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All questions of Past Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense for ACT Exam
My father ___________ (try) to fix the broken pipe for an hour before we eventually called a plumber.Correct answer is 'had been trying'. Can you explain this answer?
My father ___________ (try) to fix the broken pipe for an hour before we eventually called a plumber.
|
Meera Rana answered |
Past Perfect Continuous Tense,
My father had been trying to fix the broken pipe for an hour before we eventually called a plumber.
My father had been trying to fix the broken pipe for an hour before we eventually called a plumber.
They ________ (cycle) all day so their legs were sore in the evening.Correct answer is 'had been cycling'. Can you explain this answer?
They ________ (cycle) all day so their legs were sore in the evening.
|
Jhanvi Yadav answered |
Explanation:
The correct answer to the given sentence is "had been cycling." This is because the sentence is in the past, and it requires the past perfect continuous tense to indicate an action that started in the past and continued up until a specific point in the past.
1. Past Perfect Continuous Tense:
The past perfect continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action that started and continued for a specific duration in the past. It is formed by using the auxiliary verb "had been" followed by the present participle form of the main verb (in this case, "cycling").
2. Continuous Action:
In the given sentence, the subject "they" had been engaging in the action of cycling. The use of the past perfect continuous tense suggests that they were cycling continuously for a certain duration in the past.
3. Duration and Result:
The phrase "all day" indicates the duration of their cycling activity, which started at some point in the past and continued until the evening. As a result of their continuous cycling, their legs were sore in the evening.
4. Sore Legs:
The phrase "so their legs were sore in the evening" suggests that the continuous cycling activity throughout the day had caused their legs to become tired and achy by the evening.
5. Correct Answer:
Therefore, the correct answer to the given sentence is "had been cycling" as it accurately reflects the past perfect continuous tense and conveys the idea that they were engaged in continuous cycling throughout the day, resulting in sore legs by the evening.
The correct answer to the given sentence is "had been cycling." This is because the sentence is in the past, and it requires the past perfect continuous tense to indicate an action that started in the past and continued up until a specific point in the past.
1. Past Perfect Continuous Tense:
The past perfect continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action that started and continued for a specific duration in the past. It is formed by using the auxiliary verb "had been" followed by the present participle form of the main verb (in this case, "cycling").
2. Continuous Action:
In the given sentence, the subject "they" had been engaging in the action of cycling. The use of the past perfect continuous tense suggests that they were cycling continuously for a certain duration in the past.
3. Duration and Result:
The phrase "all day" indicates the duration of their cycling activity, which started at some point in the past and continued until the evening. As a result of their continuous cycling, their legs were sore in the evening.
4. Sore Legs:
The phrase "so their legs were sore in the evening" suggests that the continuous cycling activity throughout the day had caused their legs to become tired and achy by the evening.
5. Correct Answer:
Therefore, the correct answer to the given sentence is "had been cycling" as it accurately reflects the past perfect continuous tense and conveys the idea that they were engaged in continuous cycling throughout the day, resulting in sore legs by the evening.
I wish you …………….. your application in time.- a)send
- b)had sent
- c)have sent
- d)had come, had assembled
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
I wish you …………….. your application in time.
a)
send
b)
had sent
c)
have sent
d)
had come, had assembled
|
|
Meera Rana answered |
Past Perfect Tense,
I wish you had sent your application in time.
I wish you had sent your application in time.
He was not …………….. to write the exam, because he ……………….. his hall ticket.- a)permitted, had not brought
- b)permitting, had not brought
- c)permitted, did not bring
- d)permitted, was not bringing
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
He was not …………….. to write the exam, because he ……………….. his hall ticket.
a)
permitted, had not brought
b)
permitting, had not brought
c)
permitted, did not bring
d)
permitted, was not bringing
|
Vikas Kapoor answered |
He was not permitted to write the exam, because he had not brought his hall ticket.
I ________ (not / walk) for a long time, when it suddenly began to rain.Correct answer is 'had not been walking'. Can you explain this answer?
I ________ (not / walk) for a long time, when it suddenly began to rain.
|
|
Meera Rana answered |
It is past perfect continuous tense. So, you'll use had + been + ing form.
The baby ____________ (cry) for fifteen minutes before her mother heard her cry.Correct answer is 'had been crying'. Can you explain this answer?
The baby ____________ (cry) for fifteen minutes before her mother heard her cry.
|
|
Meera Rana answered |
The sentence is in the past perfect continuous sentence.
The baby had been crying for fifteen minutes before her mother heard her cry.
The baby had been crying for fifteen minutes before her mother heard her cry.
Mrs. Sally ______________ (teach) English for thirty years before she retired.Correct answer is 'had been teaching'. Can you explain this answer?
Mrs. Sally ______________ (teach) English for thirty years before she retired.
|
Avishi Iyer answered |
Explanation:
This sentence is in the past perfect tense, which is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. In this case, the first action is Mrs. Sally's teaching career, which was completed before her retirement.
- The sentence begins with "Mrs. Sally," which is the subject of the sentence.
- The next word is "had," which is the past perfect tense of "have."
- The next verb is "been teaching," which is the present perfect continuous tense of "teach." This means that Mrs. Sally started teaching in the past and continued until her retirement, which is also in the past.
Therefore, the correct answer is "had been teaching."
