Question

In which tense is the second form of the verb used?
(a) Past indefinite
(b) Past perfect
(c) Present perfect
(d) Past continuous

Answer 1

Hint: Read the given question and understand what it demands. Then go through the options, recall what they mean or stand for and choose the one which stands correct according to your understanding.
Complete answer: Tenses are used to indicate the time-frame of a given verb in the sentence.
There are three basic forms of verbs-
i. Base form- For example, dance, sing, eat, etc.
ii. Past form- For example: danced, sang, ate, etc
iii. Past participle/ 3rd form- For example: danced, sung, eaten, etc.
Now, in the given question- We can conclude that the second form or the past form is used in the past indefinite form of the verb.
Let’s look at some examples-
For example- She forgot her books. Here, the verb ‘forgot’ has been given in the past form of the verb ‘forget’.
Now, let’s examine the given options-
Option a- ‘Past indefinite’ is the correct option because it uses the past form or the 2nd form of the verb.
Option b- ‘Past perfect’ is an incorrect option because it uses the past participle or the 3rd form of the verb with ‘had’.
Option c- ‘Present perfect’ is an incorrect option because it uses the past participle or the 3rd form of the verb with ‘have’.
Option d- ‘Past continuous’ is an incorrect option because it uses the ‘ing’ form of the verb with was/were.
Hence, the correct answer is Option ‘a’.

Note: Always remember, the simple past tense form of the verb is also known as the past indefinite form of the verb. Hence, do not get confused between the two.