SAT Writing : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
In a prolonged effort to curb abuses, the governments reduce the amount in bonuses for arrests.
the governments reduced
the governments to reduce
the governments reduces
the governments reduce
the governments reduction
the governments reduced
The opening clause of the sentence notes a "prolonged effort," which indicates the government action has taken place over a long time period. The proper verb will either be in the past tense or show a long amount of time. "The governments reduced" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Celebrations begun in the school after it was announced they had won the championship.
begun in the school
begin the school
begun by the school
began the school
began in the school
began in the school
The underlined section of the sentence contains both a verb and a preposition, but the only issue lies in the present tense verb. The use of time in the sentence, "after they found out," indicates the celebrations took place in the past. "Began in the school," is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Something strange occurs every night of the trip, which spooked the entire family.
Something strange occurs every nights of the trip,
Something strange occurred every night of the trip,
Something strange occurring every night of the trip,
Somethings strange occurs every night of the trip,
Something strange occurs every night of the trip,
Something strange occurred every night of the trip,
The sentence contains two complete thoughts, separated by the conjunction "which." This means the two verbs in each phrase need to have the same tense. As "spooked" is in the past tense, "Something strange occurred every night of the trip," is the correct answer.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Politics has gains such a nasty tone in recent years that it has turned off many voters.
has gained such a nasty tone
has gains such nasty tone
has gains such a nasty tone
gains such a nasty tone
has gains a nasty tone
has gained such a nasty tone
The underlined phrase needs to be parallel to the later verb usage of "has turned off" later in the sentence. The underlined phrase then needs to similarly be in the past perfect tense. "Has gained such a nasty tone" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
All of the people know the costs of done business with the corrupt shopkeeper.
do business
doing business
business doing
does business
done business
doing business
The underlined phrase does not appropriately parallel the earlier verb use of "know" in the sentence. Thus, the correct answer choice needs to make the verb form into a present tense verb. "Doing business" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
By the time Bobby and Elvis sat in their seats, the opposing team scored four touchdowns.
the four touchdowns were scored by the opposing team
the scoring of four touchdowns by the opposing team happened
the opposing team were scoring four touchdowns
the opposing team had scored four touchdowns
the opposing team scored four touchdowns
the opposing team had scored four touchdowns
This sentence contains two different past tense verbs: sat and scored. One verb was completed before the other (scored before sat); therefore, scored needs to be put in the past perfect tense: had scored.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Less than five people attend the event that took place six months ago.
attended
attends
attend
attending
attendance
attended
The underlined word in the sentence is in the incorrect tense for the sentence, best indicated by the fact the event "took place six months ago;" therefore, the sentence needs a past tense verb, so "attended" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Musicians frequently discuss the ability to play without thinking, let the music flow right out of them.
lets music flow right out of them.
let the music flow right out of them.
letting the music flow right out of them.
let music flow out of them.
letting so that music flows right out of them.
letting the music flow right out of them.
The underlined portion of the sentence is a dependent clause, a complete thought that cannot stand alone, but is reliant on the other part of the sentence. A dependent clause cannot have an active verb form, as it has no connection to the previous portion of the sentence. "Letting the music flow right out of them" is the answer choice that best solves this issue.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Unbeknownst to her colleagues, she was suffered from a serious illness.
she was suffering from
she had been suffered from
she being suffering from
she suffering from
she was suffered from
she was suffering from
The use of the past tense verb "suffered" is incorrect in this construction. Being paired with "was," the verb needs to become a gerund, a verb from that can function as a noun. "She was suffering from" is the only answer choice that correctly uses the gerund form.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
The old path worn out, to the point that no vegetation would grow on it.
wearing out
was worn out
worn through
worn out
worn around
was worn out
The use of the verb phrase "worn out" is incorrect, as the past tense verb "worn" coupled with the preposition "out" is actually used as an adverb to describe the path. The sentence can be made correct by adding a form of the verb "to be," and "was worn out" is the only answer choice that does this.
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