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Stenka25 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Progressive tense problem

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Could you look at the below question?

When parents ___________ their children, it is their primary responsibility to educate them.

(a) are raising

(b) raised

(c) raises

(d) has raised

It says the answer is only (a).

Why can't it be (b) and (d)?

[In the answer sheet they say that since 'when' means 'during' in this context, it should be 'are raising' to give the progressive meaning. But I still don't get it about how come it should only be (a).]

Thanks in advance.

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Top answer

Stenka25 When parents __ their children, it is their primary responsibility to educate them. (a) are raising (b) raised (c) raises (d) has raised parent s is plural, so you need a plural verb. That means you might be able to use are raising or raised , which are plural, but you can't use raises or has raised , which are both singular.

— CalifJim

  • Stenka25 When parents __ their children, it is their primary responsibility to educate them.
  • (a) are raising (b) raised (c) raises (d) has raised parent s is plural, so you need a plural verb.
  • That means you might be able to use are raising or raised , which are plural, but you can't use raises or has raised , which are both singular.
  • Only two choices are left.
  • Secondly, it is is present tense, so the when clause should also be in the present tense.
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3 Answers
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Stenka25When parents __ their children, it is their primary responsibility to educate them.

(a) are raising

(b) raised

(c) raises

(d) has raised
parents is plural, so you need a plural verb. That means you might be able to use are raising or raised, which are plural, but you can't use rai
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Thanks CJ.
It just doesn't strike me that "parents" is a plural noun.
Thanks again.
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Stenka25It just doesn't strike me that "parents" is a plural noun.
Nevertheless, there aren't many singular nouns that have an sat the end.
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