GMAT Sentence Correction Section (2)

1. GMAT Sentence Correction Section (2) Common Problems GMAT Verbal Success

2. Clauses and Subordinates • Make sure a seemingly independent clause is (indeed) independent: • When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for a people to advance from that subordination in which they have hitherto remained, and to assume among the powers of the earth. Declaration of Independence (1776) GMAT Verbal Success

3. Clauses and Subordinates • A relative clause should be placed next to the word it modifies: • I saw a woman dancing with my uncle who was wearing a green dress. • We bought a souvenir at Macy’s that was expensive. • It should also have a clear-cut subject: • Whichever chosen, each member is bound to adhere to the board’s decision. GMAT Verbal Success

4. Parallelism • If you start one verbal form, keep going with it: • I like singing, dancing and to party. • Places to go, people meeting. • For the new year, I wish you health, riches and to be happy. GMAT Verbal Success

5. Sequencing • Are all of the events in the right order. • My boss gave us a raise, but before that he told us that our sales goals had been increased and then he took us out for a drink. GMAT Verbal Success

6. Arbitrary Tense Shifts • All the verbs have to fit the same tense pattern. This is what you call “verbal concordance:” • My father snoozed while the preacher is speaking. • When I saw Karen at the class reunion, I realized that I forgot just how much she got on my nerves. GMAT Verbal Success

7. Sentence Problems • Sentence Fragments • There are many diverse and varied associations at ESSEC; such as the students’ union, sporting clubs and junior enterprise just to name a few. • That’s scandalous! Letting us all down at the last minute. GMAT Verbal Success

8. Sentence Problems • Run-On Sentences • Gordon laughed at Sandy's joke it was lewd. • We often speak in run-on sentences, but we make pauses and change our tone so people can understand us, but when we write, no one can hear us, so sometimes we must break our sentences into shorter units so that they do not sound run-on. GMAT Verbal Success

9. Sentence Problems • Comma Splices • He enjoys walking through the country, he often goes backpacking on his vacations. • He often watched TV when there were only reruns, his wife preferred to read instead. • Please be advised—these may sometimes be good style in French, but are never in English. GMAT Verbal Success

10. Agreement • Noun-Pronoun • Neither my secretary nor yours would give us their permission to cut her pay. • A libertarian maintains that everyone is an individual in their own right. • Subject-Verb • The government insists that they have a right to tap people’s phones. • Everybody in the room have to stand up. GMAT Verbal Success

11. Comparisons • Make sure you are comparing two things that can be compared: • That report is as interesting as a snowstorm. • Compare only like things: • Your temper is as bad as Bob. • Check your structures: • She likes shopping just as much than her mother. • His temper is so violent as a thunderstorm. GMAT Verbal Success

12. Rhetorical • Avoid the following: • Ambiguous Antecedents (Pronoun References) • I would like to refer you to a quotation from a research center at a Midwestern university. It’s a very important one. • Clichés • The English exam was easy as pie. GMAT Verbal Success

13. Rhetorical • Avoid the following: • Redundancy • Jack is a man who appreciates music. • In terms of weather, the summer of 2003 was particularly hot. • “Wordiness” • The reason why I’m stating this is, due to the fact that the dockers are once more on strike… (etc. ad nauseum) GMAT Verbal Success

14. The reason why is that The question as to whether… In a hasty manner Be aware of the fact that… Due to the fact that… In light of the fact that… Regardless of the fact that… For the purpose of… Irregardless Hopefully Because Whether Hastily Know Because Since Although To Regardless We hope that… Hate Rhetorical Words GMAT Verbal Success

15. Rhetorical • Avoid the following: • Vague Words & Phrases • The reality of the situation necessitated action. • “Baby English” • good, bad, big, little, rich, poor… GMAT Verbal Success

16. Rhetorical • Be Articulate! • Use the appropriate word or phrase • Yes, we know Iraq is a big country. It’s as big as…let’s see…well, it’s as big as Texas for one thing. (D. Rumsfeld) • I’ll take care of that…of that thing, you know, by the end of the day. GMAT Verbal Success

17. Misused Words & Phrases • Accept – Except • Adapt – Adopt • Affect – Effect • Allusion – Illusion • Among – Between • Amount – Number – Quantity GMAT Verbal Success

18. Misused Words & Phrases • Apt – Likely • Beside – Besides • Bring – Take • Can – May • Teach – Learn • Famous – Infamous GMAT Verbal Success

19. Misused Words & Phrases • Fewer – Less • Imply – Infer • In – Into • For – Since – Ago • While – During • Irritate – Aggravate GMAT Verbal Success

20. Misused Words & Phrases • Interested – Interesting • Uninterested – Disinterested GMAT Verbal Success