0
Heddesheimer Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Correct verb and tense usage
Hi there,
I have these four sentences and need to find the one that is not correct in verb and verb tense usage. I think I've got the right answer but would like to get it confirmed by a native speaker.
A: These repetitive and misleading guidelines could easily be interpreted in several different ways.
B: Clarabelle's mother absolutely hated nicknames and always calls her daughter by her full name.
C: The Imagist movement in poetry is commonly regarded as having begun in the early twentieth century.
D: We all danced across the lawn and lifted Zoe above our heads in triumph.
I think the problematic sentence is B, because there is a change in tensed from past tense "hated" to present tense "calls". But I'm not sure if I'm right here. All the other sentences seem pretty correct as far as I can judge.
Any hints appreciated.
Marian
I have these four sentences and need to find the one that is not correct in verb and verb tense usage. I think I've got the right answer but would like to get it confirmed by a native speaker.
A: These repetitive and misleading guidelines could easily be interpreted in several different ways.
B: Clarabelle's mother absolutely hated nicknames and always calls her daughter by her full name.
C: The Imagist movement in poetry is commonly regarded as having begun in the early twentieth century.
D: We all danced across the lawn and lifted Zoe above our heads in triumph.
I think the problematic sentence is B, because there is a change in tensed from past tense "hated" to present tense "calls". But I'm not sure if I'm right here. All the other sentences seem pretty correct as far as I can judge.
Any hints appreciated.
Marian
Top answer
Good day to you, Marian! Indeed, 'B' is the faulty variant here, and you are right about it. The reason is that both coordinated verb phrases ( hates/calls; hated/called ) are required to be in the same tense by the rules of coordination.
- Good day to you, Marian!
- Indeed, 'B' is the faulty variant here, and you are right about it.
- The reason is that both coordinated verb phrases ( hates/calls; hated/called ) are required to be in the same tense by the rules of coordination.
- If the intention is to express the so-called 'state present' - use simple present tense; in case the situation is entirely in the past - correspondingly, use simple past.
- Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
7 Answers
0
Good day to you, Marian!
Indeed, 'B' is the faulty variant here, and you are right about it. The reason is that both coordinated verb phrases (hates/calls; hated/called) are required to be in the same tense by the rules of coordination. If the intention is to express the so-called 'state present' - use simple present tense; in case the situation is entirely in the past
Indeed, 'B' is the faulty variant here, and you are right about it. The reason is that both coordinated verb phrases (hates/calls; hated/called) are required to be in the same tense by the rules of coordination. If the intention is to express the so-called 'state present' - use simple present tense; in case the situation is entirely in the past
00
Clarabelle's mother absolutely hated nicknames and had always called her daughter by her full name.
00
0
Thanks a lot for your detailed explanation Gleb. I really appreciate it.
Marian
Marian
00
It may simply be because her daughter Clarabelle might have passed away??? I seek your help in explaining this sentence as I am still not able to see any problem with it.
00
AnonymousIt may simply be because her daughter Clarabelle might have passed away?No. It is simply because the events described happened in the same general time period. The sentence can be corrected in two ways: assuming the time period is the present or assuming the time period is the past.
Clarabelle's mother absolutely hates
00
Related Questions