PSAT Writing › Correcting 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.
Certain scientific theories were actually developed by two researchers simultaneous.
by two researchers simultaneously.
by two researchers simultaneous.
of two researchers simultaneous.
of two researchers simultaneously.
by two researchers in simultaneous.
The use of the word "simultaneous" actually describes the verb "developed," even though it is next to the verb "researchers." The issue can be corrected by making the word "simultaneous" an adverb. "By two researchers simultaneously" is the correct answer choice.
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 found the unbelievable large mouse gnawing on the flour sack in my cupboard.
I found the unbelievably large mouse gnawing on the flour sack in my cupboard.
I found the unbelievable large mouse gnawing on the flour sack in my cupboard.
Gnawing on the flour sack in my cupboard, I found the unbelievably large mouse.
I found the mouse, large and unbelievable, gnawing on the flour sack in my cupboard.
In my cupboard, I found the unbelievable, large mouse gnawing on the flour sack.
In this sentence, the word "unbelievable" should be modifying "large" rather than "mouse," and, since "large" is an adjective, "unbelievable" must be made into an adverb, "unbelievably," to modify it. Two answer choices correct this adverb error, but only the correct answer choice does not add in any further errors. "Gnawing on a flour sack, I found the unbelievably large mouse" adds another ambiguous modifier and alters the meaning of the sentence by implying that the speaker was gnawing on a sack of flour, rather than the mouse.
Under normal circumstances, the family would have never driven up to the frighteningly looking motel.
to the frightening looking motel.
to the frighteningly looking motel.
to the frighteningly looked motel.
for the frighteningly looking motel.
to a frighteningly looking motel.
The use of the word "frighteningly" is absolutely incorrect, as it is an adverb being used to describe a gerund, or a verb that takes the form of a noun, in "looking." Gerunds need to be modified with an adjective. Therefore, "to the frightening looking motel" is the correct answer.
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 non-profit organization never had financial issues, as it always handled its money perfect.
as it always handled its money perfectly.
as it always handled its money perfect.
as it always handled it's money perfect.
as it always handles its money perfect.
so it always handled its money perfect.
The use of the adjective "perfect" is incorrect in this sentence, as it modifies the verb "handled." A verb can only be modified by an adverb, meaning "perfect" must be changed to its adverbial form. As the only answer choice to use the adverb "perfectly" instead of the adjective "perfect," the correct answer choice is "as it always handled its money perfectly."
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.
Highway construction involves a great deal of planning, as it can be quite unpredictably.
as it can be quite unpredictable.
as it can be quite unpredictably.
if it can be quite unpredictably.
if it can be quite unpredictable.
as it can be very unpredictably.
The use of the adverb "unpredictably" is incorrect in the sentence, as it describes a noun and should be an adjective. Otherwise, the sentence is absolutely correct; therefore, the best answer choice is "as it can be unpredictable."
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 took his walk around the neighborhood at roughly three in the afternoon.
The old man usually took
The old man usual took
The usual old man took
The old man usual takes
The old man usual taken
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."
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 payments alleged made by the college to student athletes.
allegedly made
alleged made
made alleged
allegedly making
alleged making
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."
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 horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
He was a horrible comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make one laugh.
He were a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
He was a horribly comedian, and can't make anyone laugh.
The use of the adverb "horribly" is wrong, as the word modifies a noun, "comedian," and should actually be an adjective. This problem can be corrected by shifting "horribly" to its adjectival form. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "He was a horrible comedian, with no ability to make anybody laugh."
Just as animals run when frightened, humans often have a strongly desire to flee when panicked.
have a strong desire
have a strongly desire
have strong desire
had a strong desire
had strongly desires
The underlined portion of the sentence problematically contains a misused adverb, "strongly." This needs to be turned into an adjective to appropriately describe "desire." "Have a strong desire" is the only answer choice that does this and is fully gramatically correct.
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.
Intelligence is a trait that is actually quite difficult to measure, despite much different attempts to do so.
despite many different attempts to do so.
despite much different attempts to do so.
despite much different attempting to do so.
despite much different attempts to do it.
despite the much different attempts to do so.
The use of "much" in the sentence is incorrect, as "much" indicates a great amount, but not a large count, and should be used for singular nouns. The correct choice should have the word "many" instead of "much." The only answer choice that makes this chnage is "despite many different attempts to do so."