Question

In the following question, a sentence has been given with a highlighted phrase in it. Choose the best alternative to replace the highlighted phrase so as to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct. If no replacement is required, choose option E. Had the coast guard officials not deployed floating booms promptly, the oil spill could have damaged the delicate marine ecosystem off the southern coast.

Q: Answer-In the following question, a sentence has been given with a highlighted phrase in it. Choose the bes...

Explanation Concept Tested Third Conditional Sentences Unreal Past Condition. Why Option E is correct The sentence uses an inverted Third Conditional structure Had Subject V3... Subject couldwouldmight have V3. Condition part Had the coast guard officials not deployed... Result part ...the oil spill could have damaged... Since the original phrase is completely correct, no replacement is required. Why other options are wrong Option A uses could damage present modal which breaks the past conditional rule. Option B uses would have damage instead of the past participle form damaged. Option C uses had damaged, which makes the result clause sound like a simple past fact instead of a conditional possibility. Option D uses might damage which incorrectly shifts to the presentfuture tense. Correct Sentence Had the coast guard officials not deployed floating booms promptly, the oil spill could have damaged the delicate marine ecosystem off the southern coast.