Must Know - SC - Verb tense, mood, and voice

Question 1

3 uses of present tense

Answer 1

1) to describe an event that is presently occurring
* ex. James is happy.

2) to describe something that happens routinely
* ex. Brazilians <b>celebrate</b> Carnaval every year.

3) to discuss facts and truths that remain true over time
* ex. The red heart is a universal symbol of love.

Question 2

simple past tense

is used to describe events that . . . ?

Answer 2

occurred and ended in the past

ex. The deer walked silently through the forest.

Question 3

future tense

is used to describe events that . . . ?

Answer 3

have not yet occurred but will occur in the future

ex. The leaves will change color in a few weeks

Question 4

2 types of context clues we can use to identify verb tense errors

Answer 4

1) verb context clues
(verb tenses can’t logically work together)
* ex. Each time I traveled to Colombia, I visit Medellín and Cartagena.

2) non-verb context clues <i>
(verb tense can’t logically work with other info in the sentence)
* ex. In the past, Rome’s senate experiences high levels of corruption.</i>

Question 5

2 uses of present perfect tense
has/have + [verb]

Answer 5

1) to convey that an event began in the past and continues in the present
* ex. They have lived in Angola for five years.

2) to convey that a past event has implications in the present
* ex. Researchers have discovered a new way to harness solar energy.

Question 6

What is the verb tense error in the sentence?

Since going to the seminar last week, he was more motivated.

Answer 6

The simple past tense “was” should not be used in relation to an event that has been occurring “since” a past time. The present perfect tense must be used.

correct: Since going to the seminar last week, he has been more motivated.

Question 7

True or False?

Present perfect tense can be used to describe an event that clearly ended in the past.

Answer 7

False

It is never correct to use the present perfect tense to describe an event that clearly ended in the past.

incorrect: Yesterday, the gorillas have left the area.

correct: Yesterday, the gorillas left the area.

Question 8

past perfect tense is used to describe . . . ?

Answer 8

a past action that occurred before another past action

ex. She skipped the popcorn at the movies because she had eaten a big supper.

Question 9

What is the verb tense error in the sentence?

Most of the class already saw the exhibit, so the teacher had canceled the trip to the museum.

Answer 9

The correct position of the past perfect tense is reversed.
Logically, the class would have seen the exhibit before the teacher canceled the trip.

correct: Most of the class already had seen the exhibit, so the teacher canceled the trip to the museum.

Question 10

by + [past time] works with which 3 verb tenses?

Answer 10

1) past perfect

• ex. By 8 p. m. , they had left.

2) past continuous

• *ex. By 8 p. m. , they were leaving.

3) simple past tense, only if the sentence is about an ongoing state of being

• ex. By 8 p. m. , they were gone.

Question 11

future perfect tense

will have + [past participle]

is used to describe . . . ?

Answer 11

a future event that will be completed before another future event or before a future time

ex. I will have worked for 35 years by the time I retire.

Question 12

by + [future time] works with which 3 verb tenses?

Answer 12

1) future perfect

• ex: She will have run three marathons by December.

2) future continuous

• ex: She will be running this company by the end of the year.

3) simple future tense

• ex: She will run the reports by five o’clock.

Question 13

future in the past would + [verb] is used to describe . . . ?

Answer 13

past events that were in the future when other past events occurred

ex. The team members were confident that they would solve the problem.

Question 14

How do we decide whether to use a continuous or non-continuous tense?

Answer 14

When sentences call for highlighting the ongoing nature of events, using continuous tenses is best.
* ex. Upon arriving on location, the crew saw that some bears were playing in the pond.

When sentences do not call for highlighting the ongoing nature of events, using non-continuous tenses is best.
* ex. Students who complete elementary school know how to read and write.

Question 15

True or False?

The subjunctive mood is used to convey that something is uncertain.

Answer 15

False

The subjunctive mood should not be used to describe a situation that is uncertain.

incorrect: If this painting were painted by Rembrandt, then it is an amazing find.
correct: If this painting was painted by Rembrandt, then it is an amazing find.

Question 16

conditional mood is used to . . . ?

Answer 16

make a purely hypothetical statement (in an independent clause)

• ex1. If I knew how to speak French, I would move to Paris.
• ex2. Had the paper been published, more people could have read it.

Question 17

True or False?

The conditional mood is used in describing situations that may actually be true.

Answer 17

False

The conditional mood is used in sentences describing purely hypothetical situations, not situations that may actually be true.

incorrect: If the dancers have time, they would run through some new moves.
correct: If the dancers have time, they will run through some new moves.

Question 18

True or False?

Always eliminate an SC choice that uses the passive voice instead of the active voice.

Answer 18

False

In most cases, active voice is preferred, but in some cases, sentences that use the passive voice are correct.

correct: Our solar system is made up of eight planets rotating around a single sun.

Question 19

4 ways in which passive voice is commonly used

Answer 19

1) to discuss findings or scientific research
* ex. The results of the university’s research were released this morning.

2) to emphasize the receiver of an action
* ex. The car was totaled in the accident.

3) to discuss a situation in which the doer of an action is unidentified
* ex. Steering wheel locks are used to prevent car theft.

4) to discuss the ingredients or contents of something
* ex. The house was filled with love.

Question 20

continuous tenses are used to describe . . . ?

Answer 20

an event that was, is, or will be ongoing

• ex1. Some birds were flying overhead. (past continuous: event was ongoing)
• ex2. Some birds are flying overhead. (present continuous: event is ongoing)
• ex3. Some birds will be flying overhead. (future continuous: event will be ongoing)

Question 21

subjunctive mood is used to . . . ?

Answer 21

1) make a hypothetical statement (in an “if” clause)
* ex. If I were a fish, I would be able to swim all day.

2) convey commands, requests, and suggestions
* ex. He requested that you be present for the ceremony.

Question 22

True or False?

Past perfect tense is not necessary when “before” or “after” indicates the sequence of events in a sentence.

Answer 22

True

If the word “before” or “after” already makes clear the time sequence of past events in a sentence, the use of the past perfect tense is not necessary.

ex. Cody brushed his teeth before he went to bed.