Sentence Analysis: The Role of 'Shortly'
The question asks us to identify the grammatical function of the word 'shortly' in the sentence: "She married at 18 and gave birth to her first child shortly thereafter." To answer this, we need to understand the different parts of speech and how they work within a sentence.
Analyzing 'Shortly' Function
Let's examine the word 'shortly' in the context of the sentence. The sentence states that she "gave birth to her first child shortly thereafter". The word 'shortly' describes *when* the action of giving birth happened. It tells us the action occurred not long after a previous event (her marriage).
Words that modify verbs, indicating when, where, how, or to what extent an action is performed, are known as Adverbs. Since 'shortly' modifies the verb phrase 'gave birth' by specifying the time, it functions as an adverb.
Parts of Speech Analysis
We can determine the correct part of speech by considering the definition and function of each option provided:
- Pronoun: A pronoun replaces a noun (e.g., 'she', 'it', 'they'). 'Shortly' does not replace any noun in the sentence.
- Determiner: A determiner precedes a noun and specifies it (e.g., 'a', 'an', 'the', 'her', 'this'). 'Shortly' does not specify or limit a noun. The word 'first' in the sentence modifies 'child' and acts as an adjective or determiner, but 'shortly' serves a different purpose.
- Adjective: An adjective describes or modifies a noun or pronoun (e.g., 'first', 'young', 'happy'). 'Shortly' does not describe any noun or pronoun; it describes the verb 'gave birth'.
- Adverb: An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Adverbs often answer questions like 'when?' (e.g., now, later, soon, shortly), 'where?' (e.g., here, there, outside), 'how?' (e.g., quickly, slowly, well), or 'to what extent?' (e.g., very, too, quite). As 'shortly' tells us *when* the birth occurred, it fits the definition of an adverb. Many adverbs ending in '-ly' are derived from adjectives (like 'short').
Final Identification: Adverb
Therefore, based on its role in modifying the verb 'gave birth' and indicating time, 'shortly' is classified as an Adverb in this sentence.
Similar Questions
Directions : Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :
List I
(Parts of Speech)List II
(Word)A. Noun 1. Dually B. Verb 2. Duplication C. Adverb 3. Duplicate D. Adjective 4. Duple
Code:
A B C DThe manager expects every employee to do his duty.
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- Consequently, this poses a threat to agriculture and human health.
His only answer was a grunt.
I didn't tell him anything except that I needed the money.
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The money which one earns is not the money for himself, it is for the family and society.
The Principal said, "We should always be disciplined."
Important Questions from Parts of Speech
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Itis eleven O'clock now and all of us should retire to bed.
