SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #5 : 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.

I have a lot of friends who did well on those exams, but I think that I will do more well than them.

Possible Answers:

more well

more good

gooder

best

better

Correct answer:

better

Explanation:

"More well" is not a phrase—the comparative form of "well" is not "more well," but "better." Since we are only comparing two groups (the speaker versus the speaker's friends), "better" is the most appropriate here.

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.

Between my younger sister, my older sister, and me, my older sister walks most fast.

Possible Answers:

most fast

more quick

more quickly

faster

most quickly

Correct answer:

most quickly

Explanation:

In the sentence as it is written, "fast," an adjective, is being used to modify "walks." This is incorrect; only adverbs can modify verbs. So, we need to pick out an answer choice which uses the adverbial form of "fast," which is "quickly." This lets us eliminate the answer choice "most fast." "Faster" cannot be correct because more than two subjects are being compared in the sentence, and "faster" is a comparative adjective that is used to compare two subjects. "More quick," "more fast," and "more quickly" can each be eliminated for this same reason, in addition to the fact that "more quick" isn't grammatically correct at all—one would say "quicker," not "more quick." This leaves us with the correct answer, "most quickly."

Example Question #3 : 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.

The chefs of New York City cannot compare with the home-cooked meals of my mother.

Possible Answers:

(No changes to original.)

The chefs of New York City cannot compare to the home-cooked meals of my mother.

The chefs of New York City cannot hardly compare with the home-cooked meals of my mother.

The chefs of New York City were not comparing with the home-cooked meals of my mother.

The chefs of New York City cannot compare with my mother.

Correct answer:

The chefs of New York City cannot compare with my mother.

Explanation:

We must compare the chefs to my mother, not to the home-cooked meals.

Example Question #2 : 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.

The more difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.

Possible Answers:

The more difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.

The more difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthier obstacle course.

The more difficult steps in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.

The most difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.

The more difficult step in the process of all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.

Correct answer:

The most difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.

Explanation:

The use of "more" in this sentence is odd and confusing, as "more" should be used in a direct comparison between two things. As no comparison is made in this sentence, the modifier should simply indicate a great degree of difficulty. The word "most," a superlative adjective, properly conveys such a meaning, making the correct answer, "The most difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course."

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.

During his lifetime, few people knew about the fuller extent of his condition.

Possible Answers:

about the full extent of his condition.

about the fuller extent of his condition.

about the fuller extent for his condition.

about the fuller extents of his condition.

around the fuller extent of his condition.

Correct answer:

about the full extent of his condition.

Explanation:

The use of "fuller" is incorrect in this sentence, as "fuller" implies a comparison, but is not comparing anything in the sentence. The use of the simple adjective "full" is perfectly appropriate in the sentence, making the correct answer choice "about the full extent of his condition."

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.

Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats do.

Possible Answers:

Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats do.

Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats. 

Carbohydrates and proteins both have fewer calories per gram than fats do. 

Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats were to have.

Carbohydrates and proteins have less calories per gram than fats.    

Correct answer:

Carbohydrates and proteins both have fewer calories per gram than fats do. 

Explanation:

Calories can be counted, and so we use the word "fewer." "Less" is for quantities that cannot be counted, such as water.  

Example Question #201 : Correcting 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.

Amy drinks lesser water than Johnny, which is why Johnny refills his water bottle more often than Amy does.

Possible Answers:

fewest

least

less

few

fewer

Correct answer:

less

Explanation:

As the question compares two people, a comparative form of the adjective in question must be used, meaning that "few," the regular form of the adjective, and "least" and "fewest," which are each superlative forms, are incorrect. While "fewer" and "less" might each look like a potentially correct answer, "fewer" is used to distinguish between countable nouns, while "less" is used to distinguish between uncountable nouns, like "water." (You can tell if a noun is countable or not if you could precede it with a number, and "seven water" doesn't make sense, given how "water" is used here.) So, "less" is the correct answer.

Example Question #442 : 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

Why do you look at me like I am so much lesser intelligently than you are?

Possible Answers:

much lesser in intelligent

much fewer intelligent

lessly intelligently

much lessly intelligently

much less intelligent

Correct answer:

much less intelligent

Explanation:

"Intelligently" is an adverb and adverbs are not used comparatively, so we need to change "intelligently" to "intelligent," an adjective. Also, "lesser," an adjective, needs to be changed to a determiner, "less." So, "less intelligent" is the correct answer.

Example Question #21 : Comparative And Superlative 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 teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worst musician; both were practically tone deaf.

Possible Answers:

The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worse of the two musicians; 

The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worst of the musicians;

The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worst musician; 

The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worsest musician; 

The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worse musician; 

Correct answer:

The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worse musician; 

Explanation:

If only two things are being compared, the comparative form ("better," "bigger," "smarter," etc.) is correct. If three or more things are being compared, the superlative form ("best," "biggest," "smartest," etc.) is correct. Because there are only the two brothers here, we use the comparative form: “worse” and not “worst.” In addition, because “worse musician” is more concise than “worse of the two musicians,” it is the better answer.

Example Question #443 : 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’m not sure whose garden is of the prettiest: Leah’s, David’s, or Juanita’s.

Possible Answers:

I’m not sure whose garden is the most pretty: 

I’m not sure whose garden is prettiest: 

I’m not sure whose garden is of the prettiest: 

I’m not sure whose garden is prettier: 

I’m not sure whose garden is the most prettiest: 

Correct answer:

I’m not sure whose garden is prettiest: 

Explanation:

If only two things are being compared, the comparative form ("better," "bigger," "smarter," etc.) is correct. If three or more things are being compared, the superlative form ("best," "biggest," "smartest," etc.) is correct. Because there are three gardens here, we use the concise superlative form: “prettiest” and not “prettier,” “most pretty,” or “most prettiest.”

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