Standard English ConventionsHardVerb tense with 'by the time'
Standard English Conventions practice question
By the time the rescue boat ____ the couple had already reached the island on foot.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. arrived,Correct
- B. arrives,
- C. had arrived,
- D. will arrive,
Answer: A. arrived,
The earlier event is in the past perfect ('had reached'); the later one, the arrival, takes the simple past.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. arrives,
- Present clashes with 'had already reached'.
- C. had arrived,
- Two past perfects leave no later event.
- D. will arrive,
- Future clashes with the past.
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