Question

Choose the correct alternative of the verb given in brackets.
Ramesh _________ (be) a teacher since 1994.
a. Is
b. Has been
c. Is being
d. Was

Answer 1

Hint: The action’s scope has been going on for a period of time in the present.

Complete step-by-step answer:

The Present Tense denotes those actions that take place in the present scenario. To frame verbs in the present tense, you must conjugate the infinitive of the verb. Conjugate means to make the verb match the subject. ‘Infinitive’ refers to the ‘to form’ of a verb. E.g. - to meet.
There are four types of present tenses:
The Simple Present Tense is used when an action is indefinite in the present. It doesn’t make use of any auxiliary verb or helping verb.
The Present Continuous Tense is used when an action is continuous in the present. The infinitive form of such verbs is preceded by the auxiliary am or is.
The Present Perfect Tense is used when an action has been completed in the present. The infinitive form of such verbs is preceded by the auxiliary has / have.
The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used when an action has continued up until a point in the present. The infinitive form of such verbs is preceded by the auxiliary has / have been.
In the above question, the action has continued up until the present. We know when it started but it hasn’t ended yet. This means that the action is the Present Perfect Continuous Tense. Following the rules of conjugation, the correct answer is option ‘b’ has been.

Note: To avoid making errors, consider when the action started, and when it will end.