Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response. From the last five days, it has been raining torrentially.
For the last
Understanding Time Expressions in English Grammar
The question asks us to identify the best substitution for the underlined phrase "From the last five days" in the sentence, "From the last five days, it has been raining torrentially." This sentence uses the present perfect continuous tense ('it has been raining'), which typically describes an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment, often emphasizing the duration.
Let's analyze the original phrase and the provided options focusing on how they express duration or a starting point in time.
Analyzing the Original Phrase: "From the last five days"
The preposition 'from' is usually used to indicate a starting point in space (e.g., from London to Paris) or a starting point in time (e.g., from Monday onwards). However, when referring to a duration of time leading up to the present, especially with the present perfect or present perfect continuous tenses, 'from' is not the standard or correct preposition.
The phrase "the last five days" refers to a period, a duration of time that extends up to the present. Therefore, using 'from' with this duration is grammatically incorrect in this context.
Evaluating the Substitution Options
We need to find a phrase that correctly expresses the duration of the rain using the present perfect continuous tense.
Option (a) "Since the last"
'Since' is used to indicate a specific point in time when an action started (e.g., since Monday, since 2010, since lunch). While "last" can precede a time point (like "since last week"), "since the last" followed by a duration like "five days" is not a common or correct idiomatic expression to indicate a duration leading up to the present.
Option (b) "For the last"
'For' is used to express a duration of time (e.g., for two hours, for a week, for five days). It is commonly used with the present perfect and present perfect continuous tenses to indicate how long an action has been happening. The phrase "for the last five days" correctly expresses the duration of the rain leading up to the present moment.
Option (c) "Since last"
Similar to option (a), 'since last' requires a specific point in time (e.g., since last Monday, since last year). "Last five days" is a duration, not a specific point in time, so 'since last five days' is grammatically incorrect.
Option (d) "No improvement"
As analyzed earlier, the original phrase "From the last five days" is grammatically incorrect in this context. Therefore, improvement is needed.
Conclusion on Sentence Improvement
Based on the analysis of time expressions, particularly 'for' and 'since', and their usage with the present perfect continuous tense, the phrase "For the last five days" is the correct and most appropriate way to express the duration of the rain that has been happening continuously up to the present.
The improved sentence is: For the last five days, it has been raining torrentially.
| Time Expression | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| For + Duration | Indicates a period of time. Used with various tenses, including present perfect and present perfect continuous. | It has rained for five days. It has been raining for five days. |
| Since + Point in Time | Indicates the starting point of an action. Used with present perfect and present perfect continuous. | It has rained since Monday. It has been raining since last week. |
| From + Time Point | Indicates a starting point in time, often implying continuation from that point onwards (e.g., from now on, from Monday). Less common with durations ending at the present compared to 'for'. | The store is open from 9 AM. Starting from tomorrow, prices will increase. |
Revision Table: 'For' vs 'Since' in Time Expressions
| Preposition | What it indicates | Followed by | Example Sentence (Present Perfect/Continuous) |
|---|---|---|---|
| For | Duration of time | A period of time (e.g., five days, two hours, a year) | She has lived here for ten years. They have been studying for three hours. |
| Since | Starting point of time | A specific moment or event in the past (e.g., Monday, 2005, I was a child, last week) | She has lived here since 2010. They have been studying since noon. |
Additional Information: Present Perfect Continuous Tense
The present perfect continuous tense is formed with has/have + been + -ing form of the verb. It is used to talk about:
- Actions that started in the past and are still continuing in the present. (e.g., It has been raining all morning.)
- Actions that recently stopped but whose results are visible in the present. (e.g., I'm tired because I have been running.)
This tense frequently uses time expressions like 'for' and 'since' to specify the duration or starting point of the action.
- Using 'for' highlights the length of time the action has been happening.
- Using 'since' highlights the specific moment the action began.
In the given sentence, "it has been raining torrentially," the present perfect continuous tense is used, and the phrase "For the last five days" correctly specifies the duration of this ongoing action, making it the appropriate substitution.
Similar Questions
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
Go north-east across the mountains till you will reach an island.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
It is hard these days to cope with the rising prices.
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He took a loan of hundred rupees from me.
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The Prime Minister had wide-ranging discussions on the international situation.
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The teacher, along with her three children, were taken to hospital.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
The man disappeared after he was rescuing a boy from drowning.Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
By 8.00 in the morning he wrote four letters to his friends.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
The chairman with the other members of the board are touring Europe these days.
Direction: Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the bold/underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
I shall be obliged if youcould grantme an interview.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
Your services are dispensed for.
Important Questions from Phrase Replacement
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No improvement.
The questions are so simple that a child can understand it .
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No improvement.
Even children shrink away from food thinking that they should become overweight.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No substitution required.
The weather reports is prepared by the Meteorological Department of the Government.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No improvement.
He decided to leave very quickly the hotel.
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No substitution required’.
I have been worked hard to finish this project.
