Identify the tense of the underlined verb in the sentence:
Grandma was drying red chillies on the terrace when the first drops of rain fell.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Past continuous
Past continuous tense:
- Its form is was / were + V-ing.
- It shows an action that was going on at a moment in the past.
- “Was drying” is “was” + “drying”.
- The drying was going on when the rain began.
- Example: The children were playing cricket when the bell rang.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: Past perfect continuous — Incorrect.
- The past perfect continuous is had been + V-ing.
- “Was drying” has no “had been”.
- Example: She had been waiting for an hour when the bus came.
Option 3: Present continuous — Incorrect.
- The present continuous is am / is / are + V-ing.
- “Was” is a past form, not a present one.
- Example: Dad is cooking dinner now.
Option 4: Past perfect — Incorrect.
- The past perfect is had + past participle (V3).
- “Was drying” has neither “had” nor a V3.
- Example: The guests had left before we arrived.