This sentence is in the past perfect tense, which is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. In this case, the first action is Mrs. Sally's teaching career, which was completed before her retirement.
- The sentence begins with "Mrs. Sally," which is the subject of the sentence.
- The next word is "had," which is the past perfect tense of "have."
- The next verb is "been teaching," which is the present perfect continuous tense of "teach." This means that Mrs. Sally started teaching in the past and continued until her retirement, which is also in the past.
Therefore, the correct answer is "had been teaching."
George _________ his furniture before he moved to Japan.- a)have sold
- b)had sold
- c)had sell
- d)sells
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
George _________ his furniture before he moved to Japan.
a)
have sold
b)
had sold
c)
had sell
d)
sells
|
Devansh Shah answered |
Explanation:
Past Perfect Tense:
- The sentence is in the past perfect tense, which is used to show that one action happened before another action in the past.
- In this case, the action of selling the furniture (had sold) happened before the action of moving to Japan.
Forming Past Perfect Tense:
- The past perfect tense is formed by using "had" + past participle of the main verb.
- In this sentence, the past participle of "sell" is "sold."
Correct Answer:
- The correct form of the verb "sell" in the past perfect tense is "had sold."
- Therefore, the correct answer is option 'B': had sold.
Past Perfect Tense:
- The sentence is in the past perfect tense, which is used to show that one action happened before another action in the past.
- In this case, the action of selling the furniture (had sold) happened before the action of moving to Japan.
Forming Past Perfect Tense:
- The past perfect tense is formed by using "had" + past participle of the main verb.
- In this sentence, the past participle of "sell" is "sold."
Correct Answer:
- The correct form of the verb "sell" in the past perfect tense is "had sold."
- Therefore, the correct answer is option 'B': had sold.
By the time the guests arrived, the chef ______________ (prepare) the dinner for hours.Correct answer is 'The chef had been preparing the dinner for hours.'. Can you explain this answer?
By the time the guests arrived, the chef ______________ (prepare) the dinner for hours.
|
Baishali Chopra answered |
Understanding the Sentence Structure
The sentence in question is about an action (preparing dinner) that occurred before another action (the guests arriving). The correct answer uses the past perfect continuous tense, "had been preparing," to portray this sequence of events.
Why Use Past Perfect Continuous?
- Duration of Action:
- The phrase "had been preparing" emphasizes that the chef was actively engaged in the process of preparing dinner over a period of time leading up to when the guests arrived.
- Sequence of Events:
- The past perfect continuous tense shows that the action of preparing dinner was ongoing and was completed right before the guests' arrival.
Breaking Down the Tense
- Past Perfect Tense:
- This tense is formed using "had" + past participle (in this case, "prepared"). It indicates that an action was completed before another action in the past.
- Continuous Aspect:
- The use of "been preparing" signifies that the preparation was not just a single event but a continuous activity, adding depth to the timeline.
Implications of the Correct Answer
- Creates a More Vivid Picture:
- By stating "had been preparing," the sentence paints a clearer picture of the chef's efforts and the anticipation leading up to the guests' arrival.
- Contextual Importance:
- Understanding this tense helps convey the importance of timing in narratives, particularly in settings like cooking, where preparation is key to successful outcomes.
This combination of grammatical structure and context enhances the reader's understanding of the scenario, making the sentence effective and engaging.
The sentence in question is about an action (preparing dinner) that occurred before another action (the guests arriving). The correct answer uses the past perfect continuous tense, "had been preparing," to portray this sequence of events.
Why Use Past Perfect Continuous?
- Duration of Action:
- The phrase "had been preparing" emphasizes that the chef was actively engaged in the process of preparing dinner over a period of time leading up to when the guests arrived.
- Sequence of Events:
- The past perfect continuous tense shows that the action of preparing dinner was ongoing and was completed right before the guests' arrival.
Breaking Down the Tense
- Past Perfect Tense:
- This tense is formed using "had" + past participle (in this case, "prepared"). It indicates that an action was completed before another action in the past.
- Continuous Aspect:
- The use of "been preparing" signifies that the preparation was not just a single event but a continuous activity, adding depth to the timeline.
Implications of the Correct Answer
- Creates a More Vivid Picture:
- By stating "had been preparing," the sentence paints a clearer picture of the chef's efforts and the anticipation leading up to the guests' arrival.
- Contextual Importance:
- Understanding this tense helps convey the importance of timing in narratives, particularly in settings like cooking, where preparation is key to successful outcomes.
This combination of grammatical structure and context enhances the reader's understanding of the scenario, making the sentence effective and engaging.
We _________ (sleep) for 12 hours when he woke us up.Correct answer is 'had been sleeping'. Can you explain this answer?
We _________ (sleep) for 12 hours when he woke us up.
|
Rounak Khanna answered |
The sentence is in past continuous tense, so we will use had been sleeping
We had been sleeping for 12 hours when he woke us up.
We had been sleeping for 12 hours when he woke us up.
How long ___________ (learn / she) English before she went to London?Correct answer is 'had she been learning'. Can you explain this answer?
How long ___________ (learn / she) English before she went to London?
|
Dipanjan Kapoor answered |
The past perfect continuous tense (also known as the past perfect progressive tense) shows that an action that started in the past continued up until another time in the past. The past perfect continuous tense is constructed using had been + the verb's present participle (root + -ing).
