SAT Writing › Identifying Comparative and Superlative Errors
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
Even though Joe, Pat and Lisa are all neighbors, Joe lives in a house that is further from Lisa's than it is from Pat's. No error
further
Even though
are all
than
No error
When describing physical distance, the adjective "farther" should be used. However, when describing figurative distance, the adjective "further" should be used. Given that the distance of a house from another house is being described—that is, a physical distance—the adjective "farther" should be used, not "further."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Among the major newspapers in Los Angeles, the more popular is The Los Angeles Times, outselling the four other large publications in the area. No error
more
Among
outselling
other
No error
When there are more than three items being compared, the superlative adjective "most" should be used. The comparative adjective "more" is only used to compare two items. Given that The Los Angeles Times is being compared to four other newspapers, the appropriate word to use would be "most," not "more."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
While my friends Jenny, Tom, and Beth all enjoy breaking into spontaneous song and dance routines, Beth gets the bigger kick out of it. No error
bigger
While
enjoy breaking into
and
No error
This sentence uses a comparative adjective “bigger” when there are three elements being compared. With three or more elements, a superlative (in this case “biggest”) is required. The corrected sentence reads, "While my friends Jenny, Tom, and Beth all enjoy breaking into spontaneous song and dance routines, Beth gets the biggest kick out of it."
She stumped me with a riddle about ten boxes of various weights; the goal was to find the heavier one by only using the scale twice.
heavier one
stumped me with
of various weights
using
No error
In this sentence, there are nine boxes, so the the superlative “heaviest” would be better than the comparative “heavier.” The corrected sentence reads: She stumped me with a riddle about ten boxes of various weights; the goal was to find the heaviest one by only using the scale twice.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It is true that both the knight and the samurai wielded swords; however, the samurai was certainly the most adept at swordplay. No error
most
both the knight
wielded
swords; however
No error
In the above sentence, two subjects are being compared: the knight and the samurai. When a sentence compares only two subjects, it is appropriate to use the comparative form ("more") rather than the superlative form ("most") of adjectives.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Most sweaters are made of acrylic, wool, or cashmere, and though they are the more expensive of the three, I prefer cashmere sweaters because they are so soft. No error
Most
acrylic, wool, or cashmere,
though
the more expensive of the three
No error
The phrase "the more expensive of the three" contains this sentence's error. Three types of sweaters are being compared: acrylic sweaters, wool sweaters, and cashmere sweaters. The comparative adjective "more" is used; this is incorrect because comparative adjectives are only used for comparing two things, as in the sentence, "I like vanilla ice cream more than chocolate-covered strawberries." When comparing three or more things, a superlative adjective should be used. In this case, that means that "more" should be changed to "most" to correct the sentence's error.