If the company had invested in renewable energy earlier, it _______ billions of dollars by now.
2
readingWhich choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A
saved
B
saves
C
would have saved
D
will save
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. This question tests verb tense in past unreal conditionals.
- Context clues: "If... had invested" (past perfect) signals a past unreal condition.
- Meaning: Past unreal conditionals use would have + past participle in the result clause.
- Verify: "If... had invested... would have saved" follows the past unreal conditional pattern.
💡 Strategy: Past unreal conditionals: if + had + past participle, would have + past participle.
Choice A is incorrect because simple past doesn't match the conditional structure. Choice B is incorrect because present tense is wrong. Choice D is incorrect because future tense doesn't match past unreal conditions.