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Difficulty: Very hardAdjective and Adverb Usage

In the sentence below, the underlined modifier is used correctly:

'As the deadline approached, the team members grew anxiously about their ability to complete the project on time.'

Answer: Answer

Answer

The statement is false because the adverb 'anxiously' is used incorrectly where the predicate adjective 'anxious' is required.
The statement is false because 'grew' functions as a linking verb in this context, meaning 'became.' It must connect the subject 'team members' to the predicate adjective 'anxious' to describe their state, making the adverb 'anxiously' grammatically incorrect.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the verb and the underlined modifier in the target clause.
The verb is 'grew' and the modifier is 'anxiously.'
Analyzing the specific elements and their grammatical roles is necessary to determine usage correctness.
2
Determine whether the verb 'grew' functions as an action verb or a linking verb in this context.
The verb 'grew' is used here to mean 'became,' describing the changing emotional state of the subject 'team members' rather than a physical action.
Verbs like 'grow,' 'feel,' and 'remain' can be linking or action verbs depending on the meaning of the sentence.
3
Apply the modifier rule for linking verbs.
Because 'grew' acts as a linking verb, it must link the subject to a predicate adjective ('anxious') rather than an adverb ('anxiously').
Adverbs modify actions, whereas linking verbs connect the subject to a predicate adjective describing that subject.

Key Concept

Adjective and Adverb Usage with Linking Verbs
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Topics

Adjective and Adverb Usage

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