GMAT Verbal Questions Online Practice – GMAT Tutoring Classes Dubai
Rules of Sentence Correction – GMAT Verbal Class Part-1
I) Subject -Verb Agreement
Rule 1 : AND
Subjects joined by “And “ are considered plural.
Usage :
- England and China have improved their relations recently.
- Boys and Girls are taking the test now.
- English and Math subjects are easy to practice.
Exception : Sometimes two nouns joined by ‘And’ form the name of a single thing or idea.
Examples :
- Law and order has messed up.
- Slow and steady wins the race.
- Salt and pepper is mandatory for any meal.
Rule 2 : Indefinite Pronouns
The following pronouns in the subjective case are always considered singular. Therefore pick a singular verb for the agreement.
Indefinite Pronouns: each, every, one, anyone, anybody, anything, everyone, everybody, everything. Someone, somebody, something, no one, nobody, nothing, whoever, whatever, little and much.
Usage:
- Every student has to carry a valid photo identification.
- Someone has spilled the milk.
- Everything has happened according to the plan.
Exception : “Each” following a subject has no bearing on the verb form.
Examples :
- They each are taking the GMAT.
Rule 3 : Additives
Besides, including, as well as , together with , along with, in addition to : In sentences with such additives , the verb agrees with the FIRST subject.
Usage :
- The Boss as well as the team has attended the wedding.
- The concept combined with rules makes the preparation easy for the test.
- Boys along with girls have gone to the market.
Rule 4 : Both , few , fewer , many , others , several are considered plural.
Usage :
- Both students have scored well.
- Few students have not turned up to the class.
- Many are attending the party tonight.
Rule 5 : Some (of ) , all (of) , none (of) , any ( of ), most (of )/ more (of) : These subjects can be singular or plural depending on the usage.
Usage :
- All is well
- All the efforts are gone futile
- Some of the trainers are in the office
Rule 6 : ‘Either …or ‘ and ‘neither…nor’ :
In sentences with these conjunctions the verb always agrees with the subject which is after ‘or” , ‘nor’.
Usage :
- Neither the MD nor employees are in the office.
- Either girls or boys are going to attend the meet.
- Either Mom or Dad is going to pick me up from the office.
Exception : When either of or neither of is used in a sentence without or , nor then the verb has to be singular.
Examples :
- Neither of Sam’s friends is attending the gym.
- Either of my classmates is going to be here tonight.
- Neither of ministers keeps his promises.
Rule 7 : Collective Nouns
Collective nouns such as team , family , committee , audience , etc are considered singular . But if the context of the sentence emphasises the individual members of the group then it is considered as a plural subject.
Usage :
- The board of directors meets every sunday.
- The family is going to pass the rule.
- The team is performing well on the ground.
Exception :
But if the context of the sentence emphasises the individual members of the group then it is considered as a plural subject.
Examples :
- The board of directors are in the disagreement of the bill.
- The team payers are performing individually for self benefits.
- The audience are in utter disbelief with the magicians performance.
Rule 8 : The Number of
When a sentence starts with ‘THE NUMBER OF ‘ then the subject is always considered a singular.
Usage :
- The number of GMAT test takers from UAE has increased.
- The number of students enrolling for IELTS has reduced.
- The number of monkeys spoiling the garden has gone high this year.
Rule 9 : A number of
When a sentence starts with ‘A NUMBER OF ‘ then the subject is always considered a plural.
Usage :
- A number of GMAT test takers from UAE are increased.
- A number of students enrolling for IELTS are reduced.
- A number of monkeys spoiling the garden are from the neighbouring town.
Rule 10 : Quantity words or Phrases
Any amount of time (in years , minutes , months ,etc. ) or money is always a singular subject.
Usage :
- Five hundred dirhams is too much money to pay for this cardigan.
- Ten years is a long time to wait for someone.
- Two and two is six.
Exception : When discussing fractions or percentages, always get the verb to agree with the subject after the preposition.
Examples :
- Half of the money is stolen.
- Half of the bags are stolen
Rule 11 : Subject Phrases and clauses
The subject phrases and clauses are considered singular and require a singular verb form.
Usage :
- Having good friends is an amazing thing.
- Whatever they want to do is fine with me.
- Delivering pizzas is not a great job.
Rule 12 : Infinitives and Gerunds
Infinitives and gerunds as the subjects are considered singular.
Usage :
- Building castles in the sky does not help the situation at hand.
- To find fault with others is easy.
- To fly an aeroplane is a dream of mine.
Rule 13 : Subject – Verb Inversion
In sentences beginning with a prepositional phrase, the verb still agrees with its subject. Usually in a sentence the subjects always precedes the verb, but sometimes the GMAT can reverse this order, so that the verb comes before the subject.
Usage :
- Through the London bridge pass thousands of vehicles every day.
- Seldom have I heard such a beautiful voice.
- Not only did they loot the shop, but also set fire to it.
Rule 14 : The relative Pronouns
The relative pronouns ( who , which , that ) refer to the previous word.
Usage :
- The Mona Lisa , which was painted by Da Vinci , is in the Louvre.
- This hospital is for kids who get injured .
- Sam, who is my cousin , is studying in 12th grade.
GMAT Sentence Correction Part-1 Test
No. of Questions: 14, Time : 20 Mins
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