Tense verb

VERB TENSE indicates when an action takes place. The basic tenses are present, past and future

Unless actions do not take place at the same time, keep all verb tenses in a given sentence the same
Example: She walked to school in the morning and ran home in the afternoon
She walks to school in the morning and runs home in the afternoon
She will walk to school in the morning and run home in the afternoon (Note: run is understood as will run)

Typically, ing forms are sometimes used as junk answers on the GMAT; there will often be a better
alternative
Tip: Pick one event as the base action determine when the other actions occurred in relation to that
event determine the proper verb form
Will indicates future tense; would indicates future from the past and Might is the past tense of
May
Progressive tense indicates an ongoing action in the past, present or future
The perfect progressive form indicates an action that is ongoing, but will be completed at some definite
time
Infinitive verbs: To + verb. This is considered as the most basic form of the verb, or the building block of
all other tenses. To form other tenses of the verb, you simply modify the infinitive form
- Avoid sentences that insert a word (or words) between to and the verb (rarely tested, but almost
always incorrect)
 Tense verb
IF & THEN CLAUSE
IF Clause THEN clause
Present will + base verb
If she wins the lottery, she will give half the money to charity

Past would/could + base verb

If she won the lottery, she would give half the money to charity

Future would/could + have + past participle

If she had won the lottery, she would have given half the money to charity
Conditional words would and could NEVER appear in the IF clause
 Tense Verb: present
Generally expresses events, or situations that have existed in the past, exist now (in the
present) and will probably exist in the future
Present Simple - I understand what you are saying

General truths: Grass is green

Present
Perfect If an event started in the past but continues (or remains true in) in the
Has/Have + Past present / actions have not yet finished
participle. Past - We have lived in a little hut for three days
participle of a - Our country has enforced strict immigration laws for thirty years
regular verb is verb
+ -ed ending When an event occurred at an indeterminate point in the past
(example: walked, - They have known each other for the longest time. I have been to
danced, jumped) California

If the time period has not finished: I have seen three movies this week
Giving recent news : Michael has crashed his car again
 Tense Verb present
Recent activity
Present - She's been working hard recently
perfect
continuous Emphasis on the duration or length of an activity
- Jack has been painting for 4 hours

Present Recently finished activity with a present result

continuous - I've been working in the garden, that's why my hands are so dirty
Am/is/are + verb- If an event is occurring at this very moment / around now / near
ing future (especially planned activities)
- The kids are watching TV
- We aren't working hard these days
- Polly is coming for dinner tomorrow
 Tense Verb past
If an event started and finished at a particular point of time in the
Simple past past
- Molly and Rita embraced at the airport
- George ate all his dinner

If more than one event in the sentence occurred at different times

Past perfect in the past, use the past perfect tense for the earlier action
Had + past (FINISHED action) and simple past for the later action
participle - The film had started by the time we arrived at the theatre
- The teacher thought that Johnny had cheated on his exam
 Tense Verb past
Past perfect Past perfect progressive is used to express CONTINUOUS activity up to a
continuous specific point of time in the past
- They had been waiting for 2 hours before their friends finally arrived
Duration in the past - actions or situations that lasted for some time in the
past, and whose duration time is unknown or unimportant
- The dog was barking

Past
continuous Interrupted actions in progress when one action in progress is
interrupted by another action in the past. We usually use when or while to
link these two sentences.
- I was talking with James when the telephone rang

Actions in progress at the same time in the past - two or more activities
happening at the same. We usually use when or while to link the two
sentences
- When Bob was painting windows, Mary was working in the kitchen
 Tense Verb future
Simple future Promises : I promise I will buy you this toy
Unplanned actions (spontaneous decisions) : Don't worry! I will help you with this
problem
Predictions based on experience or intuition : It will rain in a moment
Habits (obstinate insistence, usually habitual)
- She will bite her lip if she is thinking or if she's nervous about something
** Remember, you should never use will to say what somebody has already
arranged or decided to do in the future:
Correct: Mike is moving to New York next week : Incorrect: Mike will move to New
Future perfect York next week

Will have + past The Future Perfect expresses the idea that something will occur before another
action in the future. It can also show that something will happen before a specific
participle time in the future
- I will have been in London for six months by the time I leave
- Sam is probably going to have completed the proposal by the time he leaves this
afternoon
Am/is/are +
going to have + Incorrect: By the time I write to Leo, he will probably move
Correct: By the time I write to Leo, he will probably have moved
past participle
 Tense Verb future
Future perfect Emphasize the length of time or duration of an event occurring
continuous before and up to another event in the future
- John will have been studying for 6 years by the time he finishes his
exam
Future
continuous Future actions in progress
- In an hour, I will be sitting in front of my TV

