Verb Errors - Part 1/4

This section of our course will review those errors most commonly presented in the CPE and teach you what to look for. We will not review here the basic rules of grammar, such as the formation and use of the different tenses and the passive voice, the subjective and objective cases of pronouns, the position of adjectives and adverbs, and the like. We assume that a candidate for the CPE is familiar with basic grammar, and we will concentrate on error recognition based on that knowledge.

1. Errors in verb tense.

Always check if the correct verb tense has been used in your sentence:

INCORRECT

When I came home, the kids still didn't finish dinner.

CORRECT

When I came home, the kids still hadn't finished dinner.

INCORRECT

As we ate dinner, the phone rang.

CORRECT

As we were eating dinner, the phone rang.

In Reported Speech, check that the rule of sequence of tenses has been observed:

INCORRECT

She promised she will come.

CORRECT

She promised she would come.

INCORRECT

She said she doesn't know his phone number.

CORRECT

She said she didn't know his phone number.

INCORRECT

She claimed she has never been there.

CORRECT

She claimed she had never been there.

2. Errors in tense formation.

Check if the tense has been formed correctly. Know the past participle of irregular verbs!

INCORRECT

He throwed it out the window.

CORRECT

He threw it out the window.

INCORRECT

Having just drank some water, I wasn't thirsty.

CORRECT

Having just drunk some water, I wasn't thirsty.

3. Errors in subject–verb agreement.

Check if the subject of the verb is singular or plural. Does the verb agree in number? Multiple subjects will be connected by the word AND:

Ted, John, and I are going.

If a singular subject is separated by a comma from an accompanying phrase, it remains singular:

The bride, together with the groom and her parents, is receiving at the door.

INCORRECT

There is many reasons why I can't help you.

CORRECT

There are many reasons why I can't help you.

INCORRECT

Dr Lloyd, accompanied by his wife, were at the party.

CORRECT

Dr Lloyd, accompanied by his wife, was at the party.

INCORRECT

His mastery of several languages and the social graces make him a sought-after dinner guest.

CORRECT

His mastery of several languages and the social graces makes him a sought-after dinner guest.