SAT Writing : Correcting Other Adjective and Adverb Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #641 : Improving Sentences
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.
Paula's elocution is very excellently: she has really become a phenomenal speaker.
Paula's elocution is very excellently: she has really become a phenomenal speaker.
Paula's elocution is very excellent, she has really become a phenomenal speaker.
Paula's elocution is very excellent she has really become a phenomenal speaker.
Paula's elocution is very excellent: she has really become a phenomenal speaker.
Paula's elocution is very excellently; she has really become a phenomenal speaker.
Paula's elocution is very excellent: she has really become a phenomenal speaker.
While this sentence describes the way in which "Paula" speaks, her "elocution" is actually acting as a noun in this sentence, and thus an adjective is required. The correct version of this sentence reads, "Paula's elocution is very excellent: she has really become a phenomenal speaker."
Example Question #41 : 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 was eating his cake so grotesque that I was taken aback.
Johnny was eating his cake so grotesquely that I was taken aback.
Johnny was eating his cake so grotesquely: that I was taken aback.
Johnny was eating his cake so grotesque; that I was taken aback.
Johnny was eating his cake so grotesque that I was taken aback.
Johnny was eating his cake so grotesque: that I was taken aback.
Johnny was eating his cake so grotesquely that I was taken aback.
In this sentence the way in which "Johnny" undertook the action of "eating his cake." Since verbs describe actions, we need an adverbial form of "grotesque" not an adjectival one. The correct sentence reads, "Johnny was eating his cake so grotesquely that I was taken aback."
Example Question #43 : 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.
Whenever I eat at Pizza Shack, I don't feel very good afterwards.
Whenever I eat at Pizza Shack: I don't feel very well afterwards.
Whenever I eat at Pizza Shack I don't feel very well afterwards.
Whenever I eat at Pizza Shack I don't feel very good afterwards.
Whenever I eat at Pizza Shack, I don't feel very well afterwards.
Whenever I eat at Pizza Shack, I don't feel very good afterwards.
Whenever I eat at Pizza Shack, I don't feel very well afterwards.
Adjectives describe nouns, and adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. In the example sentence "good" is meant to describe the verb "feel," so the adverbial, rather than the adjectival, form is required. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "Whenever I eat at Pizza Hut, I don't feel very well afterwards."
Note also that a comma correctly connects the dependent introductory clause "whenever I eat at Pizza Shack" to the main clause.
Certified Tutor
All SAT Writing Resources
