Question

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb given in the bracket.
The students __________ answers to all my questions. (give)
a) Gave b) Given c) Were given
d) Is giving

Answer 1

Hint: Read the given sentence and decipher what it means. In the above sentence, the action is being performed by the students and we’ve to state the correct verb for their action. Go through the options and choose the one which agrees with the tense of the sentence.

Complete answer: A verb is an action word which depicts the movement of a subject whether it be physically, mentally or emotionally or possession of something. Without a verb, a sentence is incomplete and meaningless. There are majorly three types of verbs: Action verbs, Linking verbs and Helping/Auxiliary verbs.
Now, let us go through the given options: Option(a) ‘gave’-it is the past form of the verb ”give” which means to offer something, also this is the only option that best compliments the sentence. Hence, Option (a) is correct.
Option(b) ‘Given’, it is the past particle of the verb “give”. Also, it may be used as an adjective, noun and pronoun as well. Since there is no helping verb provided with “given”, it won’t be able to complement the subject. Hence, this option is invalid.
Option(c) ‘were given’-it is the passive form of past tense in plural form. Since the sentence is in the active voice. Furthermore, the students have to give answers, not the teacher. This option becomes incorrect. Option(d) ‘is giving’-it is the present continuous form of the verb. In the above sentence, the subject is plural, so it can’t go with it, as “is” goes along with singular only. Hence, this option is invalid.
Therefore, the correct option is a.

Note: Action verbs are of two types: Transitive verbs and Intransitive verbs. Transitive verbs have a subject as well as an object. For example, She bought a car.
Intransitive verbs have no object, but still, the sentence makes sense. For example, She dances gracefully.