The following sentence has been divided into four parts labelled A, B, C, D. One of them has an error. Identify the error and select the option that rectifies it.
(A) If he would have / (B) worked harder, he / (C) could have passed / (D) the examination easily.
Answer और ExplanationAnswer and explanation
Answer: (C) If he had
Concept (Third Conditional: If Clause) के अनुसार Third Conditional की if-clause में Past Perfect (had + V3) आता है, जबकि main clause में would/could + have + V3 प्रयुक्त होता है। if-clause में 'would have' नहीं आता।
अतः भाग (A) 'If he would have' के स्थान पर 'If he had' होगा।
Examiner का trap: 'If he would have' को सामान्य Conditional समझ लेना ही इसका trap है।
Concept (Third Conditional: If Clause): in the third conditional the if-clause takes the past perfect (had + V3), and the main clause takes would/could + have + V3. 'Would have' is not used in the if-clause.
So part (A) 'If he would have' should be 'If he had'.
✓ Correct sentence: If he had worked harder, he could have passed the examination easily.
Exam trap: treating 'If he would have' as an ordinary conditional.
Source: DSSSB ASO 2026 · 26 Sep 2026 · Shift I। Solution: Prashant Sir, Ramban।Source: DSSSB ASO 2026 · 26 Sep 2026 · Shift I. Solution by Prashant Sir, from Ramban.