Standard English ConventionsHardPast perfect for the earlier of two past events
Standard English Conventions practice question
By the time the coastguard arrived, the crew ____ the boat onto the beach.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. had already draggedCorrect
- B. already drag
- C. have already dragged
- D. already dragging
Answer: A. had already dragged
The dragging was complete before the coastguard arrived: past perfect.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. already drag
- Present tense clashes with 'arrived'.
- C. have already dragged
- Present perfect doesn't sit before a past event.
- D. already dragging
- 'Dragging' leaves no finite verb.
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