Fill in the blank with the correct adverb:-
I _________ met him at the conference on Sunday but discussed a lot of things.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Briefly
Briefly is an adverb meaning for a short time. The sentence sets two ideas against each other with but: the meeting was short, yet they discussed a lot of things.
Complete sentence: I briefly met him at the conference on Sunday but discussed a lot of things.
Example: The minister spoke briefly to the reporters.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Always — Incorrect. Always means at all times; it cannot describe a single meeting on one Sunday.
Example: She always reaches school on time.
Option 2: Never — Incorrect. Never means at no time; it contradicts the rest of the sentence, which says they met and talked.
Example: He has never seen snow.
Option 4: Finally — Incorrect. Finally means after a long time or at last; it gives no reason for the contrast with "but discussed a lot of things".
Example: After waiting for an hour, the bus finally arrived.