Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option.
Peter wanted _____ a policeman.

• A. that Mary would ask
• B. Mary asking
• C. Mary should ask
• D. Mary to ask

Answer 1

The correct option is D Mary to ask

In the given sentence the word 'wanted' indicates that the sentence is in the past tense. Thus, the answer must support the tense and also maintain the consistency of the tense.

Option A is incorrect. 'would ask' is used to indicate an event that will happen in the future at a time in the past. Since the expression is not in the simple past tense, the consistency of the tense will not be maintained.

Option B is incorrect. 'asking' is the gerund/participle form of the verb 'ask' and is generally used as a conjunction. If it is used in the following context, the sub-ordinate clause would not have a main verb which will make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

Option C is incorrect. 'Mary should ask' contains a main verb 'should ask'. Since it does not contain a conjunction, having two main verbs in one sentence would make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

Option D is correct. 'Mary to ask' contains an infinitive which can be used without a conjunction. It also supports the tense of the sentence while maintaining the consistency of the sentence.