Sentence improvement (grammar correction): Choose the best replacement for the underlined part. Original sentence: "The accused now flatly denies have admitted his guilt in his first statement." Select the most appropriate correction.

Given data

• Main clause: "denies …" (present simple).
• Non-finite complement needed after "denies".

Concept/Approach
After reporting verbs like deny, when referring to a prior completed action, use a perfect gerund: having + past participle.

Step-by-step
Replace "have admitted" with the perfect gerund: "having admitted".Result: "The accused now flatly denies having admitted his guilt …"

Option analysis
A is correct. B changes the meaning/time; C/D are ungrammatical; E retains the error.

Common pitfalls
Confusing the perfect gerund (having admitted) with perfect infinitive (to have admitted) or bare perfect (have admitted).

Final Answer
having admitted