| FYP – Common Error
Examples from Student Work Common
error exercise - Verb Tense
The following 10 sentences, taken from PolyU students' work, all contain
an error in verb tense. Correct the sentences in the answerbox below.
Then click to see the correct sentence and feedback.
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Correct
sentence:
These types of indoor environment are not having
do not have enough natural ventilation.
Wrong tense usage
The verb 'to have' is rarely used in the Present Continuous
(present progressive) tense; the Present Simple is used to describe an existing
state. |
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Correct
sentence:
Unfortunately, most current kitchen designs are providing
provide an exhaust flow rate that is too high.
Wrong tense usage
The Present Simple (not present progressive)
is used to describe an existing state. |
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Correct
sentence:
Energy leakage was becoming
has become a serious problem in the past decade.
Wrong tense usage
Past progressive describes finished actions extending over a period of time.
Present perfect describes a time period starting in the past but continuing
into the present. 'The past decade' is a period which continues up to the
present, so the present perfect should be used. |
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Correct
sentence:
The total mean score, frequency and percentage were calculated for each
item and correlated with the demographic data explored to
explore their relationship.
This correction links the passive description of
the calculation and correlation processes with the reason for these activities
… to explore.
OR
The total mean score, frequency and percentage were calculated for each
item and correlated with the demographic data and explored their relationship
their relationship was explored.
This correction keeps the structure parallel. The
verbs listing action are all passive 'were calculated', 'were correlated'
, and 'was explored'
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Correct
sentence:
This chapter has introduces
introduces the background of this study
OR (at the end of the chapter
only)
This chapter has introduces introduced
the background of this study.
Redundant auxiliary.
The Present simple usually describes functions, but the present perfect
is possible if stated at the end of the chapter. The
writer has mixed two tenses. The verb should be either the present simple
(introduces) or the present perfect (has
introduced).
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Correct sentence:
As the overall economy steadily develops developed
and people's incomes increases increased,
national retail sales totalled RMB 2 billion in 1997
Wrong tense usage.
The time clause indicates the past (1997) so all verbs should be past
tense.
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Correct
sentence:
G. Licidium and G. sinense are were
chosen to be investigated in this project
Wrong tense usage. This 'choice' was an event, and
was completed in the past.
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Correct
sentence:
DeGeorge (1995) stating states
that 'ethics has have
always been a part of business'
Wrong verb form. Academic convention generally requires
that references such as this be stated in the present simple, present
perfect or simple past tense.
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Correct
sentence:
Until recently, 'curriculum' is was
defined as 'the course of action followed in providing instruction.'
OR
Until recently, 'curriculum' is has
been defined as 'the course of action followed in providing instruction.'
Wrong tense usage. The time clause (until recently)
indicates a time period from earlier to more recent past. The verb should
be in the past tense (or possibly present perfect if very recent past).
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Correct sentence:
The content of the course is closely connecting connected
to real-world situations.
Wrong verb form. '…is connected …' describes a present
state or reality, whereas 'is connecting' describes a process which is
ongoing, but not yet complete.
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