Identify the tense of the underlined verb in the sentence:
When we reached Kasara station, the fallen tree on the tracks was being cleared, so all the trains to Nashik were late.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Past continuous tense
Past continuous tense:
- Its form is was / were + V-ing.
- In the passive it is was / were + being + past participle (V3).
- It shows an action going on at a past moment.
- “Was being cleared” has “was”, “being” and the V3 “cleared”.
- The clearing was still going on when we reached the station.
- Example: The hall was being decorated when the guests came.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Simple past tense — Incorrect.
- The simple past in the passive is was / were + V3, as in “was cleared”.
- The underlined verb also has “being”, which shows the action was still going on.
- Example: The road was cleared by noon.
Option 2: Past perfect tense — Incorrect.
- The past perfect is had + V3.
- In the passive it is had been + V3, as in “had been cleared”.
- The underlined verb has no “had”.
- Example: The guests had left before we arrived.
Option 4: Past perfect continuous tense — Incorrect.
- The past perfect continuous is had been + V-ing, as in “had been clearing”.
- The underlined verb has no “had” and no -ing main verb.
- Example: The workers had been digging for hours when it rained.