Question

The assessment of the Director was pessimistic ago two weeks. A. The assessment of the Director was pessimistic ago two weeks. B. The Director’s assessment was pessimistic before two weeks. C. Two weeks before the assessment of the Director was pessimistic. D. Two weeks ago the Director’s assessment is pessimistic. E. Two weeks ago the assessment of the Director was pessimistic.

Short answer

E: Two weeks ago the assessment of the Director was pessimistic.

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Sentence

Read the original sentence: 'The assessment of the Director was pessimistic ago two weeks.' The phrase 'ago two weeks' is incorrect English and needs to be corrected to proper grammar.

- Identify Possible Corrections

Look at the given options for correct sentences: A, B, C, D, and E. Compare them to identify which correctly uses English grammar and maintains the meaning.

- Analyze the Options

Evaluate each sentence: - Option A: Repeats the same error as the original sentence. - Option B: Uses 'before two weeks' which is still incorrect grammar. - Option C: Puts 'two weeks before' at an unnatural position. - Option D: Uses 'is pessimistic' instead of 'was pessimistic', which changes the verb tense. - Option E: Correctly uses 'two weeks ago' which is appropriate for the sentence.

- Choose the Correct Sentence

Since Option E uses proper grammar and maintains the intended meaning, it is the correct version: 'Two weeks ago the assessment of the Director was pessimistic.'

Key concepts

Grammar Correction

Grammar correction is crucial in ensuring that a sentence is clear and properly structured. In the original exercise sentence 'The assessment of the Director was pessimistic ago two weeks,' the phrase 'ago two weeks' is grammatically incorrect. The word 'ago' should precede a specific time period. Therefore, 'two weeks ago' is the correct placement. Grammar corrections often involve checking the proper placement of words, ensuring subject-verb agreement, and using appropriate pronouns and prepositions. For instance:

• The misplaced modifier 'ago two weeks' needs correcting to 'two weeks ago.'
• Other potentials errors like 'before two weeks' or verb tense inconsistency in 'is pessimistic' instead of 'was pessimistic' need to be identified and corrected.

Correcting grammar issues enhances readability and understanding of the sentence.

Sentence Structure

A well-structured sentence conveys the intended meaning clearly and effectively. The original sentence 'The assessment of the Director was pessimistic ago two weeks' suffers from poor sentence structure due to the incorrect placement of the time phrase. Correcting this involves reorganizing the sentence for clarity. In English, time phrases typically come at the start or end of a sentence. The suitable reconstruction is 'Two weeks ago the assessment of the Director was pessimistic.' Here are some key points for effective sentence structure:

• Ensure that time phrases like 'two weeks ago' are placed naturally within the sentence.
• Keep subjects and verbs close together to maintain sentence coherence.
• Avoid awkward or unnatural word orders that may confuse the reader.

Good sentence structure aids in the smooth flow and comprehension of the text.

Verb Tense

Verb tense consistency is vital to clearly express the timing of an action. In the exercise sentence, 'The assessment of the Director was pessimistic ago two weeks,' the tense 'was' indicates a past event. However, the original sentence muddles the timing phrase, 'ago two weeks,' which should be 'two weeks ago' to properly reflect the past event. Here are some key verb tense tips:

• Ensure the verb tense matches the time frame indicated by the context of the sentence. 'Was pessimistic' is correct for an evaluation made in the past.
• Maintain tense consistency throughout the sentence to avoid confusion.
• Be cautious of sentences that might inadvertently switch tenses, changing the intended meaning.

Proper verb tense usage is essential for accurately representing the timing of actions and maintaining clarity for the reader.