They __________ decided by now.a)should haveb)could havec)will haved)o...
Answer:
The correct answer is A:
should have.
Explanation:
To determine the correct choice, we need to consider the context and meaning of the sentence.
- The sentence structure suggests that the action should have been completed by a certain point in the past.
- The use of the word "decided" indicates that a decision was expected to be made.
- The use of the word "now" implies that the point in time being referred to is the present or a time close to the present.
Based on these considerations, the most appropriate choice is A:
should have. This phrase is used to express an expectation or obligation that an action would have been completed by a certain point in the past.
The other options can be eliminated for the following reasons:
B:
could have - This phrase indicates that it was possible for the action to have been completed, but it does not imply an expectation or obligation.
C:
will have - This phrase is used to express a future completion of an action, which is not consistent with the context of the sentence.
D:
ought to have - This phrase is similar in meaning to "should have" but is less commonly used in this context. "Should have" is the more appropriate choice in this case.
Therefore, the correct answer is A:
should have.