Question

Choose the most appropriate option to fill in the blanks:
I'm going out now. If anybody ________ (phone) while I _______ (be) out, can you take a message?

• A. will phone .... will be
  
• B. phoned ... was
  
• C. is phoning ... am
  
• D. phones ... am
  

Answer 1

The correct option is D phones ... am

Option D Ian the correct answer because the statement is being said in the present, although the situation is the past tense, but since the statement is in present tense, it is correct to say ‘phones’ while I ‘am’ out. ‘Am’ is the first person singular form of ‘be’.

Option A is incorrect because the statement is being made in the present, so the situation being explained or told about should also be spoken about in the present tense.

Option B is incorrect because ‘phoned’ is the past tense. While the statement is in the present tense.

Option C Is incorrect because ‘is phoning’ means a current action, but the speaker talks about a situation that might occur in the future.