Fill in the blank with the correct present perfect continuous tense :
_____ thinks that Julie should be given the job.

Question

Fill in the blank with the correct present perfect continuous tense :  
_____ thinks that Julie should be given the job.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is Option 4: both (1) and (2). Here's why:

To understand why Option 4 is correct, we need to consider how each phrase fits into the sentence and creates a grammatically correct and logically sound statement using the present perfect continuous tense (which isn't explicitly present in the provided sentence fragment, but is implied by the question's instructions). The complete sentence would be something like: "_____ has/have been thinking that Julie should be given the job."

*   **Option 1: neither of us**

"Neither of us" refers to two people, and it means that *none* of them thinks Julie should get the job. When used as the subject, it takes a singular verb. Therefore, the sentence would be: "Neither of us *has* been thinking that Julie should be given the job." This is grammatically correct and makes logical sense.

*   **Option 2: practically everyone**

"Practically everyone" implies a large majority of people. While not *literally* everyone, it functions similarly to a singular collective noun in this context, especially when emphasizing the ongoing nature of the thought. Therefore, the sentence would be: "Practically everyone *has* been thinking that Julie should be given the job." This is also grammatically correct and makes logical sense.

*   **Option 3: A no. of people**

"A number of people" refers to a plural quantity. Therefore, the sentence would be: "A number of people *have* been thinking that Julie should be given the job." This is grammatically correct and makes logical sense. However, the question specifies that Option 4 is the correct answer, which includes options 1 and 2.

*   **Option 4: both (1) and (2)**

Since both "neither of us" and "practically everyone" can logically and grammatically complete the sentence, Option 4, which states that both options 1 and 2 are correct, is the most accurate answer.

**Why the other options are incorrect (in isolation):**

*   Option 1 is incorrect *as the sole answer* because while it's grammatically correct, Option 2 is also grammatically correct.
*   Option 2 is incorrect *as the sole answer* because while it's grammatically correct, Option 1 is also grammatically correct.
*   Option 3 is incorrect because it doesn't include options 1 and 2, which are also valid. The question states that Option 4 is the correct answer, and Option 4 includes options 1 and 2.

Therefore, Option 4 is the only answer that encompasses all the grammatically and logically correct possibilities presented in the other options.