Question:

Instructions (94-98): Each of the questions below consists of statements having four phrases (a), (b), (c) and (d). One of the phrases is grammatically incorrect. Identify the incorrect phrase.

(a) It is always
(b) been hard to change
(c) the Indian car buyer's perception
(d) When it comes to designs

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Look at how phrase (a) connects with the word "been" in phrase (b), and ask which auxiliary verb actually pairs with a past participle.
Updated On: Jul 16, 2026
  • a
  • b
  • c
  • d
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

This question tests whether the correct verb tense has been used, specifically whether the present simple tense in phrase (a) matches the past participle "been" that follows it in phrase (b).

  1. a: "It is always" uses the simple present tense "is". The next phrase continues with "been hard to change", which is a past participle form requiring an auxiliary like "has" or "have", not "is". Pairing "is" directly with "been" is ungrammatical, so this is the error.
  2. b: "been hard to change" is a correctly formed past participle phrase, it just needs the right auxiliary verb before it ("has been"), which is supplied once (a) is corrected. On its own it is fine.
  3. c: "the Indian car buyer's perception" is a correctly formed possessive noun phrase acting as the object of "change". It is fine.
  4. d: "When it comes to designs" is a standard idiomatic clause meaning "regarding designs", correctly used here. It is fine.

The complete, corrected sentence reads: "It has always been hard to change the Indian car buyer's perception when it comes to designs." The present perfect tense "has always been" is needed to show an action that started in the past and continues into the present, which "is always been" cannot express. The error therefore lies in phrase (a).

Let's summarize:

  • "Been" is a past participle and must be preceded by "has" or "have", never by "is".
  • The sentence describes a state that has continued from the past to now, which needs the present perfect tense.
  • Phrase (a) uses the wrong auxiliary, "is" instead of "has".

The correct answer is option 1, phrase (a).

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