Question

Fill in the blank with the most suitable auxiliary verb
Every boy in our class ______ books, pens and pencils.
a) does
b) have
c) has
d) are

Answer 1

Hint: Auxiliary verbs are commonly called helping verbs since they are placed beside the main verb. Examples of auxiliary verbs are am, is, are, was, were, etc. In the given sentence, the function of the verb is to prove possession.

Complete answer:
Option a is wrong because “does” means doing something. So every boy in or class cannot “do” any books, pens, or pencils. People can do homework, do some work, or do a job. An action can be done. The given sentence has some inanimate things (books, pens, and pencils) as its object. Thus, this is the wrong option. Sentence example: He does not like winters because he cannot wake up early in the morning.
Option b is wrong because the word “have” is used with plural nouns. The given sentence talks about every boy individually which means it is a singular noun. Example: The girls have their study materials with them.
Option c is the correct answer because “has” shows possession of the books, pens, and pencils. It is also a helping verb used with singular nouns.
Option d is wrong because the boys in the class are not books, pens, and pencils themselves. Also, are is used with plural nouns. Example: They are not good children so you should stay away from them.

Note:
Always remember that the auxiliary verb depends on the subject of the sentence and not the object. Though books, pens, and pencils are plural, the auxiliary verb will focus on the subject which is “every boy”. Every boy is a singular noun and thus it will be followed by a singular verb which is “has”.