Identify the tense of the underlined verb in the sentence:Since dawn,…

The correct answer is Option (3) → Present perfect continuous tense

Present perfect continuous tense:

• Its form is has / have been + V-ing.
• It shows an action that began in the past and is still going on now.
• “Have been mending” has “have been” and the -ing word “mending”.
• “Since dawn” tells when the action began.
• Example: My sister has been practising the veena since four o’clock.

Why the Other Options are Incorrect?

Option 1: Present perfect tense — Incorrect.

• The present perfect is has / have + past participle (V3), as in “have mended”.
• The underlined verb has “been” and an -ing word, so it is not the present perfect.
• Example: Dad has repaired the fan.

Option 2: Past perfect continuous tense — Incorrect.

• The past perfect continuous is had been + V-ing.
• The underlined verb begins with “have”, not “had”.
• Example: We had been waiting for an hour when the train came.

Option 4: Present continuous tense — Incorrect.

• The present continuous is am / is / are + V-ing, as in “are mending”.
• The underlined verb has “have been”, so it is not the present continuous.
• Example: The children are flying kites on the terrace.