Find the part of the sentence that contains an error:
By the time we reached (1) / the stadium, the match (2) / already starts. (3) / We were disappointed(4).
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer
already starts. (3)
Explanation
The sentence describes two actions that happened in the past: reaching the stadium and the match starting. To solve this quickly for an exam, analyze the time relationship between these two past actions.
The phrase "By the time we reached" and "We were disappointed" are in the simple past tense, showing that the whole scenario took place in the past. When two actions happen in the past, the action that completed first must be written in the Past Perfect Tense (had + past participle).
Since the match began before they arrived, "already starts" (which is present tense) is grammatically incorrect. It should be changed to "had already started". Therefore, part 3 contains the error, making Option 3 the correct choice.
Key Points
Spotting errors with multiple past actions requires using the past perfect tense for the event that happened first.
The present tense form "already starts" violates the past time frame established by the surrounding clauses.