Question

My manager must have known that I regularly could not complete all my tasks and would spend many hours after work getting the job done. A. spend many hours after work getting the job done. B. spend lots hours after work getting the job done. C. spend a large number of hours after work getting the job done. D. spent far too much hours after work getting the job done. E. spend large hours after work getting the job done.

Short answer

Option A is the best choice.

Step-by-step solution

Title - Identify the context

Read the sentence carefully to understand the context. You need to determine the correct verb tense and the appropriate phrasing for the context. The sentence talks about a routine activity in the past, suggesting habitual action.

Title - Evaluate grammatical correctness

Check each option for grammatical correctness. Options with incorrect grammar should be eliminated. For instance, 'lots hours' in Option B and 'too much hours' in Option D are grammatically incorrect because 'hours' is a countable noun, and 'lots' and 'too much' are not correct quantifiers for countable nouns.

Title - Analyze the remaining options

Compare the remaining options (A, C, and E). Consider clarity and conciseness. 'Large hours' in Option E is awkward and unconventional. 'A large number of hours' in Option C is correct but unnecessarily wordy.

Title - Choose the best option

Option A, 'spend many hours after work getting the job done,' is correct, clear, and concise. It effectively communicates the intended meaning without any grammatical errors.

Key concepts

grammar exercises

When preparing for the GMAT, practicing grammar exercises is crucial. These exercises help you identify common grammatical errors and improve your writing and speaking skills. To excel in these exercises, focus on:
- **Subject-verb agreement**
- **Proper use of tenses**
- **Correct word order**
- **Eliminating redundancy**
By practicing regularly, you will become more proficient at spotting errors and making the necessary corrections. This will not only help you with sentence correction but also enhance your overall verbal reasoning skills.

sentence correction

Sentence correction questions test your knowledge of proper grammar, style, and diction. The goal is to choose the most grammatically correct and clear option. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- **Identify the error**: Read the original sentence carefully to understand the context, as seen in the provided exercise.
- **Eliminate incorrect options**: Look for options with obvious grammatical mistakes such as incorrect quantifiers or awkward phrasing.
- **Compare remaining choices**: Choose the one that is clear, concise, and free from errors. Remember, simplicity often wins, as demonstrated in the exercise where Option A was selected for its clarity and correctness.

verbal reasoning

Verbal reasoning is an essential skill for the GMAT, as it assesses your ability to understand and process written information. To improve your verbal reasoning skills, focus on:
- **Reading comprehension**: Practice reading various texts and identify the main ideas, details, and inferences.
- **Critical thinking**: Evaluate arguments critically and recognize assumptions, strengths, and weaknesses.
- **Paraphrasing**: Practice expressing the same idea in different words, which is particularly useful for sentence correction.
By enhancing these skills, you will better understand complex texts and answer questions more accurately.

quantifiers in English

Quantifiers in English are words used to express quantity or amount. They can be tricky as they must agree with the nouns they modify. Here are some common quantifiers and tips for using them correctly:
- **For countable nouns**: Use quantifiers like 'many', 'few', 'several', and 'a number of'. For example, 'many hours'.
- **For uncountable nouns**: Use quantifiers like 'much', 'little', 'a lot of', and 'a large amount of'. For example, 'a lot of time'.
- **Avoid incorrect combinations**: Make sure the quantifier matches the type of noun. As shown in the exercise, 'lots hours' and 'too much hours' are grammatically incorrect because 'lots' and 'too much' are not correct quantifiers for the countable noun 'hours'.
Practicing with quantifiers will help you improve the accuracy and precision of your language.