Which Sentence Has an Unnecessary Shift in Tense?
Identifying the Error
B. The timer keeper starts the clock and then stops it abruptly
When it comes to writing, maintaining consistency in verb tense is crucial to ensure clear communication. In the given sentences, one of them contains an unnecessary shift in tense. Let's analyze the sentences and identify the error.
Analysis
In sentence A, the phrase "The timer keeper started the clock and then stops it abruptly" contains a shift in tense. The verb "started" is in the past tense, while the verb "stops" is in the present tense. This creates confusion and disrupts the flow of the sentence.
On the other hand, sentence B maintains consistency in verb tense by using "starts" and "stops," both in the present tense. This results in a smoother and more cohesive sentence.
Answer
My guess would be A, because "started" is already past tense, and "stops" is current tense or active.
Explanation
A because b makes more sense and A doesn’t technically make sense
Which of the following sentences has an unnecessary shift in tense?
A. The timer keeper started the clock and then stops it abruptly