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Difficulty: HardAdjective and Adverb Usage

During the late nineteenth century, physicists debated the nature of light. Of the two primary theories proposed to explain its behavior, the wave theory was eventually favored by the scientific community because it accounted for diffraction patterns more clearer than the particle theory.

Which of the following options is the best replacement for the underlined portion of the sentence?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. more clearlyAnswer
  3. C
    most clearly
  4. D
    clearer

Answer

more clearly
The correct option is 'more clearly' because it uses the adverb form 'clearly' to modify the verb phrase 'accounted for,' and it uses the comparative modifier 'more' which is appropriate for comparing exactly two theories (the wave theory and the particle theory).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the part of speech modified by the underlined portion.
The underlined phrase describes how the wave theory 'accounted for' diffraction patterns. Since it modifies a verb phrase, an adverb is required rather than an adjective.
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, while adjectives modify nouns.
2
Determine the number of items being compared to choose between comparative and superlative forms.
The passage compares exactly 'two primary theories' (the wave theory and the particle theory). Therefore, the comparative form ('more') is required instead of the superlative form ('most').
Comparative modifiers compare two things, while superlative modifiers are used for three or more things.
3
Identify and eliminate any grammatical errors such as double comparatives or incorrect adjective usage.
The option 'more clearly' satisfies all criteria, as it uses the comparative adverb 'more' and the adverb 'clearly' without creating a double comparative error.
Double comparatives like 'more clearer' are grammatically incorrect, as are adjectives used as adverbs.

Key Concept

Adjective and Adverb Usage with Comparative and Superlative Modifiers
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Topics

Adjective and Adverb Usage

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