16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardConditional perfect after an inverted if-clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

Had the committee read the report more carefully, it ____ the error in the second table.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. would have noticedCorrect
  2. B. will notice
  3. C. noticed
  4. D. would notice

Answer: A. would have noticed

Had the committee read is a past unreal condition, which pairs with would have.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. will notice
Future for a past condition.
C. noticed
A plain past does not express the unreal result.
D. would notice
Would notice is for a present or future condition.

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