Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
If Bruce had been careful, he _____________ had an accident.

• A. has
• B. have
• C. wouldn't
• D. wouldn't have

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

wouldn't have

A sentence is in the type 3 conditional refers to an unreal past condition (if-clause) and its probable result (main clause).

The given sentence shows a type 3 conditional, as the if-clause tells an unreal past action and the would-clause tells its probable result.

In such a sentence, the tenses are:

if clause - if + past perfect

and

main clause - perfect conditional/perfect continuous conditional

The if-clause "if Bruce had been careful" is in the past perfect tense, hence the main clause is a perfect conditional.

Option D: 'Wouldn't have' is a perfect conditional, hence it's the most suitable option for the given sentence, and option D is correct.

Options A and B: 'Has' and 'have' are in the present tense, whereas the if-clause is in the past.

Option C: 'Wouldn't' is missing the auxiliary 'have'. Without it, the meaning of the sentence is left incomplete.

Note: The first 'have' is an auxiliary verb, a helping verb and the second 'had' is the main verb. Both have different meanings. The first verb expresses the tense whereas the second means 'to experience or undergo'.

Hence options A, B and C are incorrect.