Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
I never eat potatoes, and ___________.
A) So doesn’t Tom
B) Neither does Tom
C) Neither is Tom
D) Neither Tom does

Answer 1

Hint: An auxiliary verb is also known as the helping verbs. An auxiliary verb is used with the main verb to express the main verb’s tense, mood or voice. The main auxiliary verbs are: to be, to have, to do, am, is, are, was, were, being and etc.

Complete answer:
Let us analyze the given options:
Option A) So doesn’t Tom – is an incorrect answer because the given statement in the question is a negative statement and the use of ‘so’ in this option ‘so doesn’t Tom’ states a positive statement. Thus, the use of this option in the blank is inappropriate and this is an incorrect answer.
Option B) Neither does Tom – is the correct answer because ‘neither does Tom’ indicates an agreement with the negative sentence and ‘neither’ is used when the same idea is shared in the previous sentence. Thus, this option in the blank is the best fit and this is the correct answer.
Option C) Neither is Tom – is an incorrect answer because ‘is’ in this option ‘neither is Tom’ is an incorrect auxiliary to use. ‘Is’ is used to indicate a state of being, for using is the latter half sentence should agree in terms of action with the first half sentence. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option D) Neither Tom does – is an incorrect answer because ‘neither Tom does’ is an incorrect form of the verb. The auxiliary verb comes before the subject not after the subject. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Therefore the correct answer is option ‘B’ i.e, I never eat potatoes, and neither does Tom.

Note: In this question it is very important to understand that the second half of the sentence represents an additional idea of the first half of the sentence. Option B is an elliptical sentence of the form: Neither + auxiliary verb (does) + subject/ pronoun (Tom). (An elliptical sentence is a sentence that has some information missing. That information must be provided in a previous clause or sentence). Thus, Option B is the most appropriate answer as compared to any other option.