IPMAT Indore 2023 · Verbal Ability · Question 8

The error: an incomplete third conditional. The sentence sets up a hypothetical about the past —

“If it had been him in his friend’s place…”

That is the if-clause of a third conditional, whose main clause must take the form

\text{would have}+\text{past participle}

The original has “would definitely accepted”, which drops have altogether.

The fix. “he would have definitely accepted such an offer.”

Why the others fail:

(a) have definitely accept — have must be followed by a past participle (accepted), not the base form.

(b) have definitely have accepted — doubles the auxiliary.

(c) definitely accepted — repeats the original error, leaving would accepted.

Answer: Option 4

Shortcut. Memorise the third-conditional frame and the question answers itself:

\text{If}+\text{had}+\text{past participle}, \ldots \text{would have}+\text{past participle}

Seeing “If it had been” tells you the main clause needs would have accepted before you read a single option.

Then scan the options for that exact string. Only (d) has it; (a) breaks the participle, (b) duplicates have, (c) omits it. Three seconds, no analysis.