Pronoun must have one logical antecedent

A pronoun must have a logical antecedent. In other words, there must be one specific noun (or noun phrase) in the

sentence that can be substituted for the pronoun without altering the meaning of the sentence.

If there is no such noun, the sentence is grammatically incorrect. Likewise, if the pronoun could logically refer

to more than one noun, the sentence is ambiguous and grammatically incorrect.

This error is tough to spot because it occurs so frequently in everyday language:

On Halloween, my friend dressed up like a pirate, and it really scared me.

This sentence sounds fine. But there's a problem: The pronoun it doesn't refer to any specific noun. My friend and a pirate are

both people; neither one can be an it. As for Halloween, the holiday didn't do the scaring—the costume did (or, perhaps,

the fact that the friend dressed up like a pirate did).

The most common offenders are the pronouns it, this, and that, which are often used to refer to broad ideas

expressed in entire sentences or clauses. These sentences can be revised either by replacing the pronoun with a

noun or by supplying a clear antecedent for the pronoun.

A pronoun should not refer to an antecedent that is implied but not present in the sentence.

Incorrect: After John punched the wall, they hurt for a week.

Correct: After John punched the wall, his hands hurt for a week.

The verb punched implies that the pronoun they refers to John's hands, but no word like hands or fistsappears in the sentence.

The pronoun they is therefore replaced by the clear noun hands.

Sometimes, more than one noun within a sentence could potentially function as a pronoun's antecedent. Usually,

the best way to address this error is to replace the pronoun with the intended antecedent.

Incorrect: When Gloria set the pitcher on the glass table, it broke.

Correct: When Gloria set the pitcher on the glass table, the pitcher broke.

Either the pitcher or table could function as the antecedent of it. Which one broke?

Modifiers, including possessives, cannot serve as antecedents. A modifier may strongly imply a pronoun's

antecedent, but it cannot itself function as that antecedent.

Incorrect: In Shakespeare's Hamlet, he weaves a tale of death and deceit.

Correct: In Hamlet, Shakespeare weaves a tale of death and deceit.

The possessive modifier Shakespeare's cannot function as the antecedent of he. The rewritten sentence eliminates the

pronoun and inserts its implied antecedent, Shakespeare.

On the GMAT:

On the GMAT, keep an eye open for any underlined pronouns and double-check to make sure that each has only one

logical antecedent. Take a look at this example:

Jobs were scarce, wages were falling, and gas prices were rising, and this was what drove the idealistic young
governor to seek another term.

(A) and this was what drove the idealistic young governor to
(B) and these concerns drove the idealistic young governor to
(C) so these were what drove the idealistic young governor to
(D) which was exactly why the idealistic young govern decided to
(E) which was the reason behind the idealistic young governor's decision to

The problem in the original sentence is that this has no logical antecedent. This is a singular pronoun, and there are

no singular nouns in this sentence. In fact, three different items drove the idealistic young governor to seek another

term: the scarcity of jobs, falling wages, and rising food prices. Choice B is correct because it adds the

noun concerns and changes this to these.

Choice C is on the right track with the plural pronoun. However, notice that these could only be referring to the plural

nouns jobs, wages, and gas prices; what drove the governor to seek another term were not jobs, wages, and gas

prices themselves, but rather the fact that jobs were scarce, the fact that wages were falling, and the fact that gas

prices were rising. Choice B, the correct answer, also contains the word these, but

since these is paired with concerns, these doesn't act as a substitute for any plural noun.

Nouns connected by "and," "or," "but" as

antecedents

Compound nouns are nouns connected by and, or, or nor. Compound nouns are tested both as the subjects of

sentences and as the antecedents for pronouns.

It is important to recognize whether a compound noun is singular or plural, because the "number" of the noun will

determine whether a singular pronoun (like it, he, she, its, his, her) or a plural pronoun (like they or their) is an

appropriate replacement for that noun (see Pronoun and antecedent must agree in number).

Nouns connected by "and" are almost always plural.

Music and gym are the best courses because they are hands-on subjects.
My car and my truck need to be washed so that rust doesn't damage them.

Sometimes, but not often, nouns connected by "and" can function together as a single unit—one that acts as a

singular subject or a singular antecedent. For example, we could correctly say that "Peanut butter and jelly is a

common type of sandwich."

Track and field is my favorite Olympic sport to watch because it is so fast-paced.

Nouns connected by "or" and "nor" take verbs that agree with the noun after the "or/nor." If two singular

items are connected with "or" and "nor," each item is treated as a singular subject.

Neither the bracelet nor the necklace is in its proper drawer.

In the above example, the pronoun "its" must match the second singular noun, "necklace." Because the second noun is almost

always singular, the verb will also almost always be singular.

Neither the mouse nor the rabbits could find their way through the maze.

The final noun in this compound antecedent, rabbits, is plural. Therefore, the plural pronoun their agrees with the

antecedent neither the mouse nor the rabbits.

Watch out for antecedents that may seem to be compound nouns. Nouns connected by something other than a

conjunction are not compound subjects or antecedents. For example:

The kitchen, as well as the basement, is full because it is not very big.

"As well as" is not a conjunction (like "and", "or", "nor" are) and the kitchen is the singular subject/antecedent in this

sentence.

