Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.

I'm delighted because I've been _____ a pay raise.

• A. Gave
• B. Have given
• C. Given
• D. Was given

Answer 1

The correct option is C Given

The verb ‘am’ suggests that the sentence is in present tense and the speaker is happy in the present. The reason after ‘because’ is stated as ‘pay raise’. If we connect these two facts, it is clear that the speaker is happy because he/she has got a pay hike. This implies that the action of ‘pay raise’ has happened recently and is complete now. So, the sentence is in present perfect tense as it talks about the action having been completed in the recent past. The present perfect is made using the auxiliary verb 'have' plus the 'past participle' of the main verb. So, past participle of the verb will be used in this sentence. Option C is the correct answer as the 'given' is the past participle of the verb ‘give’.
Options A is incorrect because the verb ‘gave’ is used in simple past tense and not present perfect tense. Also, ‘gave’ is not the past participle of the verb ‘give.’
Option B is incorrect because the verb includes the helping verb ‘have,’ which is already given with I as an ‘I’ve’ in the sentence. So, the verb ‘have’ cannot be repeated.
Option D cannot be used as the verb ‘was given’ is used in the sentence of passive voice in simple past tense. As this sentence is in present perfect tense and not simple past tense, this option cannot be used here.