Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by correcting the word order: A captious attitude (causes often) difficulties in a relationship and creates tension.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of adverb placement in an English sentence. The focus is on the correct position of the adverb "often" in relation to the verb "causes." The sentence describes how a captious attitude can create difficulties in a relationship, and we must choose the option that arranges the words in a natural and grammatically correct way.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The subject is "A captious attitude."
• The verb in the bracketed phrase is "causes" and the adverb is "often."
• The original structure is "causes often."
• The sentence talks about habitual or frequent difficulties in relationships.

Concept / Approach:
In English, adverbs of frequency such as "often," "usually," "always," and "never" are most commonly placed before the main verb in simple tenses. For example, we say "often causes," "usually goes," or "never forgets." When the verb is a form of "be," the adverb normally comes after it, such as "is often late." Here, the verb "causes" is the main verb in the simple present tense, so the most natural position for "often" is before "causes."

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the main verb in the clause. The verb is "causes." Step 2: Notice that "often" is an adverb of frequency describing how frequently a captious attitude leads to difficulties. Step 3: Apply the rule that an adverb of frequency usually comes before a main verb in the simple present tense. Step 4: Rearrange the phrase "causes often" to "often causes." Step 5: Rebuild the complete sentence: "A captious attitude often causes difficulties in a relationship and creates tension." This sentence now sounds natural, clear, and grammatically correct.

Verification / Alternative check:
Compare similar sentences: "Stress often causes headaches" and "Lack of communication often causes misunderstandings." In both examples, "often" comes immediately before the verb "causes." Using the same pattern here confirms that "often causes" is the correct choice. The original "causes often" does not follow normal adverb placement for this type of verb and tense.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B: "caused often" shifts the verb to the past tense and also places "often" after the verb in a less natural position. The sentence talks about a general truth in the present, so the simple present "causes" is more appropriate. Option C: "causing often" changes the verb form to a present participle, which would require a different sentence structure, such as "A captious attitude, often causing difficulties..." The given sentence does not use such a structure. Option D: "No improvement" is incorrect because "causes often difficulties" is not the typical word order and sounds awkward in English.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners often place adverbs randomly without considering whether the position sounds natural. Adverbs of frequency have fairly stable positions, and memorising some basic patterns helps: subject plus adverb plus main verb ("She often visits"), or subject plus auxiliary plus adverb plus main verb ("They have always supported"). Remember that wrong placement may not completely block understanding, but it makes the sentence sound unnatural and can cost marks in an exam.

Final Answer:
The correct improvement is "often causes," so the sentence should read: A captious attitude often causes difficulties in a relationship.