Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one. Some sentences have two correct answers. Choose both.
1The committee insisted that the chair ............... the conflict of interest before the vote.
Wrong!
After "insisted that," formal English uses the base subjunctive "declare" for a required action.
2If the witness ............... the truth, the timeline would have collapsed under cross-examination.
Wrong!
In an unreal past condition, the if-clause uses the past perfect "had told".
3I would rather she ............... it up in front of the clients tomorrow, given how tense the room was last time.
Wrong!
After "would rather" plus a new subject, use the past form "did not bring" for an unreal preference about the present or future; "had not brought" is only for the past.
4The CEO spoke as though the merger ............... a done deal, but the regulators had not even opened the file.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "as though," both "was" and the more formal irrealis "were" are acceptable here.
5Be that as it ..............., we still have to publish the correction before the story spreads further.
Wrong!
The fixed concessive expression is "may" in "Be that as it may."
6If it ............... not for her constant intervention, the negotiations would break down entirely.
Wrong!
The standard irrealis phrase for a present situation is "If it were not for"; "would" is not used in the if-clause.
7The judge ordered that the defendant ............... into custody immediately.
Wrong!
After "ordered that," formal English uses the passive base subjunctive "be taken".
8Suppose the data ............... tomorrow, how would you justify the conclusions in the report?
Wrong!
After "Suppose" in a hypothetical situation, the past form "leaked" expresses irrealis meaning.
9The policy requires that every applicant ............... a passport photo with the form.
Wrong!
After "requires that," formal English uses the base subjunctive "submit".
10Had I ............... the fine print, I would never have signed that contract.
Wrong!
In the inverted third conditional, "Had I" is followed by the past participle "read".
11The minister suggested that the inquiry ............... in public, not behind closed doors.
Wrong!
After "suggested that," formal English uses the passive base subjunctive "be held".
12If I ............... you, I would take that offer without hesitation.
Wrong!
For unreal advice, the if-clause uses the irrealis form "were" in "If I were you."
Answers
- The committee insisted that the chair declare the conflict of interest before the vote.
- If the witness had told the truth, the timeline would have collapsed under cross-examination.
- I would rather she did not bring it up in front of the clients tomorrow, given how tense the room was last time.
- The CEO spoke as though the merger was / were a done deal, but the regulators had not even opened the file.
- Be that as it may, we still have to publish the correction before the story spreads further.
- If it were not for her constant intervention, the negotiations would break down entirely.
- The judge ordered that the defendant be taken into custody immediately.
- Suppose the data leaked tomorrow, how would you justify the conclusions in the report?
- The policy requires that every applicant submit a passport photo with the form.
- Had I read the fine print, I would never have signed that contract.
- The minister suggested that the inquiry be held in public, not behind closed doors.
- If I were you, I would take that offer without hesitation.