CAT Exam  >  CAT Questions  >  Dont be so hard on yourself. It just ______ (... Start Learning for Free
Don't be so hard on yourself. It just ______ (could / be) a more difficult test than usual. 

Correct answer is 'could have been'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Dont be so hard on yourself. It just ______ (could / be) a more diffic...
Explanation:

The correct answer is "could have been" because it is a past tense modal verb phrase that indicates a possibility or hypothetical scenario in the past. Here's a breakdown of the grammar and meaning:

- "Could" is a modal verb that expresses possibility or ability.
- "Have" is the auxiliary verb that indicates the perfect aspect, which implies completed or ongoing action in the past.
- "Been" is the past participle of the verb "be" and is used to form the perfect aspect or passive voice.

Together, "could have been" suggests that the speaker is considering the possibility that the test was more difficult than usual, but is not certain. It also implies that the test is already over and the results are known, as the discussion is in the past tense.

Here's an example of the phrase in context:

- "I can't believe I did so poorly on that test. I studied so hard."
- "Don't be so hard on yourself. It just could have been a more difficult test than usual."

HTML breakdown:

Explanation:

  • The correct answer is "could have been" because it is a past tense modal verb phrase that indicates a possibility or hypothetical scenario in the past.

  • "Could" is a modal verb that expresses possibility or ability.

  • "Have" is the auxiliary verb that indicates the perfect aspect, which implies completed or ongoing action in the past.

  • "Been" is the past participle of the verb "be" and is used to form the perfect aspect or passive voice.

  • Together, "could have been" suggests that the speaker is considering the possibility that the test was more difficult than usual, but is not certain. It also implies that the test is already over and the results are known, as the discussion is in the past tense.

  • Here's an example of the phrase in context:


    • "I can't believe I did so poorly on that test. I studied so hard."

    • "Don't be so hard on yourself. It just could have been a more difficult test than usual."


Free Test
Community Answer
Dont be so hard on yourself. It just ______ (could / be) a more diffic...
Here we use "could have been" to talk about possible present situations that have not happened
Explore Courses for CAT exam

Top Courses for CAT

Dont be so hard on yourself. It just ______ (could / be) a more difficult testthan usual.Correct answer is 'could have been'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Dont be so hard on yourself. It just ______ (could / be) a more difficult testthan usual.Correct answer is 'could have been'. Can you explain this answer? for CAT 2025 is part of CAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the CAT exam syllabus. Information about Dont be so hard on yourself. It just ______ (could / be) a more difficult testthan usual.Correct answer is 'could have been'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for CAT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Dont be so hard on yourself. It just ______ (could / be) a more difficult testthan usual.Correct answer is 'could have been'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Dont be so hard on yourself. It just ______ (could / be) a more difficult testthan usual.Correct answer is 'could have been'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for CAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for CAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Dont be so hard on yourself. It just ______ (could / be) a more difficult testthan usual.Correct answer is 'could have been'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Dont be so hard on yourself. It just ______ (could / be) a more difficult testthan usual.Correct answer is 'could have been'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Dont be so hard on yourself. It just ______ (could / be) a more difficult testthan usual.Correct answer is 'could have been'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Dont be so hard on yourself. It just ______ (could / be) a more difficult testthan usual.Correct answer is 'could have been'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Dont be so hard on yourself. It just ______ (could / be) a more difficult testthan usual.Correct answer is 'could have been'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice CAT tests.
Explore Courses for CAT exam

Top Courses for CAT

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev