Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
If he ________ earlier, we could have caught the express train.
आपने शायद यह सोचाWhat you probably thought'was arriving' चलती हुई भूतकालिक क्रिया जैसा प्रतीत हुआ। परंतु 'could have caught' को past perfect शर्त 'had arrived' चाहिए।'was arriving' sounded like an ongoing past act. But 'could have caught' needs a past perfect condition, 'had arrived'.
आपने शायद यह सोचाWhat you probably thought'arrives' सादे वर्तमान जैसा प्रतीत हुआ। परंतु छूटी हुई ट्रेन बीती बात है, अतः शर्त में 'had arrived' चाहिए।'arrives' sounded like a simple present. But the missed train lies in the past, so the condition needs 'had arrived'.
आपने शायद यह सोचाWhat you probably thought'would arrive' में परिणाम का modal (रूपात्मक क्रिया) दोहराया गया। परंतु 'would' if-clause में नहीं आ सकता।'would arrive' repeated the modal from the result. But 'would' cannot sit in the if-clause.
Answer और ExplanationAnswer and explanation
Answer: (A) had arrived
Result could have caught है।
Concept: third conditional वाले result के लिए if-clause में had + V3 आना ज़रूरी है।
✓
If he had arrived earlier, we could have caught the express train.
'would arrive' लुभाता है, लेकिन if-clause में would का प्रयोग यहाँ कभी नहीं होता।
सरल अर्थ: अगर वह पहले पहुँच गया होता, तो हम एक्सप्रेस ट्रेन पकड़ लेते।
The result is could have caught.
Concept: a third conditional result needs had + V3 in the if-clause.
✓
If he had arrived earlier, we could have caught the express train.
'would arrive' tempts, but would never go in an if-clause here.
बाकी Options उत्तर क्यों नहीं हैंWhy the other options are not the answer
B'was arriving' चलती हुई भूतकालिक क्रिया जैसा प्रतीत हुआ। परंतु 'could have caught' को past perfect शर्त 'had arrived' चाहिए।'was arriving' sounded like an ongoing past act. But 'could have caught' needs a past perfect condition, 'had arrived'.
C'arrives' सादे वर्तमान जैसा प्रतीत हुआ। परंतु छूटी हुई ट्रेन बीती बात है, अतः शर्त में 'had arrived' चाहिए।'arrives' sounded like a simple present. But the missed train lies in the past, so the condition needs 'had arrived'.
D'would arrive' में परिणाम का modal (रूपात्मक क्रिया) दोहराया गया। परंतु 'would' if-clause में नहीं आ सकता।'would arrive' repeated the modal from the result. But 'would' cannot sit in the if-clause.
Source: SSC Steno 2026 · 15 Sep 2026 · Shift II। Solution: Prashant Sir, Ramban।Source: SSC Steno 2026 · 15 Sep 2026 · Shift II. Solution by Prashant Sir, from Ramban.