Extract:
Select the phrase that will make the following sentence grammatically correct.
Dr. Johnson had a serious look when he ____________.
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A
spoke to the patient’s parents
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B
is speaking to the patient’s parents
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C
will speak to the patient’s parents
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D
has spoken to the patient’s parents
The phrase "spoke to the patient's parents" makes the sentence grammatically correct by using simple past tense to describe the action occurring after the past perfect "had" in the main clause.
A) spoke to the patient's parents
Simple past "spoke" correctly describes the action occurring after Dr. Johnson "had a serious look." Past perfect ("had") establishes earlier past state; simple past describes subsequent action—maintaining proper tense sequence.
B) is speaking to the patient's parents
Present continuous "is speaking" conflicts with past context established by "had." Verb tenses must maintain temporal consistency within narrative sequences.
C) will speak to the patient's parents
Future tense "will speak" conflicts with past narrative context. The entire scenario occurs in the past ("had a serious look"), requiring past tense verbs throughout.
D) has spoken to the patient's parents
Present perfect "has spoken" connects past action to present relevance—temporally incompatible with completed past narrative lacking present connection.
Conclusion
Tense sequencing in past narratives follows a hierarchy: past perfect for earliest actions/states, simple past for subsequent actions. "Had a serious look" (past state) precedes "spoke" (subsequent action), making simple past the only temporally appropriate verb form.