This is probably the most common error on the GMAT. If a pronoun follows two nouns, it is often unclear which of the nouns the pronoun refers to.

Faulty Usage

The breakup of the Soviet Union has left nuclear weapons in the hands of unstable, nascent countries. It is imperative to world security that they be destroyed.

Although one is unlikely to take the sentence to mean that the countries must be destroyed, that interpretation is possible from the structure of the sentence. It is easily corrected:

The breakup of the Soviet Union has left nuclear weapons in the hands of unstable, nascent countries. It is imperative to world security that these weapons be destroyed.

Faulty Usage

In Somalia, they have become jaded by the constant warfare.

This construction is faulty because they does not have an antecedent. The sentence can be corrected by replacing they with people:

In Somalia, people have become jaded by the constant warfare.

Better: The people of Somalia have become jaded by the constant warfare.

Faulty Usage

One enters this world with no responsibilities. Then comes school, then work, then marriage and family. No wonder, you look longingly to retirement.

In this sentence, the subject has changed from one (third person) to you (second person). To correct the sentence either replace one with you or vice versa:

You enter this world with no responsibilities. Then comes school, then work, then marriage and family. No wonder, you look longingly to retirement.

One enters this world with no responsibilities. Then comes school, then work, then marriage and family. No wonder, one looks longingly to retirement.

Example:

In the following sentence, part or all of the sentence is underlined. The answer-choices offer five ways of phrasing the underlined part. If you think the sentence as written is better than the alternatives, choose A, which merely repeats the underlined part; otherwise choose one of the alternatives.

Had the President's Administration not lost the vote on the budget reduction package, his first year in office would have been rated an A.

(A) Had the President's Administration not lost the vote on the budget reduction package, his first year in office would have been rated an A.
(B) If the Administration had not lost the vote on the budget reduction package, his first year in office would have been rated an A.
(C) Had the President's Administration not lost the vote on the budget reduction package, it would have been rated an A.
(D) Had the President's Administration not lost the vote on its budget reduction package, his first year in office would have been rated an A.
(E) If the President had not lost the vote on the budget reduction package, the Administration's first year in office would have been rated an A.

Choice (A) is incorrect because his appears to refer to the President, but the subject of the subordinate clause is the President's Administration, not the President.

Choice (B) changes the structure of the sentence, but retains the same flawed reference.

In choice (C), it can refer to either the President's Administration or the budget reduction package. Thus, the reference is ambiguous.

Choice (D) adds another pronoun, its, but still retains the same flawed reference.

Choice (E) corrects the flawed reference by removing all pronouns. The answer is (E).

_{SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT}

Within a sentence there are certain requirements for the relationship between the subject and the verb.

Example:

We have surpassed our sales goal of one million dollars.

Here, the first person plural verb have agrees with its first person plural subject we.

Note, ironically, third person singular verbs often end in s or es:

He seems to be fair.

Example:

Only one of the President's nominees was confirmed.

Here, the singular verb was agrees with its singular subject one. The intervening prepositional phrase of the President's nominees has no effect on the number or person of the verb.

Example:

Attached are copies of the contract.

Here, the plural verb are attached agrees with its plural subject copies. The sentence could be rewritten as

Copies of the contract are attached.

Example:

The rise in negative attitudes toward foreigners indicate that the country is becoming less tolerant, and therefore that the opportunities are ripe for extremist groups to exploit the illegal immigration problem.

(A) indicate that the country is becoming less tolerant, and therefore that
(B) indicates that the country is becoming less tolerant, and therefore
(C) indicates that the country is becoming less tolerant, and therefore that
(D) indicates that the country is being less tolerant, and therefore
(E) indicates that the country is becoming less tolerant of and therefore that

Choice (A) has two flaws. First, the subject of the sentence the rise is singular, and therefore the verb indicate should not be plural. Second, the comma indicates that the sentence is made up of two independent clauses, but the relative pronoun that immediately following therefore forms a subordinate clause.

Choice (C) corrects the number of the verb, but retains the subordinating relative pronoun that.

Choice (D) corrects the number of the verb and eliminates the subordinating relative pronoun that. However, the verb being is less descriptive than the verb becoming: As negative attitudes toward foreigners increase, the country becomes correspondingly less tolerant. Being does not capture this notion of change.

Choice (E) corrects the verb's number, and by dropping the comma makes the subordination allowable. However, it introduces the preposition of which does not have an object: less tolerant of what?

