Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The English language, a cornerstone of communication in the globalized world, demands precision in its application. Correct tense usage is fundamental to conveying meaning accurately. The present perfect tense, often used with 'already', indicates an action completed at an unspecified time before the present. This question assesses a candidate’s grasp of this core grammatical concept and their ability to construct a grammatically sound sentence. The prompt, though simple, tests a foundational skill essential for effective written communication, crucial for a civil servant.
The completed sentence is: Jacob has finished his report already.
Explanation of Grammatical Structure
The present perfect tense is formed using 'has/have' + past participle of the verb. In this case, the verb is 'report', and its past participle is 'reported' or 'finished'. While 'reported' is grammatically correct, 'finished' provides a more natural and complete sense of the action. The word 'already' indicates that the action of completing the report happened before the present moment.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Jacob is finishing his report already: This uses the present continuous tense, implying the action is still in progress, which contradicts 'already'.
- Jacob finished his report already: This uses the simple past tense, which doesn't convey the relevance to the present moment as effectively as the present perfect.
- Jacob had finished his report already: This uses the past perfect tense, which requires a further past reference point, not present relevance.
Contextual Considerations
The sentence implies a situation where someone is informing another person about Jacob’s completed work. The use of 'already' suggests a degree of expectation or perhaps a slight surprise that the report is done. The completed sentence effectively conveys this information.
Illustrative Example
Consider the following scenario: A supervisor asks about Jacob’s report. The response, “Jacob has finished his report already,” indicates that the report is complete and available, potentially before the expected deadline.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the correct completion of the sentence is “Jacob has finished his report already.” This demonstrates a clear understanding of the present perfect tense and its appropriate usage with adverbs like 'already'. The ability to construct grammatically correct sentences is a fundamental skill for effective communication, particularly important for civil servants who are required to produce clear and concise written reports and correspondence. This seemingly simple question highlights the importance of mastering basic grammatical principles.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.