Will + be + verb-
ing Guesses about the present/future
- He won't be coming any time soon. He is still at the office

Polite questions about somebody's intention

- Will you be going to the supermarket? I have something to buy
 Moods
indicative: Verbs in indicative mood deal with real events
subjunctive mood: Verbs in subjunctive mood deal with events that are
necessarily true
SUBJUNTIVE MOOD

If Clause : When the if clause represents something contrary to reality -

In these cases, the verb is always were, regardless of the subject

If he were tall, he would be able to play basketball better

 SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
Hopes, dreams, desires and requests formed with the word that

It is the desire of one person or body for another person or body to do something. It is
unclear as to whether or not the second person or body will actually do what is asked

Subjunctive is formed with that + base form of the verb and follows words such as
advice, advisable, ask, arrange, better, demand, desire, instruct, instructions, intend,
intentions, order, pray, prefer, propose, recommend, suggest, request, require, urge, urgent,
vital etc. The base form of the verb is always plural

Correct: The parolee knew it was imperative that he find a job quickly (base form of the
verb)
Incorrect: It is imperative that she must sign the permission slip (must is redundant)
Correct: It is imperative that she sign the permission slip
 SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD

That and That Parallelism is to be maintained

Incorrect: He said that he had studied well and he would score well
Correct: He said that he had studied well and that he would score well
 VOICE
ATIVE / PASSIVE
Active voice is preferred to passive voice. Only transitive verbs (verbs that take direct
objects) can be written in passive voice
The aliens arrived on Neptune in the 20th century
ACTIVE VOICE PASSIVE VOICE
The subject of the sentence has an action performed on it by someone or
something else
SUBJECT PERFORMS THE
ACTION - The pizza was eaten by the hungry students
- The hungry students ate the
pizza Passive voice is formed with a form of the verb to be, followed by a
participle. The person or people performing the action in the sentence
almost always follow the verb

Required when the non-underlined portion of the sentence contains the

person or agent performing the action preceded by the word by
Incorrect: The shuttle launch seen around the world by people of all ages,
all races and all religions (missing a verb, and therefore is a fragment)
Correct: The shuttle launch was seen around the world by people of all
ages, all races and all religions
1. A delegation of 60 farmers called on the chief minister so as to plead for revival of
the benefit scheme together with the revised compensation package offered by the
government and the chief minister has very graciously conceded their request.

a. chief minister so as to plead for revival of the benefit scheme together with the
revised compensation package offered by the government and
b. chief minister and pleaded for revival of the benefit scheme together with the
revised compensation package offered by the government but
c. chief minister and were pleading towards revival of the benefit scheme as well
as the revised compensation package offered by the government and
d. chief minister and pleaded for revival of the benefit scheme together with the
revised compensation package offered by the government and
e. chief minister to plead for revival of the benefit scheme together with the
revised compensation package offered by the government but
2. A Wall Street Journal report said that the ship, that departed from Long Beach on a seven-day
voyage to the Mexican Riviera, is about 200 miles south of San Diego when a fire ignited in the
engine room, cutting off power, telephone service and air conditioning
a. that departed from Long Beach on a seven-day voyage to the Mexican Riviera, is about
200 miles south of San Diego when a fire ignited in the engine room, cutting off power,
telephone service and air conditioning
b. which departed from Long Beach for a seven-day voyage to the Mexican Riviera, was
about 200 miles south of San Diego when a fire ignited in the engine room and cut off
power, telephone service and air conditioning as well
c. which departed from Long Beach on a seven-day voyage to the Mexican Riviera, were
about 200 miles south of San Diego when a fire was ignited in the engine room that cut
off power, telephone service and air conditioning
d. which departed from Long Beach on a seven-day voyage to the Mexican Riviera, was
about 200 miles south of San Diego when a fire ignited in the engine room, cutting off
power, telephone service and air conditioning
e. that has departed from Long Beach on a seven-day voyage to the Mexican Riviera, was
about 200 miles south of San Diego when a fire ignited in the engine room, cutting off
power, telephone service as well as air conditioning
3. Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano has killed 191 people since it began erupting
late last month, leading to the declaration of an emergency in the country.

