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Question

Difficulty: HardAdjectives, Adverbs, and Modifiers

Complete the sentence below by providing the grammatically correct modifier for each blank.

Answer:Having worked 【hard】 on the research manuscript all evening, the editor could 【hardly】 keep her eyes open during the final review.

Answer

The first blank requires the adverb 'hard' (meaning with intense effort), while the second blank requires the modifier 'hardly' (meaning barely or scarcely).
The word 'hard' acts as an adverb of manner modifying 'worked' to indicate diligence or intensity. Conversely, 'hardly' is a degree modifier meaning scarcely or barely, which fits the context of extreme fatigue where keeping one's eyes open becomes nearly impossible.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the modifier required in the first blank following the verb 'worked'.
The sentence describes intense physical or mental effort in modifying the verb 'worked', which requires the flat adverb 'hard'.
Using 'hardly' here would incorrectly mean she barely worked on the manuscript, contradicting the phrase 'all evening'.
2
Analyze the modifier required in the second blank before the verb phrase 'keep her eyes open'.
The context implies fatigue resulting in an inability to stay awake, requiring a negative degree modifier meaning 'barely' or 'scarcely'.
The adverb 'hardly' functions as a degree modifier indicating that she could scarcely keep her eyes open.

Key Concept

Distinction between flat adverbs and '-ly' adverbs with distinct meanings (hard vs. hardly)
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Adjectives, Adverbs, and Modifiers

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