Sentence Correction Doubt

Expert replies

karishma315: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 25; Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2016 1:55 am

by karishma315 » Sat Mar 11, 2017 6:37 am

Please explain the below point:

Past Perfect can make a tricky sentence in which the first clause
expresses an early action in Simple Past. Then, a second clause expresses a later action in
Past Perfect to indicate continued effect (by a still later past time).

Right: The band U2 WAS just one of many new groups on the rock music scene
in the early 1980's, but less than ten years later, U2 HAD fully ECLIPSED
its early rivals in the pantheon of popular music.

Should'nt be past perfect be used for an earlier event

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Sat Mar 11, 2017 6:37 am

GMAT/MBA Expert

Ali Tariq: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 272; Joined: Wed Nov 09, 2016 11:11 amFollowed by: 204 members; Location: Lahore, Pakistan; Thanked: 87 times

by Ali Tariq » Sat Mar 11, 2017 9:23 pm

Please explain the below point:

Past Perfect can make a tricky sentence in which the first clause
expresses an early action in Simple Past. Then, a second clause expresses a later action in
Past Perfect to indicate continued effect (by a still later past time).

Source please.

_________________
www.GMAT.pk

Contact for drastic improvement in just a few days.

Like this post

monmonsta: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 11; Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2017 11:12 pm

by monmonsta » Thu Apr 06, 2017 6:13 am

Ali Tariq wrote:
Please explain the below point:

Past Perfect can make a tricky sentence in which the first clause
expresses an early action in Simple Past. Then, a second clause expresses a later action in
Past Perfect to indicate continued effect (by a still later past time).
Source please.

I think it's from the MGMAT guide for SC

Like this post

monmonsta: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 11; Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2017 11:12 pm

by monmonsta » Thu Apr 06, 2017 6:19 am

karishma315 wrote:Please explain the below point:

Past Perfect can make a tricky sentence in which the first clause
expresses an early action in Simple Past. Then, a second clause expresses a later action in
Past Perfect to indicate continued effect (by a still later past time).

Right: The band U2 WAS just one of many new groups on the rock music scene
in the early 1980's, but less than ten years later, U2 HAD fully ECLIPSED
its early rivals in the pantheon of popular music.

Shouldn't past perfect be used for an earlier event

Hi,

This is one of the trickier ones. The first clause is in simple past. Then, there's a time frame mentioned (less than 10 years later) and then it says that u2 HAD eclipsed meaning it happened before that timeframe . Although this "eclipsed" action is not the earliest one in the three scenarios (first clause and two incidents in the second clause) , it is the earliest one in the second clause. So, it justifies the use of past perfect in the second clause.

Like this post

GMATGuruNY: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 15539; Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pmFollowed by: 1906 members; Location: New York, NY; Thanked: 13060 times; GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Fri Apr 07, 2017 4:08 am

karishma315 wrote:Please explain the below point:

Past Perfect can make a tricky sentence in which the first clause
expresses an early action in Simple Past. Then, a second clause expresses a later action in
Past Perfect to indicate continued effect (by a still later past time).

Right: The band U2 WAS just one of many new groups on the rock music scene
in the early 1980's, but less than ten years later, U2 HAD fully ECLIPSED
its early rivals in the pantheon of popular music.

Should'nt be past perfect be used for an earlier event

One purpose of the past perfect is to express an action COMPLETED BEFORE ANOTHER PAST EVENT.
Here, less than ten years after the early 1980's is the equivalent of by 1990.
-----U2 had eclipsed-----1990-----present
Since the action in red is completed before the past event in blue, the usage of the past perfect is warranted.

Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3

Like this post

Post new topic Locked

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

559 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review