Select the most appropriate option to improve the bold part of the sentence.
They walked beside the lake slowly.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer: slowly beside the lake
Explanation
• In English grammar, when multiple adverbs or adverbial phrases modify the same verb, the standard word order follows the M-P-T rule (Manner – Place – Time).
• Here, slowly is an adverb of manner (describing how they walked) and beside the lake is a prepositional phrase of place (describing where they walked).
• Therefore, the adverb of manner should directly follow the intransitive verb walked, placed before the adverbial phrase of place: walked slowly beside the lake.
Quick Tip: Remember the MPT sequence: Manner + Place + Time (e.g., She sang beautifully at the concert yesterday).