Identify the correct tense form of the underlined part in the given sentence.…
2023
Identify the correct tense form of the underlined part in the given sentence. I had finished writing the letter when he arrived.
Answer: D. Past Perfect — CONCEPT: The tense and aspect of a verb phrase are determined by its finite auxiliary chain and the form of the main verb, not by every later -ing word in the…
- A.
Past Perfect Continuous
- B.
Simple Past
- C.
Present Perfect
- D.
Past Perfect
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Correct answer: D
CONCEPT: The tense and aspect of a verb phrase are determined by its finite auxiliary chain and the form of the main verb, not by every later -ing word in the clause.
Past perfect uses had + past participle. Past perfect continuous uses had been + present participle.
APPLICATION: Analyze only the underlined verb phrase.
The underlined words are had finished.
Had is the perfect auxiliary, and finished is the past participle of finish.
The word writing follows finish as its -ing complement; it is outside the underlined words and there is no auxiliary been.
The separate clause he arrived supplies the later past reference point.
CROSS-CHECK AND CONTRAST: Compare the relevant forms.
Past perfect continuous would contain had been + present participle, such as had been writing.
Simple past would use a past-tense verb without had, such as finished.
Present perfect would begin with has or have, such as has finished or have finished.
Had finished exactly follows had + past participle and locates the completion before he arrived.
Therefore, the underlined part is in the Past Perfect tense.