Fill in the blank with the correct verb form.
She threw a pen at me, but ________.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → missed
Simple past for actions one after another:
- The sentence gives two past actions of the same person, one after the other.
- She threw the pen, and then the pen did not hit me.
- The first verb “threw” is in the simple past.
- So the second verb takes the same form, missed.
- The subject “she” is understood after “but”.
- Complete sentence: She threw a pen at me, but missed.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: had missed — Incorrect.
- The past perfect shows the earlier of two past actions.
- Here the missing came after the throw, not before it.
- Example: When we reached the station, the train had left.
Option 3: have missed — Incorrect.
- “Have” does not agree with the subject she.
- “She have missed” is wrong English.
- Example: I have missed two classes this week.
Option 4: missing — Incorrect.
- An -ing form cannot be the main verb on its own.
- It needs a helping verb, as in “was missing”.
- Example: One button is missing from my shirt.