On the GMAT:

On the Sentence Correction section of the test, make sure to locate each subject's pronoun, even if it is located far

from the subject itself. Here's an example of a compound subject in action:

The best way for historians to understand the complex mind of Thomas Jefferson is to study the biographical
details that his correspondence or his diary present.

(A) that his correspondence or his diary present

(B) which either his correspondence or his diary present
(C) that his correspondence or his diary presents
(D) which his correspondence or his diary are presenting
(E) that his correspondence and his diary presents

Choice C is correct. Diary, the singular noun after or, must agree with a singular verb—but presentis plural.

Changing present to the singular presents fixes this sentence.

Using "as" and "like"

Students often use "like" and "as" interchangeably; in actuality, however, the two words serve distinct functions. The

word "like" can only be used in a very specific way (as a preposition), while "as" has multiple correct usages.

"Like" is a preposition and should only be followed by an object (a noun or noun phrase) to form aprepositional

phrase. "Like" can directly compare two nouns or noun phrases, while "as" cannot.

"As" is a conjunction that connects (and compares) complete clauses that contain both a noun and a verb.

Incorrect: She sounds like an expert would.

Correct: She sounds like an expert.

The first sentence is incorrect because like is being used as a conjunction to connect two clauses (she sounds and an expert

would). The second sentence is correct because like is being used as a preposition to form the prepositional phrase like an

expert that describes how she sounds.

Incorrect: Isabel felt as a champion.

Correct: Isabel felt as a champion would.

The first sentence is incorrect because as is being used as a preposition, while the second sentence is correct because as is

being used as a conjunction to connect two clauses (Isabel felt and a champion would).

"As" also operates as a preposition, but only when paired with certain verbs to form one of many common

expressions. For example:

Education is often viewed as a path to a better life.

She plans to join the Airforce as a fighter pilot.

Most people treat their job as way to earn a living.

"As" is also commonly used in certain comparisons.

On the GMAT:

The GMAT will test the choice between "like" and "as." Be sure that "like" is only used as a preposition that compares

nouns and noun phrases and that "as" is used to connect or compare other clauses.

Company X views outsourcing, as other multinational corporations, like an effective means of cutting costs while
providing responsive and targeted customer support on a 24-hour schedule.

(A) Company X views outsourcing, as other multinational corporations, like

(B) As do other multinational corporations, Company X views outsourcing to be
(C) Company X views outsourcing, like other multinational corporations, to be
(D) Outsourcing to Company X, like other multinational corporations, is viewed as
(E) Company X, like other multinational corporations, views outsourcing as
Choice E is correct. In the original sentence, both as and like are used incorrectly—as is used as a preposition that

directly compares two nouns (Company X and other multinational corporations) andlike is combined with the

verb views to create the unidiomatic expression Company X views outsourcing... like. Choice E corrects both errors,

using like to form the prepositional phrase like other multinational corporations to compare two nouns and

using as to form the correct expressionCompany X views outsourcing... as.

All of the other choices either use "as" or "like" incorrectly, or they use the unidiomatic expression "viewed to be"

instead of "viewed as."

Pronoun that may seem ambiguous does

have logical antecedent

A pronoun refers to a specific noun, which is called its antecedent. Every underlined pronoun should have one logical

antecedent, and that pronoun should agree with its antecedent in number. A pronoun error results when a pronoun

does not clearly refer to another noun within the sentence.

Sometimes, a pronoun that seems ambiguous actually does have a logical antecedent. If several possible

antecedents exist, but only one is logical, the pronoun might still be acceptable.

Though the motorcycles had been fixed by three bikers wearing matching leather jackets, only one of them was ready to be

ridden down the highway.

Only motorcycles is logical as the antecedent for one in the above sentence; neither bikers nor matching leather jackets can

be ridden down the highway.

Pronoun agreement errors occur when the sentence contains an unusual antecedent, such as acollective noun (tribe,

cluster, company), an indefinite pronoun (each, majority, all), or a noun clause (that the company would fail).

It was not until 1930 that the population of Los Angeles exceeded one million people.

The pronoun it correctly refers to a noun clause—that the population of Los Angeles exceeded one million people—that

appears later in the sentence.

On the GMAT:

On the GMAT, only eliminate a pronoun if it does not have one logical antecedent or if it is positioned such that it

seems to refer to the wrong antecedent.

"Will have" plus participle describes an event
that takes place before another future event

The future perfect tense is used to express an action or event that will be completed in the future before some other

future action or event. It is formed by placing the helper verbs will have or shall have before the past participle form

of the verb.

The tourist season will have begun by the time we arrive in London.

By the time I graduate from high school, Mrs. Duncan will have been teaching for twenty years.

In the sentences above, the future perfect tense correctly describes an event that will happen before another event

takes place. The tourist season will begin, and then we will arrive in London. Similarly, Mrs. Duncan will complete her

twentieth year of teaching by the time I graduate from high school. When used in the present tense, the

expression by the time almost always implies that the other verbs are in the future perfect tense.

Make sure that the future perfect tense is used for an event that will be completed beforeanother event.

Incorrect: By the time you will have finished waiting in line for the roller coaster, I will ride four other rides in this amusement

park.

Correct: By the time you finish waiting in line for the roller coaster, I will have ridden four other rides in this amusement park.

The second version is correct because I will ride four other rides before you finish waiting in line

Directive verb followed by "that" requires

verb root

Wishes, requests, and demands are introduced by directive verbs. When that follows the directive, use the verb's

root form (the infinitive form without the to).

