Writting toefl detail 7 docx

72 TOEFL EXAM ESSENTIALS

Irregular Verbs with the Same Present and Past

Participle Forms

Present Past Past Participle

come came come

overcome overcame overcome

run ran run

Review these common errors involving verb tense, so that you

can identify them on the structure test:

■ Mixed verb tenses—Switching tense within a sentence

can change its meaning. Generally, a passage that begins

in the present tense should continue in the present

tense.

■ Improper past tense—Don’t use past tense to make a

statement about a present condition.

Incorrect: Zelda met the new director. He was very tall.

(Isn’t he still tall?)

Correct: Zelda met the new director. He is very tall.

■ Subjunctive mood—The subjective mood of verbs

expresses something that is imagined, wished for, or

contrary to fact. The subjunctive of was is were.

If I were rich, I’d quit my job and move to Tahiti. (I am

not rich.)

If you were a dog, you would be entirely dependent upon

human beings. (You are not a dog.)