Question

read the sentence.

once the scientist completed to assemble the components, she tested her new device to see if it performed as expected.

what is the best word to replace the infinitive in the sentence?

• assembling
• assemble
• assembled
• assembly

Explanation:

Analyze the sentence structure and verb complementation

The verb "completed" requires a gerund (\(\text{-ing}\) form) as its direct object rather than an infinitive ("to" + verb).

Evaluate the given options

• "assembling" is a gerund and correctly completes the verb "completed".
• "assemble" is a base verb form and is grammatically incorrect here.
• "assembled" is a past participle/past tense form and does not fit.
• "assembly" is a noun and does not function as the direct object of the action in this context.

Answer:

• assembling (Correct answer)
• assemble
• assembled
• assembly