Is ‘They Can’t do well their studies’ grammatically correct? A detailed explanation

In English, sentence structure and word order are crucial for correct grammar. The sentence ‘They Can’t do well their studies’ might seem understandable at first, but it is grammatically incorrect. Let’s break it down and see why.

Understanding the Correct Word Order

In English, the word order is essential to convey meaning clearly. The phrase ‘do well’ is an adverbial phrase that modifies the verb, and it needs to follow the correct structure. In the sentence ‘They can’t do well their studies,’ the adverb ‘well’ is misplaced. It should come before the object ‘their studies.’

The Correct Way to Express the Sentence

The grammatically correct version of the sentence would be ‘They can’t do their studies well.’ Here, ‘do’ is the verb, ‘their studies’ is the object, and ‘well’ correctly modifies the verb ‘do.’

In this corrected version, the sentence follows proper English syntax and is easily understood. The word ‘well’ is an adverb that describes how well they perform their studies.

Common Mistakes in Word Order

One common mistake is misplacing adverbs like ‘well’ when they modify verbs. In this case, ‘well’ must come after the direct object (‘their studies’) to create the correct meaning. Such mistakes are common when speakers are trying to construct complex sentences, but understanding word order is key to improving clarity.

Why Word Order Matters in English

In English, word order is strict compared to other languages. Misplaced words can change the meaning of a sentence or make it unclear. Learning the correct placement of adverbs and objects ensures that your message is conveyed accurately, making your speech or writing easier to understand.

Summary

To summarize, the sentence ‘They can’t do well their studies’ is grammatically incorrect due to improper word order. The correct structure should be ‘They can’t do their studies well.’ Adhering to the proper word order not only improves grammatical correctness but also ensures clear communication. Make sure to place adverbs like ‘well’ after the object to maintain proper syntax in English.