Question

Fill in the blank using the correct tense form of the verb:

Galileo maintained that the Earth _____ around the Sun.

• A. revolved
  
• B. revolves
  
• C. was revolving
  
• D. none of the above
  

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

revolves

Option B is correct. In a sentence, a past tense in the main clause can be followed by a present tense in the subordinate clause when the subordinate clause expresses a universal truth. Here, the subordinate clause does express a universal, scientific fact.

Option A is incorrect because "will be revolving" implies that the subordinate clause is not a universal truth and that the action has not occurred yet.

Option C is incorrect as "was revolving" implies that the subordinate clause is not a universal truth and that the Earth no longer revolves around the Sun.

Option D is incorrect since the answer is option B.