Around the World in 80 Questions (Day 9): Although British and French

Experts' Global Official Explanation:

Verb Forms + Redundancy/Awkwardness + Meaning

• The simple future tense is used to refer to actions that will take place in the future.
• The simple present continuous tense is used to refer to actions that are currently ongoing and continuous in nature.

A. Correct. This answer choice correctly uses the simple future tense verb phrase “would gradually undermine” to refer to a hypothetical future event. Further, Option A is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

B. This answer choice incorrectly uses the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” - “to + be” in this sentence)”to refer to a hypothetical future action; please remember, the simple future tense is used to refer to an action that will take place in the future. Further, Option B uses the needlessly wordy phrase “be a gradual undermining of it”, leading to awkwardness.

C. This answer uses the needlessly wordy phrase “be a gradual undermining of slavery”, leading to awkwardness.

D. Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” - “to + undermine” in this sentence)” to refer to a hypothetical future action; please remember, the simple future tense is the correct usage for referring to an action that will take place in the future.

E. This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple present continuous tense verb “undermining” to refer to a hypothetical future action; please remember, the simple present continuous tense is only used to refer to actions that are current and ongoing.

A is the best answer choice.