Choose the correct form of the verb.
After we had changed the punctured tyre, we ________ continue our journey.
- Aare able to
- Bwere able to
- Cwas able to
- Dunable to
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
Choosing Correct Verb Form for Past Sequence
This question tests your understanding of verb tenses and subject-verb agreement in English, specifically focusing on expressing ability in the past.
Understanding the Sentence Context
The sentence describes two events that happened in the past:
- Event 1: Changing the punctured tyre.
- Event 2: Continuing the journey.
The first part, "After we had changed the punctured tyre," uses the past perfect tense ('had changed'). This tense correctly indicates an action completed before another past action. The second part of the sentence needs a verb phrase that describes what happened next, specifically the ability to continue the journey.
Analyzing Subject-Verb Agreement and Tense
The subject of the second clause is "we," which is plural. The action of continuing the journey happened after the tyre change, placing it in the past.
We need a verb phrase that:
- Is in the past tense.
- Agrees with the plural subject "we".
- Expresses the ability to perform the action ('continue our journey').
Evaluating the Options
Let's look at the options provided:
- Option 1: are able to - This uses the present tense ('are'). Since the events occurred in the past, the present tense is incorrect.
- Option 2: were able to - This uses the past tense ('were') and correctly agrees with the plural subject 'we'. It signifies the ability to continue the journey in the past.
- Option 3: was able to - This uses the past tense ('was') but is the singular form. It does not agree with the plural subject 'we'.
- Option 4: unable to - This option implies a lack of ability. While grammatically possible in a different context, it contradicts the likely meaning of continuing the journey after fixing a problem. It also lacks the necessary auxiliary verb for a complete verb phrase in this structure.
Determining the Correct Verb Form
Based on the analysis, the phrase "were able to" is the only option that correctly matches the past tense requirement and the plural subject "we", expressing the ability to continue the journey after the tyre was changed.
The completed sentence reads: "After we had changed the punctured tyre, we were able to continue our journey."
This question tests your understanding of verb tenses and subject-verb agreement in English, specifically focusing on expressing ability in the past.
Understanding the Sentence Context
The sentence describes two events that happened in the past:
- Event 1: Changing the punctured tyre.
- Event 2: Continuing the journey.
The first part, "After we had changed the punctured tyre," uses the past perfect tense ('had changed'). This tense correctly indicates an action completed before another past action. The second part of the sentence needs a verb phrase that describes what happened next, specifically the ability to continue the journey.
Analyzing Subject-Verb Agreement and Tense
The subject of the second clause is "we," which is plural. The action of continuing the journey happened after the tyre change, placing it in the past.
We need a verb phrase that:
- Is in the past tense.
- Agrees with the plural subject "we".
- Expresses the ability to perform the action ('continue our journey').
Evaluating the Options
Let's look at the options provided:
- Option 1: are able to - This uses the present tense ('are'). Since the events occurred in the past, the present tense is incorrect.
- Option 2: were able to - This uses the past tense ('were') and correctly agrees with the plural subject 'we'. It signifies the ability to continue the journey in the past.
- Option 3: was able to - This uses the past tense ('was') but is the singular form. It does not agree with the plural subject 'we'.
- Option 4: unable to - This option implies a lack of ability. While grammatically possible in a different context, it contradicts the likely meaning of continuing the journey after fixing a problem. It also lacks the necessary auxiliary verb for a complete verb phrase in this structure.
Determining the Correct Verb Form
Based on the analysis, the phrase "were able to" is the only option that correctly matches the past tense requirement and the plural subject "we", expressing the ability to continue the journey after the tyre was changed.
The completed sentence reads: "After we had changed the punctured tyre, we were able to continue our journey."