Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
Ronald ____ left last week.

• A. should
• B. might not
• C. could
• D. might have

Answer 1

The correct option is D might have

In the sentence, 'left' is the main verb and it is in its past participle form. Thus, the answer should be an auxiliary that completes that verb 'left'. According to rules of usage, a verb can be used in it past participle form only when the tense is in its perfect form. Thus, the answer must be an auxiliary in a perfect tense.

Option A is incorrect. 'should' is in the simple past tense and not a perfect tense. Thus, it will make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

Option B is incorrect. 'might not' is in the simple past tense and not a perfect tense. Thus, using it will make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

Option C is incorrect. 'could' is in the simple past tense and not a perfect tense. Thus, using it will make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

Option D is correct. 'might have' is in the past perfect tense. Thus, it justifies the presence of 'left'. Thus, it is the correct answer.