Choice (B) both corrects the verb's number and removes the subordinating relative pronoun that. The answer is (B).

_{MISPLACED MODIFIERS}

Example:

Following are some useful tips for protecting your person and property from the FBI.

As written, the sentence implies that the FBI is a threat to your person and property. To correct the sentence put the modifier from the FBI next to the word it modifies, tips:

Following are some useful tips from the FBI for protecting your person and property.

Example:

Coming around the corner, a few moments passed before I could recognize my old home.

As worded, the sentence implies that the moments were coming around the corner. The sentence can be corrected as follows:

As I came around the corner, a few moments passed before I could recognize my old home.

or

Coming around the corner, I paused a few moments before I could recognize my old home.

Example:

By focusing on poverty, the other causes of crime--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.--have been overlooked by sociologists.

(A) the other causes of crime--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.--have been overlooked by sociologists.
(B) the other causes of crime have been overlooked by sociologists--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.
(C) there are other causes of crime that have been overlooked by sociologists--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.
(D) crimes--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.--have been overlooked by sociologists.
(E) sociologists have overlooked the other causes of crime--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.

Choice (A) is incorrect since it implies that the other causes of crime are doing the focusing.

Choice (B) has the same flaw.

Choice (C) is incorrect. The phrase by focusing on poverty must modify the subject of the sentence, but there cannot be the subject since the construction there are is used to introduce a subject.

Choice (D) implies that crimes are focusing on poverty.

Choice (E) puts the subject of the sentence sociologists immediately next to its modifying phrase by focusing on poverty. The answer is (E).

_{FAULTY PARALLELISM}

Example:

The topology course was both rigorous and a challenge.

Since both rigorous and a challenge are modifying course, they should have the same form:

The topology course was both rigorous and challenging.

Example:

During his trip to Europe, the President will discuss ways to stimulate trade, offer economic aid, and trying to forge a new coalition with moderate forces in Russia.

In this example, the first two verbs, discuss and offer, are active. But the third verb in the series, trying, is passive. The form of the verb should be active:

During his trip to Europe, the President will discuss ways to stimulate trade, offer economic aid, and try to forge a new coalition with moderate forces in Russia.

Example:

To acknowledge that one is an alcoholic is taking the first and hardest step to recovery.

The first half of the above sentence has an infinitive structure, to acknowledge, so the second half must have a similar structure:

To acknowledge that one is an alcoholic is to take the first and hardest step to recovery.

Example:

This century began with war brewing in Europe, the industrial revolution well-established, and a nascent communication age.

(A) war brewing in Europe, the industrial revolution well-established, and a nascent communication age.
(B) war brewing in Europe, the industrial revolution surging, and a nascent communication age.
(C) war in Europe, the industrial revolution well-established, and a nascent communication age.
(D) war brewing in Europe, the industrial revolution well-established, and the communication age beginning.
(E) war brewing in Europe, the industrial revolution well-established, and saw the birth of the communication age.

Choice (A) is incorrect. Although the first two phrases, war brewing in Europe and the industrial revolution well-established, have different structures, the thoughts are parallel. However, the third phrase, and a nascent communication age, is not parallel to the first two.

Choice (B) does not make the third phrase parallel to the first two.

Choice (C) changes the meaning of the sentence: the new formulation states that war already existed in Europe while the original sentence states that war was only developing.

Choice (E) is not parallel since the first two phrases in the series are noun phrases, but saw the birth of the communication age is a verb phrase. When a word introduces a series, each element of the series must agree with the introductory word. You can test the correctness of a phrase in a series by dropping the other phrases and checking whether the remaining phrase agrees with the introductory word. In this series, each phrase must be the object of the preposition with:

This century began with war brewing in Europe

This century began with the industrial revolution well-established

This century began with saw the birth of the communication age

In this form, it is clear the verb saw cannot be the object of the preposition with.

Choice (D) offers three phrases in parallel form. The answer is (D).

_{FAULTY VERB TENSE}

A verb has four principal parts:

1. Present Tense
a. Used to express present tense.

He studies hard.

b. Used to express general truths.

During a recession, people are cautious about taking on more debt.

c. Used with will or shall to express future time.

He will take the GMAT next year.

2. Past Tense
a. Used to express past tense.

He took the GMAT last year.

3. Past Participle
a. Used to form the present perfect tense, which indicates that an action was started in the past and its effects are continuing in the present. It is formed using have or has and the past participle of the verb.

