Fill in the blank with the suitable Adverb Phrase from the given alternatives.
A soldier is trained never to fight ________.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → in a cowardly manner
An adverb is a word that tells how, when, where or how much something happens. It can also describe an adjective or another adverb, for example she sings sweetly, very hot.
Complete sentence: A soldier is trained never to fight in a cowardly manner. "Fight" is a verb and needs an adverbial, so "fight in a cowardly manner".
| Option | What it tells | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) in a cowardly manner (answer) | Some words ending in "-ly" are adjectives, not adverbs: cowardly, friendly, lovely, lonely, silly. They cannot describe a verb by themselves, so the adverb meaning is given by a phrase: in a ... manner / way. | The shopkeeper greeted us in a friendly manner. |
| (2) in a coward manner | "Coward" is a noun (a person who lacks courage). The adjective "cowardly" is needed before "manner". | – |
| (3) like a cowardly | "Like a" must be followed by a noun ("like a coward"). "Cowardly" is an adjective. | – |
| (4) cowardly | "Cowardly" is an adjective and cannot by itself modify the verb "fight". | – |