16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardWere to for an unlikely condition

Standard English Conventions practice question

Were the bridge ____ tomorrow, the town would be cut off.

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

  1. A. to closeCorrect
  2. B. closes
  3. C. closing
  4. D. will close

Answer: A. to close

Were the bridge to close is the inverted form of if the bridge were to close.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. closes
A finite verb does not follow were here.
C. closing
The -ing form does not fit the inverted condition.
D. will close
Will does not belong in a condition.

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