In an English grammar sentence completion item, choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence: Please do not ________ me when I am speaking.

Introduction / Context:
This question checks your understanding of verb forms after the auxiliary "do not" in the imperative mood. In English, when we form negative imperatives such as "do not" or "do not ever", the main verb must be in its base or infinitive form without "to". Correct usage of verb forms is a fundamental skill for all kinds of competitive English exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Sentence: "Please do not ________ me when I am speaking."
• Auxiliary phrase: "do not" expresses a negative request or command.
• Options: interrupted, interrupts, interrupt, interrupting.
• The speaker is asking another person not to break the flow of speech.

Concept / Approach:
In negative imperatives like "do not", English grammar requires the base form of the main verb. For example, we say "Do not go", "Do not speak", and "Do not disturb". The same rule applies here. Therefore, we are looking for the base form "interrupt". The other options represent different tenses or forms that do not fit after "do not" in an imperative sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise the structure: "Please do not + verb". This is a polite negative command. Step 2: Remember the rule: after "do not" in commands, use the base form of the verb. Step 3: Identify the base form of the verb from the options. The base form is "interrupt". Step 4: Test the sentence with "interrupt": "Please do not interrupt me when I am speaking." This is correct and natural English. Step 5: Test the other forms and see how they break the rule or sound wrong.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can compare this sentence with similar common expressions: "Do not disturb me", "Do not touch that", "Do not call me late at night." In all these examples, the verb directly after "do not" is in the base form (disturb, touch, call). Grammar books and exam guides always emphasise that auxiliary "do" in imperatives is followed by the verb in its base form, never in past or continuous forms.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• interrupted: This is the past tense or past participle form. "Please do not interrupted me" is grammatically incorrect.
• interrupts: This is the simple present third person singular form. It is used in sentences like "He interrupts me", but not after "do not" in an imperative.
• interrupting: This is the present participle or gerund form. "Please do not interrupting me" is ungrammatical in standard English.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes get confused by seeing different verb endings and try to match them to the subject, forgetting that "do not" already sets the structure. In imperative sentences, there is no visible subject like "you" before the verb, and the correct form is always the base verb. Remembering this simple rule will help you answer many similar questions correctly in error spotting and sentence completion sections of exams.

Final Answer:
The correct verb form that fits the negative imperative structure is interrupt.