Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumConjunctions and Clause Structure

Complete the sentence below by supplying the appropriate subordinating conjunction that introduces the hypothetical clause of manner.

Answer:The presiding magistrate questioned the defense witness 【as though】 he were himself an active accomplice to the crime.

Answer

The blank is correctly filled by 'as though' or 'as if'.
The expression 'as though' (or 'as if') correctly introduces an adverbial clause of manner expressing a hypothetical scenario, which properly agrees with the past subjunctive verb 'were'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the relationship between the main clause and the subordinate clause.
The subordinate clause describes the manner in which the questioning took place while presenting an unfulfilled/hypothetical condition indicated by the subjunctive verb 'were'.
The use of the past subjunctive 'were' after a singular subject ('he') signals an imaginary or contrary-to-fact manner clause.
2
Select the appropriate conjunction introducing hypothetical manner.
The complex subordinating conjunctions 'as though' and 'as if' introduce clauses of hypothetical manner requiring subjunctive mood alignment.
Conjunctions of simple cause ('because'), real concession ('although'), or time ('when') do not license the past subjunctive 'were' in this context.

Key Concept

Conjunctions of Manner and Subjunctive Clause Structure
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Conjunctions and Clause Structure

More questions from this topic