Multiple choice

Directions: In the given question, select the option that expresses the central idea in the most clear, concise and correct manner.

Had the director known what he was doing, the play would have run for more than one night.

  1. Had the director known what he was doing, the play would have run for more than one night.

  2. If the director would have known what he was doing, the play would have run for more than one night.

  3. If the director would know what he was doing, the play would run for more than one night.

  4. Had the director known what he had been doing, the play would run for more than one night.

  5. If the director knew what he was doing, the play would have run for more than one night.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

(2) is wrong because the “if” clause, stating a past condition contrary to fact, requires a past–perfect subjunctive (“had known”). (3) and (4) are wrong because the “possible conclusion” clause requires the perfect form of a modal auxiliary (“would have run”). (5) uses the wrong tense of the subjunctive. (2), (3) and (5) all needlessly add “if” already implicit in the “had… known” construction, which is required in Standard Written English. Answer: (1) 

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