Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The question, "The decision before I joined the meeting. (Make)" is a test of grammatical proficiency, specifically focusing on the correct usage of tenses and sentence structure. It requires the candidate to complete the sentence by appropriately using the word "make" to convey a past action that occurred before another past action. The core challenge lies in recognizing the need for a past perfect continuous tense to indicate an ongoing decision process that preceded the act of joining the meeting. A well-constructed answer will demonstrate a strong command of English grammar and the ability to express complex ideas concisely.
The correct completion of the sentence is: "The decision was being made before I joined the meeting." This utilizes the past perfect continuous tense ("was being made") to accurately depict an action that was in progress before another action occurred in the past ("joined").
Explanation of Grammatical Choices
The original sentence fragment lacks a verb and a clear indication of the timing of the decision. Several options might seem plausible at first glance, but only the past perfect continuous tense accurately conveys the intended meaning.
Why other options are incorrect:
- "The decision made before I joined the meeting." – This uses the simple past tense, implying the decision was completed before joining, which doesn't necessarily reflect a process.
- "The decision was made before I joined the meeting." – This also uses the simple past passive, suggesting completion rather than an ongoing process.
- "The decision is made before I joined the meeting." – This uses the present tense, which is incorrect as the context is entirely past.
- "The decision making before I joined the meeting." – This is grammatically incorrect; "making" requires a helping verb.
The Importance of Tense in Context
Understanding the relationship between events in time is crucial for effective communication. The past perfect continuous tense is specifically used to describe an action that was ongoing for a period of time before another action interrupted it or occurred. In this case, the decision-making process was underway before the candidate joined the meeting.
Illustrative Examples
To further clarify the use of the past perfect continuous tense, consider these examples:
- "They were discussing the budget before the CEO arrived."
- "She was preparing the presentation for hours before her boss asked for it."
Alternative Phrasing (Maintaining Correct Tense)
While "The decision was being made before I joined the meeting" is the most direct and accurate completion, slight variations are possible without altering the core meaning:
- "Decisions were being made before I joined the meeting." (If multiple decisions were in progress)
- "A decision was being made before I joined the meeting." (Emphasizing a single, specific decision)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the correct completion of the sentence is "The decision was being made before I joined the meeting," utilizing the past perfect continuous tense to accurately convey an ongoing process preceding another past event. A strong grasp of English grammar, particularly tense usage, is essential for clear and effective communication, and this exercise highlights the importance of selecting the most appropriate tense to reflect the intended meaning and temporal relationship between actions.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.