SAT Writing : Correcting Other Adjective and Adverb Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #53 :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.

Questions abounded in the inquiry into illegal paymentsalleged madeby the college to student athletes.

Possible Answers:

alleged made

allegedly making

alleged making

made alleged

allegedly made

Correct answer:

allegedly made

Explanation:

The word "alleged" is modifying the word "made," a verb, which needs an adverb to modify it. The adverb form of "alleged" is "allegedly," which makes the correct answer "allegedly made."

Example Question #11 :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.

Johnny doesn't understand why Sonya won't talk to him, he believes they'd get alonggreat.

Possible Answers:

great

good

super

well

best

Correct answer:

well

Explanation:

Here, the word at the end of the sentence needs to describe how Johnny and Sonya would get along. The word is modifying, specifically, the verb phrase "get along." Because it's a verb phrase, you must use an adverb, and of the options, "well" is the only adverb available.

Example Question #12 :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.

我don't understand how people who train for the 100 meter dash can move sofast.

Possible Answers:

fastest

quickly

fast

faster

fastly

Correct answer:

quickly

Explanation:

Here, the thing being modified by the last word of the sentence is the verb "move." Any time you modify a verb (or, to look at it another way, are answering the question "How?" with your modifier) you must use an adverb. In this case, the only adverb available to you is "quickly," so that's the correct answer.

Example Question #54 :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 old man usual tookhis walk around the neighborhood at roughly three in the afternoon.

Possible Answers:

The old man usual takes

The old man usually took

The usual old man took

The old man usual took

The old man usual taken

Correct answer:

The old man usually took

Explanation:

The use of the word "usual" in the sentence is incorrect, as it describes the verb "took," which means it needs to take an adverb form. The only answer choice with the correct form that also keeps the intended meaning of the sentence is "The old man usually took."

Example Question #55 :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.

Marriages are increasing being delayedamong young adults throughout the nation.

Possible Answers:

Marriages are increasingly being delaying

Marriages are increasingly being delayed

Marriages are increasing being delayed

Marriages are increasing being delaying

Marriages are increasingly been delayed

Correct answer:

Marriages are increasingly being delayed

Explanation:

The word "increasing" in the sentence is used to describe the verb phrase "being delayed." Even though these words are not the verb in the sentence, they still need an adverb form to describe them. The correct answer is "Marriages are increasingly being delayed."

Example Question #13 :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.

The older gentlemen is not thinking as rapid as his younger counterpart, but his steady pace will serve him in the long run.

Possible Answers:

The oldest gentlemen is not thinking as rapidity as his youngest counterpart

The older gentlemen is not thinking as rapid as his younger counterpart

The older gentlemen is not thinking as rapidly as his younger counterpart

The older gentlemen may not be thinking as rapid as his younger counterpart

The older gentlemen is not thinking as rapid as his younger counterparts

Correct answer:

The older gentlemen is not thinking as rapidly as his younger counterpart

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 older gentlemen is not thinking as rapidly as his younger counterpart."

Example Question #14 :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.

My dog is much more fatly than Paul's dog;我am not good at policing my dog's diet.

Possible Answers:

My dog is much fat than Paul's dog;

My dog is much more fatly than Paul's dog;

My dog is much more fatly than Paul's dog:

My dog is much fatter than Paul's dog;

My dog is much more fatly than Paul's dog,

Correct answer:

My dog is much fatter than Paul's dog;

Explanation:

Adjectives describe nouns, and adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Since Paul's dog is an animal, it is also a noun, so an adjective is required. 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: "My dog is much fatter than Paul's dog;"

Example Question #15 :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.

The Duke's fatal error was that he enteredmore 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 #16 :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.

The car was moving quick—in fact, it was going so fast as to be wildly unsafe.

Possible Answers:

The car was rapid

The car was moving quick

The car was moving quickly

The car was moving fast

The car was moving slowly

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 #17 :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.

我feel poor today, my health has been steadily declining for the last few years.

Possible Answers:

我feel poor today

我feel poorest today

我felt poor today

我feel poorer today

我feel poorly today

Correct answer:

我feel poorly today

Explanation:

我n 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: "我feel poorly today"

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