Fill in the blank: They ______ last night.

Appeared in: RML MAINS 2025

Explanation

The phrase 'last night' is a specific time marker that indicates the action was completed in the past.
Sentences describing actions finished at a specific past time require the simple past tense verb form.
The simple past tense of the regular verb 'watch' is formed by adding '-ed', making it 'watched'.

Option B: This is the simple present tense. It is used for habitual actions or general truths, not for a single completed action in the past.
Option C: This is the present participle. It cannot function as the main verb of a sentence without an auxiliary verb (like 'are' or 'were').
Option D: This is a grammatically incorrect construction. The auxiliary verb 'were' must be followed by the present participle ('-ing' form) to create the past continuous tense.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Simple Past Tense as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While this is a grammar question, clear and accurate communication is a critical skill for nurses.
Correct grammar in patient notes, reports, and handovers prevents misinterpretation and ensures patient safety.
For example, writing 'Patient walked this morning' (past tense) is very different from 'Patient walking' (present participle), which could imply an ongoing, perhaps unsafe, situation.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the sentence and identify any time markers. Here, the key phrase is 'last night'.
Recognize that 'last night' refers to a specific, completed time in the past.
Determine that a completed past action requires the simple past tense.
Review the options to find the simple past tense form of the verb 'watch'.
Select 'Watched' as it is the correct simple past tense form.
Eliminate the other options: 'Watch' is present tense, 'Watching' is a participle, and 'Were watch' is grammatically incorrect.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full RML MAINS 2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.