Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.

Let's not waste time _____ about this.

• A. argue
• B. arguing
• C. having argued
• D. to having argued

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

arguing

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 B: Arguing is a gerund as it plays a dual role

Option A: Argue is in the present tense. It is the wrong option

Option C and A: Argued is the past tense again. It is the wrong option

Option B is correct