Question

They _ _ _ _ the ropeway for the last two years.

• A. are constructing
• B. has been constructing
• C. will have been constructing
• D. have been constructing

Hint:

Whenever you see time expressions such as “for two years,” “for several months,” “since 2020,” or “since childhood,” first consider whether the action started in the past and is still continuing. If it is, the Present Perfect Continuous Tense is often the correct choice.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept: This question tests the correct usage of English tenses. The key to solving such questions is identifying the time expression and determining whether the action is completed, ongoing, or expected to continue. The phrase “for the last two years” indicates that the action started in the past and has continued up to the present time. Such situations generally require the Present Perfect Continuous Tense. The structure of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense is: \[ \text{Subject} + \text{has/have} + \text{been} + \text{Verb(-ing)} \]

Step 1: Identifying the subject and time expression. The subject of the sentence is: \[ \text{They} \] The pronoun “They” is a plural subject. The phrase: \[ \text{for the last two years} \] indicates duration and continuity from the past to the present. Therefore, a continuous perfect tense is required.

Step 2: Examining each option individually.
• are constructing This is Present Continuous Tense. Although it indicates an ongoing action, it does not properly express an activity continuing over a long duration such as two years. Hence, this option is incorrect.
• has been constructing This is Present Perfect Continuous Tense. However, the auxiliary verb “has” is used only with singular subjects such as he, she, or it. Since the subject here is “They,” this option violates subject--verb agreement. Hence, it is incorrect.
• will have been constructing This is Future Perfect Continuous Tense. It refers to an action that will continue up to a future point in time. The sentence refers to the present period, not the future. Hence, this option is incorrect.
• have been constructing This is Present Perfect Continuous Tense. The auxiliary “have” correctly agrees with the plural subject “They.” It also accurately expresses an action that began in the past and continues into the present. Therefore, this option is correct.

Step 3: Forming the complete sentence. Substituting the correct option into the sentence gives: \[ \text{They have been constructing the ropeway for the last two years.} \] This sentence is grammatically correct and conveys the intended meaning clearly. Therefore, \[ \boxed{\text{have been constructing}} \] is the correct answer.