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Question

Difficulty: HardVerbs, Tenses, and Aspect

Which of the following options best completes the sentence below?

'The lead investigator addressed the press conference as though he _____ the entire sequence of events prior to the robbery, even though he was nowhere near the building at the time.'

  1. had witnessedAnswer
  2. B
    witnesses
  3. C
    has witnessed
  4. D
    witnessed

Answer

The correct option is 'had witnessed'.
The conjunction 'as though' introduces a hypothetical or contrary-to-fact statement. Because the main verb 'addressed' is in the simple past and the event in the subordinate clause took place before the address, the past perfect verb form 'had witnessed' is required to mark the prior unreal aspect.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main clause verb tense and the clause structure
The main verb 'addressed' is in the simple past tense. The subordinate clause is introduced by the hypothetical conjunction 'as though'.
The conjunction 'as though' indicates an unreal or hypothetical mood (subjunctive).
2
Determine the time relationship between the main action and the subordinate clause action
The action in the 'as though' clause ('witnessing the events') occurred before the main action ('addressed').
To express an unreal or contrary-to-fact situation in the past that predates another past action, English requires the past perfect subjunctive.
3
Select the correct tense and aspect form
'had witnessed' fulfills both the unreal past requirement and the prior time aspect.
Using 'had witnessed' correctly forms the past perfect subjunctive in harmony with the past reference point.

Key Concept

Unreal Past Subjunctive with 'As Though' / 'As If'
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Verbs, Tenses, and Aspect

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