It is essential that he learn...

It is vital that she make the grade...

It is desirable that they be behaved...

Keep this formula in mind:

A requires that X Y...

where X is a noun and Y is a verb root.

Incorrect: The course requires that Bob reads six fiction novels.

Correct: The course requires that Bob read six fiction novels.

When "that" follows a directive verb, make sure that the root form of the verb is used to express the wish, demand, or

request.

Incorrect: The principal demanded that Greg should be expelled from school.

Correct: The principal demanded that Greg be expelled from school.

In a "that" clause following a directive verb, "should" is always incorrect.

Without a "that" following a directive verb, use the infinitive form of the verb.

Correct: The consultant urges the company to reduce its expenditures.

Correct: The consultant urges that the company reduce its expenditures.

"Urges" takes either an infinitive or "that" + root.

Do not combine a "that" clause following a directive verb with an infinitive.

Incorrect: The new protocol requires that the company's president to approve each amendment to the rulebook.

Correct: The new protocol requires the company's president to approve each amendment to the rulebook.

On the GMAT:

On the GMAT, keep an eye out for directive verbs followed by that. Make sure that the verb in the clause is in its root

form. Take a look at the example below:

Because of the politically inflammatory nature of the images involved, the president of a prominent nightly news
program has ordered that the video of the crash of Russian spacecraft Sputnik II no longer be shown without his
permission.

(A) that the video of the crash of Russian spacecraft Sputnik II no longer be shown
(B) that all programs should no longer show the video of the crash of Russian spacecraft Sputnik II
(C) that the video of the crash of Russian spacecraft Sputnik II to no longer be shown
(D) that the video of the crash of Russian spacecraft Sputnik II no longer is shown
(E) the stopping of the showing of the video of the crash of Russian spacecraft Sputnik II

Choice A is correct. This sentence correctly uses the idiom order that X be Y, where Y is the verb root. There are

two acceptable forms of this idiom; the form mentioned, and order X to be Y. Because an acceptable version of the

idiom is used, no errors exist. Choice C is incorrect because it combines the infinitive to no longer be with the

word that at the beginning of the clause

Misused words and expressions

Every word has a definition, and a word's definition determines whether that word is appropriate for a given context;

choice and use of words is known as "diction." There are certain words and expressions that are commonly misused

in everyday conversation.

On the GMAT:

The GMAT loves to test commonly misused words and expression. Certain diction errors are tested more frequently

than others on the GMAT. Here are some of the most commonly tested errors:

1. If vs. Whether

"If" should be used to introduce hypothetical situations or logical relationships, while "whether" should be used to

introduce possible alternatives.

Incorrect: I wonder if Jackie has returned from Paris yet.

Correct: I wonder whether Jackie has returned from Paris yet.

Because this sentence discusses possible alternatives (either Jackie has returned from Paris or she has not), whether is

correct.

Correct: If Jackie has already returned from Paris, then her trip must have been cut short.

Correct: If Jackie were to return from Paris tomorrow, I would be very excited.

The first sentence describes a logical relationship (if... then...), and the second sentence describes a hypothetical situation. In

both instances, if is correct.

2. Number vs. Amount

"Number" should be used for countable items, while "amount" should be used for non-countable items.

Incorrect: An astounding amount of people applied for the position.

Correct: An astounding number of people applied for the position.

Because people are countable, number should be used rather than amount.

Incorrect: She experienced an incredible number of fear after watching the horror film.

Correct: She experienced an incredible amount of fear after watching the horror film.

Because fear is not divisible into countable units, amount should be used rather than number.

3. Between vs. Among

"Between" should be used when discussing exactly two items, while "among" should be used when discussing three

or more items.
Correct:: He could not decide between staying and leaving.

Correct: The bonus pool was divided among Paul, Gabriel, and Guillermo.

In the first sentence, between is proper because there are exactly two options. In the second sentence,among is correct

because there are three individuals.

4. The Reason Is Because vs. The Reason Is That

The GMAT sometimes tests the incorrect "is because" in place of "is that." "The reason is because" is redundant.

Incorrect: The reason Airline X is closing down after 30 years is because it cannot afford to upgrade its planes to meet the

new safety regulations.

Correct: The reason Airline X is closing down after 30 years is that it cannot afford to upgrade its planes to meet the new

safety regulations.

Correct: Airline X is closing down after 30 years because it cannot afford to upgrade its planes to meet the new safety

regulations.

In the original sentence, the reason is the subject, and it is illogical to say that a reason itself is because. To correct this error,

either keep the reason as the subject and replace is because with is that, as in the second sentence, or rearrange the

sentence so that the subject is different, as in the third sentence.

5. Because of [-ing verb] vs. Because [subject] [verb]

The GMAT sometimes misuses "because of [-ing verb]" in place of "because [subject] [verb]."

Incorrect: Because of having a surplus of cash, Company X declared a dividend.

Correct: Because Company X had a surplus of cash, it declared a dividend.

Because of having is awkward and confusing, compared to the straightforward because Company X had.

Commonly-tested word plus preposition pairs

Word plus preposition pairs are common in the English language. Essentially, certain words have different meanings

(or illogical meanings) when paired with different prepositions. For example:

Incorrect: Company X has the potential of growth.

Correct: Company X has the potential for growth.

