At Versailles after the First World War, the Allies believed they had

Question

At Versailles after the First World War, the Allies believed they had drafted a treaty that  would have ensured permanent peace .

(A) would have ensured permanent peace
(B) would ensure permanent peace
(C) had ensured permanent peace
(D) will ensure permanent peace
(E) ensures permanent peace

Konstantin1983 · Answer

This is a prediction. Hence we need conditional. Eliminate C,D and E. Between A and B i opt for the former. "Would have" is used for events that never happened and this is not true here. Hence B

Abhishek009 · Answer

Must be (B) , future of past = Would ( Correct usage ), errors in other options highlighted in red.

CJWORK · Answer

Is A wrong because it is in unreal condition?

vasuca10 · Answer

daagh  sir  GMATNinja   mikemcgarry  sirs Please explain why would have is incorrect?

sumit411 · Answer

Would have  is used to show things that never happened.
Eg: I would have gone to the movie, if I had completed my project
( but you never went for a movie)

So things that never happened - would have is used

Consider kudos if that helped

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Radheya · Answer

IMO, the  conditional would   in option B is correct in this case. It is used to demonstrate expectations from the future.
Please let me know, in case, my concept is incorrect.

vasuca10 · Answer

aalekhoza  nopes buddy.....My question was in regards to would have usage

sumit411  Thanks for the example buddy...granted kudos:-)

Helium · Answer

sumit411

We use the perfective will have when we are looking back from a point in time when something will have happened.

By the end of the decade scientists will have discovered a cure for influenza.

I will phone at six o’clock. He will have got home by then.

or looking "back" from the present:

Look at the time. The match will have started.

It’s half past five. Dad will have finished work.

We use would have as the past tense form of will have:

I phoned at six o’clock. I knew he would have got home by then.
It was half past five. Dad would have finished work.

We use would have in past conditionals to talk about something that did not happen:

If it had been a little warmer we would have gone for a swim.
He would have been very angry if he had seen you.

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At Versailles after the First World War, the Allies believed they had

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At Versailles after the First World War, the Allies believed they had

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