11. In the sentence “The gazelle passed swiftly through the grassy plains,” which word functions as an adverb?
Answer: C
Swiftly functions as the adverb in the sentence.
In the sentence “The gazelle passed swiftly through the grassy plains,” the word "swiftly" modifies the verb "passed," indicating the manner in which the action is performed. Therefore, it functions as an adverb.
A) gazelle
The word "gazelle" is a noun, as it identifies the subject of the sentence. It does not describe how the action is performed, and thus cannot function as an adverb.
B) passed
"Passed" is the verb in the sentence, indicating the action taken by the subject. While it is essential for the sentence's meaning, it does not modify or describe the action, which is the role of an adverb.
C) swiftly
"Swiftly" is the correct answer as it is an adverb that modifies the verb "passed." It describes the manner in which the gazelle performed the action, highlighting the speed at which it moved.
D) grassy
"Grassy" is an adjective because it describes the noun "plains." It provides information about the type of plains but does not modify the verb or indicate how the action is performed, which is the function of an adverb.
Conclusion
The word "swiftly" is definitively the adverb in the sentence, as it describes how the action of passing is carried out. All other options fail to fulfill the role of an adverb, as they either serve as a noun or adjective, thus reinforcing the importance of understanding the function of different parts of speech in sentence structure.