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Question

Difficulty: MediumAdjectives, Adverbs, and Modifiers

Which adverb of degree correctly completes the blank space in the sentence below?

Answer:The principal commended the senior tutor, whose innovative teaching methods were 【much】 admired by both students and parents.

Answer

The correct modifier to complete the sentence is 'much' (or 'very much').
The word 'much' (or 'very much') correctly modifies the past participle 'admired' when it retains verbal or passive character. In formal English, degree modification for such participles requires 'much' rather than 'very'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the word being modified and its grammatical form.
The word 'admired' is a past participle functioning as a verbal adjective in a passive context.
Determining whether a participle acts as a pure adjective or retains verbal force dictates which degree adverb is grammatically appropriate.
2
Apply the rule governing degree adverbs modifying past participles.
'Very' modifies pure adjectives and present participles, whereas 'much' (or 'very much') modifies past participles with verbal force.
In standard English, verbal past participles such as 'admired', 'appreciated', or 'criticized' take 'much' rather than 'very' alone.

Key Concept

Degree Adverbs Modifying Participles
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Adjectives, Adverbs, and Modifiers

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