He has prepared thoroughly for the GMAT.

b. Used to form the past perfect tense, which indicates that an action was completed before another past action. It is formed using had and the past participle of the verb.

He had prepared thoroughly before taking the GMAT.

c. Used to form the future perfect tense, which indicates that an action will be completed before another future action. It is formed using will have or shall have and the past participle of the verb.

He will have prepared thoroughly before taking the GMAT.

4. Present Participle (-ing form of the verb)
a. Used to form the present progressive tense, which indicates that an action is ongoing. It is formed using is, am, or are and the present participle of the verb.

He is preparing thoroughly for the GMAT.

b. Used to form the past progressive tense, which indicates that an action was in progress in the past. It is formed using was or were and the present participle of the verb.

He was preparing for the GMAT.

c. Used to form the future progressive tense, which indicates that an action will be in progress in the future. It is formed using will be or shall be and the present participle of the verb.

He will be preparing thoroughly for the GMAT.

PASSIVE VOICE

The passive voice removes the subject from the sentence. It is formed with the verb to be and the past participle of the main verb.

Passive: The bill was resubmitted.

Active: The Senator has resubmitted the bill.

Unless you want to de-emphasize the doer of an action, you should favor the active voice.

Example:

In the past few years and to this day, many teachers of math and science had chosen to return to the private sector.

(A) had chosen to return to the private sector.
(B) having chosen to return to the private sector.
(C) chose to return to the private sector.
(D) have chosen to return to the private sector.
(E) have chosen returning to the private sector.

Choice (A) is incorrect because it uses the past perfect had chosen, which describes an event that has been completed before another event. But the sentence implies that teachers have and are continuing to return to the private sector. Hence, the present perfect tense should be used.

Choice (B) is incorrect because it uses the present progressive tense having chosen, which describes an ongoing event. Although this is the case, it does not capture the fact that the event began in the past.

Choice (C) is incorrect because it uses the simple past chose, which describes a past event. But again, the sentence implies that the teachers are continuing to opt for the private sector.

Choice (D) is the correct answer because it uses the present perfect have chosen to describe an event that occurred in the past and is continuing into the present.

Choice (E) is incorrect because it leaves the thought in the sentence uncompleted.

_{IDIOM & USAGE}

Accept/Except:
Accept means "to agree to" or "to receive." Except means "to object to" or "to leave out."

We will accept (receive) your manuscript for review.

No parking is allowed, except (leave out) on holidays.

Account for:
When explaining something, the correct idiom is account for:

We had to account for all the missing money.

When receiving blame or credit, the correct idiom is account to:

You will have to account to the state for your crimes.

Adapted to/for/from
Adapted to means "naturally suited for." Adapted for means "created to be suited for." Adapted from means "changed to be suited for."

The polar bear is adapted to the subzero temperatures.

For any "New Order" to be successful, it must be adapted for the continually changing world power structure.

Lucas' latest release is adapted from the 1950 B-movie "Attack of the Amazons."

Affect/Effect:
Effect is a noun meaning "a result."

Increased fighting will be the effect of the failed peace conference.

Affect is a verb meaning "to influence."

The rain affected their plans for a picnic.

All ready vs. Already
All ready means "everything is ready."

Already means "earlier."

Alot vs. A lot
Alot is nonstandard; a lot is the correct form.

Among/Between:
Between should be used when referring to two things, and among should be used when referring to more than two things.

The young lady must choose between two suitors.

The fault is spread evenly among the three defendants.

Being that vs. Since:
Being that is nonstandard and should be replaced by since.

(Faulty) Being that darkness was fast approaching, we had to abandon the search.

(Better) Since darkness was fast approaching, we had to abandon the search.

Beside/Besides:
Adding an s to beside completely changes its meaning: Beside means "next to." Besides means "in addition."

We sat beside (next to) the host.

Besides (in addition), money was not even an issue in the contract negotiations.

Center on vs. Center around
Center around is colloquial. It should not be used in formal writing.

(Faulty) The dispute centers around the effects of undocumented workers.

(Correct) The dispute centers on the effects of undocumented workers.

Conform to (not with):
Stewart's writing does not conform to standard literary conventions.

Consensus of opinion
Consensus of opinion is redundant: consensus means "general agreement."

Correspond to/with:
Correspond to means "in agreement with":

The penalty does not correspond to the severity of the crime.

Correspond with means "to exchange letters":

He corresponded with many of the top European leaders of his time.

Different from/Different than:
The preferred form is different from. Only in rare cases is different than acceptable.

