Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
English grammar forms the bedrock of effective communication. Correct tense usage is crucial for establishing the chronological order of events and ensuring clarity in writing. The given sentence, "After she (take) her lunch, she went to the theatre," contains a grammatical error related to tense consistency. This answer will correct the sentence, explain the underlying grammatical principle, and illustrate its application with further examples. Understanding these nuances is vital for aspirants as precise language is essential in answer writing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
The correct sentence is: "After she had taken her lunch, she went to the theatre."
Explanation of the Grammatical Rule
The original sentence incorrectly uses the simple past tense ("take") after the conjunction "after" when describing an action completed before another action in the past. This creates a logical inconsistency. The correct tense to use in this context is the past perfect tense ("had taken").
Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense is used to indicate an action that was completed before another action in the past. Its structure is: had + past participle of the verb. It establishes a clear sequence of events, showing which action occurred first.
Sequence of Events
In the corrected sentence, "had taken" indicates that finishing lunch happened before going to the theatre. The past perfect tense clarifies this temporal relationship. The simple past tense ("went") is correctly used for the second action, as it simply states what happened after lunch was finished.
Illustrative Examples
- Before I arrived at the station, the train had left.
- She couldn't enter the concert because she had lost her ticket.
- By the time the police arrived, the thief had escaped.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A common mistake is to use the simple past tense in both clauses after "after" or "before" when one action clearly precedes the other. Always consider the order of events and use the past perfect tense for the earlier action.
Using Conjunctions of Time
Conjunctions like 'after', 'before', 'when', 'by the time', and 'until' often signal the need for careful tense selection. When these conjunctions connect past actions, the past perfect tense is frequently required in the clause describing the earlier event.
| Conjunction | Tense Usage |
|---|---|
| After | Past Perfect in the first clause, Simple Past in the second |
| Before | Past Perfect in the clause indicating the earlier action |
| By the time | Past Perfect in the clause indicating the earlier action |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the correct sentence is "After she had taken her lunch, she went to the theatre." The use of the past perfect tense ("had taken") is essential to accurately convey the sequence of events – that lunch was completed before the theatre visit. Mastering these fundamental grammatical rules is crucial for aspirants to present their ideas clearly and effectively in the UPSC Mains examination, ensuring their answers are not penalized for grammatical errors.
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.