She _________ the ocean before she moved to Vancouver.- a)had never seen
- b)never seen
- c)have never seen
- d)had never saw
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
She _________ the ocean before she moved to Vancouver.
a)
had never seen
b)
never seen
c)
have never seen
d)
had never saw
|
|
Anirban Das answered |
Understanding the Correct Answer
In the sentence "She _________ the ocean before she moved to Vancouver," we need to fill in the blank with the correct verb form. The correct answer is option 'A': "had never seen."
Why "had never seen"?
- Tense Agreement: The phrase "before she moved to Vancouver" indicates a past event. The use of "had" signals that the action of seeing the ocean occurred prior to another past action (moving to Vancouver).
- Perfect Tense: "Had never seen" is in the past perfect tense. This tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past, making it the most suitable choice here.
- Negative Construction: The word "never" negates the action, meaning she did not see the ocean at any point before moving. The construction "had never seen" effectively conveys that lack of experience in the past.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect:
- b) never seen: This is an incorrect form for this context; it lacks the necessary auxiliary verb for past perfect.
- c) have never seen: This is present perfect tense, which doesn’t fit because it suggests relevance to the present rather than a completed past action.
- d) had never saw: "Saw" is the simple past form, which does not align with the required perfect tense structure.
Conclusion:
Option 'A', "had never seen," is the only grammatically correct choice that fits the context of the sentence, effectively conveying the intended meaning.
In the sentence "She _________ the ocean before she moved to Vancouver," we need to fill in the blank with the correct verb form. The correct answer is option 'A': "had never seen."
Why "had never seen"?
- Tense Agreement: The phrase "before she moved to Vancouver" indicates a past event. The use of "had" signals that the action of seeing the ocean occurred prior to another past action (moving to Vancouver).
- Perfect Tense: "Had never seen" is in the past perfect tense. This tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past, making it the most suitable choice here.
- Negative Construction: The word "never" negates the action, meaning she did not see the ocean at any point before moving. The construction "had never seen" effectively conveys that lack of experience in the past.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect:
- b) never seen: This is an incorrect form for this context; it lacks the necessary auxiliary verb for past perfect.
- c) have never seen: This is present perfect tense, which doesn’t fit because it suggests relevance to the present rather than a completed past action.
- d) had never saw: "Saw" is the simple past form, which does not align with the required perfect tense structure.
Conclusion:
Option 'A', "had never seen," is the only grammatically correct choice that fits the context of the sentence, effectively conveying the intended meaning.
How long ____________ (Dan drive)before he fell asleep and had an accident?Correct answer is 'had Dan been driving'. Can you explain this answer?
How long ____________ (Dan drive)before he fell asleep and had an accident?
|
Ashiq-E-Rasool answered |
Had Dan been driving.
you have to put full stop at the end.
you have to put full stop at the end.
I ____________ (not / work) all day; so I wasn't tired and went to the disco at night.Correct answer is 'had not been working'. Can you explain this answer?
I ____________ (not / work) all day; so I wasn't tired and went to the disco at night.
|
|
Shalini Patel answered |
I had not been working all day; so I wasn't tired and went to the disco at night.
If Balu ………….. the secretary earlier, he …………… him a job.- a)had seen, would have given
- b)had seen, would give
- c)none of the above
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
If Balu ………….. the secretary earlier, he …………… him a job.
a)
had seen, would have given
b)
had seen, would give
c)
none of the above
|
Talent Skill Learning answered |
To determine the correct answer, let's analyze the given sentence and the options provided:
"If Balu had seen the secretary earlier, he would have given him a job."
Now, let's break down the sentence and understand the grammar rules involved:
1. "If Balu had seen the secretary earlier" - This is a conditional sentence using the past perfect tense. It implies a hypothetical situation that did not happen in the past.
2. "he would have given him a job" - This is the result or consequence of the hypothetical situation mentioned in the first part of the sentence. It uses the conditional perfect tense, which indicates an action that would have happened in the past if the condition were met.
Based on the analysis, we can conclude that the correct answer is option A: "had seen, would have given."
To summarize:
- The correct answer is A: "had seen, would have given."
- The sentence is a conditional type 3 sentence, expressing a hypothetical situation in the past and its result.
- Option B is incorrect because it uses the present simple tense ("would give"), which does not match the past perfect tense in the first part of the sentence.
- Option C is incorrect because it states "none of the above," but option A is indeed the correct answer.
By the time the fire fighters ……………., the fire ……………… many huts.- a)arrived, destroyed
- b)arrived, had destroyed
- c)had arrived, destroyed
- d)had arrived, had destroyed
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
By the time the fire fighters ……………., the fire ……………… many huts.
a)
arrived, destroyed
b)
arrived, had destroyed
c)
had arrived, destroyed
d)
had arrived, had destroyed
|
Snehal Sarkar answered |
Arrived, the fire had already spread to several neighboring buildings. The flames were fierce, and the heat was intense. The fire fighters quickly sprang into action, directing their hoses at the source of the blaze.
Despite their efforts, the fire continued to rage out of control for several hours. Thick black smoke billowed into the sky, and the sound of shattering glass could be heard from blocks away.
As the night wore on, the fire fighters slowly gained the upper hand. They managed to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading any further. By morning, the fire was finally extinguished, leaving behind a trail of destruction and devastation.