a. has killed 191 people since it began erupting late last month, leading to the
declaration of an emergency in the country
b. killed 191 people since it began erupting late last month, leading to the
declaration of an emergency in the country.
c. has killed 191 people since it began erupting late last month, which has lead to
the declaration of an emergency in the country.
d. had killed 191 people since it began erupting late last month, leading to the
declaration of an emergency in the country.
e. has been killing 191 people since it began erupting late last month, leading to
the declaring of an emergency in the country.
4. For years, employees had seen what they pay toward health care increases as companies
ask them to contribute more for premiums and deductibles.

a. had seen what they pay toward health care increases as companies ask
them to contribute more for premiums and deductibles
b. saw what they pay toward health care increased as companies ask them
to contribute more to premiums and deductibles
c. have seen what they pay toward health care increase as companies ask
them to contribute more to premiums and deductibles
d. have been seeing what they pay toward health care increases as
companies asks it to contribute more to premiums and deductibles
e. have seen what they pay toward health care increasing as companies are
asking them to contribute more to premiums and deductibles
5. Chocolate had been once the drink of Mayan and Aztec kings and now a
cocoa shortage may make chocolate an exclusive luxury again.

a. had been once the drink of Mayan and Aztec kings and now a cocoa
shortage may make chocolate
b. was once the drink of Mayan and Aztec kings but now a cocoa
shortage may make chocolate
c. had once been the drink of Mayan and Aztec kings and now a cocoa
shortage will make chocolate
d. was once the drink of Mayan and Aztec kings and now a cocoa
shortage may make chocolate
e. was once the drink of Mayan and Aztec kings although now a cocoa
shortage may make chocolate
6. Last summer Google awarded $1 million to professors involved with digital humanities
research, and last year the National Endowment for the Humanities spent $2 million on
digital projects.

A. awarded $1 million to professors involved with digital humanities research, and

last year the National Endowment for the Humanities spent $2 million on
B. awarded $1 million for professors involved in digital humanities research, and
last year the National Endowment for the Humanities spent $2 million for
C. had awarded $1 million to professors involved with digital humanities research,
and last year the National Endowment for the Humanities spent $2 million on
D. awarded $1 million to professors involved with digital humanities research, but
last year the National Endowment for the Humanities spent $2 million for
E. awarded $1 million to professors involved with digital humanities research,
whereas last year the National Endowment for the Humanities was spending $2
million on
7. In a continuous series of backofthenapkin drawings Carl Richards, who is a
financial planner, is explaining the basics of money through simple graphs and
diagrams
A. In a continuous series of backofthenapkin drawings Carl Richards, who
is a financial planner, is explaining the basics of money through simple
graphs and diagrams
B. In a continuing series of backofthenapkin drawings Carl Richards, a
financial planner, has been explaining the basics of money through simple
graphs and diagrams
C. In a continuing series involving backofthenapkin drawings Carl Richards,
a financial planner, has explained the basics of money by means of simple
graphs and diagrams
D. In a continuous series of backofthenapkin drawings a financial planner,
Carl Richards, had been explaining the basics of money through simple
graphs and diagrams
E. In a continuing series from backofthenapkin drawings Carl Richards, a
financial planner, was explaining the basics of money through simple graphs
and diagrams
8. A fund dedicated to collecting reparations of Holocaust survivors in the German
government is defrauded of more than $42 million over 16 years by a group that
included six employees and custodians of the fund.

A. collecting reparations of Holocaust survivors in the German government is defrauded of

more than $42 million over 16 years by a group that included
B. the collection of reparations from Holocaust survivors from the German government had
been defrauded of more than $42 million over 16 years by a group that included
C. collecting reparations for Holocaust survivors from among the German government was
defrauded for greater than $42 million over 16 years by a group including
D. collecting reparations for Holocaust survivors from the German government was
defrauded of as much as $42 million in 16 years by a group which included
E. collecting reparations for Holocaust survivors from the German government was
defrauded of more than $42 million over 16 years by a group that included
9. Myanmar's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, freed recently from seven years
of house arrest, told thousands of wildly cheering supporters that she would
continue to fight for human rights and that the rule of law in the military-
controlled nation.

A. told thousands of wildly cheering supporters that she would continue to fight
for human rights and that the rule of law in the military-controlled nation.
B. told thousands of wildly cheering supporters that she would continue to fight
for human rights and the rule of law in the military-controlled nation.
C. had told thousands of wildly cheering supporters that she will continue to fight
for human rights and the rule of law in the military-controlled nation.
D. told thousands of wildly cheering supporters she would continue to fight
towards human rights and for the rule of law in the military-controlled nation.
E. has told thousands of wildly cheering supporters that she would continue to
fight for human rights and the rule of law in the military-controlled nation as well.
10. The company made eco-friendly products, including bags, coolers,
and kites from materials like discarded energy bar wrappers and yogurt
cups.