The word plus preposition pair potential of does not mean anything in English. However, the pair potential for gives the

sentence a clear meaning—Company X may be able to grow.

Here is another example, where the same word (resulted) creates two very different meanings when paired with two

different prepositions (in, from):

The disagreement between the two students resulted in their conflicting viewpoints.

The disagreement between the two students resulted from their conflicting viewpoints.

Both sentences are technically correct, and both mean something. However, their two meanings are almost opposites of each

other. The first sentence (resulted in) means that the disagreement caused the students' conflicting viewpoints, while the

second sentence (resulted from) means that the students' conflicting viewpoints caused the disagreement. Everything

depends on which preposition is paired with the word resulted.

A slight variation on this theme is that sometimes the word plus preposition pairs are slightly separated from each

other; they do not appear right next to each other. These types of word plus preposition pairs almost always express

a relationship between two nouns with the prepositions as, to, for, or from. For example:

Do not mistake his kindness for weakness.

I usually prefer strawberry to vanilla.

Most people view Einstein as a genius.

Parents usually discourage their children from staying out too late.

Even though the words and prepositions are separated in these examples, the correct preposition must still be paired with

each word. For example, mistake his kindness of weakness is illogical, while mistake his kindness for weakness has a clear

meaning.

Word plus preposition pairs do not necessary follow clear rules that can be studied. The best way to learn them is to

gain familiarity with the English language and rely on your ear.

On the GMAT:

The GMAT tests word plus preposition pairs on the sentence correction section. Sometimes, the correct answer will

directly depend on choosing the right preposition to go with the word in the sentence. Here are the most commonly

tested word plus preposition pairs on the GMAT:

• agree to (He agreed to the contract.)

• agree with (She agreed with the majority opinion.)

• an instance of (Cholera is an instance of a disease.)

• for instance (There are many diseases, for instance, Cholera.)

• claim to be (She claims to be an accomplished musician.)

• determined by (The agenda was determined by the boss.)

• estimated to be (The loss was estimated to be $29 billion.)

• estimated at (The loss was estimated at $29 billion.)

 • except for (Everyone attended the meeting except for Jason.)

• from... to (Everyone in the company agreed, from the boss to the janitor.)

• mistake X for Y (It is easy to mistake zircon for diamond.)

• potential for (This proposal holds the potential for disaster.)

• prohibit X from Y (The contract prohibits the CEO from exercising his stock options for 6 months.)

• range from X to Y (The prices range from $25 to $30 per gallon.)

• targeted at (His suggestion was targeted at improving efficiency.)

• think of X as Y (Most people think of themselves as above-average drivers.)

• view X as Y (Most people view themselves as above-average drivers.)

Using reflexive and intensive pronouns

Pronouns that end with the suffixes -self or -selves can function either as reflexive or as intensive pronouns.

A reflexive pronoun acts as an object within a clause whose subject is that pronoun's antecedent.

Paula dressed herself.

The reflexive pronoun herself is the direct object of the verb dressed; its antecedent is the subject Paula.

The boy hurt himself falling out of the chair.

The reflexive pronoun himself is the direct object of the verb hurt; its antecedent is the subject boy.

George sent the address of the store to himself.

The reflexive pronoun himself is the object of the preposition to; its antecedent is the subject George.

A reflexive pronoun should not be used as a subject, nor should it be used if the pronoun's antecedent is not the

subject of the clause containing the pronoun.

Incorrect: Attorney Jones and myself officially merged our practices on the eighth of July, 2008.

Correct: Attorney Jones and I officially merged our practices on the eighth of July, 2008.

The use of the reflexive pronoun myself might sound "formal" in this context; however, a reflexive pronoun can never function

as a subject. The first-person pronoun I is appropriately expressed within the subject Attorney Jones and I.

Incorrect: John gave all of the credit to myself.

Correct: John gave all of the credit to me.

The subject of this sentence is John. The reflexive pronoun myself may only be used in the presence of a first-person subject, I.

Since the pronoun I is not the subject of the sentence, the first-person pronoun functioning as the object of the

preposition to should be the objective case me.

Intensive pronouns emphasize the identity of a noun or another pronoun. An intensive pronoun must follow

immediately after its antecedent.

The congresswoman herself met us at the door.

The intensive pronoun herself emphasizes the identity of its antecedent, the congresswoman.

You yourself do not have to pay taxes this year, but your father does.

The intensive pronoun yourself emphasizes the identity of its antecedent, you.

Pronoun and antecedent must agree in

number

A pronoun and its antecedent must agree in number. This means that if an antecedent is singular, any pronoun that

refers to this antecedent must be singular. If an antecedent is plural, any pronoun that refers to this antecedent must

be plural.

Dr. Sarah Simms said that she was tired.

Singular antecedent and pronoun

The doctors said that they were tired.

Plural antecedent and pronoun

When the antecedent of a pronoun is a noun that is singular in form but refers to a group of people or things, errors

in pronoun number are particularly likely to occur. Almost always, collective nouns serve as singular antecedents.

Incorrect: The law firm decided to raise their fees.

Correct: The law firm decided to raise its fees.

The singular antecedent law firm does not agree with the plural pronoun their. It agrees with the singular pronoun its.

If a singular antecedent might be male or female, use an inclusive construction such as he or she orhim or her.

