Standard English ConventionsHardPast perfect in an 'after' clause
Standard English Conventions practice question
After the last guests ____, the hosts finally cleared the table.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. had leftCorrect
- B. leave
- C. will leave
- D. leaving
Answer: A. had left
The guests' leaving came before the past action of clearing the table. The earlier of two past events takes the past perfect: 'had left'.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. leave
- 'leave' is present tense, but the clearing is in the past.
- C. will leave
- 'will leave' is future.
- D. leaving
- 'leaving' isn't a complete verb; the clause would have no main verb.
More Standard English Conventions questions
- Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? ____, the ancient… - Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? By the time the t… - Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The bridge was cl… - Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The grant will fu… - Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Students ____ com… - Hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Having studied th…
Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.