We are greatly shocked that the patient ___ for such a long time.

Question

We are greatly shocked that the patient ___ for such a long time.
A. should have kept waiting B. should have been kept waiting
C. would be kept waiting D. must have kept waiting
Why B?

Answer 1

首先病人是被命令而等的，因此应该选择被动语态。排除AD两项。而后，从句使用的应该是表达责备意义的虚拟，而would从情态上讲含有个人的意愿，并无责备意义。should是最为合适的选项。我这是结合语法和文体学知识给你解释的。

Answer 2

should表示惊讶的用法，意为“竟然”。patient与keep之间是动宾关系，用被动形式。