Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
The watchman says he will not open the main gate till the principal ______ the visitors’ list.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → signs
Future in a “till” part:
- After till, the simple present is used for a future action.
- “Will” goes only in the main part.
- Clue word: “will not open ... till”.
- The signing is in the future, but the “till” part still takes the simple present.
- Complete sentence: The watchman says he will not open the main gate till the principal signs the visitors’ list.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: will sign — Incorrect.
- “Will sign” is the simple future.
- It is used in a main part, not in a “till” part about the future.
- Example: The principal will sign the certificates on Monday.
Option 2: would sign — Incorrect.
- “Would sign” is would + base form.
- It shows a future seen from a past time, after a past verb like “said”.
- Example: Ma said she would sign my report card at night.
Option 3: had signed — Incorrect.
- “Had signed” is the past perfect: had + past participle (V3).
- It shows an action over before another past action, not a future one.
- Example: The principal had signed the list before the bell rang.