Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.

I can't help _____ her.

• A. liking
• B. to liking
• C. to like
• D. liked

Answer 1

The correct option is A liking

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 A: Liking is a gerund as it plays dual role

Option B is wrong because it is having preposition in it.

Option C: Like is in the present tense. It is the wrong option

Option D: Liked is in the past tense.

Option A is correct