Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.

He had difficulty ________ his wife to stay home.

• A. convince
• B. to convince
• C. convincing
• D. for convincing

Answer 1

The correct option is C convincing

Gerunds are words that are formed with verbs but act as nouns. Gerunds also at times are seen to end in 'ing'. In this particular sentence, the word in the blank acts a noun thus becoming the subject of the sentence and also like a verb by taking up the object. This means that in the blank, we would need a gerund.

Option C: Convincing is a gerund as it plays a dual role

Option A and B: Convince is in the present tense. It is the wrong option

Option D: It acts as an adjective in this case.

Option C is correct