Correcting Comparative and Superlative Errors

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PSAT Writing › Correcting Comparative and Superlative Errors

Questions 1 - 10
1

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.

After both failing her exam and missing the last bus home, Maxi decided that that Friday afternoon could not get any more worse.

Maxi decided that that Friday afternoon could not get any worse.

Maxi decided that Friday afternoon could not get any more worse.

Maxi decided that Friday afternoon could not get worse.

Maxi decided that Friday afternoon could get more worse.

Maxi decided that that Friday afternoon could not get any more worse.

Explanation

The expression “more worse” cannot exist because “worse” is already a superlative. The second “that” specifies which Friday afternoon in particular, as opposed to any Friday afternoon of the year.

2

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.

most quickly

most fast

faster

more quickly

more quick

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."

3

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.

about the full extent of his condition.

about the fuller extent of his condition.

about the fuller extent for his condition.

around the fuller extent of his condition.

about the fuller extents 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."

4

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.

less

fewer

least

fewest

few

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.

5

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 me, you will see that I am the shortest 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 I, 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 shorter of the group.

Explanation

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.”.

6

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?

are best

is the better

is better

are better

is the most

Explanation

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

7

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 best dancer.

If you compared my sister and I, you’d see that she was the better dancer.

If you compared my sister and I, you were to see that she was the best dancer.

If you compared my sister and me, you’d see that she was the best dancer.

Explanation

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).

8

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

a strongest boy

a stronger boy

the strongly boy

a strongly boy

Explanation

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."

9

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 chimpanzees and orangutans, chimpanzees are the most intelligent, and orangutans are the more social.

are the more intelligent, and orangutans are the more social

are the more intelligent, and orangutans are the most social

are the most intelligent, and orangutans are the most social

have been the most intelligent, and orangutans are the more social

are the most intelligent, and orangutans are the more social

Explanation

We know that in this sentence, only two items are being compared, because the sentences begins with "Between chimpanzees and orangutans." When only two items are being compared, remember to use the comparative forms of adjectives ("more" or "-er") rather than the superlative forms ("most" or "-est").

The only answer choice that obeys this rule is "are the more intelligent, and orangutans are the more social."

10

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.

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 both have less calories per gram than fats.

Carbohydrates and proteins have less calories per gram than fats.

Carbohydrates and proteins both have less 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.

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