15 GMAT Sentence Correction practice questions | GMAT Questionbank

About a third of the questions that appear in the GMAT verbal section are sentence correction questions.

If you face difficulty in solving any question, go to the explanatory answer or the video explanations (wherever provided) to learn how to solve the question. Common error types tested in the GMAT sentence correction section include number agreement (subject verb and pronoun number agreements), pronouns, tenses, modifiers, parallel construction, comparisons, word usage (including idioms and phrases), and punctuations.

In the U.S., German luxury brands have succeeded in getting people who might have once thought the cars were out of their league in buying and leasing some snazzy rides.
1. have succeeded in getting people who might have once thought the cars were out of their league in buying and leasing some snazzy rides
2. have succeeded in getting people who might have once thought the cars were out of their league to buy and lease some snazzy rides
3. have succeeded in getting people who once might have thought the cars were out of their league to buy and lease some snazzy rides
4. has succeeded in getting people who might have once thought the cars were out of their league to buy and lease some snazzy rides
5. has succeeded in getting people who might have once thought the cars were out of their league in buying and leasing some snazzy rides
Choice B
Hint to solve this GMAT sentence correction sample question

Start with a vertical scan of the answer options and note down differences to identify what is being tested. You will notice that this question tests subject verb agreement and pronouns. An easy way to eliminate answer options is to eliminate those which have an error in number agreement. Subsequently, go through the remaining options to identify pronoun and word usage errors to narrow down to the correct option.
Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, the earnings guidance for the year was withdrawn by Best Buy Co.
1. Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, the earnings guidance for the year was withdrawn by Best Buy Co.
2. Best Buy Co. is reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company also withdrew its earnings guidance for the year.
3. Reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter and dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales, Best Buy Co. withdrew the earnings guidance for the year.
4. Best Buy Co. has reported a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company has also withdrawn its earnings guidance for the year.
5. Best Buy Co. is reporting a 90 percent drop in net income during the second quarter, dragged down by restructuring charges and weak sales; the company has also withdrawn its earnings guidance for the year.
Choice D
Approach to solve this GMAT sentence correction sample question

When solving this sentence correction question, the difference in modifier placement is an easy enough error to spot. After shortlisting options based on the correct placement of the modifier, notice the difference in tenses in the options. There are multiple events in the sentence, so make sure the events are arranged in the correct sequence.
Thieves steal Hondas and Toyotas from the 1990s more than other models because they can chop them up and sell them for parts that are worth more than the car.
1. more than other models because they can chop them up and sell them for parts that are worth more than the car
2. more than they steal other models because they can chop them up and sell them for parts that are worth more than the car
3. more than they do other models because they can dismantle the cars and sell the parts that are worth more than the car
4. more than other models because they can chop the cars up and sell them for parts that are worth more than the car
5. more than other models because they can dismantle them up and sell them for parts that are worth more than the car
Choice C
Hint to solve this GMAT sentence correction sample question

There is a very helpful hint in this sentence correction practice question - the word 'more'. Words such as 'more' indicate that a comparison is being made in the sentence and your instinct must then be to check whether the right things are being compared. It would also help to avoid colloquial constructions!
Recently, hopes that the European Central Bank will reach a deal to help Spain and Italy borrow at cheaper rates has nudged financial markets higher.
1. Spain and Italy borrow at cheaper rates has nudged financial markets higher
2. Spain and Italy borrow at cheaper rates have nudged financial markets to higher levels
3. Spain and Italy borrow at cheaper rates has nudged financial markets to higher levels
4. Spain and Italy borrow at cheaper rates nudged financial markets to higher levels
5. Spain and Italy borrow at cheaper rates nudged financial markets higher
Choice B
Hint to solve this GMAT sentence correction sample question

A vertical scan of the options in this sentence correction question makes it clear that the differences across the options lie in only a couple of places. Clearly, subject-verb agreement is tested and eliminating options based on the rule is a quick and effective way to get rid of a couple of options. It would help to remember that in good written English, you need to not mince words and state an idea completely - but not be redundant!
Fought on 22 August 1485, the Lancastrians won The Battle of Bosworth Field, the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses, the civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century.
1. Fought on 22 August 1485, the Lancastrians won The Battle of Bosworth Field, the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses, the civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century
2. Fought on 22 August 1485, The Battle of Bosworth Field- the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses, the civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century- was won by the Lancastrians
3. Fought on 22 August 1485, the Lancastrians won The Battle of Bosworth Field- the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses- the civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century
4. The Lancastrians won The Battle of Bosworth Field, fought on 22 August 1485, the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses, the civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century
5. The Lancastrians won The Battle of Bosworth Field, which was fought on 22 August 1485; it was the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses- the civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century
Choice E
Hint to solve this GMAT sentence correction sample question

