A part of the following sentence is underlined. Choose the option that can replace the underlined part to improve the sentence. In case Options A, B and C are not found suitable, choose Option D: 'No Improvement Required.'
The governor assured the media that the crisis was under control and would be soon overcome by the efforts of the administration.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The original sentence is in indirect speech (reported speech), indicated by the reporting verb 'assured' and the conjunction 'that.'
Since the reporting verb ('assured') and the first part of the statement ('was under control') are in the past tense, the future-in-the-past form 'would' is correct.
Adverb Placement): In English, adverbs of time like 'soon' are most naturally placed between the auxiliary verb and the main verb.
Original: 'would be soon overcome' (slightly awkward)
Option B: 'would soon be overcome' (standard)
‘would be soon overcome by’ should be replaced with ‘would soon be overcome by’.