From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word or group of words as it…

Analyze the question: The sentence is "Since his transfer to Banjul, my brother __ our hometown." We need the correct verb tense to fit the time expression "since."

Concept: When "since" points to a starting point in the past and the situation continues up to now, English uses the present perfect tense (has/have + past participle) in the main clause.

• "Since 2010, she has lived in Lagos."
• "Since the exam, they have not spoken."

The past perfect (had + past participle) is used only when the reference point is itself in the past, for example: "Since his transfer, my brother had not visited our hometown until last week."

Solution, option by option:

• A. had not been visiting: past perfect continuous. It needs a past reference point that the sentence doesn't give. ✗
• B. did not visit: simple past. It doesn't connect the past to the present, so it doesn't work with "since." ✗
• C. has not visited: present perfect. It shows that from the transfer until now, no visit has happened. ✓
• D. had not visited: past perfect. Again, there is no past reference point. ✗

Complete sentence: "Since his transfer to Banjul, my brother has not visited our hometown."

Tip: When you see "since + a past point in time", check whether the main clause uses the present perfect: has/have + past participle. Only choose the past perfect if the sentence clearly sets another, later past moment.