Question

Correct the underlined part, if necessary:
I’ve bought a new car last week.

a) No error
b) I’d buy
c) I bought
d) I’ll buy

Answer 1

Hint: The given sentence talks about an event in the past. Thus, the past tense would be used.

Complete answer:

The given sentence is in the present perfect tense which is wrong as this tense is used when we talk about an action or event of the past which is continuing in the present. This is not the case in the sentence as the car was bought once only and that too last week i.e., in the past.
From the above-given explanation, it is evident that the first option, “No error” is incorrect as the sentence has an error. Thus, the option ‘a’ is invalid and can be eliminated.
Option b “I’d buy” is incorrect too as ‘would’ is used in the future tense, for an event that is yet to happen. Contrarily in this case the event has already happened in the past, and thus, option ‘c’ is incorrect too.
Option c “I bought” is the correct answer. ‘Bought’ is the past participle/tense of ‘buy’, and the sentence would be correct after replacing ‘I’ve bought’ with ‘I bought’. This would mean that the person got this car at some point of time in the past (last week).

So, the correct answer is “Option c”.

Option d “I’ll buy” is incorrect as ‘will’ is again used with future tense to refer to something that has a certainty of happening in the future. “Last week” is a time in the past, not the future. Thus, option ‘d’ is incorrect too.

Note: When we refer to an event or action of the past which is not continuing in the present we use past tense, not present perfect.