The given sentence is divided into four segments. Select the option that has the segment with an adverbial usage error.
Mrs. Jennifer, / our English professor, / told us that the wind / reluctantly rustled the branches.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4 i.e. reluctantly rustled the branches.
Error Concept: related to the incorrect use of adverb.
What is wrong: The adverb “reluctantly” means unwillingly or without desire. But the wind is a natural force and cannot show feelings like reluctance.
Grammar Concept: Adverbs must logically describe the verb. Here, the verb “rustled” (made a soft sound by movement of leaves/branches) needs an adverb that matches natural action, not human emotion.
Incorrectness of the concept in context: Using reluctantly gives a wrong meaning because the wind cannot be “unwilling”.
Correction: A more suitable adverb could be gently or softly.
Corrected phrase: gently rustled the branches.
Final sentence: Mrs. Jennifer, our English professor, told us that the wind gently rustled the branches.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.