In the following sentence, a part of the sentence is bolded. Choose the correct alternative that best improves the bolded part.
I completed the report before the senior manager entered the office to request the final figures for the board presentation.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer: I had completed the report
Explanation:
• When two actions happen in the past, one after the other, the action that occurred first requires the Past Perfect tense (had + V3), while the later action takes the Simple Past tense (V2).
• In the given sentence, the action of finishing the report occurred before the manager entered (entered = simple past).
• Therefore, the earlier action must use the past perfect form: had completed.
Example: The train had left before we reached the station.