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Question

Difficulty: MediumVerbs, Tenses, and Aspect

Complete the sentence by entering the grammatically correct verb phrase in the blank provided.

Answer:If the board of directors had approved the budget restructuring last quarter, the firm 【would not be】 facing liquidation today.

Answer

would not be
The sentence tests mixed conditional alignment, where an unfulfilled condition in the past ('had approved') leads to a present ongoing result denoted by 'today'. The main clause requires 'would' (or 'wouldn't') followed by the bare infinitive 'be' preceding the present participle 'facing'. Therefore, 'would not be' (or 'wouldn't be') is the grammatically correct response.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the conditional clause structure
The dependent 'if'-clause uses the past perfect tense ('had approved'), denoting an unreal past condition.
Recognizing the past unreal condition establishes the baseline for mixed conditional rules.
2
Examine the temporal adverbial marker in the main clause
The main clause ends with 'today', specifying that the consequence is in the present time frame.
A past unreal condition with a present result requires a mixed conditional structure.
3
Select the appropriate modal verb aspect
The combination of 'would' + base verb ('not be') completes the progressive continuous aspect ('facing liquidation').
'Would not be' accurately reflects the present hypothetical state stemming from the past unreal event.

Key Concept

Mixed Conditionals (Past Unreal Condition with Present Consequence)
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Verbs, Tenses, and Aspect

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