Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: have been
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question checks the use of modal verbs with perfect aspect in English. The sentence He must being overwhelmed with the responsibility is grammatically incorrect, and the learner has to select the correct verb form to follow the modal must. This is an important grammar point, because modals such as must, may, might, and should have fixed patterns when they refer to situations in the present, past, or to logical deduction. Competitive exams frequently test this pattern to ensure proper written English.
Given Data / Assumptions:
The key pieces of information in the sentence are as follows:
Concept / Approach:
After a modal verb like must, the verb that follows should be in the base form. To express deduction about a past state, we use the pattern must have plus past participle. Therefore, the correct structure for this sentence is He must have been overwhelmed with the responsibility. The words must have act together as the modal plus the auxiliary have, and been is the past participle of be. Among the options, only have been can combine with must to form this correct pattern. We do not place has directly after a modal, and must being is never used in standard English grammar.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the rule that a modal verb like must is followed by the base form of a verb, not by ing forms. Step 2: To show a logical deduction about something that has probably happened or is happening, we use must have plus past participle. Step 3: In this sentence, we want to say that it is very likely that he was overwhelmed at some point, so the correct form is must have been overwhelmed. Step 4: Check option a, been. On its own, it does not give a full verb phrase after must. Step 5: Check option b, has been. The sequence must has been is not grammatical in standard English. Step 6: Check option c, have been. With must before it, we get must have been, which is the correct structure. Step 7: Option d, no improvement, is wrong because must being is incorrect. Step 8: Therefore, option c is the correct improvement.
Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by comparing similar sentences, such as She must have been tired after the long journey or They must have been confused by the instructions. In all of these, the pattern is must have been, which is a standard way to talk about strong logical guesses about a past or continuing state. Replacing the phrase in the question with must have been gives He must have been overwhelmed with the responsibility, which clearly sounds natural and correct.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a (been) leaves the modal must without the necessary auxiliary have, so the phrase must been is wrong. Option b (has been) gives must has been, which is not allowed since has already serves as an auxiliary and cannot directly follow a modal in this position. Option d (no improvement) is wrong because must being is an incorrect structure; we never write or say must being overwhelmed in standard English. Only option c fits the correct modal plus perfect aspect pattern.
Common Pitfalls:
Learners often confuse the patterns for must be, must have been, and is being. Sometimes they try to combine must directly with being, which is inaccurate. Another mistake is using third person singular has after a modal, which breaks the rule that modals are always followed by the base form of a verb. To avoid these errors, remember that for deduction about a past state, the pattern is always must have plus past participle, such as must have seen, must have done, or must have been.
Final Answer:
The correct improvement is have been, so the sentence should read He must have been overwhelmed with the responsibility.
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