Question

In which sentence does the adverb “downhill” function as an adjective?
A. The route is downhill from here to the finish line.
B. His business was going downhill.
C. He ran downhill till he reached the inn.
D. Their marriage went downhill after the death of their child.

Answer 1

Hint: An adverb is a word or a set of words that modifies verbs, adjectives and other adverbs or whole sentence. Adverbs are the words that provide context. For example: slow, fast, rapid, warm, cold, sweet and etc.

Complete answer:
We have to identify how the adverb ‘downhill’ functions as an adjective in the sentences that are given in the options.
The meaning of downhill is a downward slope. Downhill acts as an adverb, noun and adjective.
Option A) The route is downhill from here to the finish line – In this sentence, ‘downhill’ describes the adverb, ‘route’. And it describes what kind of route it is. Thus, in this sentence ‘downhill’ works or functions as an adjective.
Option B) His business was going downhill – is an incorrect answer because the ‘downhill’ works as an adverb that modifies the verbs ‘going’ making this option an incorrect answer.
Option C) He ran downhill till he reached the inn is an incorrect answer because ‘downhill’ works as an adverb that modifies the verbs ‘ran’ making this option an incorrect answer.
Option D) Their marriage went downhill after the death of their child – is an incorrect answer because ‘downhill’ in this sentence modifies the verb ‘went’ making it an adverb. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
The route is downhill from here to the finish line – where the adverb ‘downhill’ functions as an adjective.

Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note:
An adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb. An adverbial clause modifies a verb, an adjective. Adverb clauses and phrases are both groups of words that are collectively used to modify the verb of the sentence. However, the two have a well-defined difference. An adverb clause has both a subject and a verb in the modifying text, while adverb phrases do not.