GMAT Verbal : Correcting Verb Tense Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #163 : Verb Formation 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Although he was suspicious of the deal, the negotiator knew he has to accept what he was offered or get nothing at all.

Possible Answers:

the negotiator knew he has to accepted

the negotiator knew he had to accept

the negotiator knew he has to accept

the negotiator knew he having to accept

the negotiator knew he is accepting

Correct answer:

the negotiator knew he had to accept

Explanation:

The issue with the underlined sentence is quite simple, with the verb form "knew," a past tense construction, being at odds with "has," a present tense form. These need to work together, making the correct answer choice "the negotiator knew he had to accept."

Example Question #135 : Verb Tense Errors

The filmmaker's stated intention to shock his audiences with scenes of horror and violence.

Possible Answers:

The filmmakers stated intention to shock

The filmmaker's stated intention was to shock

The filmmaker's stated intent to shock

The filmmaker's stated intention shocking

The filmmaker's statement of intention to shock

Correct answer:

The filmmaker's stated intention was to shock

Explanation:

The sentence as written actually contains no verb, as "stated" is used as an adjective to describe "intention," and the infinitive form "to shock" needs some form of the verb "to be." The only answer choice that remedies the lack of a verb is "The filmaker's stated intention was to shock," and is the correct answer.

Example Question #136 : 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

Traditionally, movie audiences shown favor towards lighter fare.

Possible Answers:

Traditional, movie audiences shown favor towards lighter fare.

Traditionally, movie audiences showing favor towards lighter fare.

Traditionally, movie audiences have shown favor towards lighter fare.

Traditionally, movie audiences shown favor towards lighter fare.

Traditionally, movie audiences show of favor towards lighter fare.

Correct answer:

Traditionally, movie audiences have shown favor towards lighter fare.

Explanation:

"Shown" is a past perfect verb, and any past perfect construction cannot stand alone as the verb in the sentence without a helping verb, also known as an auxilary verb. The past perfect verb "shown" needs to be accompanied by the verb "have" to make it a complete verbal phrase. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "Traditionally, movie audiences have shown favor towards lighter fare."

Example Question #111 : Correcting Verb 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

The falling oil prices were a stunning development to most forecasters, as a poll from the beginning of the year showing only a small percentage of experts calling for such a drop.

Possible Answers:

were showing only a small percentage of experts calling for such a drop.

showed only a small percentage of experts calling for such a drop.

showed only a small percentage of experts called for such a drop.

showing only a small percentage of experts calling for such a drop.

showing only a small percentage of experts called for such a drop.

Correct answer:

showed only a small percentage of experts called for such a drop.

Explanation:

The use of the present participle verb forms "showing" and "calling" is incorrect in the underlined portion of the sentence. Both words need to be in the past tense to show that the poll was taken before oil prices had begun falling. The only answer choice which appropriately makes these corrections is "showed only a small percentage of experts called for such a drop."

Example Question #137 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Coastal communities are hoping a mild winter makes summer arrive sooner, bring more tourists.

Possible Answers:

bring more tourists.

bringing more tourists.

bring many tourists.

more tourists bringing.

more tourists brought.

Correct answer:

bringing more tourists.

Explanation:

The underlined portion of the sentence is a dependent clause that relies on the rest of the sentence for its meaning. As such, the verb form "bring" does not appropriately connect to the rest of the sentence. "Bringing more tourists, featuring the gerundive is the best answer choice.

Example Question #164 : Verb Formation 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

American history littered with tales of prospective candidates who flopped in a Presidential election.

Possible Answers:

American history is littered

American history is littering

American history littered

American history litters

American history littering

Correct answer:

American history is littered

Explanation:

The construction of the sentence makes it clear the "litter" is taking place throughout "American history." This means the verb should take the passive voice. "American history is littered" is therefore the correct answer choice.

Example Question #139 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Few people understand the depth of the deception from the Governor at the time.

Possible Answers:

Few persons understand

Fewer people understand

Few people understand

Few understand

Few people understood

Correct answer:

Few people understood

Explanation:

The sentence describes what happened "at the time," or in the past; therefore, the verb usage must indicate the action taking place in the past, with a past tense verb. "Few people understood" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #61 : 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.

She was going to the grocery store; she buys a few things for the party.

Possible Answers:

She were going to the grocery store; she was buying a few things for the party.

She was going to the grocery store; she was going to buy a few things for the party.

She was going to the grocery store; she will buy a few things for the party.

She was going to the grocery store; she buys a few things for the party.

She will go to the grocery store; she was buying a few things for the party.

Correct answer:

She was going to the grocery store; she was going to buy a few things for the party.

Explanation:

The correct choice is, "She was going to the grocery store; she was going to buy a few things for the party." The other choices contain examples of tense-shifts that make the sentence awkward. This is the best choice because it the verbs are in the same tense throughout the sentence and the structure of both clauses are parallel to one another.

Example Question #62 : 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.

Maria loves to tinker with technology ever since she was a kid.

Possible Answers:

loved

was love

loves

love

will love

Correct answer:

loved

Explanation:

This sentence contains an error in verb tense. The phrase "ever since she was a kid" indicates that the actions of this sentence describe the past. The current word, "loves," is in the present tense. The correct choice is, "loved."

Example Question #63 : 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.

In the future, Lacey rented a car for her trip.

Possible Answers:

Lacey were renting a car for her trip.

Lacey will rent a car for her trip.

Lacey will renting a car for her trip.

Lacey rented a car for her trip.

Lacey was renting a car for her trip.

Correct answer:

Lacey will rent a car for her trip.

Explanation:

This sentence contains an error in verb tense. It is clear from the first part of the sentence ("In the future") that the action should happen in the future. The only choice that indicates this is "will rent." The other choices are all past tense or does not have the proper form. The correct choice is, "Lacey will rent a car for her trip."

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