Verb tense and consistency — Digital SAT Reading & Writing practice
Choose the tense the time clues require.
Key ideas to know
Maintaining Tense Consistency
The archaeologist discovered the ruins and ___ a detailed report last month. (A) writes (B) wrote (C) has written (D) had written
(B) wrote. The time clue last month requires simple past. Since the passage describes completed past actions, keep the tense consistent with discovered.
Watch out: Switching to present or perfect tense when the entire context remains firmly in the past without a time shift.
Past perfect
By the time the rescue team arrived, the hikers ___ shelter in a cave. (A) found (B) had found (C) have found (D) were finding
B. Past perfect (had + past participle) shows an event completed before another past event. The hikers found shelter before the team arrived.
Watch out: Using the simple past for both actions when one clearly happened earlier than the other.
Present Perfect Tense Usage
The city council ___ several new parks since the mayor took office in 2018. (A) opened (B) has opened (C) was opening (D) had opened
(B) has opened. Present perfect links a past action to the present or shows it started in the past and continues. Since + specific past date requires present perfect.
Watch out: Choosing simple past when the time phrase includes since, for, or already, which demand present perfect.
Time Word Tense Traps
Identify the error and correct it: By next summer, the construction crew will complete the bridge.
The verb tense is incorrect for the time clue by next year. Use future perfect (will have + past participle). Correct: By next summer, the construction crew will have completed the bridge.
Watch out: Ignoring by + future date and using simple future instead of future perfect to show completion before that point.
Literary and Historical Present
In the novel, the protagonist ___ a journey across the desert to find his lost brother. (A) embarks (B) embarked (C) has embarked (D) had embarked
(A) embarks. Use present tense to describe what a text says or for general truths. The author currently narrates this plot point, so simple present is correct.
Watch out: Using past tense to describe plot events as if they happened historically, rather than recognizing the text exists in the present.