A. made eco-friendly products, including bags, coolers, and kites from

materials like discarded energy bar wrappers and yogurt cups
B. makes eco-friendly products, including bags, coolers, and kites from
materials such as discarded energy bar wrappers and yogurt cups
C. makes eco-friendly products, such as bags, coolers, and kites from
materials like discarded energy bar wrappers and yogurt cups
D. is making eco-friendly products, like bags, coolers, and kites from
materials such as discarded energy bar wrappers and yogurt cups
E. makes eco-friendly products, which include bags, coolers, and kites
out of materials like discarded energy bar wrappers and yogurt cups
1. A Use of so as to is incorrect since so as
to will never be used to replace in order to
B The use of but is incorrect since there is
no contrast in the sentence
C Were pleading is the wrong tense since we
need simple past tense to make it parallel to
called
E - The use of but is incorrect since there is
no contrast in the sentence
Answer : D
2. A - The use of is is incorrect since the sentence is in the
past tense
B Because of the use of and it seems as if the fire physically
cut off power, telephone and air conditioning services. The use
of as well at the end creates a redundancy since and has
already been used in the sentence.
C Plural were incorrectly refers to singular ship. Fire was
ignited makes it sound as if the fire was consciously ignited by a
person. Use of that to modify engine room is incorrect.
E Present tense has started is incorrect tense since the
sentence is in the past tense
Answer : D
3. B Simple past tense killed is incorrect
since the action is still continuing.
C Which incorrectly refers to last month
D Use of past perfect tense had killed is
incorrect since the sentence is in the present
tense
E Has been killing is the wrong tense. It
should be declaration and not declaring of
emergency
Answer: A
4. A The use of the past perfect tense had is
incorrect since the sentence should be in the present
tense.
B - The use of the simple past tense saw and
increased is incorrect since the sentence should be in
the present tense
D The continuous tense should be avoided as much as
possible (seeing). Also increases is incorrect since you
see something increase and not increases
E Very awkward construction. Excessive use of the
continuous tense
Answer : C
5. A. Use of past perfect tense had is incorrect since there are no
two things taking place at different times in the past.
B. The use of but is incorrect since no contrast is being implied in the
sentence
C. Use of past perfect tense had is incorrect since there are no two
things taking place at different times in the past. Will is the wrong
word since the sentence only says that this may happen.
E. The use of although is incorrect since no contrast is being implied
in the sentence
ANSWER: D
6. B awarded for is unidiomatic, the correct idiom is awarded to.
involved in is unidiomatic, go with involved with instead. spent
on and not for.
C - Use of past perfect tense had is incorrect since there are no two
things taking place at different times in the past.
D - The use of but is incorrect since no contrast is being implied in
the sentence
E - The use of whereas is incorrect since no contrast is being implied
in the sentence. Avoid the continuous tense was spending
Answer : A
7. A. Since we are referring to a continuing series is explaining is the
incorrect tense since the action has been continuing from the past (SC
Grail pg. 56)
C. involving distorts the meaning of the sentence. Since we are
referring to a continuing series has explained is the incorrect verb
since the action still continues
D. continuous distorts the meaning of the sentence. Use of past
perfect tense had is incorrect since there are no two things taking
place at different times in the past.
E. from back of the napkin makes no sense, it should be of. Since we
are referring to a continuing series was is the incorrect verb since
the action still continues
Answer : B
8. A. Reparations for is the correct expression. The sentence is in the
past tense so the verb should be was and not is.
B. Reparations for is the correct expression. from the German
government distorts the meaning of the sentence. Use of past perfect
tense had is incorrect since there are no two things taking place at
different times in the past.
C. from among the German government distorts the meaning of the
sentence. The correct expression is defrauded of and not for.
greater than is incorrect since we arent referring to size. The use of
including distorts the meaning of the sentence
D. from the German government distorts the meaning of the
sentence. The use of which is incorrect
9. A. The second that before the rule of law..... does not make
sense and creates an incomplete sentence
C. Use of past perfect tense had is incorrect since there are no two
things taking place at different times in the past. Since the sentence is
in the past tense the correct word is would and not will
D. that is missing before she would....
E. has told is in the present tense so the correct word should be will
and not would. The as well at the end of the sentence is redundant
Answer : B
10. A. like cannot be used to give examples, use such as instead
C. like cannot be used to give examples, use such as instead
D. Avoid the continuous tense making. like cannot be used to give
examples, use such as instead
E. like cannot be used to give examples, use such as instead