16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumIrregular past participle of 'eat'

Standard English Conventions practice question

The children had ____ all of the cake before the guests arrived.

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

  1. A. eatenCorrect
  2. B. ate
  3. C. eat
  4. D. eating

Answer: A. eaten

After 'had', the verb takes its past participle. The participle of 'eat' is 'eaten'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. ate
'ate' is the simple past; 'had ate' is not standard.
C. eat
'had eat' leaves the verb in its base form.
D. eating
'had eating' is not a standard form.

More Standard English Conventions questions

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