Comprehensive Study Module: Common Grammar Questions in GRE and GMAT

Introduction

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) and GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) are two of the most widely recognized standardized tests for graduate and business school admissions. Both tests assess a variety of skills, including English grammar, which plays a significant role in their Verbal Reasoning sections. Understanding the most common grammar questions can help you maximize your score.

This study module covers essential grammar rules, examples, applications, and usage commonly found in the GRE and GMAT exams. It includes the key topics tested and practical tips to ensure success.


1. Subject-Verb Agreement

Rules

  • The subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural).
  • If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

Common Mistakes

  • A plural subject followed by a singular verb.
  • A singular subject followed by a plural verb.

Example

  • Correct: The team is winning.
  • Incorrect: The team are winning.

Applications

  • Look for the subject closest to the verb in complex sentences.
  • Ignore intervening phrases (e.g., “along with,” “as well as”) when determining the subject.

2. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Rules

  • A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in gender, number, and person.
  • Use singular pronouns for singular antecedents and plural pronouns for plural antecedents.

Common Mistakes

  • Using “they” for a singular antecedent.
  • Mixing up gender-specific pronouns.

Example

  • Correct: Each student must submit his or her homework.
  • Incorrect: Each student must submit their homework.

Applications

  • For gender-neutral antecedents, use “his or her” or “theirs” if plural.

3. Parallel Structure

Rules

  • Items in a list or series must have the same grammatical form.
  • Ensure parallelism in items such as verbs, nouns, adjectives, etc.

Common Mistakes

  • Mixing verb tenses or grammatical forms within a series.
  • Not maintaining consistency in structure.

Example

  • Correct: She enjoys reading, writing, and swimming.
  • Incorrect: She enjoys reading, to write, and swimming.

Applications

  • When comparing ideas or listing actions, use parallel structure to avoid confusion and improve clarity.

4. Modifiers

Rules

  • Modifiers should be placed as close as possible to the words they modify to avoid ambiguity.
  • Misplaced modifiers lead to confusing or illogical sentences.

Common Mistakes

  • Dangling modifiers (e.g., “Walking down the street, the car appeared.”).

Example

  • Correct: Walking down the street, I saw the car.
  • Incorrect: Walking down the street, the car appeared.

Applications

  • Read sentences carefully to ensure the modifier correctly modifies the intended subject.

5. Sentence Structure and Fragments

Rules

  • A complete sentence must have a subject and a verb and express a complete thought.
  • Fragments are incomplete sentences that are missing either a subject, a verb, or both.

Common Mistakes

  • Missing a subject or verb.
  • Using a dependent clause as a complete sentence.

Example

  • Correct: She went to the store to buy groceries.
  • Incorrect: Went to the store to buy groceries. (Fragment)

Applications

  • Check for sentence fragments that lack a subject or verb, especially in complex sentences.

6. Active vs. Passive Voice

Rules

  • Active voice emphasizes the subject performing the action.
  • Passive voice emphasizes the object receiving the action.

Common Mistakes

  • Overuse of passive voice in sentences that would be clearer in active voice.

Example

  • Active: The teacher explained the concept.
  • Passive: The concept was explained by the teacher.

Applications

  • For clarity and directness, use the active voice wherever possible.
  • Use passive voice when the doer of the action is unknown or less important.

7. Comparison of Adjectives and Adverbs

Rules

  • Use comparative forms (e.g., taller, more expensive) for comparing two things.
  • Use superlative forms (e.g., tallest, most expensive) for comparing three or more things.

Common Mistakes

  • Incorrect use of comparative and superlative forms.
  • Using “more” with adjectives that already end in “-er.”

Example

  • Correct: She is more intelligent than I am. (Comparative)
  • Correct: She is the most intelligent in the class. (Superlative)

Applications

  • Pay attention to the number of things being compared to select the appropriate form.

8. Idiomatic Expressions and Phrasal Verbs

Rules

  • Idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs have fixed meanings that cannot be deduced from the meanings of their individual words.

Common Mistakes

  • Misusing idiomatic expressions or phrasal verbs in the wrong context.

Example

  • Correct: She gave up smoking last year.
  • Incorrect: She gave down smoking last year.

Applications

  • Familiarize yourself with common idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs commonly tested in GRE/GMAT.

