Fill in the blank with the correct option: How did the thief _____ the padlock.
2023
Fill in the blank with the correct option:
How did the thief _____ the padlock.
- A.
open
- B.
opened
- C.
had opened
- D.
had been opening
Attempted by 8 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
The correct option is A: open.
Detailed Explanation
Grammatical Rule: In English, when using the auxiliary verb "did" to form a question in the simple past tense, the main verb that follows must be in its base form (the bare infinitive).
Application: Because the auxiliary verb "did" is already in the past tense, the main verb "open" should remain in its base form. Using a past tense or perfect tense verb (like "opened" or "had opened") after "did" is grammatically incorrect.