Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyVerbs, Tenses, and Aspect

What is the correct form of the verb to complete the sentence below?

Answer:Mr. Okeke has been living in Lagos since he 【graduated】 from university.

Answer

graduated
When 'since' is used to connect a main clause in the present perfect tense to a time clause defining a specific starting point in the past, the verb in the 'since' clause must be in the simple past tense ('graduated').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence structure and time indicators.
The main clause uses the present perfect continuous tense ('has been living'), while the subordinate clause is introduced by the time conjunction 'since'.
The conjunction 'since' indicates the starting point of an action that began in the past and continues into the present.
2
Apply the rule of sequence of tenses for time clauses introduced by 'since'.
The verb in the time clause specifying the starting point must be in the simple past tense.
A completed action acting as a point of origin in time requires the simple past tense form 'graduated'.

Key Concept

Sequence of tenses with 'since' (Present Perfect Main Clause + Simple Past Time Clause)
Rate this question

Topics

Verbs, Tenses, and Aspect

More questions from this topic