I _ to improve my English for a long time.
Correct answer: C. Have been trying
- A. Try
- B. Have tried
- C. Have been trying
- D. Trying
Explanation
The correct answer is 'have been trying' because the sentence refers to an action that began in the past and is still continuing. The phrase 'for a long time' indicates duration, which is best expressed using the present perfect continuous tense. Option A ('try') is in the simple present tense, which is not suitable here. Option B ('have tried') uses the present perfect tense, which is not incorrect but doesn't emphasize the ongoing nature of the action. Option D ('trying') is a present participle and cannot function as the main verb without an auxiliary.
Last updated
About Tenses
Tenses show when an action or state occurs and whether it is complete, continuing or repeated. The work covers present, past and future forms, including simple, continuous, perfect and perfect continuous constructions, as well as sequence of tenses and the difference between tense and aspect.
Practise Grammar
6,178 free Grammar MCQs from English, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Exams that ask English questions like this
English is on 83 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.