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by g.shankaran » Sun May 29, 2011 4:31 am
Not one of the potential investors is expected to make an offer to buy First Interstate Bank until a merger agreement is signed that includes a provision for penalties if the deal were not to be concluded.

1. is expected to make an offer to buy First Interstate Bank until a merger agreement is signed that includes a provision for penalties if the deal were

2. is expected to make an offer to buy First Interstate Bank until they sign a merger agreement including a provision for penalties if the deal was

3. is expected to make an offer to buy First Interstate Bank until a merger agreement be signed by them with a provision for penalties if the deal were

Here the answer is A..

I can understand that B and C has pronoun agreement error "they" and "them".. My doubt is "if the deal were" vs "if the deal was" can you please clarify.
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Source: — Sentence Correction |

by vineeshp » Sun May 29, 2011 4:42 am
Not sure on this one, but I think in a hypothetical situation you should use, if the deal were. Not if the deal was.
Vineesh,
Just telling you what I know and think. I am not the expert. :)
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by sameerballani » Sun May 29, 2011 6:35 am
g.shankaran wrote:Not one of the potential investors is expected to make an offer to buy First Interstate Bank until a merger agreement is signed that includes a provision for penalties if the deal were not to be concluded.

1. is expected to make an offer to buy First Interstate Bank until a merger agreement is signed that includes a provision for penalties if the deal were

2. is expected to make an offer to buy First Interstate Bank until they sign a merger agreement including a provision for penalties if the deal was

3. is expected to make an offer to buy First Interstate Bank until a merger agreement be signed by them with a provision for penalties if the deal were

Here the answer is A..

I can understand that B and C has pronoun agreement error "they" and "them".. My doubt is "if the deal were" vs "if the deal was" can you please clarify.
It is considering the hypothetical situation, So we need to choose the past tense.
BUT in case of was/were we need to go with were IRRESPECTIVE of singular/plural subject.

Thanks
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