In the following questions, fill the blank space. _____________ before I…
2023
In the following questions, fill the blank space.
_____________ before I investigated the strange noise in the neighbourhood.
- A.
I called the police
- B.
I had called the police
- C.
I was calling the police
- D.
I should call the police
Attempted by 18 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Answer: I had called the police
Explanation: Use the past perfect to show that one past action was completed before another past action. The past perfect is formed with had + past participle.
Correct full sentence: I had called the police before I investigated the strange noise in the neighbourhood.
Why 'I had called the police' is correct: It makes clear that the calling was completed earlier than the investigating. 'Had called' (past perfect) marks the earlier of the two past events.
Why 'I called the police' is not the best choice: Simple past can describe a past action, but it does not emphasize that the calling happened before the investigating. Past perfect is preferred when you want to show the sequence clearly.
Why 'I was calling the police' is incorrect here: Past continuous indicates an action in progress at a past time, not a completed action that occurred before another past action.
Why 'I should call the police' is incorrect here: This expresses a recommendation or present-time intention and does not describe a past action that happened before another past action.