SAT Writing : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #3 : Identifying Verb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although he had never taken piano lessons, anytime that Jeff, who was unusually intelligent, sees a piano, he was able to play a song. No error
sees
able to play
No error
Although
who was
sees
The entire sentence refers to the past, as we can tell from the verb "was" in "who was unusually intelligent" and the verb "was" in "was able to play." Therefore, the verb "sees" should be in the past tense like the rest of the verbs in the sentence. To correct the sentence's error, we would need to change "sees" to "saw."
Example Question #1 : 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.
The revolutionary, having been the subject of abuse during his childhood, emphatically lead the uprising, fueled by both a desire for social justice, as well as a certain anger that he himself did not entirely understand. No error
lead
he himself
fueled by both
having been
No error
lead
"Lead" is in the present tense. Given that the rest of the sentence is in the past tense, this verb should also be in the past tense. Therefore, it should be "led," not "lead."
Example Question #11 : 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.
As soon as I booked my flight to visit my friends in New York, I am finding that all the prices for plane tickets were plummeting. No error
No error
I am finding
prices for
to
As soon as
I am finding
This sentence written in the past tense, except for the phrase “I am finding.” In order to maintain proper verb tense, the underlined portion should be changed to “I found.”
Example Question #1 : 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.
While most species of monkeys live in tropical areas, there is a type of monkey that lives in northern Japan, where it has snowed. No error
No error
there is
has snowed
in
most
has snowed
Given that the rest of the sentence is in present tense, the underlined portion should be as well. "Has snowed" should be replaced by "snows."
Example Question #12 : 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.
When David cooks, he uses a variety of spices and put the flame on very high, creating flavorful and charred dishes. No error
creating
No error
put
very high
he uses
put
Since most of this sentence is in the present tense, it is incorrect for other verbs to be in a different tense, as a general rule. Therefore, “put,” which is in past tense, should be “puts,” the proper present tense form.
Example Question #1 : 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.
After several hours of futile research, Paco decided to then take a break before he would resume his search for pertinent data once again. No error
would
pertinent
No error
then
futile
then
The infinitive verb “to take” should not be split by the word “then.” If you wanted to keep the "then" in the sentence but not split the infinitive, you might place it after "Paco" and before "decided."
Example Question #1 : 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.
Christine had difficulty finding a job despite having been the valedictorian of her university’s graduating class. No error
having been
finding a job
No error
of her university's graduating class
difficulty
No error
This sentence contains no grammatical, stylistic, or usage errors.
Example Question #1 : 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.
Next time, I plan to look over my composition quick for faults before I turn it in to my professor. No error
composition
in to
quick
faults
No error
quick
"Quick" is an adjective and is being used to describe "look over," a verb. Adjectives cannot be used to describe verbs; adverbs describe verbs. So, "quick" needs to be changed to "quickly" for the sentence to be correct.
Example Question #3 : 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.
People who hate the pollution emitted by cities also tend to have despised the large companies that create the pollution. No error
No error
also
who
have despised
that create
have despised
Since most of this sentence is in the present tense, it is incorrect for other verbs to be in a different tense, as a general rule. Therefore, “have despised” should be changed to the present tense “despise.”
Example Question #1 : 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.
The dentist was frustrated that his patient had developed another set of cavities because he told her to brush her teeth more frequently, and she doesn’t. No error
had developed
was
doesn't
more frequently
No error
doesn't
Since most of this sentence is in the past tense, it is incorrect for other verbs to be in a different tense, as a general rule. Therefore, “doesn’t” should be replaced by the past tense “didn’t.”
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