Question

When you first told me he’s considering to selling the business I did not believe you. A. he’s considering to selling the business I did not believe you. B. he’s considering selling the business I did not believe you. C. he’s considering selling the business I’m not believing you. D. he is considering selling the business I am believing you not. E. he considers selling the business I did not believed you.

Short answer

Option B: he’s considering selling the business I did not believe you.

Step-by-step solution

- Identify the Errors

Determine the grammatical errors in the original sentence. It has a redundancy error with 'considering to selling' and tense inconsistency.

- Correct Redundancy

Remove 'to' in 'considering to selling.' The correct form should be 'considering selling.'

- Maintain Consistent Tense

Ensure that the sentence's tense remains consistent. 'Did not believe' is correct in past tense.

- Evaluate the Options

Review each option: Option A retains the redundancy; Option C changes to present continuous, which is incorrect; Option D has an incorrect word order; Option E changes the tense, rendering it incorrect. Option B correctly fixes the redundancy and keeps the tense consistent.

Key concepts

Grammar Rules

Understanding grammar rules is essential for crafting clear and correct sentences. Erroneous usage can confuse the reader and change the meaning of your message. In English grammar, certain rules govern syntax, verb forms, and word choices. For example, using infinitives ('to' + base verb) incorrectly, such as in 'considering to selling,' can create redundancy and grammatical errors. Always remember:

• Verbs should agree with their subjects.
• Consistent tense usage throughout the sentence.
• Proper conjunctions and prepositions.
• Correct punctuation for clarity.

When you master these rules, identifying and correcting errors becomes significantly easier.

Sentence Correction

Sentence correction involves identifying and fixing grammatical mistakes to enhance readability and accuracy. As seen in our example, 'he’s considering to selling the business I did not believe you,' the phrase 'considering to selling' is grammatically incorrect. The correct structure should be 'considering selling.'
When fixing sentences, focus on:

• Eliminating redundancy.
• Ensuring proper verb forms.
• Correcting improper word choices.
• Maintaining overall sentence coherence.

Sentence correction isn't just about grammatical accuracy; it's also about ensuring the sentence is logical and easy to read.

Tense Consistency

Tense consistency means maintaining the same tense throughout a sentence or connected sentences. Inconsistent tenses can confuse the reader regarding the timing of actions. In our example, 'When you first told me he’s considering to selling the business I did not believe you,' the verbs 'told' and 'did not believe' are in the past tense. However, 'he’s considering' (he is considering) is in the present tense, creating a mismatch.
The correct form should maintain past tense throughout: 'When you first told me he was considering selling the business, I did not believe you.' Notice how this provides clarity and keeps the timeline consistent.
Always ensure:

• Past events use past tenses.
• Future events use future tenses.
• Present events use present tenses.

Consistency is key to avoiding confusion!

Error Identification

Error identification is the process of finding and recognizing mistakes in a sentence. This skill is crucial for GMAT grammar corrections and general writing. In our example sentence, we identified two main errors: redundancy in 'considering to selling' and tense inconsistency. To spot these errors, you should:

• Read the sentence carefully to understand its meaning.
• Check for subject-verb agreement.
• Look for redundant or unnecessary words.
• Ensure tense consistency and correct verb forms.
• Review prepositions and conjunctions for correctness.

Effective error identification leads to better sentence structuring and clarity, making your writing more professional and understandable.