Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the highlighted segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No substitution’.
Santa Claus stays at the North Pole when he isn’t out deliver gifts for Christmas.

Correct option is B

The correct substitution of the highlighted words is (b) out delivering.
Explanation:

• The expression “out delivering” is the grammatically correct phrase used to indicate someone is currently engaged in the action of delivering.
• “Out deliver” is incorrect because “deliver” is a base verb and not the correct form after a preposition like “out”.
• The correct form is “out + present participle (verb+ing)”, which denotes an ongoing activity.

Grammatical rule used:
Use of the present participle (V+ing) after prepositions like "by," "in," "on," and "out" to indicate action in progress.

Example: She is out shopping for groceries.

Other Options:

· (a) out to delivering – Incorrect construction. “To” should be followed by base verb (to deliver).
· (c) No substitution – Incorrect, as the given phrase “out deliver” is ungrammatical.
· (d) out of deliver – Incorrect idiomatic usage; not a valid phrase.