Question

Complete the following sentence using the correct form of the verb in the brackets:
Mohan received a letter that _________ (write) from his friend 10 days ago.
a) Was writing
b) Had been written
c) Written
d) Wrote

Answer 1

Hint: You can observe from the question that the scope of the action began in the past before coming to an end in the past.

Complete answer : You use the Simple Past Tense when the action is indefinite in the past. It doesn’t make use of any auxiliary verb.
>You use the Past Continuous Tense when the action is continuous in the past. The infinitive form of such verbs is preceded by the auxiliary was.
>You use the Past Perfect Tense when the action has been completed in the past itself. The infinitive form of such verbs is preceded by the auxiliary had.
>You use the Past Perfect Continuous Tense when an action is expected to continue up until a point in the past. The infinitive form of such verbs is preceded by the auxiliary had been.

Let us examine the options given to us.
Option ‘a’ was writing is framed in the Past Continuous Tense. However, the action isn’t continuous in the past. Therefore, it is wrong.
Option ‘b’ had been written as framed in the Past Perfect Continuous Tense. It shows when an action began in the past and when it ended in the past. Therefore, it is right.
Option ‘c’ written is a past participle. It isn’t preceded by an auxiliary verb. Therefore, it is wrong.
Option ‘d’ wrote is framed in the Simple Past Tense. However, the action isn’t indefinite in the past. Therefore, it is wrong.

Hence option ‘b’ is the correct answer.

Note: To avoid making errors, consider when the action started and ended in the past.