Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
The environment has always ____ in control of our destiny.
a) is
b) be
c) been
d) was

Answer 1

Hint: The given sentence has one verb already. The blank is right after an adverb, and there is already an auxiliary. So, we need a verb in the right tense that completes the given sentence to fill the blank.

Complete answer:
The word ‘always’ refers to ‘at all times; on all occasions’. This means that the action in the given sentence is always happening, and is continuing to happen. In this case, any tense which is continuous can be used with the given adverb.
However, we already have part of a clue in the given sentence, i.e. ‘has’. This means that we need the perfect continuous tense. The present perfect continuous tense (also known as the present perfect progressive tense) shows that something started in the past and is continuing at the present time. The present perfect continuous is formed using the construction has/have been + the present participle (root + -ing).
Now, we know what we are looking for, let’s look at the available options-
a) is - The word ‘is’ is used as an auxiliary itself. It cannot be in the same verb construction as another auxiliary. This is not part of the present perfect continuous tense. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
b) be - The word ‘be’ is not the continuous form of the root verb. It cannot be in the same verb construction as the given sentence. This is not part of the present perfect continuous tense. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
c) been - The word ‘been’ is the continuous form of the verb ’to be’. It fits perfectly into the given sentence and completes the given sentence. This is the required answer. So, this is the correct option.
d) was - The word ‘was’ is not a part of any present perfect continuous tense construction. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.

Note:
Try to look for certain pointer words. They will help you understand which option you are looking for. Then, go through the given options, and choose the most appropriate option accordingly.