Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

You hardly exercise with that ball for ten minutes and your mind goes into a much relaxed state.

  1. You hardly exercise with that ball for ten minutes

  2. You exercise hardly with that ball for ten minutes

  3. You exercise with that ball hardly for ten minutes

  4. You exercise with that ball for ten hard minutes

  5. You exercise with that ball for hardly ten minutes
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for (1): Type of error: misplaced modifier

It is important to place the modifying word or clause as close as possible to the word or words it modifies. The given sentence contains the limiting modifier, 'hardly' which changes the entire meaning of the sentence since it is placed next to the wrong word. Hardly is modifying exercise. Hence 'hardly exercise' means that he does not exercise.

Explanation for (2): The modifier 'hardly' is modifying the wrong clause 'with that ball'. Hence 'hardly with that ball' means that he does not use that ball to exercise.
Explanation for (3): The modifier 'hardly' is not placed closest to the phrase or word it should have modified, i.e. 'ten minutes'.
Explanation for (4): The given option incorrectly replaces 'hardly' with 'hard'. Justification for (5): The given option rectifies the error of modifier. 'Hardly' modifies the correct set of words 'ten minutes'. 'You exercise with that ball for hardly ten minutes' means that you exercise with that ball for as  little as ten minutes.

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