FYP – Common Error Examples from Student Work https://elc.polyu.edu.hk/fyp/html/tenseEx.

htm

FYP – Common Error Examples from Student Work

Common error exercise - Verb Tense

The following 10 sentences, taken from PolyU students' work, all contain an error in verb
tense. Correct the sentences in the answerbox below.
Then click to see the correct sentence and feedback.

These types of indoor environment are not having enough natural ventilation.

Correct sentence:
These types of indoor environment are not having do not have enough natural ventilation.
Wrong tense usage
The verb 'to have' is rarely used in the Present Continuous (present progressive) tense;
the Present Simple is used to describe an existing state.
Unfortunately, most current kitchen designs are providing an exhaust flow rate
that is too high.

Correct sentence:
Unfortunately, most current kitchen designs are providing provide an exhaust flow rate
that is too high.
Wrong tense usage
The Present Simple (not present progressive) is used to describe an existing state.
Energy leakage was becoming a serious problem in the past decade.

Correct sentence:
Energy leakage was becoming has become a serious problem in the past decade.
Wrong tense usage
Past progressive describes finished actions extending over a period of time. Present
perfect describes a time period starting in the past but continuing into the present. 'The
past decade' is a period which continues up to the present, so the present perfect should
be used.
The total mean score, frequency and percentage were calculated for each item and
correlated with the demographic data and explored their relationship.

Correct sentence:
The total mean score, frequency and percentage were calculated for each item and
correlated with the demographic data explored to explore their relationship.
This correction links the passive description of the calculation and correlation processes
with the reason for these activities … to explore.

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FYP – Common Error Examples from Student Work https://elc.polyu.edu.hk/fyp/html/tenseEx.htm

OR
The total mean score, frequency and percentage were calculated for each item and
correlated with the demographic data and explored their relationship their relationship
was explored.
This correction keeps the structure parallel. The verbs listing action are all passive 'were
calculated', 'were correlated' , and 'was explored'

This chapter has introduces the background of this study.

Correct sentence:
This chapter has introduces introduces the background of this study
OR (at the end of the chapter only)
This chapter has introduces introduced the background of this study.
Redundant auxiliary.
The Present simple usually describes functions, but the present perfect is possible if
stated at the end of the chapter.

The writer has mixed two tenses. The verb should be either the present simple
(introduces) or the present perfect (has introduced).

As the overall economy steadily develops and people's income increases, national
retail sales totalled RMB 2 billion in 1997.

Correct sentence:
As the overall economy steadily develops developed and people's incomes increases
increased, national retail sales totalled RMB 2 billion in 1997
Wrong tense usage.
The time clause indicates the past (1997) so all verbs should be past tense.

G. Licidium and G. sinense are chosen to be investigated in this project.

Correct sentence:
G. Licidium and G. sinense are were chosen to be investigated in this project
Wrong tense usage. This 'choice' was an event, and was completed in the past.

DeGeorge (1995) stating that 'ethics has always been a part of business'.

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FYP – Common Error Examples from Student Work https://elc.polyu.edu.hk/fyp/html/tenseEx.htm

Correct sentence:
DeGeorge (1995) stating states that 'ethics has have always been a part of business'
Wrong verb form. Academic convention generally requires that references such as this be
stated in the present simple, present perfect or simple past tense.

Until recently, 'curriculum' is defined as 'the course of action followed in

providing instruction.'

Correct sentence:
Until recently, 'curriculum' is was defined as 'the course of action followed in providing
instruction.' OR
Until recently, 'curriculum' is has been defined as 'the course of action followed in
providing instruction.'
Wrong tense usage. The time clause (until recently) indicates a time period from earlier
to more recent past. The verb should be in the past tense (or possibly present perfect if
very recent past).

The content of the course is closely connecting to real-world situations.

Correct sentence:
The content of the course is closely connecting connected to real-world situations.
Wrong verb form. '…is connected …' describes a present state or reality, whereas 'is
connecting' describes a process which is ongoing, but not yet complete.

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