Mastering GMAT sentence correction: Tips and strategies

Mastering GMAT sentence correction is an invaluable skill for anyone taking the GMAT, as sentence correction questions make up a large portion of the verbal section.

With the right tips and strategies, you can ace the sentence correction section of the GMAT.

In this guide, we will provide you with an overview of the GMAT sentence correction section, as well as some useful tips and strategies for mastering this section.

GMAT sentence correction

The GMAT Sentence Correction section is designed to measure your ability to recognize correct grammar, diction, and syntax in English. The questions test your understanding of the fundamentals of sentence structure, including proper word choice, subject-verb agreement, pronoun use, tense verb consistency, parallelism, modifiers and idioms.

The section consists of approximately 12-14 questions in which you must identify and choose the best answer from a set of five answer choices. Each answer choice consists of a sentence that has been modified from the original sentence in one or more ways. You must identify the errors in the original sentence, if any, and select the best answer among the choices.

Tips for mastering the GMAT sentence correction

The GMAT sentence correction questions are designed to test your understanding of English grammar, punctuation, and style conventions. To help you master these questions, here are a few useful tips and strategies:

1. Learn and understand the rules of English grammar

The GMAT sentence correction section tests your knowledge of English grammar and its usage. Therefore, it is important to have a solid understanding of English grammar rules. So, go through the basics, such as parts of speech, subject-verb agreement, conjugation, tenses and clauses.

2. Become familiar with the GMAT sentence correction format

Familiarizing yourself with the format of the sentence correction questions will help you know what to expect and how to approach the questions. Generally, the GMAT sentence correction questions consist of a sentence with one or more blanks. You will be asked to choose the best answer that is grammatically correct and fits the context of the sentence.

3. Read the sentence carefully

Before attempting to answer the question, it is important to read the sentence carefully and identify any grammar, usage or syntax errors. Also, try to identify the sentence's main idea and the relationship between the different parts of the sentence.

4. Focus on the grammar

When attempting to answer the GMAT sentence correction questions, focus on the grammar rather than the meaning of the sentence. Also, pay attention to the structure of the sentence, as it can help you determine the correct answer.

5. Formulate a strategy

Once you have identified any errors in the sentence, it is time to formulate a strategy for how to fix them. This might involve rewriting the sentence from scratch or simply replacing certain words or phrases.

6. Eliminate the wrong answers

Go through the possible answers and eliminate those that are obviously incorrect. Try to eliminate as many wrong answers as possible by using the process of elimination. This will help you narrow down the possible answers and make it easier for you to identify the correct ones.

7. Choose the most logical answer

After you have eliminated the wrong answers, you can then select the most logical answer. This can be done by reading the sentence carefully and looking for any words or phrases that make the most sense.

8. Practice

The best way to master the GMAT sentence correction section is by practising. Spend time reviewing sample questions and familiarizing yourself with the different questions. This will help you develop the skills required to accurately answer the GMAT sentence correction questions.

Also Read: GMAT Self-Study Plan

Common types of errors in the GMAT sentence correction section

Many types of errors can occur in the GMAT sentence correction section, and it is important to be aware of them to identify them and choose the correct answer. The most common types of errors that can be found include

1. Grammatical errors

Grammatical errors are the most common type of error in the GMAT sentence correction section. These are errors in the structure of the sentence, such as incorrect verb conjugation, incorrect tense agreement, incorrect pronoun usage, and incorrect subject-verb agreement. These errors can cause confusion and make the sentence difficult to understand.

2. Logical errors

Logical errors occur when the sentence does not make sense in its current form. This can include errors in meaning, such as when a sentence does not convey the intended message or does not follow the rules of logic. These errors can be caused by incorrect use of pronouns, incorrect word order, or incorrect verb tenses.

3. Vocabulary errors

Vocabulary errors occur when the wrong words are used in a sentence. These errors can range from incorrect homonyms (there, their, they’re) to incorrect use of prepositions (on, in, at) to misused modifiers (good, better, best).

4. Idiomatic errors

Idiomatic errors occur when the words used in a sentence do not follow the typical meaning of the phrase. This can occur when someone uses an incorrect phrase or phrase that does not make sense. Common idiomatic errors in the GMAT sentence correction section include incorrect use of phrasal verbs, incorrect use of idioms, incorrect use of slang, incorrect use of metaphors, and incorrect use of colloquial expressions.

5. Style errors

Style errors occur when the grammar and syntax of the sentence are incorrect. This can include incorrect verb tenses, incorrect pronoun usage, incorrect verb agreement, and improper subject-verb agreement. Additionally, incorrect punctuation and word usage can fall into this category.

Also Read: GMAT Test Resources

Best books for sentence correction

Some of the best books for sentence correction that you can use to prepare for the 2023 GMAT are:

1. The Official Guide for GMAT Review 2023

This is the official guide to the GMAT, which is essential for any student preparing for the GMAT. It provides a comprehensive overview of the test, including an in-depth look at the verbal and quantitative sections and sample questions and answers. It also contains an extensive collection of sentence correction questions, complete with explanations.

2. Manhattan Prep GMAT Sentence Correction Guide 6th Edition

This is an ideal book for those who are looking for an in-depth look at sentence correction. It helps students develop the skills needed to identify and fix sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation errors. It also includes hundreds of practice questions and detailed explanations for each answer.

3. The PowerScore GMAT Sentence Correction Bible

This book is the most comprehensive guide to sentence correction on the GMAT. It provides a comprehensive overview of the topics tested on the GMAT, including an in-depth look at grammar, usage, and style. It also includes hundreds of practice questions and detailed explanations for each answer.

4. Kaplan GMAT Sentence Correction Strategies and Tactics

This book is designed to help students develop the skills needed to identify and fix sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation errors. It includes a comprehensive overview of the topics tested on the GMAT and step-by-step strategies for tackling sentence correction questions.

5. Princeton Review GMAT Sentence Correction

This book provides students with everything they need to know about sentence correction on the GMAT. It provides a comprehensive review of the sentence correction rules, strategies necessary to master the GMAT verbal section, and an in-depth look at the nuances of English grammar, sentence structures and logical reasoning.

Conclusion

Mastering the GMAT sentence correction requires a lot of practice and dedication. However, with the right tips and strategies, you can make your journey much easier and more successful. By using the tips outlined in this guide, you can develop your sentence correction skills and help you score higher on the GMAT.

Frequently asked questions

What does the GMAT sentence correction section measure?

The GMAT sentence correction section is designed to measure student's ability to recognize correct grammar, diction, and syntax in English. The questions test your understanding of the fundamentals of sentence structure, including proper word choice, subject-verb agreement, pronoun use, tense verb consistency, parallelism, modifiers and idioms.

What are the most common errors in the GMAT sentence correction section?

The most common types of errors that can be found in the GMAT sentence correction section are grammatical errors, logical errors, vocabulary errors, idiomatic errors, and style errors.