Dasvasf

Duyuru
1

@sorumatikbot ………. those your new trousers?

Soru 9Cevap

a.

are

b.

is

c.

do

d.

am

e.

be

2

Question: What is the correct word to fill in the blank for the sentence “………. those your new trousers?” with options a. are, b. is, c. do, d. am, e. be?

Answer:

The sentence “………. those your new trousers?” is asking about possession in a question form, and the correct word to fill in the blank is “are”. This is a common English grammar question related to subject-verb agreement and question formation. In English, when forming questions about subjects like “those” (which is plural), we use the appropriate form of the verb “to be” to match the subject. Let’s break this down step by step to ensure you understand why this is the case and why the other options don’t work.

This type of question often appears in language learning exercises, such as English as a Second Language (ESL) tests or grammar quizzes. The complete sentence should read: “Are those your new trousers?”, which is a natural way to ask if something belongs to someone. Now, I’ll explain the grammar rules, provide examples, and address each option in detail.

Table of Contents

  1. Overview of the Question
  2. Grammar Explanation: Subject-Verb Agreement
  3. Correct Answer and Why
  4. Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
  5. Common Grammar Tips for Similar Questions
  6. Examples in Everyday Use
  7. Summary Table
  8. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
  9. Summary and Key Takeaways

1. Overview of the Question

This question tests your understanding of English grammar, specifically how to form questions and ensure subject-verb agreement. The blank in “………. those your new trousers?” needs a verb that fits grammatically and makes sense in context. “Those” is a demonstrative pronoun referring to plural nouns (like “trousers,” which is always plural in English because it refers to an item of clothing with two legs). The sentence is intended to be a yes/no question about ownership.

In English, questions often start with a helping verb (like forms of “to be,” “do,” or “have”) to invert the subject and verb. Here, the correct verb must agree with the subject “those” in number (plural) and tense (present simple). This is a foundational concept in English grammar, commonly taught in schools or language courses.

2. Grammar Explanation: Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a key rule in English where the verb must match the subject in number (singular or plural) and sometimes in person (first, second, or third). For questions, we often use auxiliary verbs to help form the interrogative structure.

  • Subject “those”: This is a plural demonstrative pronoun (e.g., referring to multiple items). In English, plural subjects require plural verb forms.
  • Verb “to be”: This verb has different forms based on number and tense:
    • Singular: am (I), is (he/she/it), are (you, we, they – but “are” is used for plural subjects).
    • Plural: are (used for you, we, they).
  • In questions, the verb often comes before the subject for emphasis or interrogation.

For example:

  • Statement: “Those are my trousers.” (Plural subject “those” with plural verb “are”.)
  • Question: “Are those your trousers?” (Inverted for question form.)

This rule ensures clarity and correctness in communication. Now, let’s look at the correct answer and the reasoning behind it.

3. Correct Answer and Why

The correct option is a. are.

  • Reason: “Are” is the plural form of the verb “to be” in the present tense, which agrees with the plural subject “those.” The sentence “Are those your new trousers?” is a standard way to ask a yes/no question about possession. It follows the basic question structure in English:
    • Helping verb (are) + subject (those) + the rest of the sentence.

Step-by-step breakdown:

  1. Identify the subject: “Those” is plural.
  2. Determine the verb needed: Since it’s a question about existence or identity, we use “to be.” The plural form is “are.”
  3. Check the context: The sentence is inquiring about ownership (“your new trousers”), so it fits perfectly as a polite, informal question.

This is a common pattern in English. For instance, if you were pointing at something and asking a friend, you’d say, “Are those your shoes?” to confirm ownership.

4. Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

Let’s examine each incorrect option and explain why it doesn’t fit grammatically or contextually. This will help you avoid similar mistakes in the future.

  • b. is:

    • “Is” is the singular form of “to be,” used for third-person singular subjects (e.g., “he,” “she,” “it”).
    • If you used “is,” the sentence would be “Is those your new trousers?” which is grammatically incorrect because “those” is plural. It should only be used with singular subjects, like “Is that your new trouser?” (Note: “Trouser” is not commonly used alone; we say “trousers” for plural.)
    • Example of correct use: “Is that your book?” (Singular subject “that.”)

  • c. do:

    • “Do” is an auxiliary verb used for questions with most other verbs (e.g., “do you like tea?”), but it doesn’t work here because the sentence isn’t using a main verb that requires do-support. “Do” is typically used with action verbs, not with “to be.”
    • If you tried “Do those your new trousers?” it doesn’t make sense and isn’t a valid English structure. A correct use of “do” would be: “Do those trousers fit you?” where “fit” is the main verb.
    • Reason it’s wrong: The blank requires a form of “to be” for the question about identity, not an auxiliary for other actions.

