Identify the erroneous segment; if the sentence is correct, select ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: You must had a kind and gentle heart if you want to be a successful doctor.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: You must had

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This checks modal auxiliary usage. Modals such as ‘‘must, can, could, should, may’’ are always followed by the base (bare infinitive) form of the verb, not a past form.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Modal: ‘‘must’’
  • Verb provided: ‘‘had’’ (past form of ‘‘have’’)
  • Intended meaning: a requirement or necessity in the present


Concept / Approach:
The correct construction is ‘‘must + base verb.’’ Therefore, ‘‘must have’’ is required, not ‘‘must had.’’ Note this is not the perfect modal ‘‘must have + past participle’’ that infers past certainty; here ‘‘have’’ is a main verb meaning ‘‘possess.’’



Step-by-Step Solution:
Replace past form with base: ‘‘had’’ → ‘‘have.’’Keep the complement noun phrase: ‘‘a kind and gentle heart.’’Correct sentence: ‘‘You must have a kind and gentle heart if you want to be a successful doctor.’’



Verification / Alternative check:
Test other modals: ‘‘You should have a kind heart,’’ ‘‘You can have …’’—all take the base form after the modal, never the past form.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:
B, C, and D are well-formed. The error uniquely lies in A.



Common Pitfalls:
Confusing ‘‘must have + V3’’ (epistemic past inference) with ‘‘must have’’ (main verb ‘‘have’’). Here no past participle follows; thus the base ‘‘have’’ is correct.



Final Answer:
You must had

More Questions from Spotting Errors

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion