SAT 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.
Although Steven does not usually have an appetite, he has ate more tonight than anyone else at the dinner. No error
than
he
No error
Although
has ate
has ate
The phrase "has ate" should be "has eaten." "Eaten" is the proper participle for the present perfect form.
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.
Marketers are finding greater success making sales when they phoned people in the morning rather than late in the afternoon. No error
when
rather than
No error
phoned
greater
phoned
The sentence is present tense, so use "phone "instead of "phoned."
Example Question #135 : Identifying 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.
The undercover agents chose not to apprehend the suspect in the mall that afternoon, but instead apprehended him at the harbor before he is boarding a ship to Morocco. No error
but instead
is boarding
No error
not
in the mall
is boarding
"Is boarding" should be "boarded" because it matches the tense of other verbs in the sentence.
Example Question #136 : Identifying 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.
Despite a strict ban and severe punishments, the circulation of illegal jokes remains a thriving part of that country's underground culture. No error
No error
remains
Despite
of
culture
remains
For the timeline of the sentence to make sense, "remain" should be changed to past tense, because it occured before the Soviet Union collapsed. A simple correction would be "remained."
Example Question #137 : Identifying 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.
Many people theorized that the darkness was caused by smoke from a volcanic eruption, but a few know that the real cause was an alien invasion. No error
but
Many people
No error
from a volcanic eruption
know that
know that
This sentence has an error in verb tense. Since the first half is in past tense, the second half should be too. The corrected sentence reads, "Many people theorized that the darkness was caused by smoke from a volcanic eruption, but a few knew that the real cause was an alien invasion."
Example Question #138 : Identifying 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.
One alien invader, who misunderstood the orders he has been given, landed in the Great Barrier Reef instead of Great Britain. No error
in
has been given
No error
instead of
who
has been given
This sentence has a problem with verb tense. The main clause is in the past tense, and the modifying phrase should reflect that. The corrected sentence reads, "One alien invader, who misunderstood the orders he had been given, landed in the Great Barrier Reef instead of Great Britain."
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.
Feeling uninspired, the writer stared out at the gloomy landscape and thought of the days when he had rode along the old county roads in his father’s truck.
Feeling uninspired
No error
he
his father's truck
had rode
had rode
This sentence uses an ill-formed verb. The corrected sentence reads: Feeling uninspired, the writer stared out at the gloomy landscape and thought of the days when he had ridden along the old county roads in his father’s pick-up.
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.
He decided it would being a good idea to tell his friends that his birthday was actually the following day, but he was not sure how to say it tactfully. No error
how to say
No error
was actually
tactfully
being a good idea
being a good idea
This sentence uses “being” when “be” is appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "He decided it would be a good idea to tell his friends that his birthday was actually the following day, but he was not sure how to say it tactfully."
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.
Thankfully, they brang their pirate diorama to school show-and-tell that day; they would have failed if they had forgotten. No error
had forgotten
would have failed
that day; they
brang
No error
brang
To correct this sentence's error, "brang" needs to be changed to "brought," which is the correct but irregular past tense form of "bring."
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.
Until recently, scientists think that genes alone determine the longevity of new crops; however, new research suggests that environment, in addition to genetic factors, plays a crucial role in regulating a plant’s ability to resist pests and disease. No error
plays
suggests
No error
think
however
think
When we encounter a phrase such as "until recently," we know it must describe an event that took place in the past, but the verb "think" is in the present tense. This sentence therefore contains a tense error in the verb "think." Changing "think" to "thought" corrects the sentence's error.
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