Question

Complete the sentence using an appropriate auxiliary verb:
‘Are you and Chris coming to the party?’ ‘I ____ but Chris ____.’
a) was, isn’t
b) was, wasn’t
c) am, isn’t
d) am, wasn’t

Answer 1

Hint: Look for pointers suggesting which modal auxiliary to use. The action has not occurred in the given sentence, i.e. it is being spoken about in the present. The next sentence refers to a fact of reality. These pointers are indicators of certain situations.

Complete answer:
 A modal verb is a type of verb that is used to indicate modality – that is likelihood, ability, permission, request, capacity, suggestions, order, obligation, or advice. We need to find the verb from the options that indicate possibility/likelihood.
We can discern whether the actions are happening right now by certain pointers that are given in the sentence in the question. So, let us deconstruct the given sentence.

In the first sentence, a question is being asked in the present continuous tense. This means that the trend of the present tense should continue throughout the sentences. So, we are looking for present tense verbs. The verb that is missing in the second sentence is ‘coming’. The modal verb should be used as a helping verb. There should also be a contradiction, which means the first verb should be positive and the second should be negative.

Now, we know exactly what we are looking for. Let’s look at the given options-
a) was, isn’t - The two verbs here are in opposite tenses, i.e. one is in the past tense and one is in the present tense. This cannot be grammatically correct. It does not fit into the context of the given sentence. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
b) was, wasn’t - The two verbs here are both in the past tense. This is not what is required for the given question. It does not fit into the context of the given sentence. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
c) am, isn’t - The two verbs here are both in the present tense. This is what is required for the given question. It fits into the context of the given sentence. This is the required answer. So, this is the correct option.
d) am, wasn’t - The two verbs here are in opposite tenses, i.e. one is in the past tense and one is in the present tense. This cannot be grammatically correct. It does not fit into the context of the given sentence. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.

Note:
Choose the most appropriate option given the context of the sentence. Make sure all the forms of a verb are aligning with each other and work with each other perfectly.