Question

The teacher ........................ English for twenty years.

• A. teach
• B. is teaching
• C. has been teaching
• D. have been teaching

Hint:

Look for the prepositions 'for' (duration of time) and 'since' (a point in time). They are strong indicators that a perfect or perfect continuous tense is needed.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question tests the correct tense for an action that started in the past and continues into the present.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The phrase "for twenty years" indicates a duration of time. When we talk about an action that started in the past and is still ongoing, we use the present perfect continuous tense.
The structure of the present perfect continuous tense is: `has/have + been + verb-ing`.
The subject is 'The teacher', which is singular. Therefore, we must use 'has'.
- (A) teach - simple present, incorrect for duration.
- (B) is teaching - present continuous, used for actions happening now, not for a duration starting in the past.
- (C) has been teaching - present perfect continuous, singular form. Correct.
- (D) have been teaching - present perfect continuous, plural form. Incorrect for a singular subject.

Step 3: Applying to the Sentence:
The singular subject 'The teacher' requires the singular form of the verb, which is 'has been teaching'.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct verb phrase is has been teaching.