All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

Fill in the blank with the appropriate tense.
Jobin has been working all day. He _______ tired.

This question was previously asked in
SSC Stenographer 2025 Question Paper (06-Aug-2025) Shift 2
The correct answer is
must be

Jobin's Tiredness: Selecting the Correct Modal Verb

The question asks us to choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "Jobin has been working all day. He _______ tired." We need to find the word that best expresses the logical conclusion based on the fact that Jobin worked all day.

Understanding Modal Verbs and Logical Conclusions

The first part of the sentence, "Jobin has been working all day," provides a reason or evidence. The second part, "He _______ tired," needs a word that connects this evidence to a conclusion about his state. Modal verbs like 'can', 'will', 'shall', and 'must' are often used to express different degrees of certainty or possibility.

  • 'Must be' is used to express a strong logical conclusion or certainty based on available evidence. Since working all day usually makes someone tired, it's highly probable that Jobin is tired.
  • 'Can be' suggests a possibility, but it's weaker than what the situation implies. Working all day doesn't just make it *possible* for him to be tired; it strongly suggests it.
  • 'Will be' and 'Shall be' typically indicate future certainty or predictions. While he might be tired in the future, the sentence structure suggests a conclusion about his current state resulting from the day's work.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at why 'must be' is the most appropriate choice:

  • Option 1: can be - This implies possibility. It's possible Jobin is tired, but the context suggests a stronger likelihood.
  • Option 2: will be - This focuses on the future. The sentence implies a conclusion about Jobin's current state based on his recent activity.
  • Option 3: shall be - Similar to 'will be', this is generally used for future actions or formal contexts and doesn't fit the sense of logical deduction here.
  • Option 4: must be - This perfectly fits the context. The fact that Jobin has been working all day leads to a strong, logical conclusion that he is tired.

Final Conclusion

The phrase "working all day" serves as evidence. The modal verb 'must be' is used to draw a strong, logical conclusion from this evidence. Therefore, the completed sentence reads: "Jobin has been working all day. He must be tired." This indicates a high degree of certainty based on the given information.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
    She ______ watching that movie already.
  2. Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
    They could not reach the railway station before the train __________.
  3. Which of the following sentence is in the past continuous tense?
  4. Find the incorrect part of the sentence:
    He has come yesterday.
  5. Find the incorrect part of the sentence:
    The ship drowned in the sea.
  6. Choose the part of the sentence that contains an error:
    He is living in Chennai since five years.
  7. Select the most appropriate option to improve the bold part of the sentence.
    He is living here since 2020.

  8. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
    She couldn't help but _______ up during an emotional scene in the movie.
  9. Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
    The director's remarks did not _______ well with the board members, leading to immediate backlash.
  10. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
    The new policy has _______ the use of plastic bags in the store.

Important Questions from Verb & Tenses

  1. What should come in place of the question mark (?) in the given series? 

    13, 17, 26, ?, 67, 103, 152

  2. What should come in place of the question mark (?) in the given series? 

    268, 259, 250, 241, 232, ?

  3. Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
    She ______ watching that movie already.
  4. Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option.
    He ______ a bag of something into the boat, and then got in himself and sat down.

  5. Select the most appropriate option for the given blank.

    Changing his tactics he tried to __________ him and offered him money.

Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
UPSSSC PET
October 25, 2026
SSC JE
November 02, 2026
SSC CPO
November 20, 2026
SSC CHSL
November 30, 2026
Test Series
SSC Stenographer img
SSC
SSC Stenographer 2026 Mock Test Series (Latest Version)
1172 Tests 2 Tests Free
3124 Attempts
4.6(266)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App