Although no lives were lost in the fire, many families were left homeless and without their possessions. The cause of the fire was still unknown at that time, but investigators were working to determine the source of the blaze.
Despite their efforts, the fire continued to rage out of control for several hours. Thick black smoke billowed into the sky, and the sound of shattering glass could be heard from blocks away.
As the night wore on, the fire fighters slowly gained the upper hand. They managed to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading any further. By morning, the fire was finally extinguished, leaving behind a trail of destruction and devastation.
Although no lives were lost in the fire, many families were left homeless and without their possessions. The cause of the fire was still unknown at that time, but investigators were working to determine the source of the blaze.
They were very tired in the evening because they ________ (help) on the farm all day.Correct answer is 'had been helping'. Can you explain this answer?
They were very tired in the evening because they ________ (help) on the farm all day.
|
|
Sandeep Mehra answered |
Explanation:
- The given sentence is in the past tense, indicating that the action of being tired in the evening occurred before the present moment.
- The phrase "in the evening" indicates a specific point in time, suggesting that the action of being tired happened at that specific time.
- The phrase "because they" suggests that there is a cause and effect relationship between the action of being tired and the action that preceded it.
- The verb "helped" is in the past tense, indicating that the action of helping on the farm occurred before the present moment.
- However, the verb "helped" does not indicate the duration or continuity of the action. It only suggests that the action was completed in the past.
- To express the idea that they were tired in the evening because they had been helping on the farm continuously throughout the day, the past perfect continuous tense "had been helping" is used.
Example:
- They had been helping on the farm all day, so they were very tired in the evening.
Breakdown:
1. The sentence is in the past tense, indicating that the action of being tired in the evening occurred before the present moment.
2. The phrase "in the evening" indicates a specific point in time.
3. The phrase "because they" suggests a cause and effect relationship.
4. The verb "helped" is in the past tense, indicating that the action of helping on the farm occurred before the present moment.
5. However, the verb "helped" does not indicate the duration or continuity of the action.
6. To express the idea of continuous action throughout the day, the past perfect continuous tense "had been helping" is used.
7. The correct answer is "had been helping" to convey the continuous action of helping on the farm throughout the day.
- The given sentence is in the past tense, indicating that the action of being tired in the evening occurred before the present moment.
- The phrase "in the evening" indicates a specific point in time, suggesting that the action of being tired happened at that specific time.
- The phrase "because they" suggests that there is a cause and effect relationship between the action of being tired and the action that preceded it.
- The verb "helped" is in the past tense, indicating that the action of helping on the farm occurred before the present moment.
- However, the verb "helped" does not indicate the duration or continuity of the action. It only suggests that the action was completed in the past.
- To express the idea that they were tired in the evening because they had been helping on the farm continuously throughout the day, the past perfect continuous tense "had been helping" is used.
Example:
- They had been helping on the farm all day, so they were very tired in the evening.
Breakdown:
1. The sentence is in the past tense, indicating that the action of being tired in the evening occurred before the present moment.
2. The phrase "in the evening" indicates a specific point in time.
3. The phrase "because they" suggests a cause and effect relationship.
4. The verb "helped" is in the past tense, indicating that the action of helping on the farm occurred before the present moment.
5. However, the verb "helped" does not indicate the duration or continuity of the action.
6. To express the idea of continuous action throughout the day, the past perfect continuous tense "had been helping" is used.
7. The correct answer is "had been helping" to convey the continuous action of helping on the farm throughout the day.
They ___________ (wait) at the station for 90 minutes when the train finally arrived.Correct answer is 'had been waiting'. Can you explain this answer?
They ___________ (wait) at the station for 90 minutes when the train finally arrived.
|
|
Palak Saha answered |
Understanding the Correct Answer: "Had Been Waiting"
When analyzing the sentence "They _____________ (wait) at the station for 90 minutes when the train finally arrived," the correct form is "had been waiting." This utilizes the past perfect continuous tense. Here's a detailed breakdown:
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
- Definition: This tense expresses an action that was ongoing in the past and was completed before another action occurred.
- Structure: It combines "had been" + the present participle (verb + -ing).
- Example in Context: "They had been waiting" indicates that their waiting started at some point in the past and continued up until the train's arrival.
Usage Explanation
- Duration: The phrase "for 90 minutes" specifies the length of time they were waiting, emphasizing that this action was not just a momentary event but an ongoing situation.
- Sequence of Events: The use of "when the train finally arrived" highlights that the waiting was completed at the moment the train arrived, making it clear that one past event (waiting) was ongoing until another past event (train arriving) occurred.
Contrast with Other Tenses
- Simple Past: If we used "waited," it would imply a completed action without the sense of duration or connection to the arrival of the train.
- Past Continuous: "They were waiting" would indicate the action was ongoing, but it lacks the sense of completion that the past perfect continuous provides.
Conclusion
Using "had been waiting" in this context effectively conveys the idea that the waiting was a significant duration that ended with the arrival of the train, providing clarity and depth to the narrative.
When analyzing the sentence "They _____________ (wait) at the station for 90 minutes when the train finally arrived," the correct form is "had been waiting." This utilizes the past perfect continuous tense. Here's a detailed breakdown:
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
- Definition: This tense expresses an action that was ongoing in the past and was completed before another action occurred.
- Structure: It combines "had been" + the present participle (verb + -ing).
