GMAT Sentence
Correction
Introduction
The GMAT sentence correction questions are designed to
test your ability to identify grammatically-correct written English. The
questions begin with sentences, all or parts of which have been
underlined. You will then be presented with 5 different answer choices.
The correct answer will have the following 4
characteristics:
- No grammatical mistakes
- Correct sentence structure
- No diction errors
- Will not change the sentence's intended meaning
Note that we did not state that the correct answer is
the most concise. While it often is, this is not always the case. As a
result, you may find that you need to resist the temptation to select
the shortest answer choice.
GMAT Sentence Correction
Tips and Strategies
Do not waste the time to read answer choice A.
This choice simply repeats the originally underscored section. One fifth
of the time, choice A will be correct. As a result, do not succumb to
the temptation to overanalyze these questions and insist on believing
that there is always a better choice than the underlined segment
presented in the question.
Look out for multiple errors. A common
fallacy with the sentence correction questions is to find one error and
then quickly choose an answer that corrects that mistake. The correct
answer must correct all of the errors.
Employ process of elimination wherever possible.
This is most easily accomplished with this question type when answer
choices appear that are grammatically incorrect all by themselves. You
can also eliminate any choices that alter the intended meaning of the
sentence. There will always be a second-best answer choice when you take
the GMAT. If you are still unsure between more than one choice, you will
fare better if you select the most concise remaining answer choice that does
not use the passive voice.
Do not worry about spelling or capitalization errors.
The test writers do not test for these 2 errors.
When in doubt, examine the subtleties among the
different answer choices. This is often a good way to
determine what the possible errors in the sentence may be. It can also
help you fight the tendency to read for meaning and to overlook any
grammatical mistakes.
Read the entire sentence again with your selected
answer choice. We have found this to be a very powerful tip
with these questions. It can prevent many careless mistakes from harming
your GMAT score.
Trust your ears. If you become stuck,
select the passage that sounds the best to your ears. Most test takers,
particularly native English speakers, have internalized many more
grammar rules than they can explicitly identify.
Grammar Concepts and
Rules You Should Know
We do not have the time to review the material tested by
the GMAT here. However, we have compiled the "short list" of
favorite grammatical rules that the writers like to test. You are
strongly encouraged to memorize these grammar concepts and rules before
you sit for the GMAT.
- Among versus between
- Elliptical verb phrases
- Misplaced modifiers
- Parallel sentences
- Pronoun subject agreement
- Proper use of adverbs (they modify verbs)
- Proper use of the semicolon
- Run on sentences
- Sentence fragments
- Subject verb agreement
- Verb tenses
- Who versus whom
Sentence correction practice questions |
