Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
These days, the owner and cook of this small dhaba ______ busy in his kitchen from noon till midnight.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → is
Two nouns for one person:
- When two nouns joined by “and” share one “the”, they name one person. So the verb is singular.
- “The owner and cook” is one man who owns the dhaba and also cooks. “His kitchen” also shows that it is one man. “These days” shows the present. So the verb is is.
- Complete sentence: These days, the owner and cook of this small dhaba is busy in his kitchen from noon till midnight.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: are — Incorrect. “Are” is plural, but “the owner and cook” is one person. Example: The owner and the cook are brothers.
Option 2: were — Incorrect. “Were” is plural, but the subject is one person. Example: The waiters were busy last night.
Option 3: was — Incorrect. “Was” is singular, but it shows the past. The sentence is about now (“these days”). Example: The dhaba was closed on Holi.