9. Conditional Sentences

Rules

  • Zero conditional: Used for general truths (If + present simple, present simple).
  • First conditional: Used for real situations (If + present simple, will + base verb).
  • Second conditional: Used for hypothetical or unlikely situations (If + past simple, would + base verb).
  • Third conditional: Used for hypothetical situations in the past (If + past perfect, would have + past participle).

Common Mistakes

  • Mixing up conditional structures, especially between second and third conditionals.

Example

  • Zero Conditional: If you heat ice, it melts.
  • First Conditional: If it rains, we will cancel the event.
  • Second Conditional: If I were you, I would go to the party.
  • Third Conditional: If I had known, I would have studied harder.

Applications

  • Understand the conditional structure and its correct usage in different contexts.

10. Subjunctive Mood

Rules

  • The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, demands, suggestions, or conditions contrary to fact.
  • In the subjunctive, use “were” instead of “was” for hypothetical statements.

Common Mistakes

  • Incorrect use of “was” instead of “were” after “if” in hypothetical situations.

Example

  • Correct: If I were you, I would study harder.
  • Incorrect: If I was you, I would study harder.

Applications

  • The subjunctive mood is often tested in complex sentences, so practice recognizing these contexts.

Conclusion

Mastering grammar for the GRE and GMAT is critical for excelling in the verbal sections of both exams. By understanding these core grammar concepts, applying them through examples, and practicing in various contexts, you will significantly improve your chances of achieving a high score.

This module equips you with the tools to tackle common grammar questions effectively and efficiently, increasing your confidence and readiness for the tests.

20 English Grammar MCQs on Common Grammar Questions in GRE and GMAT


1. Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

A) Neither the manager nor the employees was ready for the meeting.
B) Neither the manager nor the employees were ready for the meeting.
C) Neither the manager or the employees was ready for the meeting.
D) Neither the manager or the employees were ready for the meeting.

Answer: B) Neither the manager nor the employees were ready for the meeting.
Explanation: When two subjects are joined by “neither…nor,” the verb agrees with the second subject (in this case, “employees,” which is plural). Hence, the correct verb form is “were.”


2. Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.

A) The team are playing well today.
B) The team is playing well today.
C) The teams is playing well today.
D) The teams are playing well today.

Answer: B) The team is playing well today.
Explanation: “Team” is a collective noun and is treated as singular. Therefore, the correct verb form is “is.”


3. Which of the following is correct?

A) She was the best student in the class.
B) She was best the student in the class.
C) She was the student best in the class.
D) She was the best student of the class.

Answer: A) She was the best student in the class.
Explanation: The correct structure for superlatives is “the best student in the class.”


4. Identify the grammatically correct sentence.

A) The committee is planning their next meeting.
B) The committee are planning their next meeting.
C) The committee were planning their next meeting.
D) The committee is planning its next meeting.

Answer: D) The committee is planning its next meeting.
Explanation: “Committee” is a collective noun, and since it refers to a singular entity, it requires a singular pronoun “its.”


5. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

A) He said that he would go to the store, however, he didn’t.
B) He said that he would go to the store however he didn’t.
C) He said that he would go to the store; however he didn’t.
D) He said that he would go to the store: however he didn’t.

Answer: C) He said that he would go to the store; however he didn’t.
Explanation: When joining two independent clauses with “however,” a semicolon is required before “however.”


6. Which sentence is correct?

A) The teacher asked her students to take their seats quickly.
B) The teacher asked her students to took their seats quickly.
C) The teacher asked her students took their seats quickly.
D) The teacher asked her students taking their seats quickly.

Answer: A) The teacher asked her students to take their seats quickly.
Explanation: The correct form after “asked” is the infinitive verb “to take,” not the past form “took.”


7. Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb?

A) If I was rich, I would travel the world.
B) If I were rich, I would travel the world.
C) If I was being rich, I would travel the world.
D) If I were being rich, I would travel the world.

Answer: B) If I were rich, I would travel the world.
Explanation: In hypothetical situations, especially in the subjunctive mood, “were” is used instead of “was.”


8. Select the sentence that correctly uses a comparative adjective.

A) She is more smarter than her sister.
B) She is smarter than her sister.
C) She is smartest than her sister.
D) She is more smarter than her sister.

Answer: B) She is smarter than her sister.
Explanation: “Smarter” is the correct comparative form, not “more smarter.”


