English tenses

[fahibi]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #120 "Perfect Tenses", question 2

That programme is so boring that it's like watching paint ..........

(a) dries
(b) dried
(c) dry
(d) has dried

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #120 "Perfect Tenses", answer 2

That programme is so boring that it's like watching paint dry.

Correct answer: (c) dry

Your answer was: incorrect
That programme is so boring that it's like watching paint dried.
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I could not understand this question

[Alan]

Hi,

If you are watching a tv programme that you do not find at all interesting or very boring, it is the same as simply watching paint dry - in other words nothing happens.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A spring in your step

[Jekkels]

Hi Alan,

I just want to be more informed with a concrete grammatical explanation on how the sentence "If you are watching a tv programme that you do not find at all interesting or very boring, it is the same as simply watching paint ____" turned out to be"dry." Did the phrase use ellipsis for paint TO dry?

Regards,
Jekkels

[Dongocan]

hi, Alan, why dry , instead of "dried"? thx
An