Register    Login    Search    Rss Feeds

Forums Home » Ask An Instructor » GMAT Verbal » Manhattan GMAT Verbal Strategy Guides


 Page 1 of 1 [ 2 posts ] 



  Print view Print view Previous topic Previous topic | Next topic Next topic
 

Tenses: When to use two tenses and when to use the pefect?

Author Message
afvatcha
 Post subject: Tenses: When to use two tenses and when to use the pefect?
 Post Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:22 pm 
Offline
Course Students


Posts: 34
Hi,

I have a question on when to switch between tenses (two in the same sentence) and when to use the Present Perfect and Past Perfect.

For instance in the 2007 study guide (pg. 45) the is a sample sentence:

"He IS thin now because he SPENT the last six months on an intensive diet."

Is this an example of a sentence that is considered wrong on the GMAT and you should switch from two tenses (in the same sentence) to the present perfect?

Are two tenses in one sentence always wrong on the GMAT?
Top 
esledge
 Post subject: Re: Tenses: When to use two tenses and when to use the pefect?
 Post Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 4:27 pm 
Offline
ManhattanGMAT Staff


Posts: 901
Location: St. Louis, MO
afvatcha wrote:
"He IS thin now because he SPENT the last six months on an intensive diet."

Is this an example of a sentence that is considered wrong on the GMAT and you should switch from two tenses (in the same sentence) to the present perfect?

Not wrong at all! The rule is "don't change tenses UNLESS there is a clear, compelling reason to do so." The time language "now" and "the last six months" provide the justification for switching tenses.

afvatcha wrote:
Are two tenses in one sentence always wrong on the GMAT?

Nope! In fact, one of the other perfect tenses must ALWAYS be used with another tense.

He COMPETED in his first marathon after he HAD TRAINED for four months.

HAD TRAINED = past perfect, for the earlier of two past actions.
COMPETED = simple past, for the more recent of two past actions.

_________________
Emily Sledge
Instructor
ManhattanGMAT
Top 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
 
 Page 1 of 1 [ 2 posts ] 





Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests

 
 

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: