Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response. This telephone number is not existing .
Does not exist
Understanding Verb Usage: 'Exist' and Continuous Tenses
The original sentence is "This telephone number is not existing." We need to look at the underlined part, "is not existing," and determine if one of the given substitutions improves the sentence.
Let's analyze the original phrase and the options provided to find the best way to express that a telephone number does not exist.
Analyzing the Original Sentence: "is not existing"
The phrase "is not existing" uses the present continuous tense (is + verb-ing). The verb "exist" is generally considered a stative verb (or state verb). Stative verbs describe a state or condition rather than an action. Common examples include verbs related to:
- Feelings: love, hate, want, need
- Possession: have, own, possess
- States of being/qualities: be, exist, seem, appear
- Mental states: know, believe, understand, remember
- Senses (often stative): see, hear, smell, taste, feel
Stative verbs are typically not used in continuous tenses (like present continuous) because they don't describe ongoing actions. Instead, they usually use simple tenses (like simple present or simple past) even when referring to a present state.
Therefore, using "is not existing" is grammatically incorrect and unnatural in standard English because 'exist' is a stative verb.
Evaluating the Substitution Options
Option (a): "Does not exist"
This option uses the simple present tense form "does not exist". The simple present tense is correctly used for stative verbs to describe a current state or fact. Saying "This telephone number does not exist" clearly and grammatically conveys that the telephone number is not in existence. This is the standard and correct way to express this idea.
Option (b): "Has not been existing"
This option uses the present perfect continuous tense (has/have + been + verb-ing). The present perfect continuous is used for actions that started in the past and continue up to the present, or for actions that have recently stopped but have a result in the present. Like the present continuous, it is generally not used with stative verbs. Using this tense with 'exist' is grammatically incorrect and makes the sentence sound awkward and unnatural.
Option (c): "Has had no existence"
This option uses the present perfect tense ("Has had") combined with the noun form "existence". While grammatically structured, "has had no existence" is an overly formal and less common way to express non-existence, especially for something straightforward like a telephone number. "Does not exist" is far more common, direct, and natural for this context.
Option (d): "No improvement"
As discussed, the original phrase "is not existing" is grammatically incorrect because 'exist' is a stative verb. Therefore, an improvement is needed.
Conclusion
Comparing the options, "Does not exist" is the only grammatically correct and natural-sounding substitution. It uses the simple present tense appropriately with the stative verb 'exist'.
| Option | Phrase | Analysis | Validity for 'Exist' |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | is not existing | Present Continuous | Incorrect for stative verb 'exist' |
| (a) | Does not exist | Simple Present | Correct for stative verb 'exist' |
| (b) | Has not been existing | Present Perfect Continuous | Incorrect for stative verb 'exist' |
| (c) | Has had no existence | Present Perfect + Noun | Grammatically possible but unnatural/overly formal |
Revision Table: Understanding Verbs and Tenses
| Verb Type | Description | Typical Tenses | Example (Exist) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action Verbs | Describe actions or processes (e.g., run, eat, write). Can typically be used in continuous tenses. | Simple and Continuous Tenses (e.g., walk, is walking, walked, was walking) | (Not 'exist' - this is a state verb) |
| Stative Verbs | Describe states, conditions, or feelings (e.g., know, believe, love, exist). Generally not used in continuous tenses. | Simple Tenses (e.g., know, knew, exists, existed) | Exist, exists, existed (Correct) Is existing, was existing (Incorrect/Rare exceptions) |
Additional Information: Stative Verbs and Exceptions
While the general rule is that stative verbs are not used in continuous tenses, there are some exceptions, especially when a verb can have both a stative and an action meaning. For example:
- "Have": Stative when meaning possession ("I have a car"). Action when meaning experience ("I am having dinner").
- "Be": Stative when describing a quality ("He is tall"). Action when describing behavior ("He is being noisy" - implying temporary behavior).
However, the verb "exist" almost always refers to a state of being, which is why the simple present tense ("does not exist") is the correct form for expressing non-existence in the present.
Understanding the difference between stative and action verbs is crucial for using English tenses correctly, especially when dealing with continuous forms like the present continuous ("is existing").
Similar Questions
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
Go north-east across the mountains till you will reach an island.
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It is hard these days to cope with the rising prices.
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He took a loan of hundred rupees from me.
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From the last five days, it has been raining torrentially.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
The Prime Minister had wide-ranging discussions on the international situation.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence is given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
The teacher, along with her three children, were taken to hospital.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
The man disappeared after he was rescuing a boy from drowning.Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
By 8.00 in the morning he wrote four letters to his friends.
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
The chairman with the other members of the board are touring Europe these days.
Direction: Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the bold/underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
I shall be obliged if youcould grantme an interview.
Important Questions from Phrase Replacement
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No improvement.
The questions are so simple that a child can understand it .
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No improvement.
Even children shrink away from food thinking that they should become overweight.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No substitution required.
The weather reports is prepared by the Meteorological Department of the Government.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No improvement.
He decided to leave very quickly the hotel.
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No substitution required’.
I have been worked hard to finish this project.
