Question

Fill in the blank with the correct form of infinitive verb to complete the sentence:
The best thing about her is, that she would rather _____ than complain.

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

Answer 1

The correct option is C 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 'would rather'. 'Would rather' means preferring something or someone over the other. If 'would rather' 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 A - 'Asked' is the past form of the verb 'ask'. As we need a bare infinitive for the sentence in the active voice, we can't use 'asked' here. Hence, option A is incorrect.

Option B - 'Asking' is the participle form of the verb 'ask'. As we need a verb in the original form, we can't use 'asking' here. Hence, option B is incorrect.

Option D - '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 D is incorrect.

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

'The best thing about her is, that she would rather ask than complain.'