GMAT Verbal : Correcting Comparative and Superlative Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Even though accounting counts employees as liabilities, the company believed that its employees were its most greatest asset.

Possible Answers:

the company believed that its employees were its more greater asset.

the company believed that its employees were its more greatest asset.

the company believed that its employees were its great asset.

the company believed that its employees were its greatest asset.

the company believed that its employees were its most greater asset.

Correct answer:

the company believed that its employees were its greatest asset.

Explanation:

This sentence contains a superlative adjective error. When forming a superlative in English, the pattern "most + positive form" or "positive form + -est" is used (e.g. "most great" or "greatest"). The word "most" is not mixed with the superlative "____________-est." It is also clear from the context of the sentence that the company thinks that the employees are the best option, not just better than some alternative, so the superlative form is needed, not the comparative forms "greater" or "more great." The correct answer is, "the company believed that its employees were its greatest asset."

Example Question #41 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Currently, Nathan's software is more greater than competing software.

Possible Answers:

Nathan's software is best than competing software.

Nathan's software is more great than competing software.

Nathan's software is greatest than competing software.

Nathan's software is great than competing software.

Nathan's software is more greater than competing software.

Correct answer:

Nathan's software is more great than competing software.

Explanation:

This sentence misuses the adjective "great." The form "more greater" does not exist in English. Either "more great" or "greater" would be correct, but the two cannot be mixed. Furthermore, you cannot use the superlative form (e.g. greatest/best) with the word "than." The correct choice is, "Nathan's software is more great than competing software."

Example Question #42 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

The boys believed this actress was more cuter than all of the others. 

Possible Answers:

this actress was more cutest than all of the others.

this actress was most cuter than all of the others.

this actress was more cute than all of the others.

this actress was more cutely than all of the others.

this actress was more cuter than all of the others.

Correct answer:

this actress was more cute than all of the others.

Explanation:

This sentence contains an error in the form of the comparative adjective. When forming the comparative form of an adjective, use either the "more + adjective (i.e. more cute)" form or "adjective + -er (i.e. cuter)" form. You cannot mix the two and cannot use any words that indicate a superlative (i.e. most). The correct choice is, "this actress was more cute than all of the others."

Example Question #43 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

He aimed to build the most tallest building in the country.

Possible Answers:

more taller

most tallest

taller

tallest

most taller

Correct answer:

tallest

Explanation:

This sentence contains an error in the usage of the superlative. Specifically, superlatives are formed either by adding -est to the end of an adjective, or adding the word most before it; both options cannot be used together. The correct choice is, "tallest."

Example Question #44 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

The author published a book largest than his last one.

Possible Answers:

a book largest than his last one.

a book most largest than his last one.

a book most larger than his last one

a book more larger than his last one.

a book larger than his last one.

Correct answer:

a book larger than his last one.

Explanation:

This sentence contains an error in the usage of the superlative. The word "than" indicates that a comparison is occurring in the sentence; therefore, a comparative adjective is necessary. The correct form is "larger." Note that the comparative adjective form in English is formed by either adding -er to the end or more to the beginning of the word. Using both is unacceptable. The correct choice is, "a book larger than his last one."

Example Question #1492 : Correcting Grammatical Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Less people threw they're support behind the politician as more of his personal issues were revealed.

Possible Answers:

Less people through they're support

Fewer people threw their support

Less peoples threw they're support

Less people threw there support

Fewer people threw they're support

Correct answer:

Fewer people threw their support

Explanation:

The use of "they're" is incorrect in the sentence. "They're" is a contraction for "they are," while the sentence needs the third person plural possessive pronoun, "their." "Fewer people threw their support" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #45 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

That is just the most happy little puppy I've ever seen!

Possible Answers:

That is just a happy little puppy I've ever seen!

That is just one happy little puppies I've ever seen!

That is just the happier little puppy I've ever seen!

That is just the happiest little puppy I've ever seen!

That is just one of the the most happy little puppies I've ever seen!

Correct answer:

That is just the happiest little puppy I've ever seen!

Explanation:

The central issue here is the incorrect superlative "most happy". The correct superlative is happiest. All of the syntactic modifications in the other answer choices either create agreement issues or simply fail to resolve the central issue.

Example Question #46 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Hank became gratefuller after his friends helped him move.

Possible Answers:

gratefuller

more grateful

gratefully

more gratefully

gratefulled

Correct answer:

more grateful

Explanation:

This sentence uses the wrong form of "grateful." The correct comparative form of "grateful" is "more grateful. "Gratefulled" is not a word and "gratefully" is an adverb, meaning it describes adjectives and verbs, not nouns (i.e. Hank). The correct choice is "more grateful."

Example Question #47 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

The teacher considered his students the most greatest.

Possible Answers:

considered his students the bestest.

considered: his students the most greatest.

considered his students the greatest.

considered his students the most greatly.

considered his students the most greatest.

Correct answer:

considered his students the greatest.

Explanation:

This sentence does not use the correct form of the word "great." It is clear from the context of the sentence that the superlative form is necessary, which could either be "greatest" or "most great." The former is the only available choice, however. The correct choice is, "considered his students the greatest." It is not necessary to add a noun after "greatest" as the adjective can be used as a substantive (to take the place of a noun, implying "greatest (students)").

Example Question #21 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Of the eight colleges in the League, Bale considers its athletic programs to be the better.

Possible Answers:

better option for student athletes.

more competitive.

greater.

best.

better

Correct answer:

best.

Explanation:

Since there are eight schools in the Ivy League, the superlative comparison "best" is necessary in this sentence. "Best" would only be correct if Bale were being compared to one other school.

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