Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:
He wished she _______ have to spend so much time away.
A) Didn’t
B) Hadn’t
C) Doesn’t
D) Couldn’t

Answer 1

Hint: Tense is a category that expresses time reference. Tenses are usually manifested by the use of specific forms of verbs. The main tenses are: past, present and future.

Complete step by step answer:
Option A) Didn’t – is the correct answer because 'didn't' is in the past tense. It is also an imperative auxiliary verb (are most commonly used in the active and in the second person) and thus, it shows that the subject was unable to come back. Thus, it fulfils all the required conditions for the correct answer. Thus, this is the correct answer.
Option B) Hadn’t – is an incorrect answer because 'hadn't' in the past tense, does not indicate that 'she' had no other option. Thus, it does not justify the subject's wish that she would not have to spend so much time away. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option C) Doesn’t – is an incorrect answer because ‘doesn’t’ is in the simple present tense and thus, it will make the sentence inconsistent and inappropriate. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option D) Couldn’t – is an incorrect answer because 'couldn't' indicates that 'she' can come back but she doesn't do so making the subject wish that she would come back. This will change the indication made by the sentence. So, it will be grammatically incorrect if ‘couldn’t’ be used in the sentence. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
He wished she didn’t have to spend so much time away. (Option A)

So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note:
The word 'wished' in the given sentence indicates that the tense of the sentence is in past tense. Thus, the answer must also be in past tense. The sentence also expresses that 'she' had no choice but to spend so much time away. So, Option A is the most appropriate answer as it satisfies all the conditions that are required.