- Example in Context: "They had been waiting" indicates that their waiting started at some point in the past and continued up until the train's arrival.
Usage Explanation
- Duration: The phrase "for 90 minutes" specifies the length of time they were waiting, emphasizing that this action was not just a momentary event but an ongoing situation.
- Sequence of Events: The use of "when the train finally arrived" highlights that the waiting was completed at the moment the train arrived, making it clear that one past event (waiting) was ongoing until another past event (train arriving) occurred.
Contrast with Other Tenses
- Simple Past: If we used "waited," it would imply a completed action without the sense of duration or connection to the arrival of the train.
- Past Continuous: "They were waiting" would indicate the action was ongoing, but it lacks the sense of completion that the past perfect continuous provides.
Conclusion
Using "had been waiting" in this context effectively conveys the idea that the waiting was a significant duration that ended with the arrival of the train, providing clarity and depth to the narrative.
When they arrived we ________ the test.- a)had already started
- b) have already started
- c)starts
- d)already starting
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
When they arrived we ________ the test.
a)
had already started
b)
have already started
c)
starts
d)
already starting
|
|
Tanvi Deshpande answered |
Explanation:
Understanding the sentence:
When they arrived is the main clause, and we need to determine the correct tense for the action that took place before their arrival. In this case, the action of starting the test happened before they arrived, indicating that the past perfect tense is required.
Using the past perfect tense:
The past perfect tense is formed by using had + past participle of the main verb. In this sentence, the correct form is had already started.
Correct answer:
Therefore, the correct form of the verb to use in this sentence is had already started. This choice indicates that the action of starting the test occurred before their arrival.
Final answer:
When they arrived, we had already started the test.
Understanding the sentence:
When they arrived is the main clause, and we need to determine the correct tense for the action that took place before their arrival. In this case, the action of starting the test happened before they arrived, indicating that the past perfect tense is required.
Using the past perfect tense:
The past perfect tense is formed by using had + past participle of the main verb. In this sentence, the correct form is had already started.
Correct answer:
Therefore, the correct form of the verb to use in this sentence is had already started. This choice indicates that the action of starting the test occurred before their arrival.
Final answer:
When they arrived, we had already started the test.
How long ______________ (she study) before she finally passed the exam?Correct answer is 'How long had she been studying before she finally passed the exam?'. Can you explain this answer?
How long ______________ (she study) before she finally passed the exam?
|
|
Baishali Chopra answered |
Understanding the Past Perfect Continuous Tense
The question "How long had she been studying before she finally passed the exam?" utilizes the past perfect continuous tense, which is essential for conveying specific time frames in relation to past events.
Key Elements of the Answer
- Past Perfect Continuous Usage
- This tense is used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past before another action occurred. In this case, "had been studying" indicates that her study efforts continued up to the point when she passed the exam.
- Establishing Context
- The phrase "before she finally passed the exam" sets a clear timeline. It indicates that her studying was a continuous process prior to the moment she passed, establishing a cause-and-effect relationship.
- Duration Emphasis
- The question specifically asks about "how long," which implies a focus on the duration of her studying. The past perfect continuous tense effectively captures this duration, showing that the action was not only completed but had been in progress for some time.
Conclusion
Using "had she been studying" emphasizes both the continuity and the completion of the action, aligning perfectly with the inquiry regarding the duration of her studies leading up to her success in the exam. This tense is crucial for providing clarity in complex timelines, especially in academic contexts like Mechanical Engineering where precise understanding of sequences is vital.
The question "How long had she been studying before she finally passed the exam?" utilizes the past perfect continuous tense, which is essential for conveying specific time frames in relation to past events.
Key Elements of the Answer
- Past Perfect Continuous Usage
- This tense is used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past before another action occurred. In this case, "had been studying" indicates that her study efforts continued up to the point when she passed the exam.
- Establishing Context
- The phrase "before she finally passed the exam" sets a clear timeline. It indicates that her studying was a continuous process prior to the moment she passed, establishing a cause-and-effect relationship.
- Duration Emphasis
- The question specifically asks about "how long," which implies a focus on the duration of her studying. The past perfect continuous tense effectively captures this duration, showing that the action was not only completed but had been in progress for some time.
Conclusion
Using "had she been studying" emphasizes both the continuity and the completion of the action, aligning perfectly with the inquiry regarding the duration of her studies leading up to her success in the exam. This tense is crucial for providing clarity in complex timelines, especially in academic contexts like Mechanical Engineering where precise understanding of sequences is vital.
A young boy_______________ (stand) at the door until a policeman arrived.Correct answer is 'had been standing'. Can you explain this answer?
A young boy_______________ (stand) at the door until a policeman arrived.
|
Ishita Reddy answered |
past perfect continous tense
By the time we ………….. the station, the train …………… .- a)reached, had left
- b)had reached, had left
- c)had reached, left
- d)reached, left
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
By the time we ………….. the station, the train …………… .
a)
reached, had left
b)
had reached, had left
c)
had reached, left
d)
reached, left
|
|
Talent Skill Learning answered |
To determine the correct answer, let's analyze the given sentence:
"By the time we _____ the station, the train _____."
The sentence indicates that two actions happened in the past, and one action occurred before the other. We need to use the past perfect tense for the action that happened first and the simple past tense for the action that happened later.
