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Example Questions
Example Question #11 : 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.
Volleyball is more fun than basketball.
more fun then
more fun than
funner then
funner than
most fun than
more fun than
Here, because you are making a direct comparison between two things, and the adjective in question is "fun," "more fun" is the correct construction. Additionally, you want to use "than," which indicates comparison, rather than "then," which indicates time or causation.
Example Question #12 : 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.
All the conspirators were envious, but he was the more avaricious of the group.
more avaricious than
more avaricious
avariciousest
most avaricious
avariciouser
most avaricious
Here, you have a comparison between an individual and a group of people the size of which is unknown. Because you are not comparing two things directly, this is a superlative comparison. As such, the correct construction is "most avaricious."
Example Question #12 : 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.
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 simpler one.
this team's proposal was the less complicated one.
this team's proposal was the simplest.
this team's proposal was the most simpler one.
this team's proposal was a simple one.
this team's proposal was the simplest.
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!
Example Question #14 : 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.
Tom is strongest than Jimmy: he beat him at arm wrestling twice.
Tom is strong rather than Jimmy
Tom is stronger to Jimmy
Tom is stronger than Jimmy
Tom stronger than Jimmy
Tom is strongest than Jimmy
Tom is stronger than 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.
Example Question #15 : 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 can't run quickly than that horse over there; no human being can.
I can't run more quickly than that horse over there
I can't run quickly than that horse over there
I can't run more quicklier than that horse over there
I can't run more quick than that horse over there
I can't run fast than that horse over there
I can't run more quickly than that horse over there
When two things are being compared, it is best to use the comparative form of the adjective or adverb in question. In the case of "quickly" the comparative construction is "more quickly," and it is correct in the sentence. "As quickly as" would also be acceptable in this situation.
Example Question #21 : 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 am the best chess player in class—no one has a chance against me.
most good
more good
best
bestest
better
best
When three or more things are being compared, it is best to use the superlative form of the adjective or adverb in question. In the case of "good" the comparative construction is "best," and the example sentence is correct as written. If the speaker were comparing him- or herself to another specific chess player, then the comparative would be needed, e.g. "I am a better chess player than Tom."
Example Question #22 : 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 hope you don't get the teacher I had for math, because he is the most bad teacher in the whole school.
baddest
badder
most bad
very bad
worst
worst
When three or more things are being compared, or there is an indefinite comparison (such as one teacher out of a whole school group), it is best to use the superlative form of the adjective or adverb in question. In the case of "bad" the comparative construction is "worst," and it is correct in the sentence. It is reasonable to assume, in this instance, that there are more than one other teacher in the "whole school."
Example Question #23 : 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
gooder
most good
goodest
best
No error
best
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."
Example Question #24 : 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.
The day of the track meet, I was prepared to run most quickly than I ever had before.
faster
more quickly
most quickly
fastest
more fast
more quickly
When comparing two (and only two) things, one must always use the comparative construction. In this example, two things are being compared: how quickly the narrator has run before, and how quickly he or she is intending to run the day of the meet. As such, the best way to write the sentence is: "The day of the track meet, I was prepared to run more quickly than I ever had before." When one thing is being distinguished from a list of three or more things, a superlative construction is required.
Example Question #2001 : Sat Writing
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 is regarded as one of the greater actors of all time.
most great
greater
greatest
more great
greatest
When comparing three or more things, you must use the superlative construction of the adjective or adverb in question. "Greater" is the comparative construction and would only be correct if the actor in question were being compared to one other actor. In this case, the superlative form of "great" is "greatest" which is the best option to replace the underlined portion of the sentence above.
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