Question

Fill in the blank with the correct form of infinitive verb to complete the sentence:
Shashank would rather _________ than draw or sketch.
A) do paint
B) paint
C) painting
D) to paint

Answer 1

Hint:Choose the option which will be grammatically correct. Also we must see that the selected option will make the sentence meaningful and we must know the meanings of all the given options above.

Complete step-by-step answer:
 Let’s understand first about “would rather” and what is an infinitive verb? Where and how do we use it in the sentence?
Infinitive verb: The infinitive is the base of a verb, often preceded by ‘to’. The forms ‘to go’ and to find’ are “infinitives”.
Example: I want to go.
They tried to find fault with us.
Would rather: The word ‘would rather’ is basically used for choices, for giving advice and suggestion, for preferring something or someone over the other. We use the word ‘to’ along with verbs if ‘would rather’ is used in a passive sentence. In active sentences we don’t use the word ‘to’ along with the verb. When we don’t use ‘to’ with a verb it is called bare infinitives.
Now, let’s examine and understand the given option above:
Do paint: Here ‘do’ and ‘paint’ both are verbs, we can use this combination when we want to tell someone to do something for sure as we need bare infinitives here so this option is inappropriate for the given question.
Painting: Here ‘painting’ is a participle form of a verb and as we need here a verb with its original form so this option is also an inappropriate for the given question.
To paint: Here the given sentence is in active voice so ‘to paint’ can’t be used, so this option is also inappropriate for the given question.
Paint: Here ‘paint’ is the original form of the verb and it is a bare infinitive, so this is the most suitable verb here and hence it is an appropriate option for the given question. So the correct answer will be option [B] Paint.

Note:Students should study all types of verbs as well as modal verbs.
Knowing all types of conditions which are used for different modal verbs are necessary.