Now let's examine the options:
A: reached, had left
- This option correctly uses the past perfect tense ("had left") for the action that happened first and the simple past tense ("reached") for the action that happened later. Therefore, this option is correct.
B: had reached, had left
- This option uses the past perfect tense for both actions, which implies that both actions happened before a specific time in the past. However, in the given sentence, there is no specific time mentioned. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
C: had reached, left
- This option uses the past perfect tense for the action that happened first ("had reached") but uses the simple past tense for the action that happened later ("left"). This is incorrect because the actions should be consistent in tense.
D: reached, left
- This option uses the simple past tense for both actions, which does not indicate the correct sequence of events. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
Therefore, the correct answer is option A: reached, had left.
My dad ________ smoking in the garage.- a) has
- b) had
- c)had been
- d)none
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
My dad ________ smoking in the garage.
a)
has
b)
had
c)
had been
d)
none
|
EduRev GMAT answered |
To answer this question, we need to determine the correct verb form to complete the sentence. Let's analyze the options:
A:
has
- This option uses the present perfect tense, which indicates an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. However, this does not fit the context of the sentence.B:
had
- This option uses the past tense, which indicates an action that occurred and ended in the past. However, this does not fit the context of the sentence.C:
had been
- This option uses the past perfect continuous tense, which indicates an action that started in the past, continued for a period of time, and ended before another past action. This fits the context of the sentence as it implies that the dad had been smoking in the garage before.D:
none
- This option suggests that none of the previous options are correct, but since option C fits the context, this option is not correct.Therefore, the correct answer is C:
had been
.I ________ a little Spanish before I went to Mexico- a)study
- b)had studied
- c)had study
- d)have studied
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
I ________ a little Spanish before I went to Mexico
a)
study
b)
had studied
c)
had study
d)
have studied
|
|
EduRev GMAT answered |
To complete the sentence "I ________ a little Spanish before I went to Mexico," we need to choose the correct verb form that matches the past tense context of the sentence.
The correct answer is B: had studied. Here's why:
- Study: This is the base form of the verb and does not match the past tense context of the sentence.
- Had study: This is an incorrect verb form. The verb "had" should be followed by the past participle form of the verb, not the base form.
- Have studied: This is the present perfect tense form and does not match the past tense context of the sentence.
Key Points:
- The sentence is referring to an action that happened before going to Mexico, indicating a past event.
- The past perfect tense is used to express an action that happened before another past action or event.
- In this case, the action of studying Spanish occurred before going to Mexico, making the past perfect tense ("had studied") the appropriate choice.
In conclusion:
The correct verb form to complete the sentence is "had studied." This indicates that the speaker learned some Spanish before their trip to Mexico.
I ______ my document before the power went out in the computer lab.- a)had save
- b)have saved
- c)had saved
- d)save
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
I ______ my document before the power went out in the computer lab.
a)
had save
b)
have saved
c)
had saved
d)
save
|
|
EduRev GMAT answered |
To solve this sentence completion question, we need to determine the correct verb form to use in the blank. Let's analyze the options provided:
A:
had save
B:
have saved
C:
had saved
D:
save
From the given sentence, we can infer that the action of saving the document occurred before the power went out. Therefore, we need to use the past perfect tense. Let's evaluate the options:
- Option A:
had save
- Incorrect. The verb form "had save" is not grammatically correct. - Option B:
have saved
- Incorrect. The verb form "have saved" is in the present perfect tense, which does not match the time frame of the sentence.- Option C:
had saved
- Correct. The verb form "had saved" is in the past perfect tense, indicating that the action of saving the document occurred before the power went out.- Option D:
save
- Incorrect. The verb form "save" is in the base form and does not match the tense required in the sentence.Therefore, the correct answer is option C:
had saved
.How long ____________ (you teach) before you were offered this position?Correct answer is 'had you been teaching'. Can you explain this answer?
How long ____________ (you teach) before you were offered this position?
|
|
Saikat Unni answered |
Introduction:
The question is asking about the duration of time the person had been teaching before they were offered the current position. The correct answer is "had you been teaching". In this response, we will explain why this answer is grammatically correct and how it fits the given context.
Explanation:
The question is in the past perfect tense, which is used to describe an action that happened before another past action. In this case, the action of being offered the position happened after the action of teaching. Therefore, the correct form of the verb to use is "had been teaching".
Past Perfect Tense:
The past perfect tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb "had" followed by the past participle of the main verb. It is used to talk about an event or action that happened before another event or action in the past.
Example:
- Before I moved to the city, I had lived in a small town.
- She had already eaten dinner when I arrived.
Application to the Given Sentence:
In the given sentence, the verb "teach" needs to be in the past perfect tense to indicate that the action of teaching happened before being offered the position.
Correct Answer:
Therefore, the correct answer is "had you been teaching" because it correctly uses the past perfect tense to indicate the duration of time the person had been teaching before being offered the position.
The question is asking about the duration of time the person had been teaching before they were offered the current position. The correct answer is "had you been teaching". In this response, we will explain why this answer is grammatically correct and how it fits the given context.
Explanation:
The question is in the past perfect tense, which is used to describe an action that happened before another past action. In this case, the action of being offered the position happened after the action of teaching. Therefore, the correct form of the verb to use is "had been teaching".
Past Perfect Tense:
The past perfect tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb "had" followed by the past participle of the main verb. It is used to talk about an event or action that happened before another event or action in the past.
