exodejavu  +  894032 Wed, 09 Sep 09 05:23 PM Hello, An EFL test question goes:     If you __ in America, you must have found that Americans are almost all colors and races. An option is "had been;" the other option is "were." -- 1. In my humble opinion,      "Americans are almost of all colors and races" would read more idiomatic. Or, in this case, the that-clause without "of" doesn't bother native English speakers, does it? 2. I guess "had been" would agree with the grammar.  - If you had been in America, you must have found that .... How about "were"?  - If you were in America, you must have found that .... I think "were" would do in this case. What is/are your verdict(s)? Sincerely, exodejavu Joined on Wed, Nov 5 2008 Taiwan Full Member 249 Zealous in mastering the English language Countries, United States, United Kingdom, Great Britain, ESL, Colours, American, Languages

	CalifJim  +  894056 Wed, 09 Sep 09 05:47 PM exodejavu “ An EFL test question goes:     If you __ in America, you must have found that Americans are almost all colors and races. An option is "had been;" the other option is "were." ” I find this a strange question!  It doesn't sound completely idiomatic to my ear with either had been or were.  I would probably choose were. exodejavu “ in this case, the that-clause without "of" doesn't bother native English speakers, does it?” That's true, but as I said, the whole sentence seems awkward. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,391 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Sentences, Countries, United States, United Kingdom, Great Britain, Colours, American, Languages

	exodejavu  +  894085 Wed, 09 Sep 09 06:15 PM Dear CJ, Thanks for your swift reply, but can you talk more about the strangeness of the test question? exodejavu Countries, United States, Colours, American

	CalifJim  +  894096 Wed, 09 Sep 09 06:22 PM What is strange is that, to my ear, at least, there is no "right answer".  I can't figure out what knowledge the question is attempting to test.  It may be some arcane or imagined rule about the use of "must have", but I'm just speculating.  I really have no idea what the point of the question is. CJ CalifJim Countries, United States, Colours, American