Argp wrote:
Hi
AjiteshArunIs there a rule or pointer that can help us identify whether a word is playing the role of an adverb or an adjective?
In this sentence, would it be right to say that in option (B) - you cannot gain X quicker, but you can gain X quickly? Hence, an adverb makes sense in the OA.
Hi
Argp,
Let's first take a look at adjectives and adverbs.
(i) Adjectives modify nouns [types of information: which noun, how many nouns, what kind of noun].
(ii) Adverbs modify things other than nouns (adjectives, other adverbs, verbs, clauses) [types of information: how, when, where, why, how much, how often, to what extent].
By introducing "types of information", we've already introduced one of those "pointers" you referred to. These pointers can be helpful, but they aren't perfect.
Broadly speaking, there are three major ways to go about our task:
(a) We can analyse what the word is doing (its function) in the given sentence and, if necessary, check whether it is possible for that word to play that role or not. This is the "no shortcut" approach, but it is the most accurate.
(b) We can try using that word in a set phrase or sentence ("Can that word fit in '_______'?"). You can even create your own phrases. Because you already know the structure of your phrase, you can try to use that word in positions that you know adverbs can take.
(c) We can look at the word itself. For example, a lot of people look for an
-ly when they're trying to identify adverbs. This is the easiest approach, but also the least accurate, and I don't recommend it.
As for your questions (finally
):
1. There is no easy
and reliable way to identify whether a word is playing the role of an adverb or an adjective.
2. We can absolutely use
more quickly, so that we don't change the
-ly in the adverb when moving to the comparative form (the correct option also uses
more quickly).
Quicker, as it is used in the first three options, would be acceptable only in informal usage.