GMAT Verbal : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Shortly after their first expeditions to the region, the Spanish initiated a number of attempts to subjugate the Maya, but it takes some 170 years before the Spanish established substantive control over all Maya lands.
but they would take some 170 years
but it takes some 170 years
but they took some 170 years
but it was going to take some 170 years
but it took some 170 years
but it took some 170 years
This correct answer uses the right verb tense. It also refers to the correct (singular) subject of the sentence.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Recent historians have begun to reevaluate the career of General William Tecumseh Sherman, paint him as a war criminal and a monstrous villain.
painting him as a war criminal and a monstrous villain.
paints him as a war criminal and a monstrous villain.
paint him as a war criminal and a monstrous villain.
paint him for a war criminal and a monstrous villain.
paint him as the war criminal and the monstrous villain.
painting him as a war criminal and a monstrous villain.
The use of the verb "paint" as the first word in the final phrase is incorrect, as it needs to be a present progressive verb, "painting," to correctly describe the action continuing after the present perfect "have begun." The only answer choice that uses the correct verb form is "painting him as a war criminal and a monstrous villain," making it the correct answer.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The new regulations are largely meant to curtail small-scale corruption, but the loopholes present in the law created a sharp increase in white collar crime.
The new regulations largely meant to curtail small scale corruption
The new regulations are largely meaning to curtail small scale corruption
The new regulations are largely meant for curtailing small scale corruption
The new regulations are largely meant to curtail small scale corruption
The new regulations were largely meant to curtail small scale corruption
The new regulations were largely meant to curtail small scale corruption
The verb in the second part of the sentence, "created," is in the past tense, but the verb in the underlined portion, "are," is in the present tense. The verbs in a compound sentence must always be in the same tense. "The new regulations were largely meant to curtail small scale corruption" is the only answer choice that correctly fixes the problem.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Very few politicians are willing to make a promise to eliminate social safety net programs, which made the congressman a rarity in Washington.
which had made the congressman a rarity in Washington.
which making the congressman a rarity in Washington.
which made the congressman a rarity in Washington.
which having made the congressman a rarity in Washington.
which makes the congressman a rarity in Washington.
which makes the congressman a rarity in Washington.
The underlined portion of the sentence uses a past tense verb, "made," even though the previous, non-underlined portion of the sentence uses the present tense form "are." The underlined portion needs to be changed so that the two verbs in the sentence agree. The only answer choice which correctly changes the verb is "which makes the congressman a rarity in Washington."
Example Question #5 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Finding new evidence in unpublished journals, the historian produced research that greatly reshaped the way the academy thinking about the Civil War.
the way the academy thinking about the Civil War.
the way the academy thinks about the Civil War.
the way the academy can think about the Civil War.
the way the academy will be thinking about the Civil War.
the way the academy was thinking about the Civil War.
the way the academy thinks about the Civil War.
The use of the gerundive "thinking" is incorrect, as it means there is no verb, as a gerund is a verb form that functions as a noun. While all of the answer choices change the verb, the best change is to make it a simple present tense verb. The only answer choice which makes this change is "the way the academy thinks about the Civil War."
Example Question #6 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The students grew increasingly confused by the professor's lecture, which is covering material that the students were completely unfamiliar with from their readings.
which is covering material for the students
that is covering material which the students
which is covering material that the students
which will cover material that the students
which covered material that the students
which covered material that the students
The underlined portion of the sentence uses the present participle verb form "is covering" incorrectly, as the first part of the sentence clearly shows the lecture as taking place in the past. The verb needs to be changed to a past tense form to match "grew" and "confused" from the earlier part of the sentence. The only answer choice that makes this change, "which covered material that the students," is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #7 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Boswell described his conversations with Dr. Johnson and writes that Johnson's wit was unparalleled.
Dr. Johnson and says that
Dr. Johnson and has written
Dr. Johnson and asserts that
Dr. Johnson: claiming that
Dr. Johnson and wrote that
Dr. Johnson and wrote that
The example sentence features a verb tense error. Since "described" is in the past tense and the writing Boswell did about Johnson contains descriptions of Johnson, the verb "writing" should agree with the tense of "described." Replacing the underlined section with "and wrote that" is the correct answer.
While "asserts" and "says" are both potentially correct verbs to insert, those options were in the present tense, and thus would be incorrect in this context.
The phrase "and has written" would need to be a separate clause, and would require a comma preceding it to be correct.
Example Question #8 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Working closely with the leaders of a wide range of businesses, the organization provides opportunities that are not open to young entrepreneurs in previous decades.
the organization provides opportunities that can not open
the organization provides opportunities that are not open
the organization provides opportunities that were not open
the organization provides opportunities that have not open
the organization provides opportunities that is not open
the organization provides opportunities that were not open
The phrasing of the sentence ("in previous decades") indicates that these were past "opportunities" that are presently available. This means that the present tense verb "are" in the underlined portion of the sentence needs to be changed to a past tense verb. Only one answer choice makes this change, "the organization provides opportunities that were not open," making it the correct answer choice.
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 reduction
the governments to reduce
the governments reduce
the governments reduces
the governments reduced
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 in the school
began 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.
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