Sentence Correction

rahulvsd wrote:Because of the destruction of cathedral treasuries during the French revolution, works of Anglo-Saxon art became scarce after the majority of the pieces find their way to France.
A. cathedral treasuries during the French revolution, works of Anglo-Saxon art became scarce after the majority of the pieces find
Incorrect.This answer choice is grammatically incorrect. In this sentence, a past action (the artworks reaching France) takes place before another past action (became scarce). Therefore, the Past Perfect tense should be used for the earlier action. This answer choice, however, uses the Present Simple (find).

B. cathedral treasuries during the French revolution, works of Anglo-Saxon art became scarce after the majority of the pieces had found
Excellent!This answer choice makes correct use of the Past Perfect tense to describe a past action (had found their way) that occurred before another past action (became scarce).The following time expressions indicate that the sentence is in the Past Perfect tense:before, after, by the time, untilRemember, the structure for Past Perfect sentences is as follows: the first verb is had, and the second verb is in the third form (V3).
Past Perfect: had + Verb in the third form (V3)

C. treasuries belonging to cathedrals during the French revolution, works of Anglo-Saxon art became scarce after the majority of the pieces had found
Incorrect.Although this answer choice corrects the original Tense mistake, it uses a redundant, four-word phrase - treasuries belonging to cathedrals - where a shorter phrase can be used. Look for a more concise answer choice.

D. cathedral treasuries during the French revolution, works of Anglo-Saxon art became scarce after the majority of the pieces are finding
Incorrect.This answer choice repeats the original Tense mistake. In the sentence, a past action (the artworks reaching France) takes place before another past action (became scarce). Therefore, the Past Perfect tense should be used for the earlier action. This answer choice, however, uses the Present Progressive (are finding).

E. cathedral treasuries during the French revolution, works of Anglo-Saxon art became scarce after the majority of the pieces found
Incorrect.This answer choice repeats the original Tenses mistake. In the sentence, a past action (the artworks reaching France) takes place before another past action (became scarce). Therefore, the Past Perfect tense should be used for the earlier action. This answer choice, however, uses the Past Simple (found).


[spoiler]OA: B.[/spoiler] Why is E also not right here? 'After' is sufficient to show the sequence of verbs so in this case do we actually need the past perfect?

"¢ cathedral treasuries during the French revolution, works of Anglo-Saxon art became scarce after the majority of the pieces found