Multiple choice

Directions: The following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice (1) repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice (1). If not, select one of the other choices.

Were the politicians to assess themselves honestly, they would find that they have lost their credibility.

  1. they have lost their credibility.

  2. they had lost their credibility.

  3. they were lost-their credibility.

  4. they lost their credibility.

  5. their credibility was lost.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The original sentence bears error of tense. They 'would find that' should be preceded in time by 'had lost', not 'have lost'. This option rectifies the error by changing 'have' to 'had'.

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