Example:
- Before I moved to the city, I had lived in a small town.
- She had already eaten dinner when I arrived.
Application to the Given Sentence:
In the given sentence, the verb "teach" needs to be in the past perfect tense to indicate that the action of teaching happened before being offered the position.
Correct Answer:
Therefore, the correct answer is "had you been teaching" because it correctly uses the past perfect tense to indicate the duration of time the person had been teaching before being offered the position.
The Police …………… the thief. They ……………. for him for two months.- a)caught, looked
- b)caught, had been looking
- c)had caught, looked
- d)caught, have looked
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
The Police …………… the thief. They ……………. for him for two months.
a)
caught, looked
b)
caught, had been looking
c)
had caught, looked
d)
caught, have looked
|
|
Talent Skill Learning answered |
The correct answer is option B:
caught, had been looking
Explanation:
To solve this question, we need to identify the correct tenses for the verbs "catch" and "look".
In the given sentence, "The Police …………… the thief", we need to use the past tense of the verb "catch" because the police caught the thief in the past.
Next, we have "They ……………. for him for two months". Here, we need to use the past perfect continuous tense to indicate an action that started in the past, continued for a period of time, and was still ongoing at a certain point in the past.
Let's analyze the options:
- Option A:
caught, looked
- This option uses the past tense "caught" correctly, but the present tense "looked" is incorrect. It should be "had been looking" to indicate the past perfect continuous tense.
- Option B:
caught, had been looking
- This option correctly uses the past tense "caught" and the past perfect continuous tense "had been looking". This is the correct answer.
- Option C:
had caught, looked
- This option uses the past perfect tense "had caught", which is incorrect. We need to use the simple past tense "caught" instead. Additionally, the present tense "looked" is incorrect. It should be "had been looking" to indicate the past perfect continuous tense.
- Option D:
caught, have looked
- This option uses the present perfect tense "have looked", which is incorrect. We need to use the past perfect continuous tense "had been looking" instead.
Therefore, the correct answer is option B:
caught, had been looking
. The police caught the thief and had been looking for him for two months.If they ………………. the Principal, he would have helped them.- a)met
- b)had met
- c)have met
- d)meet
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
If they ………………. the Principal, he would have helped them.
a)
met
b)
had met
c)
have met
d)
meet
|
|
EduRev GMAT answered |
To determine the correct answer, we need to analyze the sentence and the context provided.
The sentence is in the conditional form, indicating a hypothetical situation. The use of "would have" suggests that the action did not happen in reality but is being imagined.
Let's break down the options and analyze them one by one:
A: met
- This option is in the simple past tense. It suggests that the action of meeting the Principal would have taken place in the past.
- However, this option does not fit the structure of the conditional sentence. We need to use the past perfect tense to express an unrealized action in the past.
B: had met
- This option is in the past perfect tense. It suggests that the action of meeting the Principal would have taken place before another past event.
- This option aligns with the structure of the conditional sentence and is the correct answer.
C: have met
- This option is in the present perfect tense. It suggests that the action of meeting the Principal has taken place in the past and is still relevant in the present.
- However, this option does not fit the structure of the conditional sentence. We need to use the past perfect tense to express an unrealized action in the past.
D: meet
- This option is in the base form of the verb. It suggests a general action of meeting the Principal but does not convey the hypothetical nature of the sentence.
- This option does not fit the structure of the conditional sentence. We need to use the past perfect tense to express an unrealized action in the past.
Therefore, the correct answer is B: had met.
________ visited Toronto before your trip last summer?- a)Have you ever
- b)You had
- c)Had ever you
- d) Had you ever
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
________ visited Toronto before your trip last summer?
a)
Have you ever
b)
You had
c)
Had ever you
d)
Had you ever
|
|
EduRev GMAT answered |
The correct answer is option D: "Had you ever."
Explanation:
To determine the correct sentence structure, let's analyze the options provided:
A: "Have you ever" - This is the correct formation for asking about past experiences, but it does not fit the sentence structure given.
B: "You had" - This option does not make sense in the sentence and is grammatically incorrect.
C: "Had ever you" - This option reverses the word order and is grammatically incorrect.
D: "Had you ever" - This option follows the correct sentence structure and is grammatically correct.
Summary:
The correct option to complete the sentence is D: "Had you ever." This option maintains the correct sentence structure and is grammatically correct.
The teacher ________ out when I arrived in the classroom.- a)goes
- b)have gone
- c)gone
- d)had gone
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
The teacher ________ out when I arrived in the classroom.
a)
goes
b)
have gone
c)
gone
d)
had gone
|
|
Talent Skill Learning answered |
The correct answer is option D: "had gone." Let's break down the sentence to understand why.
1. The sentence is in the past tense because it uses the verb "arrived."
2. The word "when" indicates that two actions happened at the same time – the teacher going out and the speaker's arrival.
3. The action of the teacher going out occurred before the speaker's arrival, which means it happened in the past.
4. The past perfect tense (had + past participle) is used to indicate that one action happened before another action in the past.
5. Since the action of the teacher going out happened before the arrival, the correct tense to use is the past perfect tense.
Therefore, the correct sentence is "The teacher had gone out when I arrived in the classroom."
To summarize:
- The sentence is in the past tense.
- The teacher going out happened before the speaker's arrival.
- The past perfect tense (had gone) is used to indicate this sequence of events.
