Question

Historically, an increase in the level of production virtually always leads to a reduction in unit cost. A. virtually always leads to a reduction B. are going to lead to a reduction C. would lead to a reduction D. mustn't lead to a reduction E. may lead to a reduction

Short answer

A is the correct answer.

Step-by-step solution

- Identify the Subject and Verb

The phrase 'an increase in the level of production' is the subject of the sentence. Focus on identifying the correct verb agreement.

- Match the Tense and Meaning

The phrase 'virtually always leads to' implies a consistent historical fact. Evaluate the options to find a verb phrase that matches this meaning.

- Eliminate Options

Remove options that do not match the historical fact and tense. B: 'are going to lead' suggests a future action, which doesn't align with the historical context. C: 'would lead' implies a conditional situation, which is not described. D: 'mustn't lead' states that it cannot happen, which contradicts the given context. E: 'may lead' implies a possibility rather than a consistent historical fact.

- Confirm the Correct Option

Option A is 'virtually always leads to a reduction,' which accurately reflects the consistent historical decrease in unit cost with increased production.

Key concepts

verb agreement

Verb agreement is crucial for ensuring that subjects and verbs correspond in number. In our exercise, the subject is 'an increase in the level of production.' This subject is singular.
The correct verb must also be singular to match. Review the sentence to see how the subject and verb relate.
In this context, 'virtually always leads' is correct because 'leads' is singular. Incorrect options, like 'are going to lead,' use a plural verb form, which doesn't agree with the singular subject.
It's essential to always verify that the subject and verb match in number.

historical consistency

Sentences discussing historical patterns need consistent verbs that reflect these patterns. In this exercise, the use of 'virtually always leads' shows an ongoing and reliable trend in history.
'Virtually always' suggests a repeated action over time, requiring a present simple verb to express this routine occurrence.
Incorrect options like 'mustn't lead' or 'may lead' fail to convey this consistent pattern.
When correcting sentences, ensuring that the verb form reflects the historical context is important. This preserves the intended meaning.

tense matching

Matching tenses correctly is crucial for sentence clarity. In our exercise, 'virtually always leads' uses the present simple tense because it describes a general truth based on historical observations.
Other options, such as 'are going to lead,' suggest a future event, which doesn't align with the true historical trend stated in the sentence.
'Would lead' implies a hypothetical situation. 'Mustn't lead' and 'may lead' imply necessity or possibility, respectively, instead of a factual trend.
Always ensure your verbs match the intended tense of the sentence content.

eliminating incorrect options

Effective sentence correction requires eliminating incorrect verb forms. Here’s a quick guide:
Identify the tense and meaning conveyed by the sentence. 'Virtually always leads' indicates a historical present simple fact.
Review all verb options against this context.

• Remove any verbs that don't match the historical and present nature of the statement. 'Are going to lead,' 'would lead,' 'mustn't lead,' and 'may lead' all fail in this respect.
• Understand the underlying logic of each option. Wrong choices often result because they change the sentence's meaning or tense mismatches occur.

By methodically eliminating incorrect options, you can pinpoint the correct verb usage.