PSAT Writing : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
They puzzled over the little mysteries of life and language, wondering if it is possible to mingle in a group of two. No error
life and language
No error
over
is
group of two
is
This sentence has a problem with verb tenses. Since the first half of the sentence is in the past, the second half has to be too. The corrected sentence reads, "They puzzled over the little mysteries of life and language, wondering if it was possible to mingle in a group of two."
Example Question #42 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Since he finally quit his stressful job, Joe is full of energy and witty banter. No error
energy and witty banter
is
finally
his
No error
is
The timeline of this sentence isn’t quite right. Read it out loud, and you will probably hear that something is funny with the verb tense. Since the first half is in the past, the second half has to acknowledge that. The corrected sentence reads: Since he finally quit his stressful job, Joe has been full of energy and witty banter.
Example Question #43 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Harold almost never complains, but he had never encountered customer service this lousy before. No error
had never encountered
No error
lousy
almost
but
had never encountered
This sentence does not maintain a logical timeline between verb tenses. Read it out loud, and it will probably sound funny. “Had never encountered” should be used following a sentence in the past, not the present. The corrected sentence reads: Harold almost never complains, but he has never encountered customer service this lousy before.
Example Question #44 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Scientists debate whether the primary reason for the extinction of the prehistoric wooly mammoth has been overhunting by humans or climate change. No error
has been
reason for
climate change
No error
whether
has been
This sentence uses the incorrect tense of the verb “to be.” The corrected sentence reads: Scientists debate whether the primary reason for the extinction of the prehistoric wooly mammoth was overhunting by humans or climate change.
Example Question #43 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Bob agonized over the logic puzzle that Charlie had been giving him, and Charlie took delight in his agony. No error
agonized over
and
his
No error
had been giving
had been giving
This sentence uses the wrong verb tense. “Had been giving” is clunky and unnecessary. The corrected sentence reads: Bob agonized over the logic puzzle that Charlie had given him, and Charlie took delight in his agony.
Example Question #301 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
George was desperately excited to go caroling through the snow, but unfortunately it being July and he would have to wait. No error
being
desperately
would have to wait
through the snow
No error
being
This sentence uses the wrong form of the verb “to be.” “Was” is a better choice than “being” in this case. The corrected sentence reads: George was desperately excited to go caroling through the snow, but unfortunately it was July and he would have to wait.
Example Question #302 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
She spent the afternoon wondering if having been gone to Scotland during the summer was worth the trouble. No error
wondering if
No error
having been gone
was
worth the trouble
having been gone
This sentence uses a convoluted form of the verb. One way to correct the sentence reads: She spent the afternoon wondering if going to Scotland during the summer was worth the trouble.
Example Question #303 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Turning around, Jonathan saw that the entire back wall of the garden fence has been destroyed in the blast. No error
that
Turning around
No error
entire back wall
has been destroyed
has been destroyed
The timeline of verb tenses in this sentence is not logical. The corrected sentence reads, "Turning around, Jonathan saw that the entire back wall of the garden fence had been destroyed in the blast."
Example Question #304 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The natural conclusion to draw would being that the goldfish jumped out of the tank, stole some pretzels for the road, unlocked the door, and ran away to join the circus. No error
natural
for the road
would being
and ran away
No error
would being
This sentence uses an incorrectly constructed verb (“would being”). The corrected sentence reads, "The natural conclusion to draw would be that the goldfish jumped out of the tank, stole some pretzels for the road, unlocked the door, and ran away to join the circus."
Example Question #871 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although Steven does not usually have an appetite, he has ate more tonight than anyone else at the dinner. No error
than
has ate
No error
he
Although
has ate
The phrase "has ate" should be "has eaten." "Eaten" is the proper participle for the present perfect form.
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