Question

Unlike the brown sparrow, the passenger pigeon (was slaughtered indiscriminately, had been slaughtered indiscriminately) and became extinct in 1914.

Short answer

The correct answer is 'had been slaughtered'. The sentence should read: 'Unlike the brown sparrow, the passenger pigeon had been slaughtered indiscriminately and became extinct in 1914.'

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Sentences Context

First look at the sentence and try to understand its context. The sentence is referring to the slaughtering of the passenger pigeon and its extinction in 1914.

Determine the Correct Verb Tense

Next, think about which verb tense is more appropriate. The action of slaughtering occurred before another action or state of being (extinction), which suggests that the past perfect tense is more suitable here.

Replace the Words in Brackets with the Correct Verb Tense

Finally, substitute the verb phrase in brackets with 'had been slaughtered'. This indicates that the event of slaughtering finished before the following event of passenger pigeons becoming extinct.

Key concepts

Past Perfect Tense

The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action or event took place in the past. It provides a way to show the sequence of past events. In the example of the passenger pigeon, we use "had been slaughtered" to signify that the act of slaughtering was finished before the pigeon's extinction in 1914.

This tense is created using "had" followed by the past participle of the main verb. Here's a simple formula to remember:

• Subject + had + past participle of the verb

Using past perfect helps clarify the timeline of activities, especially when recounting historical events or narrating a story with multiple actions happening at different times. This is why it is suitable for linking the slaughter to the extinction of the passenger pigeon.

Sentence Structure

Sentence structure refers to the proper arrangement of words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence. This ensures clarity and maintains the logical flow of ideas, which helps to convey the intended meaning effectively.

In the example provided, the sentence structure is simple:

• "Unlike the brown sparrow, the passenger pigeon had been slaughtered indiscriminately and became extinct in 1914."

This sentence uses a comparative clause ("unlike the brown sparrow") followed by the main clause. Both clauses are joined by "and," making it clear that these events are connected but distinct actions.

A well-structured sentence typically follows a subject-verb-object order, but variations can enhance the depth and complexity of your writing. It's essential to combine sentences logically and efficiently to maintain the reader's engagement.

Grammar Rules

Grammar rules serve as the guidelines for constructing sentences correctly in any language. They cover various aspects, such as verb tense usage, punctuation, and sentence construction.

Proper verb tense usage is crucial to ensure past events are understood in their correct sequence. In the context of our example, the grammar rule applied is using the past perfect tense to distinguish older past events ("had been slaughtered") from newer past events ("became extinct").

• Verb tenses must agree with the time frame being described.
• Consistency in verb tense use within a sentence is necessary to avoid confusion.

By following grammar rules and understanding the student's objective, one can better articulate thoughts and convey accurate information. These rules form the foundation of effective communication, helping writers express ideas clearly and accurately.