Class 7 Exam  >  Class 7 Questions  >  Choose the correct tense for the sentence:The... Start Learning for Free
Choose the correct tense for the sentence:
They (wait) for the bus when it started raining.
  • a)
    wait
  • b)
    waited
  • c)
    are waiting
  • d)
    were waiting
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Choose the correct tense for the sentence:They (wait) for the bus when...
Explanation:

The correct tense for the sentence "They (wait) for the bus when it started raining" is option 'D' - "were waiting."

Explanation:

The sentence describes an action that was ongoing in the past when another action interrupted it. In this case, the action of waiting for the bus was ongoing when it started raining.

Usage of the Past Continuous tense:

The past continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action in the past. It is formed by using the past tense of the verb "to be" (was/were) followed by the present participle of the main verb (-ing form).

Example:

- I was eating dinner when the phone rang.
- She was studying for her exam when her friend called.
- They were playing football when it started to rain.

Application to the given sentence:

In the given sentence, "They (wait) for the bus when it started raining," the action of waiting for the bus was ongoing in the past. Therefore, we use the past continuous tense "were waiting" to describe that ongoing action.

Alternative tenses:

Option 'A' - "wait" is the present tense. It does not indicate that the action was ongoing in the past.

Option 'B' - "waited" is the simple past tense. It indicates that the action of waiting occurred in the past, but it does not convey that it was ongoing when it started raining.

Option 'C' - "are waiting" is the present continuous tense. It indicates that the action is currently ongoing, not in the past.

Therefore, the correct tense for the sentence is option 'D' - "were waiting."
Free Test
Community Answer
Choose the correct tense for the sentence:They (wait) for the bus when...
The sentence describes an action that was in progress in the past when another action happened, so the past continuous tense "were waiting" should be used.
Attention Class 7 Students!
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed Class 7 study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in Class 7.
Explore Courses for Class 7 exam

Top Courses for Class 7

Choose the correct tense for the sentence:They (wait) for the bus when it started raining.a)waitb)waitedc)are waitingd)were waitingCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Choose the correct tense for the sentence:They (wait) for the bus when it started raining.a)waitb)waitedc)are waitingd)were waitingCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for Class 7 2024 is part of Class 7 preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Class 7 exam syllabus. Information about Choose the correct tense for the sentence:They (wait) for the bus when it started raining.a)waitb)waitedc)are waitingd)were waitingCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for Class 7 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Choose the correct tense for the sentence:They (wait) for the bus when it started raining.a)waitb)waitedc)are waitingd)were waitingCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Choose the correct tense for the sentence:They (wait) for the bus when it started raining.a)waitb)waitedc)are waitingd)were waitingCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for Class 7. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for Class 7 Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Choose the correct tense for the sentence:They (wait) for the bus when it started raining.a)waitb)waitedc)are waitingd)were waitingCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Choose the correct tense for the sentence:They (wait) for the bus when it started raining.a)waitb)waitedc)are waitingd)were waitingCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Choose the correct tense for the sentence:They (wait) for the bus when it started raining.a)waitb)waitedc)are waitingd)were waitingCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Choose the correct tense for the sentence:They (wait) for the bus when it started raining.a)waitb)waitedc)are waitingd)were waitingCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Choose the correct tense for the sentence:They (wait) for the bus when it started raining.a)waitb)waitedc)are waitingd)were waitingCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice Class 7 tests.
Explore Courses for Class 7 exam

Top Courses for Class 7

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev