The given sentence is divided into four segments. Select the option that has the segment with an adverbial usage error.
Patricia and / her associate / softly examined / the ancient artefact.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. softly examined.
Error concept The error is in the use of the adverb with the verb 'examined'.
What is wrong The phrase “softly examined” is not the correct collocation in English. The word “softly” refers to sound or voice, not to the careful act of examining.
Grammatical concept Adverbs must properly match the verb they are modifying. For an action like “examine,” the suitable adverb is one that shows manner of carefulness (e.g., closely, carefully), not volume or sound (softly).
Incorrectness of the concept in context Here, Patricia and her associate were looking at an artefact, so the action should show care or detail. “Softly examined” sounds wrong because examining is not connected with sound or volume.
How to correct Replace “softly” with an adverb that shows careful observation.
Correct phrase/ correction: Carefully examined / closely examined
Final sentence: “Patricia and her associate carefully examined the ancient artefact.”
Hence, the chosen option is correct.