Do not, in an attempt to avoid specifying gender, use a plural pronoun to refer to a singular antecedent. Such usage

constitutes an error in pronoun agreement.

Incorrect: Everyone believes that they will succeed.

Correct: Everyone believes that he or she will succeed.

On the GMAT:
Whenever a pronoun shows up on the sentence correction section of the GMAT, make sure that the noun it refers to

agrees with that pronoun in number. If the noun is singular, the pronoun must be singular. Likewise, if the noun is

plural, the pronoun must be plural. For example:

Fractals, named by Benoit Mandelbrot in the 1960s, are geometric shapes that can be split into parts, each part
containing its own miniature copy of the whole.

(A) each part containing its

(B) any part containing their
(C) all the parts containing its
(D) every part containing their
(E) each part containing their

Choice A correctly displays pronoun and antecedent agreement—part and its are both singular. Choices B, D, and E

both contain plural pronouns (their) that do not agree with their singular antecedents (part). In choice C, the singular

pronoun its does not agree with the plural subject all the parts.

"Were" is form of "to be" used in condition of

not real situation

In non-actual, present tense situations, abstract conditions involving a form of to be should contain the verb were.

Incorrect: If I was a rich girl, I would have all the money in the world.

Correct: If I were a rich girl, I would have all the money in the world.

Because it is implied that the speaker is not a rich girl, the sentence is in the conditional mood. The verb should therefore

be were, not was.

On the GMAT:

In hypothetical situations, or in expressions that describe a state different from reality, the verb to be must be

changed to the subjunctive were. This error is difficult to spot because it occurs constantly in everyday speech. Be on

guard!

Under the feudal system in medieval Britain, husbands, especially if there was a lot of property involved, needed to
know that their heirs were legitimate.

(A) especially if there was a lot of property involved

(B) especially if they had involved a lot of property
(C) especially if there had been a lot of property involved
(D) especially if there were a lot of property involved
(E) if they especially were involved in a lot of property

Choice D is correct. Since the verb was is in the conditional statement beginning with if, it must be changed

to were. Choice D makes this change without introducing additional errors or changing the meaning of the sentence.
"Had" plus participle describes an event that
took place before another past event

If the helper verb had precedes a participle, we know that this phrase (had + participle verb) is describing an action

that must have taken place before another past tense event. The event that occurred in the far past (had +

participle verb) is in the "past perfect" tense.

When the logic of a sentence requires that the time at which the far past event occurred is different from the time

at which the regular past tense event occurred, the past perfect is necessary.

Needs past perfect: By the time Dennis showed up to the baseball game, we waited for three hours.

Correct: By the time Dennis showed up to the baseball game, we had been waiting for three hours.

We had been waiting before Dennis showed up. It is necessary to distinguish between the two different past events.

Sometimes, however, the sentence contains a time clue that clearly differentiates between the two past tense
events. In these cases, the past perfect is not wrong, but it is not always necessary.

Correct without past perfect: Because we already boarded up the windows before the tornado hit, our house did not suffer

much damage.

Correct with past perfect: Because we had already boarded up the windows before the tornado hit, our house did not suffer

much damage.

The sentence above contains the time cues already and before (the tornado hit), so the two events are clearly

differentiated. The past perfect is therefore not necessary in order to distinguish between the two time periods, but

using the past perfect is not wrong.

If an event in the past perfect did not take place before another past tense event, then it is notacceptable to use the

past perfect.

Incorrect: Viola had picked twelve violets from the new garden, so the landscapers are angry with her.

Correct: Viola picked twelve violets from the new garden, so the landscapers are angry with her.

There is no past tense action for had picked to come before in this sentence, so the past perfect cannot be used here.

On the GMAT:
The past perfect is a commonly tested tense on the sentence correction section of the GMAT. When describing a past

event that took place before another past event, the correct choice should include the helper verb had. For example:

Acknowledging that the recent economic crisis had been a major setback in reaching their sales goals, the
advertising executives decided to reevaluate their budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

(A) had been a major setback in reaching their

(B) has been a setback majorly in reaching their
(C) is majorly a setback in reaching their
(D) is a major setback in reaching its
(E) had been a major setback in reaching its

Choice A is correct because the past perfect had been indicates action prior to the simple pastdecided. The

economic crisis occurred before the executives made their decision. Also, the possessive pronoun their, rather

than its, correctly refers to the advertising executives.

Using "would" and "will"

The helper verb would is used:

• To describe the future of a past event

• To describe the outcome in a conditional "if... then" situation

When a sentence is in the past tense, use the helper verb would to describe events that will happen in the future. For

example:

Incorrect: The legislators signed the document, which assured the public that all citizens will have the chance to vote on

important issues.

Correct: The legislators signed the document, which assured the public that all citizens would have the chance to vote on

important issues.

The sentence describes the the future result from the perspective of the past event. The legislators signed the

document in the past so that all citizens would have the chance to vote in the future.

"If... then" sentences are known as conditional statements. They link a condition in the "if" part of the sentence with a

result in the "then" part of a sentence. When a conditional "if... then" situation uses a past tense verb in the "if"

condition, use would for the result. When an "if... then" situation uses a present tense verb in the "if" condition,

use will for the result.

Incorrect: If you swim, you would get into shape.

Correct: If you swim, you will get into shape.

Correct: If you swam, you would get into shape.

