All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

Consider the following sentences: 

(i) After his surgery, Raja hardly could walk.
(ii) After his surgery, Raja could barely walk. 
(iii) After his surgery, Raja barely could walk.
(iv) After his surgery, Raja could hardly walk. 

Which of the above sentences are grammatically CORRECT?

The correct answer is
(ii) and (iv)

Grammar Analysis: Hardly and Barely Usage

The grammatical correctness of the sentences depends on the correct placement of the adverbs 'hardly' and 'barely'. These adverbs typically follow the modal verb.

  • Sentence (i): "After his surgery, Raja hardly could walk." - Incorrect. The adverb 'hardly' is placed before the modal verb 'could'.
  • Sentence (ii): "After his surgery, Raja could barely walk." - Correct. The adverb 'barely' is placed after the modal verb 'could'.
  • Sentence (iii): "After his surgery, Raja barely could walk." - Incorrect. The adverb 'barely' is placed before the modal verb 'could'.
  • Sentence (iv): "After his surgery, Raja could hardly walk." - Correct. The adverb 'hardly' is placed after the modal verb 'could'.

Therefore, sentences (ii) and (iv) are grammatically correct.

Correct Option Identification

Based on the analysis, the sentences that are grammatically CORRECT are (ii) and (iv).

This corresponds to Option D.

Was this answer helpful?

Important Questions from Adverbs

  1. Select the appropriate option in place of underlined part of the sentence.
    Increased productivity necessary reflects greater efforts made by the employees.

  2. Identify the part which contains an error, if any :
    A. They are newcomers 

    B. to the city, 

    C. isn't? 

    D. No error

  3. Two sentences are given below: 

    I. I was in Boston last winter, and I found it really cold there
    II. Here, have some tea! 

    Pick the CORRECT option with respect to the underlined adverbs.

Need Expert Advice?

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App