Question

Fill in the blank with the correct form of infinitive verb to complete the sentence:
People react rather than _____ .

• A. ask
• B. asks
• C. to ask
• D. asked

Answer 1

The correct option is A ask

In order to fill in the blank with the most suitable form of the infinitive, we need to understand the meaning and usage of 'rather than'. 'Rather than' means the same as 'would rather', which means 'instead of' or preferring someone or something over the other. If 'rather than' is used in a passive (voice) sentence, we use the word 'to' along with the verb. In an active sentence, we do not use 'to' with the verb. The verbs without the marker 'to', are called bare infinitives.

As the given sentence is in the active voice, we will use the bare infinitive here.

Option B - 'Asks' is the third person form of the verb 'ask'. As we need the bare infinitive (original form of the verb), we can't use 'asks' here. Hence, option B is incorrect.

Option C -'To ask' can't be used here as the verb in its original form with the marker 'to'. As the sentence is in the active voice, we can't use the infinitive with 'to' here. Hence, option C is incorrect.

Option D - 'Asked' is the past form of the verb 'ask'. As we need the verb in its original form, we can't use 'asked' here. Hence, option D is incorrect.

Option A - 'Ask' is a verb in its original form and is a bare infinitive. Hence, option A is the correct answer.

'People react rather than ask.'