How would you complete this sentence?

[omidonline]

Which choice would you go for to complete this sentence?

-This soup tastes ...
(A)terrible
(B)terribly
(C)terribly of garlic
(D)A and C
(E)A,B and C

Please remember to explain why.

[VenusEnvy]

Originally Posted by omidonline

Which choice would you go for to complete this sentence?

Well, omidon, which one would you choose? Why don't you give it a try first? Which one seemed correct to you?

[Lang Kamara]

The answer is 'This soup tastes terrible.' This is because 'taste', as used in the sentence, serves as a linking verb, not as an action verb. Linking verbs are followed by adjectives, not by adverbs.

[hobbes]

Originally Posted by Lang Kamara

The answer is 'This soup tastes terrible.' This is because 'taste', as used in the sentence, serves as a linking verb, not as an action verb. Linking verbs are followed by adjectives, not by adverbs.

Actually, it is correct to say both A & C. As 'terribly' can be used to signify 'very much' or 'awfully'. eg. She is terribly posh. This bacon is terribly salty.


Either a) - This soup tastes bad, and is unpleasant.
or c) - This soup has a very strong taste of garlic. (Whether or not you think it bad is a personal choice.)

Not in everyday / common use, and more by those with an upper-class English education. (Think of HRH Prince Charles - and do 'frightfull', 'awfully' & 'terribly' bad impressions of his accent!)

[omidonline]

Originally Posted by VenusEnvy

Well, omidon, which one would you choose? Why don't you give it a try first? Which one seemed correct to you?

In my view of it, the blank in the sentence is to be occupied by what they call "subject predicative" aka "subject predicate".
A subject predicative can be:
-an adj. phrase
-an adv. phrase
-a noun phrase
-a prep. phrase
-a noun clause
-an adv. clause

This being so, (E) seems more logical a choice to choose, at least to me!