The given sentence is divided into four segments. Select the option that has the segment with an adverbial usage error.
Margaret swiftly / waited for / her turn / at the Cineplex.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4 i.e. Margaret swiftly.
Context: The sentence is about Margaret waiting for her turn. The adverb “swiftly” describes how an action is performed. Here, it should modify a verb, but it is incorrectly placed with the subject.
Meaning of the words:
Swiftly: means quickly or in a fast manner.
Waited for: correctly describes the action being performed.
Her turn: the object of the action, correctly placed.
At the Cineplex: indicates location, correctly placed.
Reason: “Swiftly” is misused here because waiting cannot logically be done swiftly—it is an action that requires patience. The adverb is incorrectly modifying the subject “Margaret” instead of an appropriate verb.
Final Sentence: Margaret waited for her turn at the Cineplex.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.