Choose the correct verb form to fill in the blank:
Ever since Arjun joined the hostel in July, he ______ home only twice.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → has visited
Present perfect with “since”:
- Its form is has / have + past participle (V3).
- It shows actions in a period that began in the past and runs up to now.
- The “since” part gives the starting point in the simple past (“joined”), and the main part takes the present perfect.
- Clue word: “Ever since”.
- Complete sentence: Ever since Arjun joined the hostel in July, he has visited home only twice.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: visits — Incorrect.
- “Visits” is the simple present.
- It shows a habit now, not a period from a past point up to now.
- Example: Arjun visits his aunt every Diwali.
Option 2: visited — Incorrect.
- “Visited” is the simple past.
- It belongs to a finished time, so it does not go with “ever since”, which runs up to now.
- Example: Arjun visited Jaipur last year.
Option 4: had visited — Incorrect.
- “Had visited” is the past perfect.
- It shows an action before another past time, but this period runs up to now.
- Example: Arjun had visited the fort before it closed for repairs.