16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardVerb tense with 'since' and a continuing state

Standard English Conventions practice question

The observatory ____ its dome every clear night since it reopened in 2015.

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

  1. A. has openedCorrect
  2. B. opens
  3. C. opened
  4. D. is opening

Answer: A. has opened

A repeated action continuing from a past point to now takes the present perfect: 'has opened … since 2015'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. opens
'Opens … since 2015' is not standard.
C. opened
'Opened' is simple past and doesn't reach the present.
D. is opening
'Is opening … since' is not standard.

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