Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
This is the first time I ______ a live kabaddi match in a stadium, and the noise is unbelievable.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → have watched
“This is the first time” + present perfect:
- After “This is the first time” (or the second, third time), the verb takes the present perfect: has / have + past participle (V3).
- It counts an experience up to now.
- Clue word: “This is the first time” and “the noise is unbelievable” show the match is part of the present.
- Complete sentence: This is the first time I have watched a live kabaddi match in a stadium, and the noise is unbelievable.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: watched — Incorrect.
- “Watched” is the simple past.
- It goes with “That was the first time”, not “This is the first time”.
- Example: That was the first time I watched a Test match.
Option 3: am watching — Incorrect.
- “Am watching” is the present continuous.
- “This is the first time” counts an experience, so it needs the present perfect, not an -ing form.
- Example: I am watching the news right now.
Option 4: had watched — Incorrect.
- “Had watched” is the past perfect: had + V3.
- It shows an action before another past action, but this sentence is about now.
- Example: We had watched the trailer before we booked the tickets.