Standard English ConventionsMediumVerb tense consistency in a narrative
Standard English Conventions practice question
By the time the curtain rose on opening night, the cast ____ the storm scene so many times that the thunder cues felt like a heartbeat.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. had rehearsedCorrect
- B. rehearse
- C. will rehearse
- D. are rehearsing
Answer: A. had rehearsed
The earlier of two past events takes the past perfect: by opening night, the cast 'had rehearsed' for months.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. rehearse
- The present tense breaks the past narrative.
- C. will rehearse
- The future tense contradicts events already completed by opening night.
- D. are rehearsing
- The present progressive clashes with the past time frame.
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