After the bomb exploded and the terrorists entered the building,

Question

After the bomb exploded and the terrorists entered the building, the boy  acted as though he were dead so he wouldn’t be noticed.

a) acted as though he were dead so he wouldn’t be noticed
b) acted as though he was dead so he shouldn’t be noticed
c) acted as though he was dead so he wouldn’t be noticed
d) acted as he were dead so he shouldn’t be noticed
e) acted as he was dead so he wouldn’t be noticed

Source : GMAT Club Grammar book

generis · Accepted Answer

• HYPOTHETICAL - as though WERE, then/so that WOULD This question tests how to use verbs in counterfactual situations or conditions. • SIMILAR to a Type 2 conditional This construction is identical to a Type 2 conditional in which the hypothetical takes the subjunctive WERE, no matter who the subject is. condition clause: IF . . . WERE main/result clause: WOULD • AS THOUGH and AS IF: correct construction as though, as if, suppose, unless , and imagine all use this a similar construction. They signal and require the subjunctive. condition clause: AS THOUGH . . . WERE main/result clause: WOULD Correct : She carried herself as though she were fearless, so that the hooligans would leave her alone. Correct : He acted as though he were a nice guy, so that she would go on a date with him. • THIS QUESTION guidelines 1. Verb structure is Condition clause: AS THOUGH . . . WERE Result/main clause: WOULD 2. Do not mix and match. Those verb tenses are the only ones to use. 3. Do not put should in the condition OR the result clause. The construction is conventional in B.E., but it is wrong on the GMAT. 4. Speakers of British English: be a little bit careful also about always using WERE. This construction is different in B.E. ("was" is common and allowed). Correct: As though he were . . . so that XYZ would happen. • Split #1: AS THOUGH takes the verb WERE if to be is involved Options B and C incorrectly use as though he was Eliminate B and C • Split #2: No SHOULD (shouldn't) Do not should in conditional and hypothetical constructions. GMAC does not like should in conditionals. Ever. Use would, and to express less certainty, use might or could (only in the main clause). B.E. frequently uses should in both condition and result clause. Just be a little careful. Options B and D use shouldn't . Both should say "wouldn't." Eliminate D (B is already gone) • Split #3: Phrasing and Meaning Option D says that he acted as he were dead -- That language is babble. These are not babble: Correct: He acted as though he were dead Correct: He acted as if he were dead Option E says that he acted as he was dead . Let's just think about that one for a second.

"As" in this option suggests "during the time that he was dead." No. First, he was not dead. Second, if he were dead, he would not be acting while he were dead. Options D and E are nonsensical. Eliminate E. (D is already gone.) By POE, the answer is A. Option A gets it right • condition clause, counterfactual: as though he were dead • main/result clause: so that he WOULD not be noticed. That form is correct. The answer is A

niks18 · Answer

"the boy acted" is a subjunctive clause, hence "he" requires a the plural verb form "were"
Only option A & D has "were". rest can be eliminated
D distorts the meaning by removing "though" and "shouldn't" is incorrect. "would" is used to express uncertainty.

Option  A

Adityasekar · Answer

I am unable to understand why the answer is 'he were' instead of 'he was'.

generis · Answer

Hi  Adityasekar  , we say "as if he were" rather than "as if he was" because the former conveys a counterfactual or hypothetical condition.

He acted  as though he were  dead (counterfactual language) —(but he was not dead - factual language).
This sentence is similar to a hypothetical (Type 2 conditional); the words  as though  and  as if  trigger the same verb pattern.

conditional clause: WERE
result/main clause: WOULD

The verbs in the hypothetical condition and the result/purpose clause are predictable.
Hypothetical verb structure: IF WERE . . .   WOULD

Extend those guidelines to  as though  ( as if, unless, suppose, imagine ).

The correct construction can be only:
condition clause: AS THOUGH . . . he WERE
main clause: SO   .. . WOULD

"As though he was dead," is very common in British English. (Speakers of B.E., be a little careful.)
That usage is common in informal speech in the U.S., but not in SWE.
 As though he was dead  is not correct on the GMAT.

To convey the  contrary to fact  aspect, as though/as if he  were  is correct.
I wrote more about the construction in the post above,  HERE.

Hope that helps.

VerbalBot · Answer

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After the bomb exploded and the terrorists entered the building,

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