Verb Agreement – check the verb tense for logic and make sure it agrees with the subject in number

Parallelism – is there a list in the sentence or a series of clauses? Numerous commas and the word “and” is often a clue that parallelism is present.

Idioms – two-part idioms and prepositional idioms are very commonly tested; do you have any doubts about a certain phrase? Try putting it in a new sentence. Does it still make sense?

Modifiers – is an adjective used where an adverb is needed? Are there clauses that begin with  “which” or “that”?

Pronouns – They must have a clear antecedent and agree with their nouns. “Meaning” often comes into play with pronouns. A pronoun may not have a stated antecedent, but the meaning will make it clear what the intended antecedent is.

Sentence fragments/run-ons – run-ons and fragments; is there too much info in the sentence, or not enough?

Test your GMAT verbal skills with this practice sentence correction question.

You can find many in-depth articles on each of these in the BTG library. SC is really about knowing the dozen tested concepts. It’s really not logic-based like CR. You just have to practice, practice, practice, know your English grammar rules cold, and learn what the GMAT “prefers” stylistically. Good luck!

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To make sure a sentence properly demonstrates parallelism, do not make a concrete noun parallel to an action noun.

Simple vs. Complex Gerund Phrases

A gerund is an ‘ing’ verb that functions as a noun, as in the sentence “I enjoy running.” Gerund phrases, as in the sentence “Running through the park is my favorite activity,” are phrases that function as whole nouns. There are two types of gerund phrases: simple and complex. Simple gerund phrases, like the previously used example “Running through the park is my favorite activity,” use the gerund as a noun, but the gerund phrase can be used as a verb phrase:

As Noun: “Running through the park is my favorite activity

As verb: I am running through the park.

Complex gerund phrases are quite different. They often placxe an article (a or the) or an adjective in front of the gerund, and sometimes, the phrase employs an of-prepositional phrase:

Complex Gerund Phrase: The Running of the Bulls was quite a sight to see.

Notice that the gerund phrase, in this case, cannot be used as a verb phrase (i.e. I cannot say “I am Running of the Bulls). It’s important to distinguish between complex and simple gerund phrases because we cannot make them parallel to each other even if they are both gerunds

Incorrect: I enjoyed sitting in the park and the viewing of the meteor shower.

Correct: I enjoyed siting in the park and viewing the meteor shower.

More importantly, only complex gerund phrases can be parallel to action nouns.

Incorrect: The lobbyists requested the implementation of health care reforms, reductions in state taxes, and increasing awareness of environmental issues to the general public.

Notice that implementation and reductions are action nouns, but “increasing awareness of environmental issues” is a simple gerund phrase, and so it does not properly run parallel to the action nouns. To render the sentence parallel, we need to change this simple gerund phrase into action noun or a complex gerund phrase:

Correct:: The lobbyists requested the implementation of health care reforms, reductions in state taxes, and an increase in awareness of environmental issues to the general public.

One last note: when offered a choice between the complex gerund phrase and the action noun (if such a word exists) to replace a simple gerund phrase, generally go with the action noun.

Awkward: The lobbyists requested the implementation of health care reform and the reducing of state taxes.

Better:  The lobbyists requested the implementation of health care reform and the reduction of state taxes.

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1. Infinitives

Infinitives, the “to” form of the verb (e.g. to run), should always be parallel to other infinitive verbs. However, just because there is no “to” in front of the second verb in a parallel structure, it doesn’t mean it is not infinitive. In English, it is an accepted practice to omit the “to” from infinitive verbs in a sequence of parallel infinitives—just make that if you omit one successive “to,” you do it to the rest of infinitives that follow the first in a sequence.

Incorrect (mixing omissions): In order to run a successful business, it is important to manage your staff, to respect your clients, and exercise strong leadership.

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Correct (using omissions): In order to run a successful business, it is important to manage your staff, respect your clients, and exercise strong leadership.

Correct (no omissions): In order to run a successful business, it is important to manage your staff, to respect your clients, and to exercise strong leadership.

2. Working verbs

Matching working verbs is perhaps the simplest form of parallelism. Make sure your working verbs match in tense and number.

Incorrect: The results of the meeting both exceeded my expectations and impresses the head manager.

Correct. The results of the meeting both exceeded my expectations and impressed the head manager.

3. Adjectives and Participles in Adjective Form

Remember that participles, both past and present, can be used as adjectives (e.g. “my injured back and aching feet”). You can use these two adjective forms in a parallel structure with adjectives.

Past Participle and Adj: My boss, frustrated and livid, is surely going to make our lives miserable.

Present Participle and Adj: My boss, livid and fuming, is surely going to make our lives miserable.

4. Clauses

Parallel clauses should always have the same structure.

Incorrect: My boss, frustrated by the trifling request and who is still beleaguered by anxious interns, looks like he needs a vacation.

Correct: My boss, frustrated by the trifling request and beleaguered by anxious interns, looks like he needs a vacation.

Correct: My boss, who is frustrated by the trifling request and who is still beleaguered by anxious interns, looks like he needs a vacation.

The second and third examples use different use different structures for their parallel clauses, but they maintain consistency. The first sentence, though, does not match the parallel clauses.

For more GMAT sentence correction help check out these articles.