Choose the correct verb form to fill in the blank:
Most people in our village ______ that the old peepal tree protects the fields from storms.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → believe
Simple present tense:
- Its form is the base form of the verb (with -s for he / she / it).
- It shows a belief or state that is true now.
- Verbs of the mind, like believe, know and understand, do not take -ing.
- Clue word: “protects” is in the simple present, so the belief is held now.
- Complete sentence: Most people in our village believe that the old peepal tree protects the fields from storms.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: are believing — Incorrect.
- “Are believing” is the present continuous.
- “Believe” is a verb of the mind, so it does not take -ing.
- Example: The farmers are sowing wheat this week.
Option 2: have been believing — Incorrect.
- “Have been believing” is the present perfect continuous: has / have been + V-ing.
- “Believe” does not take -ing in any tense.
- Example: The villagers have been digging a pond since April.
Option 3: were believing — Incorrect.
- “Were believing” is the past continuous.
- “Believe” does not take -ing in the past either.
- Example: The children were swinging from the branches.