Question

Choose the correct option to replace the word(s) given in brackets.
I heard him (sing)
A. to sing
B. singing
C. to singing
D. sung

Answer 1

Hint: Words like ‘swimming’ and ‘eating’ are formed with verbs but act as nouns. They are characterized by their ‘-ing’ endings. These types of words are known as Gerunds. In this particular sentence, we can see that the missing word should act as a noun thus it tends to become the subject of the sentence and as a verb by taking up the object as well. This implies that we need a gerund to be filled in the blank.

Complete step by step answer:
1. As discussed, we should find a word that should act like a noun (subject) and as a verb (object).
2. In the first option, we can see that ‘to sing’ is the present tense of the particular verb. It also does not act as a noun. Thus, this is not the correct answer. It is an example of the infinitive ‘to’ with a verb.
3. The third option is ‘to singing’. Although it ends in ‘-ing’, it is not acting as a noun. Thus, it is not the right answer. Rather with infinitive ‘to’, the word ‘singing’ can’t be combined.
4. The fourth option (sung) is the past participle of ‘sing’. It is also not acting as a noun. Hence, it is not the correct answer.
5. The second option, which is ‘singing’ matches the characteristics of a gerund and thus it is the correct answer.

Therefore, the correct answer to this question is option B.

Note:
In dictionaries, we find ‘GER’ as abbreviations of Gerunds. In the English language, it has the properties of both verb and noun, such as being modifiable by an adverb and being able to take a direct object. It is somewhat different with present participles. The present participle is used as an adjective or to denote the verb tense.