Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:
_____ you like some tea?
A) Will
B) Would
C) Are
D) Can

Answer 1

Hint: The sentence given in the question is an interrogative sentence. An interrogative sentence always begins with an interrogative words or verbs as interrogative words. For e.g. What, when, why, how (interrogative words) or did, does, has, have (verbs as interrogative words).

Complete answer:
The sentence given in the question is interrogative in nature. We must choose an option which would be suitable considering the situation, the form of the verb used and the intention of the speaker.

Now let us analyze the given options:
Option A) Will – ‘Will’ is used to form informal interrogative sentences. For e.g. ‘will you stop talking so loudly?’ In this sentence, we are offering ‘tea’ to someone, probably a guest. In that case, we do not generally use informal sentences. Thus, this option is incorrect.
Option B) Would – ‘Would’ is used to form formal interrogative sentences. For. e.g. ‘would you please give me a call?’ This option can be used to offer ‘tea’ as in the sentence given in the question. Therefore, this option is correct.
Option C) Are – ‘Are’ is a form of the ‘be’ verb. It is used only before adjectives or before a continuous verb/ -ing verb. For e.g. ‘Are you having tea?’ (-ing verb); ‘Are you tired?’ (adjective). The sentence given in the question does not have either of the two. Hence, this option is incorrect.
Option D) Can – ‘Can’ is used to indicate the ability of doing something. For e.g. ‘Can you lift this box?’. In the sentence given in the question, we are only offering tea and not checking someone’s ability. Thus, this option is wrong.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (B) i.e, Would you like some tea?

Note: Other than being used to make formal requests, ‘Would’ is also used to form sentences in the past perfect tense in the subjunctive mood. For e.g. I would have eaten the whole cake, if my brother hadn’t arrived. This sentence is also an example of a conditional statement, where clause one will take place only if clause two does not take place.