SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

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.

Possible Answers:

more grand than the king.

grander than the king.

grandlier than the king.

more grandly than the king.

more grand than the kings.

Correct answer:

more grandly than the king.

Explanation:

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 #361 : Correcting Word Usage 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.

Possible Answers:

The car was moving quick

The car was moving quickly

The car was moving slowly

The car was moving fast

The car was rapid

Correct answer:

The car was moving quickly

Explanation:

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 #362 : Correcting Word Usage 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. 

Possible Answers:

I feel poorest today

I feel poor today

I feel poorer today

I felt poor today

I feel poorly today

Correct answer:

I feel poorly today

Explanation:

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"

Example Question #363 : Correcting Word Usage 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 vehement hate the way that cats behave: they act like they are the most important creatures in the world. 

Possible Answers:

I vehement hate the way that cats behave,

I vehemently hate the way that cats behave:

I hate vehement the way that cats behave:

I vehement hate the way that cats behave, and

I vehement hate the ways that cats behave:

Correct answer:

I vehemently hate the way that cats behave:

Explanation:

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: "I vehemently hate the way that cats behave:"

Example Question #364 : Correcting Word Usage Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed in order to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Much possible explanations for what was causing so many marlins to wash ashore had been posited, but nobody knew for sure. No error

Possible Answers:

posited,

for what

No error

knew

Much

Correct answer:

Much

Explanation:

"Explanations" is a count noun (one that can be counted) as opposed to a mass noun - it requires, therefore, "many" instead of "much."

Example Question #365 : Correcting Word Usage 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.

Of the two girls, Markie is usually faster, but China can run faster over short distances.

Possible Answers:

but China can run fast over short distances.

and China can run faster over short distances.

but China can run faster over short distances.

but China can run quickly over short distances.

but China can run more quickly over short distances.

Correct answer:

but China can run more quickly over short distances.

Explanation:

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: "but China can run more quickly over short distances."

Example Question #366 : Correcting Word Usage 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 man's brightly smile made everyone feel more at home in his presence. 

Possible Answers:

The mans brightly smile

The mans' brightly smile

The mans bright smile

The man's bright smile

The man's brightly smile

Correct answer:

The man's bright smile

Explanation:

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 man's bright smile"

If the man's action of smiling were being described then the adverb "brightly" would be correct.

Example Question #25 : 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.

Girls tend to be able to move faster than boys, but boys are sometimes stronger.

Possible Answers:

Girls tend to be able to move quickly than boys,

Girls tend to be able to move more quickly than boys,

Girls tend to be able to move faster than boys;

Girls tend to be able to move faster than boys,

Girls tend to be able to move more quickly than boys;

Correct answer:

Girls tend to be able to move more quickly than boys,

Explanation:

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: "Girls tend to be able to move more quickly than boys,"

Since "fast" cannot become an adverb ("fastly" is not a word in English), the correct form here is "more quickly," since an adverb is necessary (the manner in which girls and boys are "moving" is being described). Note that a coordinating conjunction should never follow a semicolon.

Example Question #25 : 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 think that Mithridates was a fascinatingly character, but he also hurt a lot of people. 

Possible Answers:

I think that Mithridates was a fascinating character,

I think that Mithridates was a fascinating character:

I think that Mithridates was a real fascinating character,

no error

I think that Mithridates was a fascinating character;

Correct answer:

I think that Mithridates was a fascinating character,

Explanation:

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: "I think that Mithridates was a fascinating character,"

Since what is being described here is a "character" (which is a noun) the adjective form is appropriate rather than the adverbial form. Note also that coordinating conjunctions should never immediately follow semicolons.

Example Question #26 : 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.

Dogs and cats both make excellent pets, but dogs treat their owners more affectionate.

Possible Answers:

Dogs and cats both make excellent pets; but dogs treat their owners more affectionate.

Dogs and cats both make excellent pets, and dogs treat their owners more affectionate.

Dogs and cats both make excellent pets, but dogs treat their owners more affectionate.

Dogs and cats both make excellent pets, but dogs treat their owners more affectionately.

Dogs and cats both make excellent pets; but dogs treat their owners more affectionately.

Correct answer:

Dogs and cats both make excellent pets, but dogs treat their owners more affectionately.

Explanation:

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. Since it is the way in which the dogs "treat" (verb) their owners is being described, the best way to correct the underlined sentence above is, "Dogs and cats both make excellent pets, but dogs treat their owners more affectionately."

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