Question

Complete using the most appropriate option:
He couldn’t find his way to our house. (a map) __________.
a) He doesn't have a map.
b) He didn’t have a map.
c) He didn't have a map.
d) He doesn't have a map.

Answer 1

Hint: The answer is related to the correct tense. "He couldn't find"- the sentence is in the past tense. Past tense is a tense where something has already happened in the past.

Complete answer:
 Option b, that is “He didn’t have a map” is the right answer because it has the past tense "didn't". More correctly, it is a simple past tense. When writing a simple past tense, we write it as “subject + did not + infinitive without to”. Examples of infinitives are “to + verb”, such as to eat, to run, to walk, etc.
Option a is wrong because "don't" is in the present tense. Also, don't is incorrect usage. The correct grammar would have been, he doesn't have a map. Don't is used with plural nouns while doesn’t is used with singular nouns. “He” is a singular noun.
Option c is wrong because it is in the present tense as proven by the usage of "have". Though it has the element of the past tense "hadn't", it is to be seen in the present tense. “Hadn’t have” is not a popular usage in English grammar.
Option d is wrong because of the usage of two present tenses. Also, the sentence is grammatically wrong because of the overuse of "have".

Note:
If you're confused about which tense to use, check the tense already used in the sentence. Sentences usually use one form of tense throughout. Therefore, always check the tense already used in the sentence.