In this spelling question, choose the correctly spelt form of the adverb meaning "in a wild, frenzied, or uncontrollably excited manner".

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: frenetically

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Advanced spelling questions often test words that are similar in sound but not common in everyday writing. The adverb frenetically is used to describe an action that is done in a frantic, very excited, or hurried way. Knowing its correct spelling helps when reading descriptive passages in literature, journalism, or exam texts, where such expressive adverbs frequently appear.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The intended word is derived from the adjective frenetic, meaning wildly excited or frenzied.
  • Four spellings are offered, all similar but not identical.
  • Only one matches standard dictionary English.
  • The correct form must preserve the base frenetic and take a regular adverbial ending.


Concept / Approach:
The base adjective is frenetic. To form the adverb, we change the final c to cally in the way typical for adjectives ending in ic: frenetic becomes frenetically. That gives the sequence f r e n e t i c a l l y in the adjective phrase used in some styles. As an adverb, the pattern we commonly see is f r e n e t i c a l l y or frenetically. The key is to keep the e after n, the t i c cluster, and the double l in ally. Any spelling that changes the vowel pattern or drops necessary letters is incorrect.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the root word frenetic, with the inner vowel sequence e n e t i c. Step 2: Add the adverb forming ending ally to get frenetically. Step 3: Compare each option with this pattern, checking carefully for missing e or missing l. Step 4: Observe that option C, frenetically, matches the correct sequence. Step 5: Reject any spelling that alters enet to anat or that uses only one l in ally.


Verification / Alternative check:
Place the word in a sample sentence, such as He typed frenetically to finish the report before the deadline. Only frenetically looks like a familiar literary spelling in this context. The alternative forms look foreign or incorrect, and most word processors would mark them as mistakes. Checking a good English dictionary would confirm that frenetically is the accepted spelling.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Frenatically replaces ene with ana, which no longer reflects the root frenetic and introduces a different sound.

Freneticaly uses only one l in the suffix, whereas the standard adverb ending is ally with double l.

Frenaticaly combines both errors, changing the internal vowel pattern and leaving only one l in the ending.


Common Pitfalls:
Because this word is not used in everyday conversation by most learners, they rely on sound rather than visual memory and tend to simplify the spelling. Confusion also arises with related words like frantic and frantically, which have a slightly different base. A useful approach is to associate frenetic with energetic, noticing the common etic pattern, and then add ally to form the adverb.


Final Answer:
The correctly spelt word is frenetically.

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