Find the part of the sentence that contains an error:
Had he been knowing (1)/ about the regulatory changes (2)/ he would not have proceeded (3)/ with the merger deal. (4)
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer
(1) — Had he been knowing
Explanation
Rule: Verbs of cognition, perception, or mental states—such as know, understand, believe, and remember—are stative verbs. Stative verbs cannot be used in continuous or progressive tenses. Furthermore, a third conditional clause inversion requires the past perfect tense.
Formula: Inverted Third Conditional Structure: Had + Subject + Past Participle (V3)
Application: The stative verb "know" cannot take the progressive form "been knowing". To properly construct the past perfect conditional inversion, it must be changed to the past participle form: "Had he known".