Question

Choose the most appropriate form of verb to fill in the blank.
I used to drink a lot of coffee, but these days I _ _ _ _ _ tea. (prefer)
a) Am preferring
b) Prefer
c) Have preferred
d) Will prefer

Answer 1

Hint: The verb ‘prefer’ means to like, to choose, or to want one thing over another thing or other things. The verb ‘prefer’ id in the present tense form just as the given statement is.

Complete answer:
Let us go through the options given to us and choose the correct form of the verb. Option a ‘am preferring’ is an action that is happening in the present. ‘am preferring’ must be followed by ‘to’, but her it is not so. Thus, option ‘a’ is incorrect.
Option b ‘prefer’ is the present form of the verb and so is the statement. The speaker says that previously he/she liked coffee but at present he/she like tea. The statement with a blank is in the present tense form and hence, ‘present’ is the appropriate verb. So, option ‘b’ is the correct answer.
Option c ‘have preferred’ is incorrect as preferred is in the past tense. It would be used in a sentence where the speaker is describing a past choice in the present. This is not the case in the statement given to us. Therefore, option ‘c’ is incorrect.
Option d ‘will prefer’ is incorrect because ‘will’ is used to represent an action of the future. “will prefer’ is in the simple future tense. The statement given to us is in the present tense not future. Thus, option ‘d’ is invalid.

Note:
While choosing the answer, the tense of the given statement must be considered, and based on that the answer should be chosen. Not doing so will result in incorrect or grammatically wrong answers.