The given sentence is divided into four segments. Select the option that has the segment with an adverbial usage error.
Michael and Robert / played rapidly / in the park / near the apartment.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. played rapidly.
Error Concept: related to the incorrect use of an adverb.
What is wrong: The adverb “rapidly” is not suitable here. “Rapidly” means very fast and usually describes speed of processes or changes (like “the disease spread rapidly”). It does not fit naturally with the verb “played.”
Grammar Concept: Adverbs must match the context of the verb. For actions like “played,” words such as happily, actively, cheerfully, energetically are correct, but “rapidly” sounds awkward.
Incorrectness of the concept in context: The sentence is about children playing, so the manner of playing should be expressed with a suitable adverb, not with one that refers to speed of movement.
Correction: Replace “rapidly” with “happily” (or another suitable adverb).
Corrected phrase: played happily.
Final sentence: Michael and Robert played happily in the park near the apartment.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.