The mattress can be stored in a space as small as shoebox but _____ to a thickness of 5 inches when fully inflated.
- Expanded
- Expand
- Expands
- Expansion
I think both 1 and 3 can be the correct answers to this question, but the key says its correct answer is "Expands".
I really wonder why "Expanded" can't be the answer. As far as I know, The word "Expand" can be used as both an intransitive verb and transitive verb.
I think "Expanded" can be an answer If the word is used as an transitive verb in the sentence. Am I right?
Best Answer
Because the first part of the sentence is not past tense. "Expanded" switches tenses halfway through the sentence. Either of these would be correct:
"The mattress could be stored in a space as small as shoebox but expanded to a thickness...
"The mattress can be stored in a space as small as shoebox but expands to a thickness..."
You answer is technically allowable, but awkward. If this is from a test, questions such as this are generally asking for the best answer, not necessarily which one is theoretically allowable under the rules of grammar.