SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #202 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

I've heard that all vitamins are good for you, but of all the different kinds, are there any that are better?

Possible Answers:

are best

are better

is the better

is the most

is better

Correct answer:

are best

Explanation:

When comparing more than two items, you should use superlative adjectives. So, in this case, you should use the word "best."

Example Question #401 : 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.

Volleyball is more fun than basketball.

Possible Answers:

more fun than

most fun than

funner than

funner then

more fun then

Correct answer:

more fun than

Explanation:

Here, because you are making a direct comparison between two things, and the adjective in question is "fun," "more fun" is the correct construction. Additionally, you want to use "than," which indicates comparison, rather than "then," which indicates time or causation. 

Example Question #402 : 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.

All the conspirators were envious, but he was the more avaricious of the group.

Possible Answers:

avariciousest

most avaricious

avariciouser

more avaricious

more avaricious than

Correct answer:

most avaricious

Explanation:

Here, you have a comparison between an individual and a group of people the size of which is unknown. Because you are not comparing two things directly, this is a superlative comparison. As such, the correct construction is "most avaricious."

Example Question #403 : 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.

Many teams presented viable solutions to the problem, but it was clear that this team's proposal was the simpler one.

Possible Answers:

this team's proposal was the most simpler one.

this team's proposal was the less complicated one.

this team's proposal was the simplest. 

this team's proposal was the simpler one.

this team's proposal was a simple one. 

Correct answer:

this team's proposal was the simplest. 

Explanation:

In this sentence, one team's ideas are being compared to the ideas of many teams; therefore, it is correct to use the superlative form of "simple" ("simplest") rather than the comparative form ("simpler"), which is used when comparing two people or things. This means that the correct answer is "this team's proposal was the simplest." "Many" is an excellent warning sign of a superlative to come!

Example Question #404 : 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.

Tom is strongest than Jimmy: he beat him at arm wrestling twice.

Possible Answers:

Tom is stronger to Jimmy

Tom stronger than Jimmy

Tom is stronger than Jimmy

Tom is strong rather than Jimmy

Tom is strongest than Jimmy

Correct answer:

Tom is stronger than Jimmy

Explanation:

When two things are being compared, it is necessary to use the comparative form of the adjective or adverb in question. In the case of "strong" the comparative construction is "stronger," and it is correct in the sentence. When more than two things ("a few things," for instance) are being compared the superlative is required: "Of all the boys, Tom is the strongest." A superlative is used to distinguish one person or thing from a group, a comparative is used to compare one thing or person to another.

Example Question #405 : 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 can't run quickly than that horse over there; no human being can.

Possible Answers:

I can't run more quickly than that horse over there

I can't run fast than that horse over there

I can't run more quicklier than that horse over there

I can't run quickly than that horse over there

I can't run more quick than that horse over there

Correct answer:

I can't run more quickly than that horse over there

Explanation:

When two things are being compared, it is best to use the comparative form of the adjective or adverb in question. In the case of "quickly" the comparative construction is "more quickly," and it is correct in the sentence. "As quickly as" would also be acceptable in this situation.

Example Question #406 : 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 am the best chess player in class—no one has a chance against me.

Possible Answers:

bestest

most good

best

better

more good

Correct answer:

best

Explanation:

When three or more things are being compared, it is best to use the superlative form of the adjective or adverb in question. In the case of "good" the comparative construction is "best," and the example sentence is correct as written. If the speaker were comparing him- or herself to another specific chess player, then the comparative would be needed, e.g. "I am a better chess player than Tom."

Example Question #407 : 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 hope you don't get the teacher I had for math, because he is the most bad teacher in the whole school.

Possible Answers:

baddest

most bad

badder

very bad

worst

Correct answer:

worst

Explanation:

When three or more things are being compared, or there is an indefinite comparison (such as one teacher out of a whole school group), it is best to use the superlative form of the adjective or adverb in question. In the case of "bad" the comparative construction is "worst," and it is correct in the sentence. It is reasonable to assume, in this instance, that there are more than one other teacher in the "whole school."

Example Question #408 : 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 think that my favorite book is the better book of all time. No error

Possible Answers:

gooder

goodest

best

No error

most good

Correct answer:

best

Explanation:

In the above sentence, the narrator is comparing his/her favorite book to all books, ever. Therefore, because three or more things are being compared, the superlative construction must be used. The best way to write this sentence is, "I think that my favorite book is the best book of all time."

Example Question #409 : 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 day of the track meet, I was prepared to run most quickly than I ever had before.

Possible Answers:

more quickly

 more fast

fastest

faster

most quickly

Correct answer:

more quickly

Explanation:

When comparing two (and only two) things, one must always use the comparative construction. In this example, two things are being compared: how quickly the narrator has run before, and how quickly he or she is intending to run the day of the meet. As such, the best way to write the sentence is: "The day of the track meet, I was prepared to run more quickly than I ever had before." When one thing is being distinguished from a list of three or more things, a superlative construction is required.

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