SAT Writing › Correcting Comparative and Superlative 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
best
No error
most good
gooder
goodest
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."
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.
Fried chicken is my favorite food, but it certainly isn't the healthier thing to eat.
but it certainly isn't the healthiest thing to eat.
and it certainly isn't the healthier thing to eat.
so it certainly isn't the healthier thing to eat.
because it certainly isn't the healthier thing to eat.
but it certainly isn't the healthier thing to eat.
When you are comparing only two things, you must use the comparative construction of the adjective or adverb in question. When you are comparing three or more things (or an indefinite number of things), you must use the superlative construction instead. In this case, no other item is named, so we can assume that "fried chicken" is being compared to all other food options, in terms of healthiness. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: "but it certainly isn't the healthiest thing to eat."
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.
this team's proposal was the simplest.
this team's proposal was the simpler one.
this team's proposal was the most simpler one.
this team's proposal was the less complicated one.
this team's proposal was a simple one.
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!
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.
Of all the eligible candidates, Paulus would make the better emperor.
Of all the eligible candidates, Paulus would make the best emperor.
Of all the eligible candidates, Paulus would make the better emperor.
Of all the eligible candidates, Paulus would make the worse emperor.
Of all the eligible candidates: Paulus would make the better emperor.
Of all the eligible candidates; Paulus would make the better emperor.
When you are comparing only two things, you must use the comparative construction of the adjective or adverb in question. When you are comparing three or more things, or an indefinite number of things, you must use the superlative construction instead. Since the word "all" is used, we can assume there are more than two "eligible candidates." The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "Of all the eligible candidates, Paulus would make the best emperor."
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 like to watch television programs, but I know that reading is best for me.
I like to watch television programs, but I know that reading is better for me.
I like to watch television programs, but I know that reading is best for me.
I like to watch television programs, but I know that reading is worst for me.
I like to watch television programs but I know that reading is best for me.
I like to watch television programs but I know that reading is better for me.
When you are comparing only two things, you must use the comparative construction of the adjective or adverb in question. When you are comparing three or more things, or an indefinite number of things, you must use the superlative construction instead. Here, only "watch\[ing\] television" and "reading" are being compared, so we know the comparative construction will be needed. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "I like to watch television programs, but I know that reading is better for me."
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 I were hard pressed to choose between William and Jeffrey, I would have to choose Jeffrey because he is most beautiful than William.
I would have to choose Jeffrey because he is more beautiful than William.
I would have to choose Jeffrey because he is most beautiful than William.
I would have to choose Jeffrey because he is the most beautiful than William.
I will have to choose Jeffrey because he is mostly beautiful than William.
I would have to chose Jeffrey because he is most beautiful over William.
When you are comparing only two things, you must use the comparative construction of the adjective or adverb in question. When you are comparing three or more things, you must use the superlative construction instead. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: "I would have to choose Jeffrey because he is more beautiful than William."
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.
Of all the villains in Armadilloman's gallery of enemies, the Humorous Prankster is by far the more dangerous.
the Humorous Prankster is by far the most dangerous.
the Humorous Prankster is by far the more dangerous.
the Humorous Prankster is by far the more dangerouser.
the Humorous Prankster is by far the dangerousest.
the Humorous Prankster is by far the dangerous.
When you are comparing only two things, you must use the comparative construction of the adjective or adverb in question. When you are comparing three or more things, or an indefinite number of things, you must use the superlative construction instead. Since the group of enemies is described as a "gallery" we know that there are many, certainly more than two, enemies to which the "Humorous Prankster" is being compared. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: "the Joker is by far the most dangerous."
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
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."
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.
Of all the comedians who have hosted SNL over the years, George Carlin was the better.
Of all the comedians who have hosted SNL over the years, George Carlin was the best.
Of all the comedians who have hosted SNL over the years, George Carlin was the better.
Of all the comedians who have hosted SNL over the years, George Carlin was better.
Of all the comedians who have hosted SNL over the years George Carlin was the better.
Of all the comedians who have hosted SNL over the years George Carlin was the best.
When you are comparing only two things, you must use the comparative construction of the adjective or adverb in question. When you are comparing three or more things, or an indefinite number of things, you must use the superlative construction instead. In this sentence "of all" tells us that the superlative construction is required. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "Of all the comedians who have hosted SNL over the years, George Carlin was the best."
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.
Tom is stronger than Jimmy
Tom is strongest than Jimmy
Tom stronger than Jimmy
Tom is strong rather than Jimmy
Tom is stronger to Jimmy
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.