Question

She greeted them and offered her condolences and goodbyes. A. She greeted them and offered her condolences and goodbyes. B. She greeting them and offered her condolences and goodbyes. C. She greeted them, offered her condolences and said goodbye. D. She said hello and offered her condolences and goodbyes. E. She said hello to them sorry to hear of your loss and goodbye

Short answer

Option A

Step-by-step solution

Identify Proper Grammar and Punctuation

Examine each option and eliminate sentences that contain grammatical or punctuation errors. Options B and E can be eliminated because 'greeting' is incorrect in Option B, and Option E is poorly punctuated.

Analyze Sentence Structure and Meaning

Evaluate the remaining options (A, C, D) for clarity and proper sentence structure. Option D can be eliminated because it changes 'greeted' to 'said hello', which is less formal and doesn't match the original sentence.

Compare Remaining Options

Finally, compare options A and C by checking the original intent and structure. Option A maintains the original structure more closely. Option C, while grammatically correct, modifies 'goodbyes' to 'said goodbye,' diverging from the original format.

Key concepts

Understanding Grammar in GMAT Sentences

Grammar is fundamental to mastering the GMAT and any language-based test. It refers to the rules that dictate how words combine to form sentences and convey correct meaning. In the provided exercise, correct grammar usage helps identify the proper tense and form of 'greet'. For example:

• 'Greeted' is past tense and correct.
• 'Greeting' is incorrect because it is a noun or a present participle, not suitable in this context.

Being familiar with grammatical rules allows you to quickly rule out incorrect sentence choices, as illustrated in Step 1 where options B and E were eliminated.

Mastering Sentence Structure for GMAT

Sentence structure is all about how phrases and words are arranged to form a coherent and meaningful sentence. A well-structured sentence ensures clarity and logical flow. The GMAT often tests your ability to recognize and select sentences with proper structure. In our example, we see how sentence options with poor structure are weeded out.
For instance, Option D changes the formal 'greeted' to 'said hello,' which differs in tone and intent, affecting the overall structure. Proper sentence structure was crucial in identifying that Option A best maintained the original flow and correct format.
Reviewing sentence structure helps improve both written and verbal communication.

Punctuation for Clear Communication

Punctuation plays a vital role in clarity and meaning in sentences. It includes the use of periods, commas, and other marks. Proper punctuation separates ideas and dictates the sentence's rhythm and tone. In the exercise, Option E suffers from poor punctuation, making it confusing:

• Example: 'She said hello to them sorry to hear of your loss and goodbye.' (Lacks necessary commas and breaks)

Correct punctuation was essential in eliminating choices and pinpointing the correctly punctuated versions, hence making sentences clear and easily understandable.
Always ensure proper punctuation for coherent and effective communication.

Test Strategy for Sentence Correction

Effective test strategies help you manage time and improve accuracy on the GMAT.
1. **Identify Errors Quickly:** Scan answers to spot obvious errors first. In our exercise, this helped eliminate B and E early in the process.
2. **Understand the Original Sentence:** Comprehend the intention behind the given sentence to retain its original meaning. In this case, preserving formality and structure was key.
3. **Compare Final Choices:** We compare the cadence, form, and grammatical correctness, as done with Options A and C. While both were grammatically sound, only A truly matched the original sentence’s intent.
Use these strategies to efficiently and effectively navigate sentence correction questions on your GMAT.