Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
Effective speaking ____________ on effective listening.
A. Depends
B. Depend
C. Depended
D. Depending

Answer 1

Hint: The option to be chosen must be a simple present tense. The verb must agree with the subject i.e. subject verb agreement must hold well. We use the simple present tense when an action is happening right now, or when it happens regularly (or unceasingly, which is why it's sometimes called present indefinite).

Complete answer:
Now let us analyze the given options
Option A: ‘Depends’ is in the simple present tense. The verb must agree with the subject in person, and the same is represented in Option A. ‘Effective speaking’ refers to an abstract noun, hence it should be taken as an object. So it is in the third person narrative. ‘Depends’ is used for the third person.
Option B: ‘Depend’ is in the simple present tense. But here, with abstract nouns i.e. ‘Effective speaking’ , we cannot use ‘depend’. Therefore, this is incorrect.
Option C: ‘Depended’ is in the simple past tense. But we are talking about something which is valid in every scenario. Therefore, we must be using present tense. Hence, this option is incorrect.
Option D: ‘Depending’ is the present participle of ‘depend’. But we are talking about something which is valid in every scenario. Therefore, we must be using present tense. Hence, this option is incorrect.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option A.

Note: The verb must agree with the subject in person. Depending on the person, the simple present tense is formed by using the root form or by adding ‑s or ‑es to the end. th the subject in person.