9. Choose the sentence with correct parallel structure.

A) He likes hiking, swimming, and to run.
B) He likes hiking, swimming, and running.
C) He likes hiking, to swim, and running.
D) He likes to hike, swimming, and to run.

Answer: B) He likes hiking, swimming, and running.
Explanation: All items in the list should be in the same form. “Hiking,” “swimming,” and “running” are all gerunds.


10. Identify the correct use of the subjunctive mood.

A) If I was the president, I would change the law.
B) If I am the president, I would change the law.
C) If I were the president, I would change the law.
D) If I be the president, I would change the law.

Answer: C) If I were the president, I would change the law.
Explanation: The correct form for hypothetical situations in the past or present uses “were” instead of “was” in the subjunctive mood.


11. Choose the correct sentence.

A) There is fewer students than I expected.
B) There are fewer students than I expected.
C) There are less students than I expected.
D) There is less students than I expected.

Answer: B) There are fewer students than I expected.
Explanation: “Fewer” is used for countable nouns like “students,” and “are” is the correct verb form to agree with the plural noun.


12. Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb in the past perfect?

A) She had already ate when I arrived.
B) She had already eaten when I arrived.
C) She already ate when I arrived.
D) She already eaten when I arrived.

Answer: B) She had already eaten when I arrived.
Explanation: The past perfect tense requires the past participle “eaten,” not “ate.”


13. Choose the correct sentence.

A) Neither the teacher nor the students was absent.
B) Neither the teacher nor the students were absent.
C) Neither the teacher nor the students is absent.
D) Neither the teacher nor the students are absent.

Answer: B) Neither the teacher nor the students were absent.
Explanation: The verb agrees with the second subject, “students,” which is plural.


14. Which sentence is grammatically correct?

A) The jury have reached their verdict.
B) The jury has reached their verdict.
C) The jury have reached its verdict.
D) The jury has reached its verdict.

Answer: D) The jury has reached its verdict.
Explanation: “Jury” is a collective noun and is treated as singular, so the correct verb form is “has,” and the pronoun is “its.”


15. Choose the correct sentence.

A) The company will announce their new product next week.
B) The company will announce its new product next week.
C) The company will announce his new product next week.
D) The company will announce their new products next week.

Answer: B) The company will announce its new product next week.
Explanation: “Company” is a singular collective noun, so the correct pronoun is “its.”


16. Which of the following is correct?

A) Each of the boys have his own room.
B) Each of the boys has his own room.
C) Each of the boys have their own room.
D) Each of the boys has their own room.

Answer: B) Each of the boys has his own room.
Explanation: “Each” is singular, so the verb should be singular, and the pronoun “his” agrees with “boys” (if male).


17. Which sentence is correct?

A) The man who they were waiting for arrived.
B) The man whom they were waiting for arrived.
C) The man they were waiting for arrived.
D) The man who were waiting for arrived.

Answer: C) The man they were waiting for arrived.
Explanation: The sentence does not require a relative pronoun (“who” or “whom”) because the relative clause is non-essential and the object is implied.


18. Identify the grammatically correct sentence.

A) If I have studied more, I would have passed the exam.
B) If I studied more, I would pass the exam.
C) If I had studied more, I would have passed the exam.
D) If I will study more, I would pass the exam.

Answer: C) If I had studied more, I would have passed the exam.
Explanation: This is a third conditional sentence, which refers to a past unreal situation. It uses “had” and “would have.”


19. Which of the following is the correct use of a comparative adjective?

A) This book is more better than the last one.
B) This book is better than the last one.
C) This book is best than the last one.
D) This book is more good than the last one.

Answer: B) This book is better than the last one.
Explanation: “Better” is the correct comparative form of “good.”


20. Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

A) Neither of the boys are ready for school.
B) Neither of the boys is ready for school.
C) Neither of the boys were ready for school.
D) Neither of the boys be ready for school.

Answer: B) Neither of the boys is ready for school.
Explanation: “Neither” is singular, so the verb should be “is.”


These 20 MCQs cover common grammar areas tested in the GRE and GMAT, focusing on subject-verb agreement, conditional sentences, modifiers, pronoun use, and more. Practicing these questions will help you solidify your understanding of English grammar and improve your chances of performing well on these exams.

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