Select the option that will improve the bracketed part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select 'No improvement'.

Dad said that, "She would have been a great sister if she was just a bit more careful".

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SSC CHSL Tier-I Exam 2022 Official Paper (Held On: 21 March, 2023 Shift 3)
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  1. No improvement
  2. that, "She would have been a great sister if she were just a bit more careful"
  3. "She would have been a great sister if she were just a bit more careful"
  4. "She would have been a greatest sister if she was just a bit more careful"

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : "She would have been a great sister if she were just a bit more careful"
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SSC CHSL Exam 2023 Tier-I Official Paper (Held On: 02 Aug 2023 Shift 1)
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Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Key Points

  • This is because, in English grammar, when referring to hypothetical situations or conditions that are contrary to fact, we often use "were" instead of "was" after "if" even when the subject is singular.
  • This is a usage pattern known as the subjunctive mood.
  • So, "if she were just a bit more careful" is more grammatically correct than "if she was just a bit more careful".
  • Also, we use 'that' to introduce reported speech when the words are not the speaker’s exact words (i.e., when the speaker is paraphrasing, summarizing, or interpreting the original speaker’s words). So, 'Dad said that' is appropriate here.

Therefore, the correct sentence is: "Dad said that, 'She would have been a great sister if she were just a bit more careful'".

Latest SSC CHSL Updates

Last updated on Jun 26, 2025

-> The Staff selection commission has released the SSC CHSL Notification 2025 on its official website on 23rd June 2025.

-> The SSC CHSL Apply Online 2025 has been started and candidates can apply online on or before 18th July.

-> The SSC has released the SSC CHSL exam calendar for various exams including CHSL 2025 Recruitment. As per the calendar, SSC CHSL Application process will be active from 23rd June 2025 to 18th July 2025. 

-> The SSC CHSL is conducted to recruit candidates for various posts such as Postal Assistant, Lower Divisional Clerks, Court Clerk, Sorting Assistants, Data Entry Operators, etc. under the Central Government. 

-> The SSC CHSL Selection Process consists of a Computer Based Exam (Tier I & Tier II).

-> To enhance your preparation for the exam, practice important questions from SSC CHSL Previous Year Papers. Also, attempt SSC CHSL Mock Test.  

-> The UGC NET Exam Analysis 2025 for the exam conducted on June 25 is out.

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