Correcting Verb Mood Errors

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GMAT Verbal › Correcting Verb Mood Errors

Questions 1 - 10
1

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Jerry said if he was in my position, he would do the same thing.

Jerry said if he were in my position, he would do the same thing.

Jerry said if he had been in my position, he would do the same thing.

Jerry said that when he had been in my position, he would do the same thing.

Jerry said if he were in my position, he will do the same thing.

Jerry said if he were in my position, he were to be doing the same thing.

Explanation

This sentence discusses a condition that is contrary to fact (IF Jerry were in my position, which he is not), and thus uses the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive mood is used to express a wish, suggestion, condition, condition contrary to fact, or command. Because the sentence requires the subjunctive mood, the correct version reads: "Jerry said if he were in my position, he would do the same thing."

2

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

The con artist evaded detection for years by conducting himself as though he were a registered clinical practitioner.

as though he were a registered clinical practitioner.

as though he was a registered clinical practitioner.

like he was a registered clinical practitioner.

like as if he was a registered clinical practitioner.

as if he was a clinical practitioner with registration.

Explanation

The sentence is correct because we change "was" to "were" following a noun in situations in which the statement communicates something contrary to fact or highly unlikely.

3

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

If I was you, I would leave that job immediately.

If I were you, I would leave that job immediately.

If I were you, I will leave that job immediately.

If I was you, I will have to leave that job immediately.

If I had been you, I will leave that job immediately.

If I was you, I should leave that job immediately.

Explanation

The example sentence expresses a hypothetical condition that is contrary to fact ("I," by definition, am not "you"), and therefore needs to be expressed using verbs in the subjunctive mood. "If" is a usually a good indication that a sentence will be in the subjunctive mood. In the subjunctive, "were" should be used instead of "was." "If I were you, I would leave that job immediately."

4

It is imperative that he knows the truth.

Which option best replaces the underlined sentence?

It is imperative that he know the truth.

It is imperative that he knew the truth.

It is imperative that he knows the truth.

It is imperative that the truth was known by him.

It is imperative that he had known the truth.

Explanation

In the original sentence, the verb "knows" is in the incorrect mood—the indicative. Because of the word "that", we know the sentence contains an order, which means that we must change the verb to the subjunctive mood ("know").

5

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Were you to have chosen that restaurant, we would have to dress up.

Were you to choose

Was you to choose

Were you to have chosen

Were you to chose

Was you to chose

Explanation

This sentence is an example of the present subjunctive, which is most commonly used in English to express hypothetical situations, wishes, and desires. The correct long form of the sentence is “if you were to choose that restaurant,” and “were you to choose that restaurant” is simply an inversion and shortening of the long form. (“Were you to have chosen that restaurant” is the past subjunctive, which doesn’t match the future conditional form of the second half of the sentence.)

6

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

If I was a betting man, I would put my money down on the continued health and strength of the market for imports.

If I were a betting man

If I was a betting man

If I were to be a betting man

If I was a betting person

Whether I was a betting man

Explanation

This sentence is a rare use of the subjunctive mood, a verb mood that is used to indicate a hypothetical state or a statement contrary to reality. The subjunctive verb does not use the otherwise more appropriate verb tense "was," as it is indicating a desire of something not real and should use "were." "If I were a betting man" is the only answer choice that uses the correct verb form.

7

Let it be known that we recommend that she is admitted to our company.

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Let it be known that we recommend that she be admitted to our company.

Let it be known that we recommend that she is admitted to our company.

Let it be known that we recommend that she are admitted to our company.

Let it be known that we recommend that she am admitted to our company.

Let it be known that we recommend that she were admitted to our company.

Explanation

When indicating a desire or proclamation, the subjunctive form of a verb—in this case, "be" instead of the usual indicative "is"—should be used.

8

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Take these papers to the processing department immediately, and you wait for them to be completely finished before returning.

and wait for them to be completely finished before returning.

and you wait for them to be completely finished before returning.

and you wait for them to be complete finished before returning.

and you wait for them to be completely finished before return.

and you wait for them being completely finished before returning.

Explanation

Sticking "you" in this sentence is unnecessary with the phrase's imperative mood and the implied subject of "you" in the first part of the sentence, which creates a lack of parallel structure. "You" should be taken out of the underlined portion of the sentence to fix these problems. As only one answer choice makes this change, the correct answer is "and wait for them to be completely finished before returning."

9

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

He said he wouldn’t have jumped into the murky lake if someone else hasn’t jumped before him.

if someone else hadn’t jumped before him.

if someone else were not to have jumped before him.

if someone else hasn’t jumped before him.

if someone else was not to have jumped before him.

if someone else would not to have jumped before him.

Explanation

This sentence will try to trick you into using the subjunctive mood, but remember that the subjunctive is only used to describe hypothetical situations and dreams. Because the character actually did jump into the murky lake, the correct mood is simply the past indicative: “He said he wouldn’t have jumped into the murky lake if someone else hadn’t jumped before him.”

10

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Touching on subjects like corruption in Brazilian politics and delivering a scathing condemnation of globalization and liberalism, the book must tell of one politician’s failed attempt to take down a corrupt system.

the book will tell

the book shall tell

there will be a book telling

it is a book that tells

it will be a book that tells

Explanation

The choices that include the pronoun "it" are clearly wrong because there is no noun preceding the word "it" that can be referenced. This question involves a dangling modifier. What is touching on those subjects? The book. The book should therefore come after the comma. Eliminate answers that do not have this structure. "Must" is clearly awkward. "Shall" is not usually used in the third person. It is usually used in the first person. It is used to make suggestions or to give offers of help, for example, "shall we go to the beach" and "shall I help you with those bags". The correct choice implements the simple structure "the book will tell".

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