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 on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter (a), (b) or (c). If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a “No improvement” response will be signified by the letter (d). This is to certify that I know Mr. J. Mathews since 1970.
have known
Understanding Verb Tenses with 'Since 1970'
The original sentence is: "This is to certify that I know Mr. J. Mathews since 1970."
The phrase "since 1970" indicates a period of time that started in 1970 and continues up to the present moment. When we talk about an action or a state that began in the past and continues into the present, we typically use the present perfect tense or present perfect continuous tense. The verb 'know' is a stative verb, meaning it describes a state rather than an action, so the present perfect continuous tense ('have been knowing') is not commonly used or appropriate here.
Analyzing the Options for Correct Tense
- (a) am knowing: This is the present continuous tense. The present continuous is generally used for actions happening now, temporary situations, or future plans. Stative verbs like 'know' are rarely used in the continuous form, especially to indicate a state of familiarity over a period. Using "am knowing" with "since 1970" is grammatically incorrect in this context.
- (b) had known: This is the past perfect tense. The past perfect is used to talk about an action or state that happened before another action or point in the past. For example, "I had known him before I moved to London." The phrase "since 1970" refers to a duration continuing up to the present, not ending before a past point. Therefore, the past perfect "had known" is not suitable here.
- (c) have known: This is the present perfect tense. The present perfect is used for actions or states that started in the past and continue up to the present, or actions completed in the past but relevant to the present. The structure "present perfect + since + specific past time" or "present perfect + for + duration" is the standard way to express a state or action continuing from the past until now. "I have known Mr. J. Mathews since 1970" correctly expresses that the speaker's state of knowing Mr. Mathews began in 1970 and continues today.
- (d) No improvement: The original sentence uses the simple present "know". While the simple present describes general truths or habits, it is not used with "since + time" to indicate a duration extending to the present. Thus, the original sentence is grammatically incorrect in this context.
Based on the analysis, the present perfect tense "have known" is the correct verb form to use with "since 1970" to describe the duration of knowing someone from 1970 up to the present.
Revision Table: Tenses with 'Since' and 'For'
| Tense | Usage with 'Since' / 'For' | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Perfect | Action/state started in the past, continues to present | I have lived here since 2000. |
| Present Perfect Continuous | Action started in the past, continues to present (emphasizing duration/activity) | She has been studying for three hours. |
| Past Perfect | Action/state happened before another past point/action | He had worked there for five years before he quit. |
| Past Perfect Continuous | Action continued up to a point in the past | They had been waiting for an hour before the bus arrived. |
| Simple Past | Action completed in the past (often with a specific past time) - NOT typically with 'since' indicating duration to present | He lived here in 2010. |
Additional Information: Stative Verbs and Durations
Stative verbs describe states, feelings, opinions, or possessions rather than actions. Examples include 'know', 'believe', 'like', 'love', 'hate', 'understand', 'own', 'have' (for possession). These verbs are typically not used in continuous tenses (like present continuous or present perfect continuous), even when describing a state that continues over time. Instead, the simple form (like simple present or present perfect) is used.
When expressing the duration of a state described by a stative verb, the present perfect tense is commonly used with 'since' or 'for'. For example, instead of "I am owning this car for five years" (incorrect), we say "I have owned this car for five years" (correct). Similarly, for the verb 'know', we use the present perfect.
Important Questions from Phrase Replacement
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”
My old teacher gave many poor students money in spite of he was poor.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.
You should to read the newspaper regularly if you want to be well-informed.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.
If he had listening to me he would not have got lost.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”
He asked for a bank loan also he didn't have sufficient resources.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.
I went to the shop to buy some stationeries .
