GMAT Grammar: Rules, Tips, and Books
Content Curator | Updated On - Apr 6, 2024
GMAT grammar is an essential part of the verbal reasoning section. English grammar for GMAT is crucial for understanding sentence structure, identifying errors, and avoiding ambiguity in answer choices. Subject-verb agreement, parallelism, idioms, modifiers, and noun-pronoun agreement are some GMAT grammar rules you must prepare well. Some of the best grammar book for GMAT will help you understand grammatical errors and improve your skills.
GMAT verbal reasoning section will examine your ability to read and comprehend written material and evaluate arguments. School-level grammar books can be an excellent source for learning GMAT grammar rules. Columbia English Grammar For GMAT, GMAT Club grammar book, and Manhattan Review GMAT Sentence Correction Guide are some of the best grammar books for GMAT. You can effectively prepare for GMAT grammar, by taking practice tests, and through online practice platforms.
Sentence correction was a part of the GMAT old syllabus. The verbal syllabus of GMAT focus edition does not contain sentence correction questions. Having a better knowledge of GMAT grammar can help you through the verbal reasoning section test. Focus on mastering concepts like subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, verb tense consistency, parallelism, and modifier placement.
Subject Verb Agreement
A verb and a subject are present in each sentence of GMAT verbal reasoning questions. The verb used in the GMAT sentence correction question tells the activity of the subject. The agreement links the subject and the verb in GMAT sentence question. For coherent thought, a sentence's diverse components must agree with one another in GMAT sentence correction question. It is an important GMAT grammar rule, and if a candidate finds this topic difficult, he/she should enrol in GMAT online coaching. Some important GMAT grammar rules for subject-verb agreement are:
| Rule | Example | Explanation of sentence |
| Singular verbs should be used with a singular noun | The cat jumps gracefully over the fence. | In the sentence, singular noun (Cat) is followed by singular verb (jumps). |
| With plural nouns plural verb should be used | Students play cricket daily. | With plural nouns (students), plural verb (play) is used. |
| Third-person singular nouns' verb forms are always in the's' form. | Rita attends yoga classes. | Rital is a third-person singular noun; hence the singular form of the verb (attend) is employed as 'attends'. |
Example:
GMAT Grammar: Verb Tense and Form
Verb tenses and forms tell when an activity occurred. Meaning of a sentence can be altered by incorrect verb tenses. The present, past, and future are the three primary tenses used in GMAT grammar. To score well in the GMAT Verbal section, the candidate should thoroughly understand verb tense and form rules. Three verb forms: present, past, and future, are discussed below:
Present Tense Verb Forms
| Simple Tense | Ram cooks the food. |
| Present Perfect | Ram has cooked the food. |
| Present Continous | Ram is cooking the food. |
| Present Perfect Continous | Ram has been cooking the food. |
Past Tense Verb Forms
| Past Tense | I wrote an article on modern India. |
| Past Perfect | I wrote an article on modern India when i had gone to the library. |
| Past Continuous | I was writing an article on modern India. |
| Past Perfect Continous | He had been writing an article on Modern India. |
Future Tense Verb Form
| Simple Future | I will learn Korean. |
| Future Perfect | I will have to learn Korean. |
| Future Continous | I will be learning Korean. |
| Future Perfect Continous | I will have been learning Korean. |
Example:
GMAT Grammar- Noun Pronoun Agreement
Noun-pronoun agreement helps in solving GMAT sentence questions. Pronouns are words that are used in place of nouns in GMAT sentence correction question. Therefore, pronoun-antecedent agreement is necessary for a sentence to be regarded as correct according to English grammar rules.
Example: Rita teaches dance to her little sister.
Explanation: ‘Her’ is the correct form of pronoun as Rita is the ‘feminine’ gender. So, the sentence is grammatically correct.
Example:
Parallelism
Two or more phrases or clauses in a sentence that share the same grammatical structure are referred to as parallelism in GMAT grammar. Questions with parallelism error are asked in the verbal reasoning section to check aspirant's command of English language. Therefore, candidate should cover GMAT syllabus holistically.
Correct sentence: Sita likes to play and watch cricket.
Incorrect sentence: Sita likes to play and watching cricket.
Explanation: In the first sentence, same form of the word is used. So, it is correct. While in the second sentence verbs of two different forms are used.
Example:
Correct Comparison
When comparing two things in a sentence, candidate must ensure that the objects being compared fall into the same category, such as objects, persons, or locations.
Incorrect sentence: I like shopping, but Levis’ dresses are better than Madame.
Correct sentence: I like shopping, but Levis’ dresses are better than Madame’s.
Explanation: First sentence is incorrect as it compares Levis dresses with Madame store. Second sentence is correct because it compares Levis dresses with Madame dresses.
GMAT Grammar Modifiers
In GMAT grammar, modifiers are words or phrases that add detail to the sentence. Modifiers used in the sentence describe adjectives and verbs. When the modifiers are placed incorrectly in the sentence, the meaning of sentence changes. In GMAT sentence correction questions, dangling modifiers are placed incorrectly to assess the candidate's GMAT grammar.
