Choose the word or phrase which best completes the sentence. I did not like…
2023
Choose the word or phrase which best completes the sentence.
I did not like his comments on my book but I said nothing as I ………………………. to keep quiet.
- A.
Had agreed
- B.
agreed
- C.
was agreeing
- D.
would agree
Attempted by 67 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct answer: Had agreed
Explanation: The past perfect 'had agreed' is used because the agreement to keep quiet happened before the past action of saying nothing. Using past perfect makes the sequence of past events clear: first the agreement, then the act of remaining silent.
Why past perfect is appropriate:
Past perfect shows an action completed before another past action.
Formation: had + past participle (example: She had finished the test.)
Simple past 'agreed' might sometimes be used in casual speech, but it does not emphasize that the agreement was prior to the speaker's remaining silent.
Example in the sentence: "I did not like his comments on my book, but I said nothing, as I had agreed to keep quiet."