16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardTense consistency in a past narrative

Standard English Conventions practice question

The tide turned at noon, the wind ____ round to the west, and the boats came home early.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. swungCorrect
  2. B. swings
  3. C. has swung
  4. D. swinging

Answer: A. swung

The series 'turned, swung, and came' stays in the simple past.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. swings
'Swings' shifts to the present.
C. has swung
'Has swung' shifts to the present perfect.
D. swinging
'Swinging' leaves no finite verb.

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