In this question, fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided. Without our…

Analyze the question The sentence is: "Without our relentless campaigns, we might ...... sure of victory in the race for the National Assembly." It is testing modal verb structure and the perfect infinitive.

Explain the concept After a modal verb like might, could, would or should, the next verb must be in its base form. There are two possible patterns:

• might + base verb: "might be sure" (present or future possibility)
• might + have + past participle: "might have been sure" (a past possibility)

The phrase "Without our relentless campaigns" sets up a hypothetical (a "what if we hadn't...?" idea). The adverb never sits between the modal and the verb: "might never have been."

Solution: test each option

• A. "might be never sure": The adverb is wrongly placed. English normally puts never after the modal, not after the verb be. This is awkward and unidiomatic.
• B. "might never have been sure": Modal (might) + adverb (never) + have + past participle (been). The structure is correct and the meaning fits: without our campaigns, we would never have been sure of victory.
• C. "might never had been sure": Had cannot follow a modal. This is ungrammatical.
• D. "might have never be sure": Be is wrong after have. It needs the past participle been.

Answer The correct option is B. never have been.

The sentence reads: "Without our relentless campaigns, we might never have been sure of victory in the race for the National Assembly."

Exam tip Remember the formula modal + have + past participle (might have been, could have gone, should have done). Whenever you see had or a bare be right after a modal or after have, eliminate that option immediately. Keep going, you're doing well!