Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word-
I don’t mind ____ to the restaurant.
a. Driving
b. Drive
c. Drove
d. To drive

Answer 1

Hint: The given sentence has a verb ‘mind’ but lacks an object which will receive the direct action of the verb.

Complete answer:
As given in the hint, a sentence is constructed with the help of Subject-verb-object (SVO). The verb always precedes the object in active voice sentences.
In the given question- We know that there is a verb ‘mind’ in the sentence which needs an object to fulfill its direct action. Hence, we can use a gerund to complete the sentence.
Gerunds are nouns that are made from verbs by adding ‘ing’. Gerunds can act like the subject, objects, or the complement of a sentence.
Now, let’s look at the given options-
Driving- It is a gerund that can act as an object to the verb in the given sentence. Hence, it is the correct option.
Drive- It indicates the simple present tense form of the verb ‘drive’. The above-given sentence already has a verb. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
Drove- It indicates the past tense form of the verb ‘drive’. The above-given sentence already has a verb. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
To drive- The infinitive verbs are used after certain verbs. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
The correct answer is Option ‘a’.

Note: Do not get confused between a gerund and a present participle. Both end in ‘ing’ but each has different functions. Gerunds act like a noun, whereas present participles act like a verb.