16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardVerb tense for a completed past action before another

Standard English Conventions practice question

By the time the county show opened, the judges ____ every entry twice.

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

  1. A. had tastedCorrect
  2. B. have tasted
  3. C. taste
  4. D. are tasting

Answer: A. had tasted

An action completed before another past action takes the past perfect.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. have tasted
'Have tasted' is present perfect and doesn't fit 'by the time the show opened'.
C. taste
Present tense.
D. are tasting
Present progressive.

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