SAT Writing : Correcting Other Adjective and Adverb Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #4 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Questions abounded in the inquiry into illegal payments alleged made by the college to student athletes.
allegedly made
alleged making
made alleged
alleged made
allegedly making
allegedly made
The word "alleged" is modifying the word "made," a verb, which needs an adverb to modify it. The adverb form of "alleged" is "allegedly," which makes the correct answer "allegedly made."
Example Question #11 : Correcting Other 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Johnny doesn't understand why Sonya won't talk to him, he believes they'd get along great.
well
good
great
super
best
well
Here, the word at the end of the sentence needs to describe how Johnny and Sonya would get along. The word is modifying, specifically, the verb phrase "get along." Because it's a verb phrase, you must use an adverb, and of the options, "well" is the only adverb available.
Example Question #12 : Correcting Other 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I don't understand how people who train for the 100 meter dash can move so fast.
fastly
fastest
quickly
faster
fast
quickly
Here, the thing being modified by the last word of the sentence is the verb "move." Any time you modify a verb (or, to look at it another way, are answering the question "How?" with your modifier) you must use an adverb. In this case, the only adverb available to you is "quickly," so that's the correct answer.
Example Question #11 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The old man usual took his walk around the neighborhood at roughly three in the afternoon.
The old man usual takes
The old man usual took
The old man usual taken
The old man usually took
The usual old man took
The old man usually took
The use of the word "usual" in the sentence is incorrect, as it describes the verb "took," which means it needs to take an adverb form. The only answer choice with the correct form that also keeps the intended meaning of the sentence is "The old man usually took."
Example Question #11 : Correcting Other 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.
Marriages are increasing being delayed among young adults throughout the nation.
Marriages are increasingly been delayed
Marriages are increasingly being delayed
Marriages are increasingly being delaying
Marriages are increasing being delayed
Marriages are increasing being delaying
Marriages are increasingly being delayed
The word "increasing" in the sentence is used to describe the verb phrase "being delayed." Even though these words are not the verb in the sentence, they still need an adverb form to describe them. The correct answer is "Marriages are increasingly being delayed."
Example Question #13 : Correcting Other 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The older gentlemen is not thinking as rapid as his younger counterpart, but his steady pace will serve him in the long run.
The older gentlemen may not be thinking as rapid as his younger counterpart
The older gentlemen is not thinking as rapid as his younger counterparts
The oldest gentlemen is not thinking as rapidity as his youngest counterpart
The older gentlemen is not thinking as rapid as his younger counterpart
The older gentlemen is not thinking as rapidly as his younger counterpart
The older gentlemen is not thinking as rapidly as his younger counterpart
Adjectives describe nouns, and adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Always ensure that you are using the correct one for describing a particular word. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "The older gentlemen is not thinking as rapidly as his younger counterpart."
Example Question #14 : Correcting Other 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
My dog is much more fatly than Paul's dog; I am not good at policing my dog's diet.
My dog is much more fatly than Paul's dog,
My dog is much fatter than Paul's dog;
My dog is much more fatly than Paul's dog:
My dog is much fat than Paul's dog;
My dog is much more fatly than Paul's dog;
My dog is much fatter than Paul's dog;
Adjectives describe nouns, and adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Since Paul's dog is an animal, it is also a noun, so an adjective is required. Always ensure that you are using the correct one for describing a particular word. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "My dog is much fatter than Paul's dog;"
Example Question #15 : Correcting Other 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The Duke's fatal error was that he entered more grand than the king.
more grand than the king.
more grandly than the king.
grander than the king.
more grand than the kings.
grandlier than the king.
more grandly than the king.
Adjectives describe nouns, and adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Always ensure that you are using the correct one for describing a particular word. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "more grandly than the king."
Example Question #16 : Correcting Other 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The car was moving quick—in fact, it was going so fast as to be wildly unsafe.
The car was moving quickly
The car was moving slowly
The car was rapid
The car was moving fast
The car was moving quick
The car was moving quickly
Because the underlined portion of the sentence is discussing the way in which an action was done, an adverb is required rather than an adjective in this sentence. The correct version of this sentence reads: "The car was moving quickly—in fact, it was going so fast as to be wildly unsafe.
Example Question #17 : Correcting Other 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I feel poor today, my health has been steadily declining for the last few years.
I feel poor today
I feel poorest today
I feel poorer today
I felt poor today
I feel poorly today
I feel poorly today
In the sentence above, the word "poor" is modifying the word "feel," which is a verb. The word "poor", which is an adjective, should be changed into an adverb. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "I feel poorly today"
Certified Tutor
All SAT Writing Resources
