V05-38

Official Solution:

The city will lose more than one million dollars in much-needed revenue when the shopping center on Beacon Drive will close sometime in the next year and move to a different county.

A. will close sometime in the next year and move to a different county
B. closes sometime in the next year and moves to a different county
C. will close in the next year sometime and move to a different county
D. closes sometime in the next year and will move to a different county
E. will close sometime in the next year and then move to a different county


This sentence requires the recognition that the word when creates a conditional tense that requires the (e)s form of the verb, and also that both verbs in the following phrase must use parallel form. The complete and correct verb phrase, without supporting words, should read: when the shopping center closes and moves.

A. Though the verbs in this option are parallel, they are not in the e(s) form required by the word when.

B. Closes and moves are the parallel verb forms required by the word when.

C. The verb forms will close and move are not the conditional form required by the word when, and the word sometime is awkwardly placed.

D. Verb forms closes and will move are not in parallel form.

E. Then is unnecessary, and the verb forms will close and move are not in the e(s) form required by the word when.


Answer: B
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Can anyone please elaborate on - "when creates a conditional tense that requires the (e)s form of the verb"
As per my understanding the (e)s here is required because shopping center is singular. But usage of "will" in the later phrase is not correct because it demands a conditional tense whereas will gives a definite action.
Please let me know if my understanding is correct.

Agree with avisek47. Please provide inputs. Thanks

Yes the Avisek47's point is correct. One of the several uses of the conditional structure is as follows (example for Manhattan SC guide):

Particular Case (in the future) with no uncertainty:
IF Sophie EATS pizza tomorrow, THEN she WILL BECOME ill.
IF Present, THEN Future.

Since the subject is singular the simple present tense verb takes the -s ending.

I thought "if" is used for conditions and "when" is used for referring time. Please comment

You are right. The closing of shopping center is certain. Therefore "when" rather than "if" is used.

I think this the explanation isn't clear enough, please elaborate. Why is there an "s" verb form with "when". Why can't "will" be the correct verb

If you reverse the order, then he sentence reads:
When the shopping center on Beacon Drive closes sometime in the next year and moves to a different county, The city will lose more than one million dollars in much-needed revenue.

So when can be used to express condition, which is done here. so B is the correct answer choice.

Can anybody answer this?

Can anyone please paste a link to specifics of tense when 'when' is used?

GMATNinja GMATNinja2
Is there any specific rule that only the 'verb(es)' form is used with 'when'?
Why option A is wrong ? It also implies the same meaning.
Which grammatical rule is violated by option A?
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Hi,

Do 'if' and 'when' belong to some category of words that follow these 'if-then' rules.

What are other such words where this is followed ?