Question

Fill in the blank with a suitable option:
Did they have dinner at home? No, they ________.

• A. didn't have
• B. have not
• C. didn't
• D. don't

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

didn't

The question "Did they have....?" contains the verb 'did'.
The reply "No, they _____." must also be filled with the same verb, as 'did' implies that they did not have dinner. 'No, they didn't' forms an elliptical sentence.
The reply is an elliptical sentence, that means that some words have been omitted and instead have been implied earlier.
Hence, the verb 'didn't' is correct here and option C is right.
Option A: 'Didn't have' does not form an elliptical clause because 'have' requires an object 'dinner'. We need a verb that does not require an object, like 'didn't'.
Option B: 'Have not' is in the present perfect tense whereas the question is in relation to the past.
Option D: 'Don't' is a simple present tense verb, but it isn't of the same form as in the question asked before 'did have'. The reply must be coherent with the question that has been asked.
Hence options A, B and D are incorrect.