Quote:
Vehicular collisions on the interstate highway
have declined steadily during the first four months of this year but virtually remained unchanged during the next five months.
(A) have declined steadily during the first four months of this year but virtually remained unchanged
(B) declined steadily during the first four months of this year but virtually remain unchanged
(C) steadily declined during the first four months of this year but remain virtually unchanged
(D) declined steadily during the first four months of this year but have remained virtually unchanging
(E) declined steadily during the first four months of this year but have remained virtually unchanged
Experts Global Explanation:
TensePlease remember, the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “have”) is used to describe events that began and concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.
A. This answer choice incorrectly utilizes the present perfect tense (marked by the helping verb “have”) to refer to the declining of vehicular collisions, an event that concluded in the past and has no bearing on the present; simple past tense is the preferred tense for the context here. Please remember, the present perfect tense is used to describe events that began and concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.
B. This answer choice incorrectly utilizes the simple present tense verb “remain” to refer to an action that took place in the past- the number of vehicular collisions remaining unchanged.
C. This answer choice repeats the error seen in Option B, incorrectly using the simple present tense verb “remain” to refer to an action that took place in the past- the number of vehicular collisions remaining unchanged.
D. This answer choice incorrectly utilizes the present continuous verb “unchanging” to refer to the lack of change in the number of vehicular collisions; this verb cannot be used with the present perfect verb “have remained”, as the present perfect tense is used to refer to events that began and ended in the past but continue to affect the present.
E. This answer choice maintains proper tense use by referring to the event that ended in the past with the simple past tense verb “declined” and to the event that ended in the past but continues to affect the present with the present perfect tense verb “have remained”. Please remember, the present perfect tense is used to describe events that began and concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.
E is the best answer choice.