16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardSince versus for with the present perfect

Standard English Conventions practice question

The observatory has operated ____ 1892 without a single year's interruption.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. sinceCorrect
  2. B. for
  3. C. from
  4. D. during

Answer: A. since

With the present perfect ('has operated') and a starting point in time (1892), the preposition is 'since'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. for
'for' takes a length of time ('for 130 years'), not a starting date.
C. from
'from 1892' would need a matching 'to' or a different verb form.
D. during
'during 1892' would limit the operation to that one year.

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