16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardPast perfect for the earlier of two past events

Standard English Conventions practice question

By the time the fog lifted, the fishing fleet ____ for the shelter of the bay.

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

  1. A. had already runCorrect
  2. B. already runs
  3. C. has already run
  4. D. already running

Answer: A. had already run

The fleet's run was complete before the fog lifted: past perfect.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. already runs
Present tense clashes with 'lifted'.
C. has already run
Present perfect doesn't sit before a past event.
D. already running
'Running' leaves no finite verb.

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