SAT Writing › Identifying Other 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.
Playing a brass or woodwind instrument good requires one to have good posture. No error
good
a brass or woodwind instrument
requires one
good posture
No error
In this sentence, the first "good" (in "Playing a brass or woodwind instrument good") is incorrect; "good" is an adjective, and this "good" is used to describe the way in which one plays a brass or woodwind instrument, so it needs to be changed to "well," which is an adverb, because adjectives cannot describe verbs, but adverbs can.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Though the dog had been washed by the petsitter just yesterday, he continued to smell badly. No error
smell badly
had been
yesterday,
continued to
No error
This sentence's error is that it uses an adverb in the place of an adjective. "Badly," as an adverb, is referencing not the quality of the dog's odor, but its poor ability to smell.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Having finished their homework, the students quick decided to escape to the TV for entertainment. No error
quick decided
Having
their
to escape
No error
Here, "quick decided" contains the sentence's error. "Quick" is an adjective, but it is being used to describe a verb, "decided," so it needs to be in its adverbial form, "quickly."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
As the online presence of businesses has expanded at a rapidly pace, so too have the outlets for cyber shopping. No error
rapidly
online
too
for
No error
The underlined word, "rapidly," is modifying "pace," which is a noun. Therefore, the underlined word should be the adjective, "rapid," as opposed to the adverb, "rapidly."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Chad’s political views took an abrupt swing to the left; afterwards, he had to find a way to remove bumper stickers quick. No error
quick
took
afterwards, he
a way to
No error
In this sentence, the adjective “quick” describes the verb “remove.” An adverb would be more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads: Chad’s political views took an abrupt swing to the left, and he had to find a way to remove bumper stickers quickly.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
“We need some pie,” he said to Joleen gentle, hoping that the sugary treat would lift his melancholy friend’s spirits. No error
gentle
need
to
sugary
melancholy
Adverbs modify verbs (or sometimes adjectives). "Gentle" modifies "said"—he said the phrase in a gentle manner. Adverbs tend to tend in "-ly," but don't be fooled by the adjective "melancholy" here, which modifies "spirits" (a noun) and is therefore an adjective!
The sentence would be fixed by replacing "gentle" with "gently."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
As soon as (A) he woke up, he sprinted (B) quick downstairs to open his gifts (C) that were (D) under the tree. (E) No error
B
A
C
D
E
Since "quick" is modifying the verb "ran," it needs to be an adverb. "Quick" is an adjective, but "quickly" is an adverb. So, "quick" must be changed to "quickly."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
"I'm sorry that I'm running late for dinner," I said to my mother on the phone, "but I'll be home real soon." No error
real
that
running
said
No error
The word "real" here is meant to modify the adjective "soon," which means that an adverb is needed. The adverb form of the word "real" is "really," so the sentence should say, "I'm sorry that I'm running late for dinner," I said to my mother on the phone, "but I'll be home reallysoon." People might use the word "real" as an adverb during everyday conversation, but that slang form is grammatically incorrect.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The narrator described how as a child, he loved to let his body drift down the river, floating serene and happily in the sparkling water. No error
serene
described
as a child
happily
No error
The word "serene" is modifying the verb "floating." Therefore, "serenely," an adverb, should be used; "serene" is an adjective, and is improperly used in this sentence.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Despite the terrible dress rehearsal the night before, the opening performance of Romeo and Juliet went really good. No error
really good
went
of
Despite
No error
The word "good" is an adjective and should describe a noun. Here, it describes the verb "went" and is grammatically incorrect. Changing "good" to the adverb "well" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "Despite the terrible dress rehearsal the night before, the opening performance of Romeo and Juliet went really well."