Which of the following sentences is correct?

Appeared in: CGHS SSC - 2018

Explanation

The sentence correctly uses the present perfect tense ('has finished').
This tense is appropriate for actions completed in the recent past that have a result or relevance in the present.
It correctly omits a specific time adverbial (like 'yesterday' or 'last week'), which is a key rule for using the present perfect tense for completed actions.

Option B: While not strictly incorrect and common in speech, some formal grammar or style guides prefer the 'of' construction ('The horns of the buffalo...') for possessives relating to animals or inanimate objects to enhance clarity.
Option C: The phrasing 'this time' is stylistically awkward and less precise in this context. 'This year' or 'at this time' would be more natural and clear.
Option D: This sentence incorrectly uses the present perfect tense ('have passed') with a specific, completed time expression ('this year'). The simple past tense is required for actions that occurred at a definite point in the past.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain English Grammar: Tense and Sentence Correction as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While this is a general English question, strong grammar skills are crucial for nurses.
Clear and accurate communication is essential for patient charting, writing reports, and communicating with doctors and other healthcare professionals to ensure patient safety.
What if? If a nurse wrote in a patient's chart, 'Patient has taken his medication yesterday,' it would be grammatically incorrect and could cause confusion. The correct entry should be 'Patient took his medication yesterday,' using the simple past for a specific time.

How to Approach the Question

First, read each sentence to get a general sense of its meaning.
Analyze the grammatical structure of each option, paying close attention to the verb tense and any time expressions used (e.g., 'this year').
Identify any clear grammatical errors. A common error tested is the misuse of the present perfect tense with specific past time markers.
Eliminate the sentences that contain definite errors. In this case, 'I have passed the examination this year' is incorrect.
Evaluate the remaining options for correctness and natural phrasing. 'He has finished the work' is a textbook example of the correct use of the present perfect tense.
Select the sentence that is the most grammatically sound and stylistically appropriate.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full CGHS SSC - 2018

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