In the following sentence, a part of the sentence is bolded. Choose the correct alternative that best improves the bolded part.
The pilot had been more vigilant regarding the weather reports, the emergency landing could have been successfully averted.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer: Had the pilot been
Explanation
• The sentence expresses a third conditional idea (an unreal past condition with a past result): If + subject + had + V3, subject + could/would + have + V3.
• When if is omitted in a third conditional sentence, inversion takes place: Had + subject + past participle (V3).
• Therefore, Had the pilot been correctly replaces the given phrase to form a grammatically valid conditional clause.
Example: Had she worked harder, she would have passed the exam.