SAT Writing : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
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Example Questions
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.
Althoughhe had never taken piano lessons, anytime that Jeff,who wasunusually intelligent,seesa piano, he wasable to playa song.No error
sees
able to play
who was
Although
No error
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 #2 :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 beenthe subject of abuse during his childhood, emphaticallyleadthe uprising,fueled by botha desire for social justice, as well as a certain anger thathe himselfdid not entirely understand.No error
fueled by both
No error
he himself
having been
lead
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 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 asI booked my flighttovisit my friendsinNew York, Iam findingthat all theprices forplane tickets were plummeting.No error
As soon as
No error
prices for
to
I am finding
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 #12 :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.
Whilemostspecies of monkeys live in tropical areas,there isa type of monkey that livesinnorthern Japan, where ithas snowed.No error
has snowed
there is
in
most
No error
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 #13 :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.
When David cooks,he usesa variety of spices andputthe flame onvery high,creatingflavorful and charred dishes.No error
No error
put
he uses
creating
very high
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 #14 :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.
After several hours offutileresearch, Paco decided tothentake a break before hewouldresume his search forpertinentdata once again.No error
pertinent
futile
would
No error
then
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 #15 :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.
Christine haddifficultyfindinga jobdespitehaving beenthe valedictorianof her university’s graduating class.No error
difficulty
No error
of her university's graduating class
having been
finding a job
No error
This sentence contains no grammatical, stylistic, or usage errors.
Example Question #16 :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.
Next time, I plan to look over mycompositionquickforfaultsbefore I turn itin tomy professor.No error
in to
No error
faults
composition
quick
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 #17 :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.
Peoplewhohate the pollution emitted by citiesalsotend tohave despisedthe large companiesthat createthe pollution.No error
have despised
that create
who
No error
also
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 #18 :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.
The dentistwasfrustrated that his patienthad developedanother set of cavities because he told her to brush her teethmore frequently, and shedoesn’t.No error
No error
was
more frequently
had developed
doesn't
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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