Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
We ______ to finish the Ganpati pandal by Friday, but three days of heavy rain held up the work.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → had hoped
Past perfect for a hope that did not come true:
- Its form is had + past participle (V3).
- “Had hoped” shows a hope or plan in the past that did not work out.
- Clue word: “but three days of heavy rain held up the work” shows the hope failed.
- Complete sentence: We had hoped to finish the Ganpati pandal by Friday, but three days of heavy rain held up the work.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: hope — Incorrect.
- “Hope” is the simple present.
- It shows a hope now, but the rest of the sentence is in the past (“held up”).
- Example: I hope you feel better soon.
Option 2: have hoped — Incorrect.
- “Have hoped” is the present perfect: has / have + V3.
- It joins a hope with now.
- It cannot show a past hope that failed.
- Example: We have always hoped for a library in our village.
Option 3: are hoping — Incorrect.
- “Are hoping” is the present continuous.
- It shows a hope going on now, but the work was held up in the past.
- Example: We are hoping to visit Ooty this summer.