choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences:
The culprits_______when we entered the courtroom.
Answer Details
The sentence "The culprits _______ when we entered the courtroom" suggests that the action of interrogation was happening at the time when the speaker entered the courtroom.
Out of the options provided, the only choice that correctly conveys this idea is "were being interrogated." This phrase is in the past continuous tense, which indicates an ongoing action in the past.
The option "are being interrogated" suggests that the action is happening currently, which does not match the past tense of the sentence.
The option "will be interrogated" suggests that the action will happen in the future, which also does not match the past tense of the sentence.
Finally, the option "would be interrogated" is in the conditional mood, which suggests that the action is dependent on a hypothetical situation that is not presented in the sentence. Therefore, it is not a suitable choice to complete the sentence.
Therefore, the correct answer is "were being interrogated."