SAT Writing : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
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Example Question #193 : Identifying Word Usage 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 Martha goes to the coffee shop and places her order, it took her about five minutes to detail all of her specifications. No error
took
to detail
No error
goes to the coffee shop
When
took
This sentence has a problem with verb tense. Since the first half of the sentence is in the present, the second half has to be too. The corrected sentence reads, "When Martha goes to the coffee shop and places her order, it takes her about five minutes to detail all of her specifications."
Example Question #51 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no errors at all.
Anytime Clara hears a new equation, she was able to remember it even months later. No error
later
No error
was
hears
even
was
Context clues in the sentence, such as "Anytime Clara hears" and "even months later" indicate that the speaker is not referring to Clara's ability in the past tense. Therefore, "was" should be changed to "is" or "will be."
Example Question #52 : 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.
By the time Ron got the brilliant orange goldfish home from the carnival and put it in a fishbowl, it died. No error
By the time
it died.
brilliant orange
fishbowl,
No error
it died.
Give the form of this sentence, the verb “to die” should be in the present perfect and not the simple past tense. We know this, because the sentence follows the general form “by the time X happened, Y had happened.” So the sentence should read “it had died,” not “it died.”
Example Question #53 : 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.
Reporters speculated wildly about what the prisoners had saw while they were in captivity, a time that spanned almost ten months. No error
captivity,
that spanned almost
speculated wildly
No error
the prisoners had saw
the prisoners had saw
In this sentence, the correct verb tense of “to see” is the present perfect, which is “had seen,” not “had saw.”
Example Question #61 : 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.
Beverly Hills was a significant part of Los Angeles because its inhabitants include important professionals who have been very influential in the historical development of the entertainment industry. No error
part of
because
historical development
No error
was
was
This sentence is written in the present tense, as we can tell from its verb "include." However, the verb "was" is in the past tense. It should be in the present tense as well. To correct the sentence's error, "was" should be changed to "is."
Example Question #54 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed in order to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Justin, who had never tried celery before, was amazed by how crisp and refreshing it tastes. No error
by
tastes
No error
who
before,
tastes
The sentence is in past tense, as indicated by "was" and "had never tried." For this reason, the verb "taste" should also be in past tense. "Tasted" would be the correct version, not "tastes."
Example Question #55 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no errors at all.
The general was a man of great dignity and courage who sees the potential in men rather than simply their current ability, and he commanded in battle with clear eyes and a level head. No error
No error
a
and courage
sees
great
sees
Although the rest of the sentence clearly refers to the past ("was a man," "commanded in battle"), "sees" is written in the present tense. It should be changed to its third-person past tense form, "saw," to agree with the other verbs in the sentence.
Example Question #56 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no errors at all.
As I left my house to go to the store, I having my keys in hand and my makeup carefully applied; I had no idea that neither of those states would last. No error
neither
carefully
No error
As
having
having
"Having" is the present progressive form of the verb "to have," and the rest of the sentence is written entirely in the past tense. "Having" should be changed to "had" to agree with "left," "applied," and "had no idea."
Example Question #57 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Since the argument about cheese curds, Paul and I are not speaking to each other more than is absolutely necessary.
each other
than is absolutely necessary
No error
argument about
are not speaking
are not speaking
The timeline of the verb tenses in this sentence is slightly off. The corrected sentence reads: Since the argument about cheese curds, Paul and I have not been speaking to each other more than is absolutely necessary.
Example Question #58 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Allowed the students to continue their protest, the police stood watch without making a move.
Allowing the students to continue they're protest
Allowed the students to continue they're protest
Allowed the students to continue their protest
Allowing the students to continue their protest
Allowed students to continue their protest
Allowing the students to continue their protest
The underlined portion of the sentence is a conditional phrase, explaining the condition under which "the police stood watch." As such, the verb in the phrase needs to actually be a gerund, or a verb describing action that functions as a noun; therefore, "Allowing the students to continue their protest," is the correct answer choice.
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