Example:
GMAT Grammar-Idioms
A common phrase in English that frequently uses prepositions is known as an idiom. Understanding the usage of idioms can be challenging for candidates. Therefore, aspirants can use English grammar book for GMAT and solve GMAT verbal practice papers to understand idioms properly.
Correct sentence: Sita graduated from university in 2018
Incorrect sentence: Sita graduated of university in 2018.
Correct sentence: I prefer coffee to tea.
Incorrect sentence: I prefer coffee than tea.
Best English Grammar book for GMAT
English grammar book for GMAT has chapters on subject-verb agreement, modifiers, verbs, parallelism, noun-pronoun agreement, idioms, and other grammar rules. Along with grammar rules, it also has practice questions. Candidates can refer to the following GMAT preparation books:
- GMAT Club grammar book
- Columbia English Grammar For Gmat Books
- Manhattan Review GMAT Sentence Correction Guide [4th Edition]
GMAT Grammar Tips
GMAT grammar tips can improve the GMAT score of candidates. Thus, helping them clear the cutoff of GMAT colleges in USA. Some of the tips that will help candidates are mentioned below:
- Use Flashcards to learn Idioms: Candidates should include idiom study in their GMAT grammar practice routine. This will make it simpler for them to reject options in GMAT Verbal Practice papers that use incorrect idioms. If English is not the first language of candidate, learning idioms can be a daunting task. But using flashcards that incorporate the meaning of idioms and examples can make GMAT grammar preparation easy.
- Read GMAT grammar books/school books: Parts of speech, sentence structure, modifiers, verb tenses, and pronoun usage should all be practiced for the GMAT. Since grammar is universal, exam takers can refer school level books.
- Practice GMAT grammar questions: Exam takers should practice questions as it will help them understand GMAT grammar rules and questions. Few GMAT grammar questions are provided below:
Candidates should prepare GMAT grammar rules to achieve good scores in the verbal reasoning section and GMAT AWA. Exam takers can solve GMAT sentence correction questions using GMAT grammatical standards. So, a candidate should revise all the important grammar rules before taking the GMAT exam.
FAQs
Ques: What are some resources for practicing GMAT grammar?
Ans: You can effectively practice GMAT grammar with official GMAT practice questions, GMAT prep books with detailed grammar sections, and online or offline coaching classes that conduct extra grammar classes.
Ques: Should I memorize grammar rules for the GMAT?
Ans: Having a better understanding of the grammar rules can be more helpful than memorizing them. Focus on developing a strong understanding of correct sentence structure and identifying errors.
Ques: What are some common GMAT sentence structure errors to look for?
Ans: Some common GMAT sentence correction errors are commas, run-on sentences, and fused sentences, which lack proper punctuation or conjunctions. Identify the errors and complete the sentences correctly for a better score.
Ques: How can I improve my subject-verb agreement for the GMAT?
Ans: Pay close attention to singular vs. plural subjects and ensure verbs agree accordingly. Practice identifying collective nouns that take singular verbs.
Ques: What grammar concepts are important for the GMAT?
Ans: Some important concepts of GMAT grammar are; subject-verb agreement, verb tense consistency, parallelism, idioms, and modifier placement.
Ques: How can I improve my grammar skills for the GMAT?
Ans: Candidates can read grammar books, watch online videos to learn GMAT grammar rules, and practice GMAT sentence correction questions.
Ques: What grammar is needed for GMAT?
Ans: Subject-verb agreement, parallelism, idioms, modifiers, and noun-pronoun agreement, verb tense and form are some of the important grammar rules needed for GMAT.
Ques: Is sentence correction of GMAT hard?
Ans: The GMAT sentence correction questions are tricky but with regular parctice candidates can learn how to solve them.
Ques: Does GMAT test grammar?
Ans: Yes, it tests candidate's command over grammar.
Ques: What is the best book for GMAT grammar section?
Ans: Manhattan Review GMAT Sentence Correction Guide [4th Edition] and Columbia English Grammar book are the best books for GMAT grammar section.
Ques: Which book to refer for GMAT?
Ans: Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus, GMAT Official Guide,Princeton Review GMAT Premium Prep, 2024,GMAT Official Guide 2023-2024 Bundle, and GMAT Official Advanced Questions.
Ques: How to prepare for GMAT sentence correction?
Ans: Candidates can prepare for GMAT sentence correcting questions by learning grammar rules, practicing questions, and learning option elimination strategies.
Ques: What is the best book to crack the GMAT?
Ans: Manhattan Review GMAT Sentence Correction Guide [4th Edition], Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus, Columbia English Grammar, GMAT Official Guide 2023-2024 Focus Edition, and GMATclub grammar book are some of the best books.
Ques: How can I learn grammar and the rules required for sentence correction in the GMAT, assuming my grammar is really bad?
Ans; Read school-level grammar books, practice GMAT sentence correction questions, learn commonly used idioms, and watch videos to learn tricky grammar rules
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.