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

Standard English Conventions practice question

The mill's wheel ____ still since the sluice collapsed in 1990.

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

  1. A. has stoodCorrect
  2. B. stands
  3. C. stood
  4. D. is standing

Answer: A. has stood

A state continuing from a past point to now takes the present perfect.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. stands
'Stands … since 1990' is not standard.
C. stood
'Stood' is simple past and doesn't reach the present.
D. is standing
'Is standing … since' is not standard.

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