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Difficulty: HardAdjectives, Adverbs, and Modifiers

In formal English syntax, modifiers must be arranged correctly to maintain precise meaning and grammatical accuracy. Which of the following sentences correctly applies the rules governing adjective ordering, modifier placement, and adverb usage?

  1. After reviewing the financial audit, the board members praised the chief executive's stylish old Swiss gold watch, which operated exceptionally well.Answer
  2. B
    After reviewing the financial audit, the chief executive's stylish old Swiss gold watch was praised by the board members for operating exceptionally well.
  3. C
    After reviewing the financial audit, the board members praised the chief executive's stylish old Swiss gold watch, which worked hardly to maintain accurate time.
  4. D
    After reviewing the financial audit, the board members praised the chief executive's gold Swiss stylish old watch, which operated exceptionally well.

Answer

The sentence 'After reviewing the financial audit, the board members praised the chief executive's stylish old Swiss gold watch, which operated exceptionally well.' is grammatically correct.
The sentence featuring 'the board members praised the chief executive's stylish old Swiss gold watch' is correct because: 1) The introductory participial phrase 'After reviewing the financial audit' correctly modifies 'the board members' who did the reviewing. 2) The cumulative adjectives follow the standard Royal Order of Adjectives (Opinion: stylish, Age: old, Origin: Swiss, Material: gold). 3) The adverb phrase 'exceptionally well' appropriately modifies the verb 'operated'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Check modifier placement in the introductory participial clause.
The subject immediately following the introductory clause 'After reviewing the financial audit' must be the logical agent who reviewed the audit ('the board members').
An introductory participial phrase automatically modifies the grammatical subject of the main clause.
2
Verify the standard order of cumulative adjectives.
Adjectives must follow the OSASCOMP sequence: Opinion (stylish) -> Age (old) -> Origin (Swiss) -> Material (gold).
English syntax requires cumulative adjectives preceding a noun to follow a strict semantic order.
3
Verify adverb choice and degree modification.
'Exceptionally' correctly modifies the adverb 'well', which in turn modifies the verb 'operated'.
'Hardly' means barely/scarcely and is inappropriate when expressing diligent operation.

Key Concept

Adjective Order, Modifier Placement, and Adverb Distinction
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Topics

Adjectives, Adverbs, and Modifiers

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