Question

Choose the correct alternative from those given as options.

When he returned home ___________.

• A. he found that his cat was knocked over the vase
• B. he finds that his cat knocked over the vase
• C. he finds that his cat had knocked over the vase
• D. he found that his cat had knocked over the vase

Answer 1

Answer:

D. he found that his cat had knocked over the vase

• he found that his cat was knocked over the vase - Incorrect. "Was knocked over" is incorrect here, as it suggests the cat itself was knocked over, not the vase.
• he finds that his cat knocked over the vase - Incorrect. This uses the present tense "finds" instead of the past tense, which is needed for the sequence of events.
• he finds that his cat had knocked over the vase - Incorrect. Same issue as (B); it incorrectly uses the present tense "finds."
• he found that his cat had knocked over the vase - Correct. This properly uses the past perfect "had knocked over" to indicate an action that was completed before he returned home.