Fill in the blank with the suitable article from the options given below.
________ poor are always with us.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → the
Complete sentence: The poor are always with us.
| Option | When to use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) the (answer) | The + adjective stands for all the people of that kind: the poor, the rich, the blind, the old. Such a phrase is plural and takes a plural verb: "The poor are always with us." | The rich should help those in need. |
| (2) an | "An" is used before a singular countable noun beginning with a vowel sound. "Poor" here is neither. | – |
| (3) a | "A" also needs a singular noun, and the verb "are" is plural. | – |
| (4) No article | Without "the", the adjective "poor" cannot stand as the subject: "Poor are always with us" is not correct English. | – |