Which one is right? The hard times in the old days... (has gone away)

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

I am puzzled at this multiple choice. Who can do me a favor? Thanks a million.
The hard times in the old days ______.
A has gone
B has passed
C has gone away
D has been away

2

.
The sentence is a little oddly composed and there is no right answer. It should read ‘have’. When we replace ‘has’ with ‘have’, which answer will you choose, Clara?
.

3

Micawber,
I think “has” is right. Cos “the hard times” is the Subject, which refers to a period.
In my opinion B (has passed) is right.
Cos I remembered this sentence:
[color=red]Gone are the days when we used foreign oil.
So my opinion is:
When we express “…days are over”, we can use:
be gone/ pass/ go by
However, that’s just my personal opinion, have no idea whether it is.

Clara

4

Hi Clara,

You quote: Gone are the days when we used foreign oil. It therefore follows that you need ‘have’ in you multiple choice example, don’t you?

Alan

5

Mister Micawber & Alan,
Then if it is “have”, which one is right?
The hard times in the old days have gone.
The hard times in the old days have passed.

Clara

6

Hi,

Both make sense to me.

Alan