The new Cadillacs are very different from the imported luxury cars.

Double negatives:
(Faulty) Scarcely nothing was learned during the seminar.

(Better) Scarcely anything was learned during the seminar.

Doubt that vs. Doubt whether
Doubt whether is nonstandard.

(Faulty) I doubt whether his new business will succeed.

(Correct) I doubt that his new business will succeed.

Farther/Further:
Use farther when referring to distance, and use further when referring to degree.

They went no further (degree) than necking.

He threw the discs farther (distance) than the top seated competitor.

Fewer/Less:
Use fewer when referring to a number of items. Use less when referring to a continuous quantity.

In the past, we had fewer options.

The impact was less than what was expected.

Identical with (not to):
This bid is identical with the one submitted by you.

In contrast to (not of):
In contrast to the conservative attitudes of her time, Mae West was quite provocative.

Independent of (not from):
The judiciary is independent of the other branches of government.

Not only . . . but also:
In this construction, but cannot be replaced with and.

(Faulty) Peterson is not only the top salesman in the department and also the most proficient.

(Correct) Peterson is not only the top salesman in the department but also the most proficient.

On account of vs. Because:
Because is always better than the circumlocution on account of.

(Poor) On account of his poor behavior, he was expelled.

(Better) Because he behaved poorly, he was expelled.

One another/Each other:
Each other should be used when referring to two things, and one another should be used when referring to more than two things.

The members of the basketball team (more than two) congratulated one another on their victory.

The business partners (two) congratulated each other on their successful first year.

Plus vs. And:
Do not use plus as a conjunction meaning and.

(Faulty) His contributions to this community are considerable, plus his character is beyond reproach.

(Correct) His contributions to this community are considerable, and his character is beyond reproach.

Note: Plus can be used to mean and so long as it is not being used as a conjunction.

(Acceptable) His generous financial contribution plus his donated time has made this project a success.

In this sentence, plus is being used as a preposition. Note, the verb has is singular because an intervening prepositional phrase (plus his donated time) does not affect subject verb agreement.

Regard vs. Regards:
Unless you are giving best wishes to someone, you should use regard.

(Faulty) In regards to your letter, we would be interested in distributing your product.

(Correct) In regard to your letter, we would be interested in distributing your product.

Regardless vs. Irregardless
Regardless means "not withstanding." Hence, the "ir" in irregardless is redundant. Regardless is the correct form.

Retroactive to (not from):
The correct idiom is retroactive to:

The tax increase is retroactive to February.

Speak to/with:
To speak to someone is to tell them something:

We spoke to Jennings about the alleged embezzlement.

To speak with someone is to discuss something with them:

Steve spoke with his friend Dave for hours yesterday.

The reason is because:
This structure is redundant. Equally common and doubly redundant is the structure the reason why is because.

(Poor) The reason why I could not attend the party is because I had to work.

(Better) I could not attend the party because I had to work.

Whether vs. As to whether
The circumlocution as to whether should be replaced by whether.

(Poor) The United Nations has not decided as to whether to authorize a trade embargo.

(Better) The United Nations has not decided whether to authorize a trade embargo.

Whether vs. If
Whether introduces a choice; if introduces a condition. A common mistake is to use if to present a choice.

(Faulty) He inquired if we had decided to keep the gift.

(Correct) He inquired whether we had decided to keep the gift.

Example:

The studio's retrospective art exhibit refers back to a simpler time in American history.

(A) The studio's retrospective art exhibit refers back to
(B) The studio's retrospective art exhibit harkens back to
(C) The studio's retrospective art exhibit refers to
(D) The studio's retrospective art exhibit refers from
(E) The studio's retrospective art exhibit looks back to

Choice (A) is incorrect. Retrospective means looking back on the past. Hence, in the phrase refers back, the word back is redundant.

Choice (B) is incorrect because harkens back is also redundant.

Choice (C) is correct. Dropping the word back eliminates the redundancy.

Choice (D) is incorrect because the preposition from is non-idiomatic.

Choice (E) is incorrect because looks back is also redundant.

Note: One could argue that the phrase American history also makes the sentence redundant. However, it is not underlined in the sentence. It is not at all uncommon to find questionable structures in parts of the sentence that are not underlined. In fact, you may even find questionable structures in the underlined part of the sentence that are not corrected by any of the answer choices because the writers are testing a different mistake. Concern yourself with correcting only the underlined part of the sentence.