Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
This brass lamp ______ to our family since my great-grandfather’s time.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → has belonged
Present perfect tense:
- Its form is has / have + past participle (V3).
- With “since”, it shows a state that began in the past and is still true now.
- Verbs of owning, like belong and own, do not take -ing, so the present perfect is used, not the present perfect continuous.
- Clue word: “since my great-grandfather’s time”.
- Complete sentence: This brass lamp has belonged to our family since my great-grandfather’s time.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: is belonging — Incorrect.
- “Is belonging” is the present continuous.
- “Belong” is a verb of owning, so it does not take -ing.
- Example: The children are playing in the park.
Option 2: belongs — Incorrect.
- “Belongs” is the simple present.
- It shows a state now but cannot join “since” to show how long.
- Example: This red umbrella belongs to Nidhi.
Option 4: has been belonging — Incorrect.
- “Has been belonging” is the present perfect continuous: has been + V-ing.
- “Belong” does not take -ing in any tense.
- Example: Papa has been painting the gate since morning.