Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
How many languages do you ____?
A) speaking
B) speaks
C) spoke
D) speak

Answer 1

Hint: The position of a verb in a sentence can also be used to identify it. Prefixes and suffixes (affixes) frequently indicate that a word is a verb. The suffixes -ify, -ize, -ate, or -en, for example, frequently indicate a verb, as in typify, characterize, irrigate, and sweeten.

Complete answer:
In the above sentence the person has asked someone how many languages they can speak. Since the sentence is in simple present tense, therefore, the verb must also be in simple present tense.

Let us look at the given options:
A) speaking: This option is incorrect because speaking is in present continuous tense whereas the above sentence is in simple present tense, so the verb must also be in simple present tense.
B) speaks: This option is incorrect because speaks would make the sentence grammatically incorrect. Since the subject in the sentence (you) is singular, the verb must also be singular.
C) spoke: This sentence is incorrect because ‘spoke’ is in the past tense and the above statement is in the simple present tense, the verb must be in the simple present tense as well.
D) speak: This is the correct option. The above sentence requires the verb to be in simple present tense and since, speak is in simple present tense, it is an appropriate option.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (D) speak

Note: Some rules of verbs are:
- Remember that the verb agrees with the subject, not the noun or pronoun in the phrase following the subject of the sentence, when a phrase appears between the subject and the verb.
- Use a singular verb when "or" or "nor" connects two or more singular nouns or pronouns.
- When there is only one subject and multiple verbs in a sentence, all of the verbs must agree with the subject.