In this error spotting question on adverb usage, identify the incorrect part in the sentence: "Nandita asked me if I was working hardly these days."

Introduction / Context:
This question tests understanding of the difference between the adverbs "hard" and "hardly". The sentence is "Nandita asked me if I was working hardly these days." The learner must identify whether any segment is grammatically or semantically inappropriate. Confusing "hard" and "hardly" is a very common mistake in English because the words look similar but have very different meanings.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The sentence reports a question asked by Nandita about present work habits.
• Segment (a) is "Nandita asked me".
• Segment (b) is "if I was working".
• Segment (c) is "hardly these days".
• Segment (d) is "No error".
• We assume neutral, standard English usage of adverbs.

Concept / Approach:
The adverb "hard" means "with a lot of effort", as in "He is working hard." In contrast, "hardly" means "scarcely" or "almost not". Therefore, "working hardly" would mean "working almost not at all", which is usually not the intended meaning when we talk about working with effort. In this sentence, the natural interpretation is that Nandita wants to know whether the speaker has been working with effort, so the correct phrase should be "working hard these days". The rest of the sentence structure is fine.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand the meaning: Nandita is checking about the intensity or pattern of work in recent days. Step 2: Check segment (a) "Nandita asked me", which is a correct reporting clause. Step 3: Examine segment (b) "if I was working" and see that it introduces an indirect question in the past continuous form. Step 4: Focus on segment (c) "hardly these days". The combination "working hardly" means "working almost not at all". Step 5: Realise that the intended meaning is probably "working hard these days", that is, putting in a lot of effort recently. Step 6: Conclude that segment (c) is incorrect and should be replaced with "hard these days".

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, write two possible sentences. First: "Nandita asked me if I was working hard these days." This sounds natural and matches everyday usage. Second: "Nandita asked me if I was hardly working these days." This second version would mean she thinks the speaker is doing very little work, which is a different and less likely interpretation. Because the exam pattern usually tests the distinction between "hard" (with effort) and "hardly" (scarcely), the incorrect usage in the original sentence is clear.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option (a) "Nandita asked me" correctly introduces the reported question. Option (b) "if I was working" is a proper clause introduction in indirect speech. Option (d) "No error" is not acceptable because "hardly" is wrongly used in the context.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often treat "hardly" as simply the adverb form of "hard", assuming that it intensifies effort. In fact, "hardly" almost always means "almost not at all", which is a negative meaning. Confusing these two leads to sentences that express the opposite of what the speaker intends. A good memory aid is to link "hardly" with "scarcely" and to reserve "hard" for effort, as in "study hard", "work hard", and "try hard".

Final Answer:
The error lies in option (c) "hardly these days". It should read "hard these days". Therefore, the correct answer is "hardly these days".