Identifying Adjective and Adverb Errors
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PSAT Writing › Identifying Adjective and Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I used to find information about public transportation on the printed schedules, but I have discovered that the online ones are the most helpful. No error
the most helpful
used to find
schedules, but
have discovered
No error
Explanation
This sentence uses a superlative (“most”) when it is only comparing between two things. The comparative “more” would be better. The corrected sentence reads, "I used to find information about public transportation on the printed schedules, but I have discovered that the online ones are the most helpful."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although the eighth grade math bowl team did excellently in practice, the members performed terrible in the actual tournament. No error
terrible
Although
excellently
the members
No error
Explanation
This sentence uses the adjective "terrible" to modify the verb "performed." An adverb is more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "Although the eighth grade math bowl team did excellently in practice, the members performed terribly in the actual tournament."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Maria had a gigantic bouncy castle at her birthday party, making it significantly more popular than Susie. No error
more popular than Susie
gigantic
at her
making
No error
Explanation
In this sentence, there is an illogical comparison between Maria’s birthday party (a thing) and Susie (a person). Assuming that the comparison should be between two birthday parties, the corrected sentence reads: "Maria had a gigantic bouncy castle at her birthday party, making it significantly more popular than Susie’s party."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
He could have chosen any profession in the world, but he decided that accounting was more interesting. No error
more
could have chosen
but
decided that
No error
Explanation
This sentence uses the comparative “more,” which should be used when comparing only two things. As this sentence compares all professions, the superlative “most” should be used. The corrected sentence reads, "He could have chosen any profession in the world, but he decided that accounting was the most interesting."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although the eighth grade math bowl team did excellently in practice, the members performed terrible in the actual tournament. No error
terrible
Although
excellently
the members
No error
Explanation
This sentence uses the adjective "terrible" to modify the verb "performed." An adverb is more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "Although the eighth grade math bowl team did excellently in practice, the members performed terribly in the actual tournament."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
At first the little boy couldn't choose between the white puppy and the brown puppy, but he eventually chose the brown puppy because it was the cutest of the two. No error
cutest
At first
between
and
No error
Explanation
When comparing two items, "cuter," a comparative adjective, should be used. "Cutest," a superlative adjective, should only be used when there are three or more items being compared.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Maria had a gigantic bouncy castle at her birthday party, making it significantly more popular than Susie. No error
more popular than Susie
gigantic
at her
making
No error
Explanation
In this sentence, there is an illogical comparison between Maria’s birthday party (a thing) and Susie (a person). Assuming that the comparison should be between two birthday parties, the corrected sentence reads: "Maria had a gigantic bouncy castle at her birthday party, making it significantly more popular than Susie’s party."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
He could have chosen any profession in the world, but he decided that accounting was more interesting. No error
more
could have chosen
but
decided that
No error
Explanation
This sentence uses the comparative “more,” which should be used when comparing only two things. As this sentence compares all professions, the superlative “most” should be used. The corrected sentence reads, "He could have chosen any profession in the world, but he decided that accounting was the most interesting."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I used to find information about public transportation on the printed schedules, but I have discovered that the online ones are the most helpful. No error
the most helpful
used to find
schedules, but
have discovered
No error
Explanation
This sentence uses a superlative (“most”) when it is only comparing between two things. The comparative “more” would be better. The corrected sentence reads, "I used to find information about public transportation on the printed schedules, but I have discovered that the online ones are the most helpful."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
At first the little boy couldn't choose between the white puppy and the brown puppy, but he eventually chose the brown puppy because it was the cutest of the two. No error
cutest
At first
between
and
No error
Explanation
When comparing two items, "cuter," a comparative adjective, should be used. "Cutest," a superlative adjective, should only be used when there are three or more items being compared.