Fill in the blank with the appropriate verb tense: He acted as if he ______ this game. (play)
A
hadn't played
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B
will not play
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C
is not playing
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D
None of the above
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Solution
The correct option is A hadn't played Option A is correct. The sentence is in the subjunctive mood, that is, it refers to an unreal situation. It is usually followed by the past subjunctive or past perfect subjunctive. In this case, it is the past perfect subjunctive (hadn't played) which implies that the subject probably knows how to play the game.
Option B and C are incorrect. In sentences with the "as if" clause, the tense must be consistent with the main clause when referring to a real situation. Thus, the clause must be in the simple present.
Option D is incorrect since the right answer is A.