Choose the correct word to complete the following sentence:
Why ______ the youngest of your three brothers never pick up his phone after nine at night?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → does
Subject-verb agreement with “he” in a question:
- In a question, “do” or “does” comes before the subject. The main verb stays in its simple form (“pick”).
- The subject is “the youngest”, one person, not “brothers”. A singular subject takes does.
- Complete sentence: Why does the youngest of your three brothers never pick up his phone after nine at night?
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: do — Incorrect. “Do” goes with I, you, we and they, not with one person. Example: Why do you always sit at the back?
Option 2: are — Incorrect. “Are” goes with you, we and they, not with one person. Example: Are they coming to the match?
Option 4: have — Incorrect. “Have” goes with I, you, we and they, not with one person. Example: Have you seen my charger?