关于虚拟的问一个

Xiaotongdi

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 for buying 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
   
4. are expected to make an offer for buying First Interstate Bank until it signs a merger agreement with a provision for penalties included if the deal was
   
5. are expected to be making an offer to buy First Interstate Bank until they sign a merger agreement including a provision for penalties if the deal were
   这题没注意，先看到后面的deal，然后就想着跟着was，就排除掉了C！答案却是C！
   想问，这个虚拟的成分要怎么看出来，而且是怎么快速的看出来？
   

吐槽豪

貌似I/HE/SHE+were是最大的线索

tangdmike

think about it in this way:  "was" is simple past tense of be verbs, the only way you use it is concerning an action happened in the past, usually with some indication words to show the time period. But the whole sentence above is present time, so you may chose "is" instead of "was"; besides, "were" used after a singular word "deal" is not possible unless the clause has some sense of hypothetical subjunctive mood as it is in the sentence: the penalties may or may not happen is based on the truth that the deal is concluded or not.

above is just my guess in this particular case, and you may wait for some DN's explanations.  Thanks.