Fill in the blank in the following sentence with the most appropriate word from the given options:-
My sister had hoped that I ______send her the money.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → would
"Would" as the future in the past:
- Would is the past form of will. After a past verb (hoped, thought, said), it shows an action that was still in the future at that time.
- Clue word: the past verb "had hoped" before the blank.
- This sentence: the main verb "had hoped" is in the past, so the expected action (sending the money) takes would: she hoped "He will send me the money" → she had hoped that I would send her the money.
- Complete sentence: My sister had hoped that I would send her the money.
Example: We thought that the train would arrive on time.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: can — Incorrect. Can shows ability in the present; after the past "had hoped" its past form "could" would be needed, and ability is not the point here.
Example: She can speak three languages.
Option 2: should — Incorrect. Should mainly shows duty or advice; the sister was not giving advice but expecting the money to come.
Example: You should drink more water.
Option 4: may — Incorrect. May shows possibility or permission in the present; after a past verb its past form is "might", and possibility does not suit a hope.
Example: It may rain this evening.