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Error spotting (conditionals & perfect aspect): Identify the erroneous segment (A/B/C) — mark D if there is no error — 'Had I / known it earlier / I would contact you. / No error.' Ensure correct third-conditional form after inversion 'Had I…'

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: I would contact you.

Explanation:


Given data

  • (A) Had I
  • (B) known it earlier
  • (C) I would contact you.
  • (D) No error.


Concept/Approach: Third conditional
The inverted form 'Had I + past participle' = 'If I had + past participle'. The result clause needs the perfect conditional: 'would have + past participle'.


Step-by-step correction
1) Keep inversion: 'Had I known it earlier…'2) Change result: 'I would contact you' → 'I would have contacted you.'Correct: 'Had I known it earlier, I would have contacted you.'


Verification
Pattern: If I had known…, I would have called.


Common pitfalls
Using simple 'would' instead of 'would have' in past-unreal results.


Final Answer
C — Use 'would have contacted' after 'Had I known…'

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