Question

Read the given sentence from a story. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket:
As I entered the room, the first thing that struck me as odd was the candle still _____ (burn) on the table. The curtains had been drawn back, and the room was bright.

Hint:

Use the present participle ("burning") after "still" to indicate an ongoing action at the time described.

Answer 1

The verb form needed is “burning.”
The full sentence is: “As I entered the room, the first thing that struck me as odd was the candle still burning on the table.”
“Burning” acts as an adjective, describing the candle's active state.
This form accurately reflects the ongoing action when entering the room.
Using “burning” ensures grammatical correctness and creates a clear image.
Therefore, the present participle “burning” suits the sentence's context.