Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence:
The child cried as if he was in pain.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. as if he were in pain.
Context: The sentence expresses an unreal or hypothetical condition about the child’s state.
Grammatical concept: After expressions like “as if” or “as though,” we use the subjunctive form “were” to describe unreal or imaginary situations.
Analysis of the given options:
- as though he is in pain – Incorrect; does not fit the hypothetical sense properly.
- as if he were in pain – Correct; uses the proper subjunctive form.
- like he was in pain – Informal and grammatically less appropriate.
- as he was in pain – Changes the meaning of the sentence.
Correct word/phrase: As if he were in pain.
Final sentence: The child cried as if he were in pain.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.