IPMAT Question Paper 2023 | IPM Indore Verbal

1. not once did he complain.
2. not once did he give the complaint.
3. not once any complaining happened.
4. not once he complained.

Video Explanation

Explanatory Answer

Option 1: This is accurate. The phrase "not once did he complain" uses inversion (subject-verb reversal) for emphasis, which is grammatically correct and natural in English. It effectively conveys that he never complained during his difficult time.
Option 2: This is incorrect. While "give the complaint" might seem plausible, it is not a natural or idiomatic way to express the idea of complaining. The verb "complain" is sufficient and more appropriate in this context.
Option 3: This is incorrect. This phrasing is awkward and ungrammatical. The subject "any complaining" is vague, and the structure lacks clarity. It does not effectively convey the intended meaning and sounds unnatural.
Option 4: This is incorrect. This option lacks the necessary inversion for emphasis. In English, when starting a sentence with a negative adverbial like "not once," the subject and auxiliary verb must be inverted (e.g., "did he complain"). Without inversion, the sentence is grammatically incorrect.

Hence, the answer is 'not once did he complain.'

Choice A is the correct answer.