Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence.
The common masses have waited for three hours to meet the king in the royal court.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer option 3 i.e. have been waiting.
Present Perfect Continuous tense has the structure:- have/has been + present participle (verb+ing).
It is used to emphasize the duration of an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present.
In the given sentence, the focus is on the fact that the waiting has been ongoing for three hours and is still happening. Hence, present perfect contiuous tense is used.
The correct sentence is:- The common masses have been waiting for three hours to meet the king in the royal court.