Question 17 | UPSC Mains ENGLISH-COMPULSORY 2015

When I reached the station, the train . (leave)

How to Approach

This question tests basic English grammar, specifically the use of past tenses. The core task is to correctly fill in the blank with the past tense of the verb "leave." The approach should be direct and focus on identifying the correct tense based on the context provided – the action of the train leaving happened *before* the speaker reached the station. A simple, grammatically correct sentence is expected. No elaborate explanation is needed, just the correct answer.

Model Answer

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Introduction

The question presents a classic example of a sentence completion exercise, commonly found in English language proficiency tests. It assesses the understanding of verb tenses and their appropriate application in conveying past events. The context clearly indicates that the train's departure occurred prior to the speaker's arrival at the station, necessitating the use of a past tense form of the verb "leave." Correct tense usage is crucial for clear and accurate communication.

When I reached the station, the train had left.

Explanation of Grammatical Choice

The correct answer is "had left," which is the past perfect tense. This tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. In this case, the train leaving (had left) happened before the speaker reached the station (reached). Using the simple past tense ("left") would imply that the train left at the same time the speaker arrived, which doesn't make logical sense given the sentence structure.

Why other options are incorrect:

Left: Incorrect because it suggests the train left *as* the speaker arrived, not before.
Was leaving: Incorrect because it implies the train was in the process of leaving when the speaker arrived, which changes the meaning.
Leaves: Incorrect because it is present tense and doesn't fit the past context.

Illustrative Examples

Here are a few more examples demonstrating the use of the past perfect tense:

By the time we got to the cinema, the film had started.
She had finished her work before her friends arrived.
I couldn't find my keys; I had lost them.

Tense Chart for Reference

Tense	Form	Example
Simple Past	Verb + -ed (regular) / Irregular form	I walked to the store.
Past Perfect	had + past participle	I had walked to the store before it rained.
Past Continuous	was/were + verb-ing	I was walking to the store when I saw him.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct completion of the sentence requires the use of the past perfect tense ("had left") to accurately convey the sequence of events. The train's departure preceded the speaker's arrival, making the past perfect the only grammatically and logically sound choice. Understanding the nuances of past tenses is fundamental to effective English communication.

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.

Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Past Perfect Tense

The past perfect tense describes an action completed before another action in the past. It is formed using "had" + past participle of the verb.

Past Participle

The past participle is the form of a verb typically used with auxiliary verbs like "have" or "had" to form perfect tenses. For regular verbs, it's formed by adding "-ed" (e.g., walked, talked). Irregular verbs have unique past participle forms (e.g., gone, seen).

Key Statistics

Approximately 85% of English language learners struggle with mastering the correct usage of past tenses, according to a 2018 study by the British Council.

Source: British Council - English Language Learning Statistics (2018)

Studies show that errors in verb tense account for approximately 20-25% of grammatical errors made by non-native English speakers in formal writing.

Source: Cambridge Assessment English Research Notes (2020)

Examples

Delayed Flight

“By the time I got to the airport, my flight had already taken off due to unforeseen circumstances.” This example demonstrates the past perfect tense showing the flight’s departure happened before the speaker’s arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶What is the difference between the simple past and past perfect tense?

The simple past describes a completed action in the past. The past perfect describes an action completed *before* another action in the past. The past perfect establishes a sequence of events.