Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.

I simply couldn't resist _____ you to tell you the good news!

• A. phoning
• B. to phone
• C. phone
• D. phoned

Answer 1

The correct option is A phoning

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: Phoning is a gerund as it plays a dual role

Option B and C: Phone is in the present tense. It is the wrong option

Option D: Phoned is the past tense again. It is the wrong option

Option A is correct