Choose the correct verb form to fill in the blank:
Rohan said he had mailed his project file, but the teacher’s inbox shows that he did not ______ it before the deadline.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → mail
“Did” + base form:
- In the simple past, “did” or “did not” already shows the past time.
- So the main verb after it stays in its base form, with no -ed and no “had” or “have”.
- Clue word: “did not” just before the blank.
- “Had mailed” in the first part does not change this.
- Complete sentence: Rohan said he had mailed his project file, but the teacher’s inbox shows that he did not mail it before the deadline.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: mailed — Incorrect.
- “Mailed” is the past form (V2).
- The past is already shown by “did”, so a second past form is wrong.
- Example: Rohan mailed the file on Monday.
Option 2: had mailed — Incorrect.
- “Had mailed” is the past perfect: had + past participle (V3).
- “Did” is never followed by “had” + V3.
- Example: He had mailed the file before the deadline.
Option 3: have mailed — Incorrect.
- “Have mailed” is the present perfect: have + V3.
- “Did” is never followed by “have” + V3.
- Example: I have just mailed the file.