Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence: He speaks English good.

Correct — D. The highlighted good says how he speaks, so it modifies the verb speaks. A word that modifies a verb must be an adverb, and good is an adjective.

The adverb of good is the irregular well, which takes no -ly: He speaks English well → option (d).

Why the others are wrong

• (a)
  very good — Keeps the adjective good and adds an intensifier. The fault, an adjective modifying the verb speaks, is still there.
• (b)
  nicely — Nicely is an adverb, so the grammar would stand, but it is the adverb of nice, not of good. The minimal correction of good is its own adverb, well.
• (c)
  fluently — Fluently is a sound adverb, but it narrows the sense to the ease and flow of speech. The correction of good is its own adverb, well, which keeps the meaning.

The test is word class. An adjective describes a noun or pronoun: a good speaker. An adverb describes a verb, an adjective or another adverb: he speaks well.

Most manner adverbs add -ly, as clear → clearly. Good is irregular, and its adverb is well.

After a linking verb such as be, seem, look or taste, the adjective is right — the soup tastes good — because it describes the subject, not an action.

Key facts

• An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective or another adverb, while an adjective modifies a noun or pronoun.
• The adverb of good is well, an irregular form with no -ly.
• Well is also an adjective meaning in good health: She is well now.
• After a linking verb such as taste or look, an adjective is correct: the soup tastes good.

Common traps

• Choosing fluently because it sounds more polished — it is grammatical but changes the meaning.
• Taking very good as a fix — the intensifier leaves the adjective modifying speaks.

No directly related past PYQ was found.