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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?
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By the time the guests arrived, the chef ______________ (prepare) the ...
The action of preparing the dinner was ongoing for a period of time before the guests arrived. This requires the Past Perfect Continuous tense to show the duration of the activity leading up to another past event.
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By the time the guests arrived, the chef ______________ (prepare) the ...
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.
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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?
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