In the above correct examples, the present tense in the conditional is paired with will, and the past tense in the

conditional is paired with would.

When the "if" condition is in the past perfect tense, describing a completed past event, use would have and the verb

participle.

If you had swum, you would have gotten into shape.

On the GMAT:

Sentence Correction questions may incorrectly use will for would in descriptions of the future of a past event in order

to trick test takers who assume that will is appropriate for all descriptions of the future. For example:

Although business was typically sparse during the holiday off-season, the Christmas store reported that its summer
sales increased much more than market experts had projected it to and its success will continue during the upcoming
holiday season if sales continued apace.

(A) had projected it to and its success will continue

(B) projected them to and its success would continue
(C) projected it would and that it will continue its success
(D) projected and that it will have continued its success
(E) had projected and that its success would continue

Choice E is correct. The sentence is in the past tense, and the upcoming holiday season is in the future,

so would has to be the auxiliary verb, not will. Choice E also eliminates the ambiguous pronoun it and correctly adds

the word that to parallel the earlier reported that.

Likewise, wrong answers in Sentence Correction questions may misuse will or would in an "if... then" conditional

statement.

Financial analysts are concerned that the proposal to distribute new computers to all full-time workers in the
corporation would fail if the ratio of full-time workers to part-time contractors is more numerous than 1 to 4.

(A) would fail if the ratio of full-time workers to part-time contractors is more numerous than
(B) will fail if the full-time workers to part-time contractors ratio were more numerous than
(C) will fail if the ratio of full-time workers to part-time contractors is greater than
(D) should fail if the ratio of full-time workers to part-time contractors was greater than
(E) would fail provided the ratio of full-time workers to part-time contractors is greater than

Choice C is correct. The if portion of the conditional statement is expressed in the present tense (if the ratio... is

more numerous), so the potential result should be expressed in the simple future tense (will). The proper term to be

used with ratio is also greater than rather than more numerous than.

"Has/have" plus participle describes an event

that began in the past and is ongoing
To describe an action that began at some point in the past and continues into the present, place the helper

verb has (singular) or have (plural) before the past participle form of a main verb. The resulting tense is called the

present perfect (or the present perfect progressive, if the helper verbshas been or have been come before the verb).

The soup kitchen has fed millions of people since its opening in 1980.

Though it is only noon, the ducks have already eaten six loaves of bread today.

Gus is sunburned because he has been working outside all afternoon.

In each sentence above, the present perfect tense correctly describes an action that spanned a period of time in the
past and that may be continuing right now. The ending point for an action in the present perfect cannot be specified.

DO NOT use the present perfect with specific time expressions like: yesterday/last week/last

year, after/before the storm, when I was a child (time in the past), in the decades following the war (time in the

past).

The present perfect is often used with expressions such as: since the war, from 1960 to/untilnow (time that

includes the present), recently/lately, for the past twenty minutes (time that includes the present), in the last week

(time that includes the present).

On the GMAT:

The present perfect is one of the more commonly tested tenses on the Sentence Correction section of the GMAT. If a

described action began at a point in the past and spans a time period up to or including the present, the correct

choice should include the helper verb has or have. Compare the answer choices to see which verb tense fits best.

Here are some test-like examples:

A recent study has found that as a result of the current recession, many employershad chosen to let a few workers
go rather than lower salaries for all employees and risk decreasing company morale.

(A) had chosen to let a few workers go rather than lower

(B) had chosen to let a few workers go instead of lowering
(C) have chosen letting a few workers go instead of lowering
(D) have chosen to let a few workers go rather than lowering
(E) have chosen to let a few workers go rather than lower

Choice E is correct. In the sentence, the recession is still happening and employers have continued to let workers
go, so the present perfect have chosen is necessary. The verb lower also correctly parallels the verb risk.

It is a well known fact that Charles Darwin has made his famous voyage to the Galapagos Islands aboard a ship
called the HMS Beagle.

(A) has made his famous voyage to the Galapagos Islands aboard a ship called
(B) was making his famous voyage to the Galapagos Islands aboard a ship called
(C) made his voyage aboard the Galapagos Islands in a famous ship called
(D) made his famous voyage to the Galapagos Islands aboard a ship called
(E) was making his famous voyage to the Galapagos Islands aboard a ship calling
Choice D is correct. It uses the correct simple past tense made to describe a journey completed in the past. The

present perfect has made is incorrect here because Darwin's voyage does not continue into the present.

Commonly-tested expressions

Certain expressions in English are idiomatic. In other words, certain expressions must be written a certain way, just

because. For example:

Incorrect: Beethoven is considered as a classical composer.

Incorrect: Beethoven is considered to be a classical composer.

Correct: Beethoven is considered a classical composer.

The correct expression is "consider X Y." It is incorrect to insert extra words between X and Y (i.e. between Beethoven and a

classical composer). "Consider X as Y" and "consider X to be Y" are both incorrect.

Another common type of expression involves using the word "to" as part of an infinitive verb. For example:

Carson encouraged his friends to attend the concert.

"Encourage X to Y" is a common expression where to is part of an infinitive verb. In this case, to is part of the infinitive verb to

attend.

On the GMAT:

The GMAT tests certain expressions on the sentence correction section. Some answer choices will be wrong because

they use incorrect expressions, or because they use correct expressions incorrectly.

