- Adverb
- Noun
- Verb
- None of these
The correct answer is “adverb.” The word “eloquently” describes the manner in which the action of speaking was performed. It modifies the verb “spoke” by answering the question “How did he speak?” – He spoke eloquently. Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, often ending in “-ly” when derived from adjectives, as is the case with “eloquent” becoming “eloquently.” The other options are incorrect: “eloquently” is not a noun (which would be a person, place, or thing like “eloquence”), nor is it a verb (an action word like “speak”). Its sole function in this sentence is to provide more detail about the verb, which is the defining role of an adverb.
