Question

I have been in this class _ _ _ _ _ the beginning of the semester.
a)For
b)Since
c)Until
d)By

Answer 1

Hint: The preposition ‘by’ is mostly used to denote the limit of a certain time or limit for something to happen.

Complete step-by-step answer:

Option a “for” is used to indicate the duration of time. Beginning of the semester is not a duration, it is a specific point of time. For e.eg, “This is your syllabus for the first semester.” Thus, option ‘a’ is incorrect.
Option c “Until” is used to describe the duration of an action before a specific time. For e.g. “she will wait for her friend until he tells her otherwise.” This is not suitable according to the sentence. Therefore, the option ‘c’ is incorrect.
Option d “by” means before a specific time or shows a limit for something to happen. This is not appropriate according to the sentence as the person has been in the class from some time in the past till present. ‘by’ does not justify the sentence. For. e.g. “I’ll be there ‘by’ 11:30 am.” Thus, option ‘d’ is incorrect.
Option b “since” is used to refer into a specific point of time in the past. This is appropriate in the context of the sentence and therefore, option ‘b’ is correct. E.g. “I have been a part of the literature society since the first year of college.”

Note: The beginning of the semester is a specific point of time in the past. When we use it we talk about something that is continuing from that pint of time to the present.