Looking through the options in this sentence correction question makes it clear that there are many modifiers! The correct answer will, therefore, be the one that ensures that the modifiers are all correctly placed and that there is no ambiguity in meaning.
Unlike Ancient Greek art which saw the veneration of the animal form and the development of equivalent skills to show musculature, poise, beauty and anatomically correct proportions, Ancient Roman art depicted gods as idealized humans, shown with characteristic distinguishing features.
1. Unlike Ancient Greek art which saw the veneration of the animal form and the development of equivalent skills to show musculature
2. Ancient Greek art saw the veneration of the animal form and the development of equivalent skills to show musculature
3. While Ancient Greek art saw the veneration of the animal form and developed equivalent skills to show musculature
4. While Ancient Greek art venerated the animal form and developed equivalent skills to show musculature
5. Unlike Ancient Greek art which venerated the animal form and the development of equivalent skills to show musculature
Choice D
Hint to solve this GMAT sentence correction sample question

In this sentence correction question, the appropriate word usage when making a comparison is tested. Do you know when to use 'unlike' and when to use 'while'? Also remember that a comparison has to be made between two nouns or two verbs but never between a noun and a verb.
In addition to being convenient, affordable, and versatile, legumes are also full of fiber, vitamins, key minerals and plant protein, plus their antioxidant levels rival berries.
1. In addition to being convenient, affordable, and versatile, legumes are also full of fiber, vitamins, key minerals and plant protein, plus their antioxidant levels rival berries
2. Legumes are not only convenient, affordable, and versatile but are also rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, plant protein, and levels of antioxidants that rival those of berries
3. The convenient, affordable, and versatile legumes are, in addition to rivalling berries for antioxidant levels, full of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plant protein
4. Not only are they convenient, affordable, and versatile, legumes are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plant protein, rivalling berries in antioxidant levels
5. Legumes, in addition to being convenient, affordable, and versatile, are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plant protein and rival berries in antioxidant level
Choice E
Approach to solve this sentence correction sample question

This sentence correction question tests your ability to check for comparison errors. Also make sure the meaning of the option you pick makes sense. There are descriptions given here for legumes and the placement and wording of the descriptions have to be accurate.
It is ironic that while the word “perfect” is considered to be the highest compliment possible, calling someone a “perfectionist” is perceived by many as anything but
1. considered to be the highest compliment possible, calling someone a “perfectionist” is perceived by many as anything but
2. considered the highest possible compliment, calling someone a “perfectionist” is perceived by many as anything but
3. considered as the highest compliment that is possible, calling a person “a perfectionist” is perceived as nothing much by many
4. considered the highest compliment possible, calling a person “a perfectionist” is perceived as anything but by many
5. considered the highest possible compliment, calling someone “a perfectionist” is perceived by many as nothing much
Choice B
Hint to solve this GMAT sentence correction sample question

Would you consider this sentence correction question TO BE difficult? Or would you rather consider it AS easy? Or is it neither? A question that primarily tests word usage, make sure the tail end of the sentence is correctly worded to convey the appropriate meaning.
Jane Austen has firmly joined Shakespeare not just as a canonical figure but also as a symbol of Literature itself - the hazel-eyed woman in the mobcap as iconic now as the balding man in the doublet.
1. Jane Austen has firmly joined Shakespeare not just as a canonical figure but also as a symbol of Literature itself - the hazel-eyed woman in the mobcap as iconic now as the balding man in the doublet.
2. Jane Austen is as firm a canonical figure as a symbol of literature itself, like Shakespeare; the hazel-eyed woman in the mobcap and the balding man in the doublet are both iconic.
3. Jane Austen, the hazel-eyed woman in the mobcap, and Shakespeare, the balding man in the doublet, have firmly joined together as a canonical figure and a symbol of literature.
4. Jane Austen is as iconic as Shakespeare; The hazel-eyed woman in the mobcap and the balding man in the doublet are not only firmly joined as canonical figures but as symbols of literature itself.
5. Jane Austen has firmly joined Shakespeare not only as a canonical figure but also as a symbol of Literature - the hazel-eyed woman in the mobcap has been becoming as iconic now as the balding man in the doublet.
Choice A
Approach to solve this GMAT sentence correction sample question

This sentence correction question cannot be solved by simply vertically scanning through the options! Read each option carefully and analyse the choice of words. Also check to see which ones are correctly comparing Austen and Shakespeare.
NASA reports that ancient observers took note of solar eclipses at least as far back as 2500 BC, as evidenced by surviving records from ancient Babylon and China.
1. as evidenced by surviving records from
2. as the evidence that has survived from the records of
3. as shows the evidence of records surviving in
4. as the surviving records show the evidence of
5. as evidenced by records that have survived in
Choice A
Hint to solve this GMAT sentence correction sample question

