Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word in the sentence Ever since Anita lost her job, she has done _________ but wallow in self-pity.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of a common English fixed expression used with but. The sentence is Ever since Anita lost her job, she has done blank but wallow in self-pity. The phrase do nothing but plus base verb is a standard pattern meaning that someone has done only one thing and nothing else. Recognising such fixed patterns is essential for natural, grammatically correct usage in both speech and writing.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The sentence fragment is she has done blank but wallow in self-pity.

The options are none, nothing, no, and never.

The auxiliary has done requires either an object or a complement to form a complete expression.

The intended meaning is that since losing her job, she has only wallowed in self-pity and done nothing else.

Concept / Approach:
In English, the fixed structure has done nothing but plus base verb expresses exclusivity of action. For example, He has done nothing but complain or They have done nothing but argue all day. The word nothing functions as the object of has done, and but introduces the only action they have been doing. None would not fit because it is typically used as a pronoun replacing a noun phrase, not as a direct object in this specific pattern. No usually precedes a noun, as in no work or no time, and never is an adverb of frequency, which does not match the structure has done never but. Therefore, nothing is the correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise the familiar pattern do nothing but plus base verb, which is often used to emphasise that only one activity has taken place. Step 2: Identify has done as the auxiliary plus verb that requires a direct object, suggesting the structure has done nothing but wallow. Step 3: Test nothing in the blank and read the sentence: she has done nothing but wallow in self-pity, which sounds natural and idiomatic. Step 4: Try inserting none, no, and never and notice that each one breaks the normal pattern or produces an ungrammatical phrase. Step 5: Based on this fixed collocation and grammatical fit, select nothing as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Compare the sentence with similar examples. We often say He has done nothing but work for weeks or The children did nothing but play during the holidays. Replacing nothing with none would give He has done none but work, which is incorrect. Using no would require a following noun, such as He has done no work, not no but work. Never is used with the auxiliary, as in He has never worked, and cannot be used in the slot before but in this structure. The pattern has done nothing but plus base form is stable and well attested, confirming that nothing is the only grammatically correct and idiomatic option.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A none functions as a pronoun meaning not any, but it does not fit as a direct object in the fixed expression has done none but wallow. Option C no must be followed by a noun, such as no effort or no progress, and cannot stand on its own before but in this sentence. Option D never is an adverb used with verbs to indicate zero frequency, as in has never worked, and does not combine correctly with done in the structure done never but.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes treat none, nothing, and no as interchangeable simply because they all convey negation. However, each has its own grammatical role and position. Another pitfall is ignoring fixed phrases and trying to compose new combinations spontaneously. Memorising common structures like nothing but, anything but, or everything but will greatly improve both comprehension and exam performance. When you see a verb like do or has done followed by but and a base verb, look for nothing before but to match this familiar pattern.

Final Answer:
nothing