Choose the correct tense form of the verb. They __________ for five years.
have been married
The phrase ‘for five years’ gives a period of time that started in the past and continues up to now. Such a continuing state needs the present perfect tense (or present perfect continuous for actions).
‘Married’ here describes a state (being married), so the present perfect of ‘be’ is used: ‘They have been married for five years.’
‘are married’ is simple present; it cannot combine with a duration ‘for five years’ that measures time up to now. ‘have married’ uses the action verb ‘marry’ and suggests the act of marrying, which does not last five years. ‘were married’ is simple past and implies the marriage is over, which the sentence does not say.
Only the present perfect of the state fits the duration phrase.
have been married option is correct.
Similar Questions
Identify the sentence that correctly uses Future Perfect Continuous Tense.
Important Questions from Tenses
- Which of the following sentences is an example of present progressive tense?
Select the option that expresses the given sentence in simple past tense.
A. Last year, I have travelled to Japan.
B. Last year, I was travelling to Japan.
C. Last year, I travelled to Japan.
D. Last year, I had been travelling to Japan.
- Select the option that expresses the given sentence in past perfect tense.
A. I read a lot about mythology.
B. I had been reading a lot about mythology.
C. I was reading a lot about mythology.
D. I had read a lot about mythology. - Select the option that expresses the given sentence in simple past tense.
A. Arun knew the concepts of geometry.
B. Arun had been knowing the concepts of geometry.
C. Arun had known the concepts of geometry.
D. Arun was knowing the concepts of geometry. The given sentence has an error which has been underlined. The underlined word is given as options with some changes. Select the option that rectifies the error.
She vacillates a lot while making any decision.