  • d. am:

    • “Am” is the first-person singular form of “to be,” used only with “I” (e.g., “I am happy”).
    • Using “am” would result in “Am those your new trousers?” which is nonsensical because “am” doesn’t agree with “those” (a third-person plural pronoun). It can only be used in first-person contexts, like “Am I interrupting?”
    • Reason it’s wrong: Subject-verb agreement is violated, and it changes the meaning entirely.

  • e. be:

    • “Be” is the base form of the verb “to be,” used in infinitives or commands (e.g., “To be or not to be,” or “Be quiet!”). It isn’t used directly in simple present tense questions.
    • “Be those your new trousers?” sounds awkward and incorrect because it lacks the appropriate tense and form. In questions, we need a conjugated form like “are” or “is.”
    • Reason it’s wrong: “Be” is not inflected for the present tense or question form in this context.

By understanding these distinctions, you can better handle grammar questions in exams or conversations.

5. Common Grammar Tips for Similar Questions

To master questions like this, keep these tips in mind:

  • Check subject number: Always match the verb to whether the subject is singular or plural. Plural subjects (e.g., “those,” “they”) use plural verbs like “are.”
  • Question formation: In English, yes/no questions often start with a helping verb (e.g., “to be,” “do,” “have”). For “to be,” invert it with the subject.
  • Common errors to avoid:
    • Don’t confuse singular and plural forms (e.g., use “is” for singular, “are” for plural).
    • Remember that words like “trousers,” “scissors,” and “glasses” are always plural in English, so they require plural verbs.
  • Practice with variations: Try forming questions with different subjects:
    • Singular: “Is that your phone?” (Uses “is” for singular “that.”)
    • Plural: “Are these your keys?” (Uses “are” for plural “these.”)

These rules are essential for building strong English skills and are often tested in standardized tests like TOEFL or IELTS.

6. Examples in Everyday Use

To make this more relatable, here are some real-life examples where similar grammar is used:

  1. Casual conversation: If you’re shopping with a friend and see some clothes, you might ask, “Are those your new shoes?” This confirms ownership politely.
  2. In a classroom: A teacher might say, “Are those the books I assigned?” using “are” for the plural subject “those.”
  3. Mistake example: Someone might incorrectly say, “Is those your bags?” which should be corrected to “Are those your bags?” to follow proper grammar.
  4. Formal writing: In an email or report, you could write, “Are those the documents you mentioned?” to maintain clarity.

Practicing these in daily life can help reinforce the rules and make them second nature.

7. Summary Table

Option Word Correctness Reason Example Sentence
a. are Correct Matches plural subject “those” and forms a proper question. “Are those your new trousers?”
b. is Incorrect Singular verb; doesn’t agree with plural “those.” Incorrect: “Is those your new trousers?”
c. do Incorrect Used for action verbs, not for “to be” questions. Incorrect: “Do those your new trousers?”; Correct use: “Do those trousers fit?”
d. am Incorrect First-person verb; only used with “I.” Incorrect: “Am those your new trousers?”; Correct use: “Am I correct?”
e. be Incorrect Base form, not used in present tense questions. Incorrect: “Be those your new trousers?”; Correct use: “To be honest…”

This table summarizes the key points for quick reference.

8. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why is “trousers” always plural in English?
A1: In English, “trousers” refers to a pair of leg coverings, so it’s treated as plural. You can’t say “a trouser”; it’s always “trousers.” This is similar to words like “jeans” or “glasses.”

Q2: How can I improve my subject-verb agreement skills?
A2: Practice by writing sentences with different subjects and verbs. Use resources like grammar apps or online exercises. For example, try changing “those” to “that” and see how the verb changes.

Q3: Is this rule the same in all English dialects?
A3: Generally, yes, but some dialects (e.g., informal spoken English) might have variations. In standard written English, stick to the rules for clarity.

Q4: What if the sentence was “………. that your new trouser?”
A4: If it were singular (though “trouser” is uncommon), you’d use “is”: “Is that your new trouser?” But in standard English, we use “trousers” as plural.

Q5: How does this apply to other pronouns?
A5: For “this/that” (singular), use “is”; for “these/those” (plural), use “are.” E.g., “Is this yours?” vs. “Are these yours?”

9. Summary and Key Takeaways

In summary, the correct answer to fill in the blank in “………. those your new trousers?” is “are” (option a), as it ensures subject-verb agreement and proper question formation. This question highlights the importance of matching verbs to their subjects in English grammar, a rule that applies in both spoken and written communication. By understanding why other options are incorrect, you can avoid common mistakes and improve your language skills.

Key takeaways:

  • Always check if the subject is singular or plural to choose the right verb form.
  • Practice forming questions to build confidence.
  • Remember that grammar rules like this are essential for clear and effective communication.

If you have more questions or want to practice similar exercises, feel free to ask! :blush:

@Ismail_Arda_Arac