Question

Fill in the blank with the correct option-
Many adult students of English wish they ________ their language studies earlier.
a) Would start
b) Started
c) Would have started
d) Had started

Answer 1

Hint: Read the given sentence carefully and try to make out the core meaning of it. Differentiate between the subject and the predicate of the sentence as well.

Complete answer:
In the given question, we have to fill up the blank with the correct form of the verb/tense form of the word “start”. This, we can clearly make out of the sentence. The sentence conveys that adult students wished to start their language studies at a younger age.
Now, let us examine all the given options to find out the correct option -
Option ‘a’ is Would start. It is in the future tense, which is not needed in the given sentence. The speaker says that adults “wish they” and “earlier”, which means that the blank should be filled in with a verb of past tense.
Option ‘b’ is Started. It is in the past tense but without a helping verb. In the given sentence, a helping verb is necessary. So, this cannot be the correct option.
Option ‘c’ is Would have started. This is also an incorrect option as the usage of the verb/tense is not correct and appropriate for the sentence. So, we will eliminate this option.
Option ‘d’ is Had started. This is in the past tense and also has a helping verb. This option is perfectly suitable for the blank. As, we need the verb “start” in the past tense, with a helping verb. Hence, option ‘d’ is the correct option.

Note:
 All the other options are plausible distractions. You must take care of the verb form of the verb. It is the most important part of any sentence.