Fill in the blank with the suitable gerund: Bernard prefers ______ the toast…
2025
Fill in the blank with the suitable gerund:
Bernard prefers ______ the toast with a knife.
- A.
to buttered
- B.
of butter
- C.
buttering
- D.
buttered
Attempted by 36 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Answer: buttering
Explanation: 'Prefer' can be followed by a gerund or an infinitive. Here the gerund 'buttering' (verb+ing) names the action of applying butter and functions as the object of 'prefers'.
'to buttered' — incorrect because 'buttered' is a past participle; 'to' requires the base verb ('to butter') if using the infinitive.
'of butter' — incorrect because it is a noun phrase that does not express the action; it does not function as the verb's object after 'prefers'.
'buttered' — incorrect because it is a past participle/adjective (meaning 'already spread with butter') and cannot serve as the action after 'prefers'.
Note: 'Bernard prefers buttering the toast with a knife.' is correct. 'Bernard prefers to butter the toast with a knife.' would also be acceptable, but the prompt specifically calls for a gerund.