They _ the work before the deadline.
Correct answer: A. Completed
- A. Completed
- B. Have completed
- C. Were completing
- D. Completes
Explanation
The correct answer is completed because the sentence refers to an action that was finished before a specific point in the past, which is best expressed using the past simple tense. The option have completed is incorrect because the present perfect tense is used for actions that have relevance to the present. Were completing suggests an ongoing action in the past, which does not match the context of completing the work before a deadline. Completes is in the present simple tense, which is not appropriate for past actions.
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About Tenses
Tenses show when an action or state occurs and whether it is complete, continuing or repeated. The work covers present, past and future forms, including simple, continuous, perfect and perfect continuous constructions, as well as sequence of tenses and the difference between tense and aspect.
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