E. Verb Time Sequences
A common
error in the GMAT is to misuse verb tense. Different verb tenses
indicate the order in which separate actions or events occur.
Many GMAT sentences are complicated and involve several different
actions occurring at different times. The correct tenses make
the sequence of actions clear. To determine whether the verbs
in a sentence are in the proper tenses, pick one event as a "base"
action and then determine when other events occurred relative
to it. Determine whether the events occurred PRIOR TO the base
action, AFTER the base action, or AT THE SAME TIME AS the base
event took place. Actions that start before the base may continue
after the base.
VERB TENSE TIPS
1. You should look out for
-ing forms.
Typically -ing forms are commonly used as junk answers on the
GMAT.
- I am walking
- I was walking
- I had been walking
As far as the GMAT is concerned,
there are only two basic reasons to use an -ing form:
- to emphasize the continuing
nature of an action or
- to emphasize that two actions
are occurring simultaneously.
In other words, the GMAT usually wants you to pick a simpler
tense, one that doesn't use the -ing form, unless an action is
continuing or happening during another action. A good way to
remember this rule is to think of the word during and
its -ing ending.
2. Be alert for the appearance of several verbs,
indicating events that seem to have happened in sequence or at
different times. In which case, pick one verb as the "base"
in time sequence.
Example
If the cyclist wins the race,
it will be representing an extraordinary comeback from his earlier
cancer.
Solution
The win will not be "representing an extraordinary comeback;"
it will "represent a comeback."
w F. Comparisons
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