Question

Complete the sentence with the correct option-
I can’t bear ______ late.
a) Been
b) Be
c) To
d) Being

Answer 1

Hint: Read the given sentence carefully. Try to make out the core meaning of it. Find out the subject, predicate, and object of the given sentence.

Complete answer:
 The given sentence conveys that the speaker can’t bear getting late. We have to fill in the blank with the correct option from among the four given options.
Now, let us examine all the given options to find out the correct option-
Option ‘a’ is Been. It is a verb which is a past participle of “be”. It cannot be the correct answer as it is not suitable for the given blank.
Option ‘b’ is Be. It is a verb which means to exist. For example The exhibition will be in November. It cannot be the correct answer.
Option ‘c' is To. It is a preposition that means expressing motion in the direction of (a particular location). For example: Walking down to shops.
Option ‘d’ is Being. It is a noun which means – existence. For example The railways brought many towns into being. It can be used in the given blank and is the correct option.
The correct word to be filled in is – being. The complete sentence would be – I can’t bear being late. Hence, option ‘d’ is the correct option.

Note:
All the other options are plausible distractions. ‘Being’ is the present participle of ‘be’, whereas ‘been’ is the past participle of ‘be’.