Mostly to do with the prepositions used in the options, this sentence correction question is about the usage of 'in' and 'of' and also about correctly conveying what is being proven by what - so make sure you interpret the meaning of each option correctly.
The sense of elitism in the art world is deepened by the fact that the determination of the authenticity of long-lost works of reputed renaissance-era painters such as Da Vinci is usually not possible by just scientific analysis and forensics but need the expert ‘eye’ of the connoisseurs.
1. painters such as Da Vinci is usually not possible by just scientific analysis and forensics but need
2. painters like Da Vinci is usually not possible by just scientific analysis and forensics but also needs
3. painters such as Da Vinci is usually not possible by just scientific analysis and forensics but also needs
4. painters like Da Vinci are usually not possible by just scientific analysis and forensics but also needs
5. painters such as Da Vinci are usually not possible by just scientific analysis and forensics but need
Choice C
Hint to solve this GMAT sentence correction sample Question

This sentence correction question tests the correct usage of a classic, often-found-in-GMAT idiom and the usage of parallelism within the idiom. It also helps if you know how to correctly introduce an example.
With the private space industry at the early stages of a launch revolution – it is expected that the number of launches is going to increase dramatically – it has become imperative to study the effects of the plume of exhaust that a rocket leaves in its wake on the stratosphere and the ozone layer.
1. it has become imperative to study the effects on the stratosphere and the ozone layer caused by the plume of exhaust that a rocket leaves in its wake
2. studying the effects on the stratosphere and the ozone layer caused by the plumes of exhaust left by rockets in their wake has become imperative
3. the plume of exhaust left by a rocket in its wake has to be studied for its effects on the stratosphere and the ozone layer
4. the study of the plumes of exhaust that rockets leaves in their wake and of the effect on the stratosphere and the ozone layer has become imperative
5. it has become imperative to study how the plumes of exhaust that a rocket leaves in its wake affects the stratosphere and the ozone layer
Choice B
Hint to solve this GMAT sentence correction sample Question

What is the pronoun referring to? Is there subject verb agreement? What are we 'studying'? These are the questions you need to answer in order to get the correct answer for this sentence correction practice question.
Occupying a small portion of the island of Borneo, the tiny country of Brunei Darussalam had been having a low number of international visitors until 2017, when the numbers, attracted by its famously pristine rainforests, increased by 20%.
1. the tiny country of Brunei Darussalam had been having a low number of international visitors until 2017, when the numbers, attracted by its famously pristine rainforests, increased by 20%
2. the number of international visitors to the tiny country of Brunei Darussalam was low till 2017 when they began to be attracted by its famously pristine rainforests, leading to an increase in numbers by 20%
3. the tiny country of Brunei Darussalam saw, in 2017, a 20% increase in the previously low number of international visitors because the tourists were attracted to its famously pristine rainforests
4. the tiny country of Brunei Darussalam increased its number of international visitors by 20% in 2017, leading to an attraction for its famously pristine rainforests.
5. the international tourists visiting the tiny country of Brunei Darussalam increased their previously low numbers by 20% in 2017, owing to their attraction to its famously pristine rainforests.
Choice C
Hint to solve this GMAT sentence correction sample question

Check for the correct placement of the modifiers in this sentence correction question. Also, it helps to analyse the meaning of the sentence and understand what is increasing and who or what is attracted to the rainforests.
Despite smartphones and easy accessibility for social networks, almost half of the millennials – people reaching young adulthood in the 21st century – are feeling isolated and lonely.
1. Despite smartphones and easy accessibility for social networks,
2. Although having smartphones and accessing social networks easily,
3. Despite them using smartphones and easily accessing social networks,
4. Despite their smartphones making access to social networks easy,
5. Although there is an increasing use of smartphones and easy accessibility for social networks,
Choice D
Hint to solve this GMAT sentence correction sample question

This word usage question tests you on the correct usage of the words "despite" and "although". To get the answer for this sentence correction question, you also need to determine the appropriate form of the word "Access"
Given that Agatha Christie wrote 66 novels and 14 short story collections, all of which are still in print in multiple formats and dozens of languages, sceptics would be well advised to admit defeat on the issue of whether or not she sold more books than any other novelist ever has.
1. admit defeat on the issue of whether or not she sold more books than any other novelist ever has
2. be defeated on the issue of whether she sold more books than every other novelist
3. admit defeat on the issue of whether she sold more books than any other novelist ever has
4. admit defeat on the issue of whether or not she sold more books than any other novelist ever has
5. be defeated on the issue of whether she sold more books than every other novelist
Choice C
Hint to solve this sentence correction sample question

This sentence correction question tests your understanding of comparison rules. Make sure the correct things are compared and also learn the correct usage of "whether".

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