Which of the following is/are verb/s ?
(a) vain; (b) agent; (c) serve; (d) seize

Question

Accepted Answer

Option 4 is the correct answer because both (c) "serve" and (d) "seize" are verbs. Let's break down why this is the case and why the other options are incorrect:

1. **Explanation for Option 4:**
   - **Serve:** This is a verb that means to perform duties or services for another person or an organization. It can also mean to present food or drink to someone.
   - **Seize:** This is a verb that means to take hold of something suddenly and forcibly. It can also mean to take possession of something quickly.

Both "serve" and "seize" are actions, which is the defining characteristic of verbs. Therefore, Option 4, which includes both (c) and (d), is correct.

2. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:**
   - **Option 1 (Only (a)):** The word "vain" is an adjective, not a verb. It describes someone who has an excessively high opinion of their appearance, abilities, or worth.
   - **Option 2 ((a) and (b)):** As mentioned, "vain" is an adjective. Additionally, "agent" is a noun, not a verb. It refers to a person who acts on behalf of another person or group.
   - **Option 3 ((b) and (c)):** While "serve" is indeed a verb, "agent" is a noun. Therefore, this option is incorrect because it includes a noun instead of two verbs.

By focusing on the grammatical function of each word, we can see that Option 4 correctly identifies the verbs in the list, making it the correct choice.