The expression discussed about, "consider X Y" is commonly tested on the GMAT. Here are some of the other

commonly tested expressions that appear on the GMAT:

as a result of (As a result of the new regulations, the company was forced to disclose its holdings.)
•
depends on whether (Our success depends on whether we can act quickly.)
•
more than ever (Attention to detail is important now more than ever.)
•

Incorrect: more than never

•
so X that Y (The proposed regulation was so complicated that not even its drafters could understand it.)
•
X out of Y (Three out of four doctors recommend Brand X.)
•

Here are some commonly tested expressions where "to" is used as part of an infinitive verb:
 enable X to Y (The increased revenue will enable us to hire more developers.)
•
encourage X to Y (Most doctors encourage their patients to maintain a healthy weight.)
•
enough X to Y (There were enough sandwiches to satisfy everyone's appetite.)
•
expect to (We expect to launch the new product in the fourth quarter of next year.)
•
forbid X to Y (Ethical responsibilities forbid doctors to prescribe unnecessary medications.)
•
permit X to Y (Medical licenses permit doctors to prescribe necessary medications.)
•
persuade X to Y (Advertisements are designed to persuade customers to purchase products.)
•
X enough to Y (We were strong enough to withstand the economic crisis.)
•

Verb tenses must correctly describe a change

in time

Sentences can employ different verb tenses to describe events that take place at different times. Whenever different

tenses are used, they must correspond to the timeline of described events.

When the verb of the main clause is in the present tense, a verb in another clause should be in the past, present, or

future tense according to whether its action takes place before, at the same time as, or after the action of the main

clause's verb.

Other verb tenses are a little trickier, such as:

The past perfect tense

•
The present perfect tense
•
The future perfect tense
•

Look out for time clues that describe when actions occur in relation to one another. These clues include the following

words:

since
•
during
•
after
•
before
•
after
•
 while
•
when
•

On the GMAT:

Past perfect tense

•

When a GMAT question describes an event that took place before another past tense event, the event that occurred

in the far past should be in the past perfect tense. This generally means that the helper verb had comes before the

participle of the verb.

By the time Samuel finally got to class, the tardy bell had already rung.

The bell had rung before Samuel got to class.

Present perfect tense

•

When a question describes an action that began at some point in the past and continues in the present, use the

present perfect tense. This tense is formed by placing the helper verb has or havebefore the participle.

Our foreign exchange student has been living in Spain for the past three months.

This means that the student started living in Spain three months ago and is still living there now.

Future perfect tense

•

To describe an action that will occur before another event in the future, use the future perfect, formed by joining will

have with the participle of the verb.

By the time you finish reading War and Peace, I will have finished three shorter novels.

I will finish reading three shorter novels before you finish War and Peace.

Collective nouns as antecedents

A collective noun names a group. Though a group is made up of individual members, the group itselftypically acts

as a singular unit.

Here is a list of commonly used collective nouns:

audience council minority
board department public
cabinet faculty school
class family senate
committee firm society
company group team
corporation jury troupe

It can be challenging to determine correct pronoun-antecedent agreement in sentences with collective nouns. These

nouns appear grammatically singular but are used to refer to multiple items or individuals. As a rule, when a

collective noun is an antecedent, we should refer to it using the pronoun it or its. For example:

Incorrect: The board of directors has the power to enforce their policies without exception.

Correct: The board of directors has the power to enforce its policies without exception.

The subject of this sentence is the singular noun the board, so the singular pronoun its must be used. Do not be tricked into

thinking that directors is the subject; the subject will never be inside of a prepositional phrase (like of directors).

The one rare exception to this rule occurs when a sentence clearly uses a collective noun to refer to the individual

members in the collective. For example:

Correct: The team sometimes accidentally wear their home jerseys for away games.

The plural verb wear and the plural object jerseys, worn by individual members, provide clues that the underlined plural

pronoun their is fine. Each individual member of the team wears a jersey; the team as a unit does not wear a home jersey.

However, collective nouns are almost always singular.

On the GMAT:

The GMAT will insert potentially confusing filler between the pronoun and its collective noun antecedent. If we see an

underlined pronoun with a collective noun as its antecedent, we should make sure that the pronoun is singular. For

example:

Comprised of the top engineers in the country, the Silicon Valley tech company, which had been founded in 1999
during the internet boom, saw a considerable rise in the price of their stock over the next decade.

(A) saw a considerable rise in the price of their stock over the next decade
(B) saw a considerable raise in the price of its stock over the next decade
(C) had seen a considerable rising in the price of their stock over the next decade
(D) saw a considerable rise in the price of its stock over the next decade
(E) saw considerably a rise in the price of their stock during the next decade

Choice D is correct, because the company is a collective noun (we should immediately think: collective

nouns...singular pronouns, singular verbs). The pronoun their is incorrectly plural; changing their to its fixes this

sentence. In addition, prices rise; they do not raise.

Verb tense in situations that do not actually
occur

To express a condition contrary to fact or to express a wish, use the simple past tense form of the verb in the

condition. If the verb is a form of be, its past tense becomes were.

If I were as athletic as you, I'd enter into the contest.

I wish she were not my roommate.

If he were more diligent, he would be a better writer.

If you ate carrots regularly, you would not have to wear glasses.

The above examples all express states that are known to be contrary to the way things actually are. I am not athletic, she is in

fact my roommate, he is not diligent, and you do not eat carrots. The verb tense changes accordingly to reflect the fact that

these are hypothetical situations.

