Question

We has to get to some serious work in order to sort out the untidy office. A. We has to get to some serious work in order to sort out the untidy office. B. We had to get down to a serious workout in order to sort out the untidy office. C. We had to get to some serious work down in order to sort the untidy office. D. We had to get down to some serious work in order to sort out the untidy office. E. We had to get to some serious work in order to sort the untidy office out.

Short answer

The best option is D: 'We had to get down to some serious work in order to sort out the untidy office.'

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Context

The exercise requires determining which option best corrects the given sentence grammatically and logically. The goal is to accurately convey the need for serious work to organize the untidy office.

Analyze Each Option

Examine each sentence option closely to identify grammatical errors, logical inconsistencies, or awkward phrasings. Pay attention to verb tenses, word order, and general flow.

Evaluate Option A

'We has to get to some serious work in order to sort out the untidy office.' - This sentence is incorrect because 'has' should be 'have'.

Evaluate Option B

'We had to get down to a serious workout in order to sort out the untidy office.' - This sentence changes the meaning by introducing the term 'workout', which is not intended in the context of organizing an office.

Evaluate Option C

'We had to get to some serious work down in order to sort the untidy office.' - This sentence is grammatically awkward and unclear due to the phrase 'work down'.

Evaluate Option D

'We had to get down to some serious work in order to sort out the untidy office.' - This sentence is clear, grammatically correct, and logically conveys the intended meaning.

Evaluate Option E

'We had to get to some serious work in order to sort the untidy office out.' - This sentence is grammatically correct, but 'sort the untidy office out' is slightly less formal than 'sort out the untidy office'.

Select the Best Option

Based on the analysis, Option D is the best choice. It is grammatically correct and clearly conveys the intended meaning in a formal manner.

Key concepts

Grammar Rules

Grammar rules are essential for ensuring clarity and correctness in any sentence. In the given exercise, several specific grammar rules help identify the most appropriate sentence option. One primary rule is subject-verb agreement. For example, in Option A, 'We has' is incorrect because the plural subject 'We' should be paired with the verb 'have,' not 'has.' This mistake renders Option A grammatically incorrect.
Pronoun consistency is another significant rule. All pronouns in the sentence must clearly refer to the same subject. Additionally, verb tense consistency is crucial. For instance, in Option A, 'has' is present tense, which does not match the past tense of the context. Therefore, recognizing these grammar principles makes it easier to exclude incorrect options.
Understanding these fundamental grammar rules is central to mastering GMAT sentence correction. These rules ensure that the sentence communicates the intended meaning accurately and effectively.

Sentence Structure

Sentence structure refers to how the components of a sentence are constructed and organized. Proper sentence structure enhances readability and ensures the sentence conveys its intended meaning clearly.
In the exercise, many options contain awkward sentence structures that make comprehension difficult. For instance, Option C says, 'We had to get to some serious work down in order to sort the untidy office.' Here, 'work down' is a misplaced phrase and disrupts the natural flow of the sentence.
It's also crucial to maintain a logical order of phrases to preserve the sentence's meaning and clarity. In writing, some phrases might be placed at the beginning or end of a sentence depending on the emphasis required. Options D and E maintain a logical structure that promotes clarity. Although Option E is grammatically correct, the sentence 'sort the untidy office out' is less formal and awkward compared to 'sort out the untidy office' in Option D.
Therefore, understanding how to arrange words and phrases logically within a sentence is key to choosing the best sentence option and mastering sentence correction tasks on the GMAT.

Logical Consistency

Logical consistency involves ensuring that all parts of the sentence align correctly with the overall message or idea. For a sentence to be logically consistent, every word and phrase must be appropriate for the given context.
In this exercise, the context is organizing an untidy office. Option B fails this test since it introduces the term 'workout,' which implies physical exercise rather than activities related to office organization. This change in meaning disrupts the logical flow and deviates from the intended message.
Evaluating the logical consistency of each sentence helps eliminate options that, while grammatically correct, do not convey the intended meaning accurately. This analysis reveals that Options D and E are contextually appropriate, but Option D maintains the formal tone expected in the GMAT.
Understanding logical consistency ensures that sentences do not confuse the reader or introduce unintended meanings. This principle is integral to mastering sentence correction on the GMAT, ensuring that complex ideas are communicated clearly and accurately.