Question

Choose the option that fills in the blank with the most appropriate verb form:
How long __________ since we last met?

• A. will it be
• B. it will be
• C. has it been
• D. it will have been

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

has it been

In order to discern the correct tense to be used in any sentence, we have to keep in mind two things - one, if the options provided make grammatical sense within the framework of the given sentence; and two whether the secondary action in the sentence has completed or is in the process of unfolding WITHIN the relevant timeframe. In this case, we see that the question is being asked in the present, and is trying to trace the time elapsed since a past event - ruling out the future tense Options A), B) and C). This leaves us with Option C) - the correct answer, and of thepresent perfect form - which is obtained by adding 'have/has' (depending on singular or plural subject)' to the past participle of the verb. The verb in question is 'to be'; for which the past participle is 'been'. Applying the above, we clearly get 'has been', which is the correct answer. The word 'it' is inserted into the tense phrase as without it, the question would be incomplete.