Select the correct sentence structure.
2019
Select the correct sentence structure.
- A.
Mother gently on the bed laid the baby.
- B.
Mother laid the baby gently on the bed
- C.
The baby gently laid Mother on the bed
- D.
The baby on the bed gently Mother laid
Attempted by 73 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: Mother laid the baby gently on the bed
Key idea: Use the standard English word order: subject + verb + object, followed by adverbial modifiers (manner, place, time).
Subject: 'Mother' — who performs the action.
Verb + object: 'laid the baby' — shows the action and its receiver.
Adverbial modifiers: 'gently' (manner) and 'on the bed' (place) follow the object.
Why the other sentences are incorrect:
Mother gently on the bed laid the baby. — The verb placement and insertion of the place phrase break the normal verb-object sequence, making the sentence awkward and ungrammatical.
The baby gently laid Mother on the bed — This changes the subject to 'the baby', which reverses the intended roles and implies the baby laid the mother on the bed.
The baby on the bed gently Mother laid — Words are jumbled and the sentence is unclear; subject, verb, and modifiers are out of order, so the intended meaning is lost.
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