Question

From the given options, choose one that is appropriate to fill the following blank:
You ________any more aspirins; you’ve had four already.
A) Mustn’t take
B) Needn’t have taken
C) Shouldn’t have taken
D) Had better take

Answer 1

Hint: When we read the sentence, here the first verb is given as the blank so we must check the tense of the next verb; that is ‘have had’. The second verb is in the past perfect tense, so what are the possibilities for the first blank? The sentence has the tone of a command, so the words that hint at command are ‘must’ and ‘should’. The first verb should also be in present tense as it is a command.

Complete answer:
All the options and the question must be read a few times carefully, in order to understand which option fits better in the blank. Our aim is to find the verb that has a command in front of it as well as, since it is hinting towards the future by saying ‘any more’, they must have relevance at all times, so it should be of the present tense.

We consider each option and see which is more appropriate;
For option (A) mustn’t take : this is the correct option since ‘mustn’t’ clearly has the word ‘must’ in it which means it implies a command. Also the tense following ‘mustn’t’ is in present tense that is ‘take’, so this option fits perfectly.
For option (B) needn’t have taken: this option is incorrect and can be omitted instantly because ‘need not’ does not give a tone of commands. When giving a command you do not give a choice, but ‘need not’ is giving an option to not have more but here the person should be restricted from having any more aspirins.
For option (C) shouldn’t have taken: this is an incorrect option because, if we fill the first blank with this then the following part of the sentence must give a consequence, but here it only mentions why the person should not have more aspirins.
For option (D) had better take :this option is incorrect, without a doubt because ‘had better take’ tells the person it is okay to take more, which is not the case here.

Thus the correct answer is option ‘A’.

Note: Let us list out the different tense forms of the verb ‘to take’:
- Infinitive form: to take
- Present tense: take / takes
- Past tense: took
- Future tense: will take
- Continuous forms: is taking / was taking/ will be taking
- Present perfect tense: has taken / have taken
- Past perfect tense: had taken
- Future perfect tense: will have taken