Select the most appropriate option to replace the underlined part of the sentence:
My sister returned back from her hostel in Dehradun only last night.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → returned
Words that repeat the same meaning:
- “Return” means “come back”. So “back” after “return” says the same thing twice.
- The given sentence says “returned back”. This is wrong: “back” must go.
- Complete sentence: My sister returned from her hostel in Dehradun only last night.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: has returned — Incorrect. “Last night” is a finished past time. A finished past time takes the simple past, not the present perfect. Example: My sister has returned, and she is unpacking her bag now.
Option 2: returned back home — Incorrect. It still keeps “back” after “returned”, so the same meaning is repeated.
Option 4: had returned — Incorrect. The past perfect is used for the earlier of two past actions. This sentence has only one past action. Example: My sister had returned before the rain started.