Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
They would have gone home if we _____________ here.

• A. aren't
• B. won't be
• C. hadn't been
• D. are

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

hadn't been

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 main clause "They would have gone home" is in the perfect conditional, hence the if-clause is in the past perfect tense.

Option C: 'Hadn't been' is in the past perfect tense, hence it's the most suitable option for the given sentence, and option C is correct.

Options A and D: 'Aren't' and 'are' are in the present tense, whereas the main clause is in the past.

Option B: 'Won't be' expresses the future tense whereas the sentence is in the past. It's a past conditional with its probable result.

Hence options A, B and D are incorrect.