SarkariPYQ

SSC MTS 2024 PYQ — Question 71

SSC MTS - 22/10/2024 - (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM) • English • Q71

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Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the highlighted word(s) in the given sentence.

Anybody can solve this problem if he tried.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. if they try.

Error concept: Wrong verb tense and pronoun agreement.

What is wrong: The original sentence uses “if he tried”, which is incorrect because:

  1. Anybody is an indefinite pronoun that is treated as singular in form but can take plural pronouns in modern usage for gender neutrality.

  2. The verb “tried” (past tense) does not agree with “can solve” (present tense modal).

Grammatical concept: With modals like can, we use the base form of the verb (try), not the past tense (tried).

Incorrectness of the concept in context: Using “tried” suggests past action, while “can solve” indicates present ability. This mismatch makes the sentence grammatically incorrect.

Correct phrase/ correction: if they try.

Final sentence: Anybody can solve this problem if they try.

Hence, the chosen option is correct.