Fill in the blank with the appropriate word.
My friends were busy, so I ______ to the college alone.

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

The sentence is set in the past, as indicated by the verb 'were' in the first clause ('My friends were busy').
To maintain tense consistency, the verb in the second clause must also be in the past tense.
The simple past tense of the verb 'go' is 'went'.
'Went' correctly describes a single, completed action that occurred in the past.
Therefore, 'went' is the grammatically correct word to complete the sentence.

Option A: 'Go' is the base form (present tense) of the verb. The sentence's context is in the past, making the present tense inappropriate.
Option B: 'Gone' is the past participle (V3) form. It cannot be used as the main verb without an auxiliary verb like 'have', 'has', or 'had'.
Option D: 'Going' is the present participle (-ing form). It requires a 'be' verb (am, is, are, was, were) to form a continuous tense.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The concept tested is the correct use of verb tenses in English, specifically the simple past tense as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While this is an English grammar question, strong communication skills are vital in nursing.
Accurate grammar ensures clarity and professionalism in patient charting, handover reports, and communication with doctors and colleagues.
Miscommunication due to grammatical errors can lead to misunderstandings and potentially compromise patient safety.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the entire sentence to understand its context.
Identify any clues about the time frame. The word 'were' in 'My friends were busy' indicates the sentence is in the past tense.
Look at the verb options provided. You need to find the past tense form of 'go'.
Recall or determine the simple past tense of 'go', which is 'went'.
Eliminate the other options by identifying why they are grammatically incorrect in this context: 'go' (present), 'gone' (past participle needing a helper verb), and 'going' (present participle needing a 'be' verb).
Select 'went' as it is the only option that correctly fits the past tense context of the sentence.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The concept tested is the correct use of verb tenses in English, specifically the simple past tense.
Stem keywords: My friends were busy, so I, to the college alone
Lead-in keywords: Fill in the blank

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Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

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