[Grammar] Which is correct?

[wotcha]

They were also told stories that were so funny __________________.

1. tears began to flow
2. tears beginning to flow
3. tears beginning to flow.
4. tears began to flow
5. tears beginning to flow

 

[emsr2d2]

They were also told stories that were so funny __________________.

1. tears began to flow
2. tears beginning to flow
3. tears beginning to flow.
4. tears began to flow
5. tears beginning to flow

Answers 1 and 4 are identical, as are 2, 3 and 5. Are you sure you've copied the answers correctly?

 

[wotcha]

Answers 1 and 4 are identical, as are 2, 3 and 5. Are you sure you've copied the answers correctly?

oh yes sorry about that, actually there are more sentences and another blank but I chose just this sentence.


so the choices are

1. tears began to flow
2. tears beginning to flow

 

[emsr2d2]

oh yes sorry about that, actually there are more sentences and another blank but I omitted one. Sorry about that


so the choices are

1. tears began to flow
2. tears beginning to flow

Which one do you think is correct, and why?

 

[wotcha]

Which one do you think is correct, and why?

My choice is 1 and simply because 2 has no verb - but I'm not sure.

 

[emsr2d2]

My choice is 1 and simply because 2 has no verb - but I'm not sure.

You are correct. Answer 1 is the right answer. It would be possible to use the past continuous (choice 2) but, as you said, part of the verb is missing:

They were also told stories that were so funny [that] tears were beginning to flow.

However, the correct sentence, given the choices is:

They were also told stories that were so funny [that] tears began to flow.

As you will see, I have added the word "that" in brackets. I think the sentence would sound better like that.

 

[wotcha]

You are correct. Answer 1 is the right answer. It would be possible to use the past continuous (choice 2) but, as you said, part of the verb is missing:

They were also told stories that were so funny [that] tears were beginning to flow.

However, the correct sentence, given the choices is:

They were also told stories that were so funny [that] tears began to flow.

As you will see, I have added the word "that" in brackets. I think the sentence would sound better like that.

Thank you very much :-D