To describe a condition contrary to fact that happened wholly in the past, use the past perfectverb form (had + verb

participle) in the condition.

If he had studied the road map, he never would have made that wrong turn.

If she had been less nervous about remembering her lines, she would have been a good actress.

Both sentences indicate that the action described did not actually occur; they both use the past perfect verb form in the "if-

condition" and the conditional verb form would have in the result.

Events that take place at the same time must

be in the same tense

When two actions take place in the same time frame, they must be in the same tense. The context of the sentence

indicates when the action occurs and determines which tense is appropriate for the verbs in that sentence. Keep an

eye out for:

events occurring at the same time (verbs must be in the same tense)
•
events occurring at different times (verb tense must reflect this shift)
•

Words that indicate that events occur at the same time are:

when
•
whenever
•
while
•
 as
•

If one of the above prepositions is in the sentence, make sure that any actions described by this preposition are in

the same tense.

Incorrect: When I rode the bus to school last week, I have left my brand-new Spiderman lunchbox in the back seat.

Correct: When I rode the bus to school last week, I left my brand-new Spiderman lunchbox in the back seat.

Incorrect: Joanie cleaned the kitchen as her sister sprinkles dirt on the floor of the living room.

Correct: Joanie cleans the kitchen as her sister sprinkles dirt on the floor of the living room.

When actions are linked on a list or by correlative conjunctions, they should be in the same tense. For example:

Incorrect: To prepare for the party, Marguerite bought a glass sculpture, hired a clown, and plants a garden.

Correct: To prepare for the party, Marguerite bought a glass sculpture, hired a clown, and planted a garden.

Indefinite pronouns as antecedents

Indefinite Pronouns refer to nonspecific persons or things. Most indefinite pronouns are singular.

The most common singular indefinite pronouns include:

each
•
either
•
everyone
•
nobody
•
neither
•
one
•

Other singular indefinite pronouns are: another, anybody, anyone, anything, everybody, everything, little, much, no

one, nothing, other, somebody, someone, and something.

Each of the students brings his or her own pencil into the exam.

Nobody in homeroom spends more time working on his hair than Cedric does.

In the above examples, the singular pronouns his or her and his replace each and nobody, respectively. A singular

pronoun must replace a singular "general person," or indefinite pronoun. Notice also that the
verbs brings and spends are singular, since singular indefinite pronouns agree with singular verbs (see Pronoun and

antecedent must agree in number).

Some indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural depending on how they are used. They are singular if they

describe something singular, but plural if they describe more than one person or item. These pronouns are:

all
•
any
•
more
•
most
•
none
•
some
•

On the GMAT:

The GMAT most commonly tests knowledge of indefinite pronouns by producing sentences in which

a singular indefinite pronoun refers to a general, non-specific person. With that in mind, make sure that pronouns

like anyone, each, everyone, and no one agree with singular verbs, pronouns, and objects.

The indefinite pronoun each appears often on the GMAT. A quick note about this pronoun: As we saw above, each is a

singular subject. When each comes after the subject, however, the subject is plural (The students each

bring their own pencils into the exam).

Take a look at the example below:

Any literature critic who examines a novel closely will bring their experiences and preconceptions to the work, this

makes it impossible for literary criticism to be completely unbiased.

(A) bring their experiences and preconceptions to the work, this makes it impossible

(B) bring its experiences and preconceptions to the work, having made it impossible

(C) bring his or her experiences and preconceptions to the work, making it impossible

(D) bring one's experiences and preconceptions to the work, a fact that makes it impossible

(E) bring their experiences and preconceptions, making it impossible

Choice C is correct. Any literature critic is singular and can only be referred to by a singular pronoun; their is plural.

Use the non-underlined clues in the sentence to help; examines is a singular verb that is used to describe the

singular any literature critic. Changing their to a singular pronoun—his, her, or his or her—fixes the error.

Verb in simple past describes condition in not

real situation

Within the hypothetical portion of a conditional statement, we should use the past tense form of the verb to indicate

the subjunctive; this subjunctive form should also be used in phrases that describe situations that deviate from

reality.

If he won a million dollars, he would buy a yacht.

The past tense of the verb to win indicates that he has not actually won a million dollars.

On the GMAT:

Watch out for conditional statements (which typically include the word would) on the GMAT. Make sure that the verb

in the conditional part of the sentence is in the past tense. For example:

Scientists claim that the polar ice caps would melt if at any time the temperature of the Arctic Ocean rises three
degrees Celsius higher than its current level.

(A) would melt if at any time the temperature of the Arctic Ocean rises three degrees Celsius higher than
(B) will melt if at any time the temperature of the Arctic Ocean rose three degrees Celsius higher than
(C) would melt if at any time the temperature of the Arctic Ocean rose three degrees Celsius above
(D) should melt if at any time the temperature of the Arctic Ocean rose three degrees Celsius above
(E) would melt provided the temperature of the Arctic Ocean at any time rises three degrees Celsius above

Choice C is correct. The verb rose in the conditional part of the statement is in the past tense, and the

word would is used to express the result. This is the correct way to form the conditional statement claimed by the

scientists. The original sentence uses the present tense rises in the conditional part of the sentence; the present

tense would have to be matched with will melt to demonstrate a future outcome.