SAT Writing : Identifying Other Adjective and Adverb Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #12 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Randy grabbed the ball with his hand, moving intense and with a focused look in his steely blue eyes. No error
steely blue
focused
intense
grabbed
No error
intense
The underlined word "intense" modifies the verb, "grabbed." Therefore, "intense" should be an adverb, not an adjective. "Intense" is an adjective; the appropriate adverb would be "intensely."
Example Question #13 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The narrator described how as a child, he loved to let his body drift down the river, floating serene and happily in the sparkling water. No error
No error
described
as a child
happily
serene
serene
The word "serene" is modifying the verb "floating." Therefore, "serenely," an adverb, should be used; "serene" is an adjective, and is improperly used in this sentence.
Example Question #14 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It is often hard to keep up with my friend because she is in much better shape than I am and also walks very quick. No error
No error
quick
keep up
she is
than
quick
Adverbs modify verbs, while adjectives modify nouns. Given that “walks” is a verb, it should be modified by an adverb. “Quick,” however is an adjective, so the adverb "quickly" should be used instead.
Example Question #11 : Identifying Other Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
As the online presence of businesses has expanded at a rapidly pace, so too have the outlets for cyber shopping. No error
online
for
No error
rapidly
too
rapidly
The underlined word, "rapidly," is modifying "pace," which is a noun. Therefore, the underlined word should be the adjective, "rapid," as opposed to the adverb, "rapidly."
Example Question #16 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The artist painted slowly and deliberate, trying to capture every detail that she could with her paintbrush. No error
painted
deliberate
No error
every
with
deliberate
In this sentence, the adjective “deliberate” modifies the verb “painted.” Given that only adverbs can modify verbs, "deliberate" should be changed to “deliberately,” which is an adverb.
Example Question #231 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The horse ran beautifully and fierce towards the ranch, anxious to see its new foals, which were only a few weeks old. No error
ran
No error
its
fierce
which
fierce
In this sentence, the adjective “fierce” modifies the verb “ran.” Given that adverbs can only modify verbs, the proper word would instead be “fiercely,” which is an adverb.
Example Question #21 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The bird flew cautious over the fence, which the owners had laced with barbed wire. No error
cautious
had
barbed
which
No error
cautious
In this sentence, the adjective “cautious” modifies the verb “flew.” Given that only adverbs can modify verbs, the proper word to use would instead be “cautiously,” which is an adverb.
Example Question #22 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The nurse adjusted the bandages softly and gentle, as she knew the wound beneath them was very tender. No error
adjusted
knew
beneath
gentle
No error
gentle
In this sentence, the adjective “gentle” modifies the verb “adjusted.” Given that adverbs can only modify verbs, the proper word would instead be “gently,” which is an adverb.
Example Question #23 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many people find the appearance of the potoo, a small brown bird, to be extremely amusing due to the large of its round, yellow eyes. No error
the potoo, a small brown bird,
No error
large
to be extremely amusing
round, yellow eyes
large
You can spot this sentence's error by realizing that the adjective "large" needs to be a noun because it is preceded by the definite article "the," which refers to nouns, not adjectives. Changing "large" to "largeness" would correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #21 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
"I'm sorry that I'm running late for dinner," I said to my mother on the phone, "but I'll be home real soon." No error
real
No error
running
that
said
real
The word "real" here is meant to modify the adjective "soon," which means that an adverb is needed. The adverb form of the word "real" is "really," so the sentence should say, "I'm sorry that I'm running late for dinner," I said to my mother on the phone, "but I'll be home really soon." People might use the word "real" as an adverb during everyday conversation, but that slang form is grammatically incorrect.
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