Consider the following sentences: i. After his surgery, Raja hardly could walk. ii. After his surgery, Raja could barely walk. iii. After his surgery, Raja barely could walk. iv. After his surgery, Raja could hardly walk. Which of the above sentences are grammatically CORRECT? A. (i) and (ii) B. (i) and (iii) C. (ii) and (iii) D. (ii) and (iv)

GATE 2021 · General Aptitude · Grammatical Error · medium

Answer: Option D — sentences (ii) and (iv) — are grammatically correct.

1. Evaluate sentences (i) and (iii) — adverb before modal: Sentence (i): 'Raja hardly could walk' — 'hardly' is placed before the modal 'could'. This is non-standard. Sentence (iii): 'Raja barely could walk' — 'barely' is placed before 'could'. Same error. Both (i) and (iii) are incorrect.
2. Evaluate sentences (ii) and (iv) — adverb after modal: Sentence (ii): 'Raja could barely walk' — 'barely' comes after 'could'. Standard and correct. Sentence (iv): 'Raja could hardly walk' — 'hardly' comes after 'could'. Standard and correct. Both (ii) and (iv) are correct.
3. Select the correct option: Correct sentences are (ii) and (iv) => Option D.