Larry _________ his homework already by the time Roy came over.- a)have finish
- b)finishes
- c)had finish
- d)had finished
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Larry _________ his homework already by the time Roy came over.
a)
have finish
b)
finishes
c)
had finish
d)
had finished
|
|
EduRev GMAT answered |
To solve this question, we need to determine the correct verb form to complete the sentence. Let's analyze each answer choice:
A:
have finish
This is incorrect because "have finish" is not a grammatically correct verb form. "Finish" should be in the past tense to match the context of the sentence.
B:
finishes
This is incorrect because "finishes" is in the present tense, which does not match the past tense context of the sentence.
C:
had finish
This is incorrect because "had finish" is not a grammatically correct verb form. "Finish" should be in the past tense to match the context of the sentence.
D:
had finished
This is correct because "had finished" is the past perfect tense form of the verb "finish." It indicates that Larry completed his homework before Roy came over, which matches the timeline in the sentence.
Therefore, the correct answer is D:
had finished
.Frank Sinatra caught the flu because he _________ (sing) in the rain too long.Correct answer is 'had been singing'. Can you explain this answer?
Frank Sinatra caught the flu because he _________ (sing) in the rain too long.
|
|
EduRev GMAT answered |
Explanation:
Reasoning:
Explanation:
Breakdown of the sentence:
Inference:
Frank Sinatra caught the flu because he had been singing in the rain too long.
Reasoning:
- Frank Sinatra caught the flu.
- He caught the flu because he had been singing in the rain too long.
Explanation:
The past perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that started in the past, continued for a specific duration, and was still ongoing when another action interrupted it.
Breakdown of the sentence:
- "Frank Sinatra caught the flu" - This is the main action in the sentence, indicating that Frank Sinatra became ill.
- "because he had been singing in the rain too long" - This is the reason for Frank Sinatra's flu. The past perfect continuous tense "had been singing" suggests that he was singing in the rain for a prolonged period before he caught the flu.
Inference:
Therefore, the correct answer is "had been singing" as it accurately reflects the past perfect continuous tense and explains the cause-effect relationship between Frank Sinatra's prolonged singing in the rain and his subsequent flu.
I ……………….. to him, as I ………………… to him formally.- a)did not speak, did not introduce
- b)did not speak, was not introduced
- c)none of the above
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
I ……………….. to him, as I ………………… to him formally.
a)
did not speak, did not introduce
b)
did not speak, was not introduced
c)
none of the above
|
|
Meera Rana answered |
I didn't speak to him, as I was not introduced to him formally.
Ruth ________ an Austrailian until she met John.- a)had never met
- b)have never met
- c)never met
- d)never have met
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Ruth ________ an Austrailian until she met John.
a)
had never met
b)
have never met
c)
never met
d)
never have met
|
|
EduRev GMAT answered |
To determine the correct option to fill in the blank, let's analyze the context of the sentence:
"Ruth ________ an Australian until she met John."
From the given options, we can conclude that the correct tense to use in this sentence is the past simple tense.
Let's analyze each option:
A. "had never met": This option is grammatically correct and fits the context of the sentence. It indicates that Ruth had never met an Australian until she met John.
B. "have never met": This option uses the present perfect tense, which is not appropriate in this sentence as it implies an ongoing action.
C. "never met": This option is grammatically correct, but it lacks the auxiliary verb "had" to indicate the past tense.
D. "never have met": This option uses the present perfect tense, which is not suitable for this sentence.
Therefore, the correct answer is option A:
Answer: A. "had never met"
I ________ such majestic mountains before I went to Banff.- a)never seen
- b)had never seen
- c)never have seen
- d)never saw
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
I ________ such majestic mountains before I went to Banff.
a)
never seen
b)
had never seen
c)
never have seen
d)
never saw
|
|
EduRev GMAT answered |
To solve this question, we need to identify the correct verb tense that conveys the intended meaning of the sentence. Let's analyze the given options:
A:
never seen
- This option uses the present perfect tense, which is incorrect because the action of seeing the majestic mountains occurred in the past before going to Banff.
B:
had never seen
- This option uses the past perfect tense, which is the correct verb tense to express an action that occurred before another past action. It conveys the meaning that the speaker had not seen majestic mountains before going to Banff.
C:
never have seen
- This option uses the present perfect tense, which is incorrect for the same reason as option A.
D:
never saw
- This option uses the simple past tense, which does not convey the sequence of events correctly. It suggests that the action of seeing the majestic mountains happened after going to Banff.
Therefore, the correct answer is option B: had never seen.
The workers ______________ (repair) the road all morning before it started raining.Correct answer is 'The workers had been repairing the road all morning before it started raining.'. Can you explain this answer?
The workers ______________ (repair) the road all morning before it started raining.
|
Pk Academy answered |
The action of repairing the road was continuous and occurred over a span of time before the rain began. The Past Perfect Continuous tense is used to emphasize the ongoing nature of the action.
Chapter doubts & questions for Past Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense - English for ACT 2025 is part of ACT exam preparation. The chapters have been prepared according to the ACT exam syllabus. The Chapter doubts & questions, notes, tests & MCQs are made for ACT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, notes, meanings, examples, exercises, MCQs and online tests here.
Chapter doubts & questions of Past Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense - English for ACT in English & Hindi are available as part of ACT exam.
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