SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Question #32 : 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.
Do you think it is more quickly to drive on the highway, or on surface streets?
Do you think it is most quickly to drive on the highway, or on surface streets?
Do you think it is quicker to drive on the highway, or on surface streets?
Do you think it is quickest to drive on the highway, or on surface streets?
Do you think it is more quick to drive on the highway or on surface streets?
Do you think it is more quickly to drive on the highway, or on surface streets?
Do you think it is quicker to drive on the highway, or on surface streets?
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. In this sentence, a verb is being described, so the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "Do you think it is quicker to drive on the highway, or on surface streets?"
Example Question #33 : 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.
John is much more quickly runner than Paul, but Paul has much more endurance.
John is a quickly runner than Paul, but Paul has much more endurance.
John is a more quickly runner than Paul, but Paul has much more endurance.
John is much faster runner than Paul, but Paul has much more endurance.
John is much more quickly runner than Paul, but Paul has much more endurance.
John is much more quicker runner than Paul, but Paul has much more endurance.
John is much faster runner than Paul, but Paul has much more endurance.
Adjectives describe nouns, and adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. In the sentence above, the noun "runner" is being modified, so an adjectival rather than an adverbial form is required. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "John is much faster runner than Paul, but Paul has much more endurance."
Example Question #34 : 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.
I don't feel particularly good today; my stomach has been upset since I woke up.
I don't feel particularly well today, my stomach has been upset since I woke up.
I don't feel particularly good today; my stomach has been upset since I woke up.
I don't feel particularly well today; my stomach has been upset since I woke up.
I don't feel particularly good today, my stomach has been upset since I woke up.
I don't feel particularly good today my stomach has been upset since I woke up.
I don't feel particularly well today; my stomach has been upset since I woke up.
In the example sentence an adjective is improperly used to describe the verb "feel." An adverb is required, so the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "I don't feel particularly well today; my stomach has been upset since I woke up."
Example Question #381 : 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.
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 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.
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 #382 : 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.
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 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.
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 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.
Example Question #1 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Michael and Larry are both excellent basketball players, but Michael is best.
Michael is the better basketball player, and yet both he and Larry are excellent at it.
Michael and Larry are both excellent basketball players, and yet Michael is best.
Michael and Larry are both excellent basketball players, but Michael is better.
Michael and Larry are both excellent—but Michael is better—basketball players.
Michael and Larry are both excellent basketball players, but Michael is best.
Michael and Larry are both excellent basketball players, but Michael is better.
Whenever you are comparing only two things, use the comparative form (usually words ending in "-er"—better, smarter, faster, and so forth). If there are three or more items, use the superlative form (usually ending in "-est"—best, smartest, fastest . . .) to designate the best one.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative Errors
If you compared my sister and me, you’d see that she was the best dancer.
If you compared my sister and I, you were to see that she was the best dancer.
If you compared my sister and I, you’d see that she was the best dancer.
If you compared my sister and me, you’d see that she was the best dancer.
If you compared my sister and me, you’d see that she was the better dancer.
If you compared my sister and I, you’d see that she was the better dancer.
If you compared my sister and me, you’d see that she was the better dancer.
We use comparative adjectives when comparing two people or things (bigger, worse); we use superlative adjectives when comparing one person or thing with three or more people or things (the biggest, the worse).
Example Question #22 : 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.
If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and me, you will see that I am the shorter of the group.
If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and I, you will see that I am the shorter of the group.
If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and me, you would see that I am the shorter of the group.
If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and me, you will see that I am the shorter of the group.
If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and I, you will see that I am the shortest of the group.
If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and me, you will see that I am the shortest of the group.
If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and me, you will see that I am the shortest of the group.
We use comparative adjectives when comparing two people or things (bigger, worse, etc.); we use superlative adjectives when comparing one person or thing with three or more people or things (the biggest, the worst, etc.). Thus, here we use the superlative adjective “the shortest.” In the first clause, we use “me” instead of “I” because “me” is an object pronoun, and “me” is the indirect object of the verb “look.”.
Example Question #211 : 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.
He was a strongest boy that grew up into the biggest teenager in his town.
the strongest boy
the strongly boy
a strongly boy
a strongest boy
a stronger boy
the strongest boy
The use of the form "strongest" is a superlative that indicates the peak of an adjective; therefore, there can be only one "strongest boy," and the phrase needs a definite article, "the," instead of the indefinite article, "a."
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