If the tired soldier wanted to lie down, he _______ the mattress out on the balcony.
Grammar Reasoning: Completing the Soldier Sentence
The sentence presents a conditional situation using an 'if' clause: "If the tired soldier wanted to lie down". We need to select the most appropriate verb phrase for the main clause, indicating the logical or advisable action based on the soldier's desire.
Analyzing Verb Phrase Options
- 1. should take: This phrase suggests advisability or a logical next step. If the soldier desired to lie down, it would be sensible or recommended that he take the mattress out. This fits the conditional context well.
- 2. shall take: 'Shall' is typically used for future certainty, strong determination, or formal commands, which doesn't fit the hypothetical nature of the soldier's desire.
- 3. should have taken: This refers to a past obligation or a recommended action that was *not* performed. It implies regret or a missed opportunity in the past, which is not the scenario described.
- 4. will have taken: This is the future perfect tense, indicating an action completed before a specific point in the future. It is inappropriate for this conditional sentence structure.
Therefore, 'should take' is the most appropriate choice because it correctly expresses the sensible action implied by the soldier's desire in the conditional clause.
Important Questions from English Grammar
Select the most appropriate 'one word' for the expressions given below
A person who believes in or tries to bring about a state of lawlessness
Select the most appropriate 'one word' for the expressions given below
Urging or requesting (someone) solemnly or earnestly to do something
Four words are given, out of which only one word is spelt correctly. Choose the correctly spelt word.
Select the word segment that substitutes (replaces) the bracketed word segment correctly and complete the sentence meaningfully. Select the option 'no correction required' if the sentence is correct as given.
A natural-born mechanic and tinkerer, (he kept many an old flivver on) the road.
Identify the type of the clause in the brackets.
Our neighbour (who moved in last year) wants to borrow the chainsaw.
