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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb 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.
Intelligence is a trait that is actually quite difficult to measure, despite much different attempts to do so.
despite much different attempts to do so.
despite much different attempts to do it.
despite the much different attempts to do so.
despite much different attempting to do so.
despite many different attempts to do so.
despite many different attempts to do so.
The use of "much" in the sentence is incorrect, as "much" indicates a great amount, but not a large count, and should be used for singular nouns. The correct choice should have the word "many" instead of "much." The only answer choice that makes this chnage is "despite many different attempts to do so."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.
Highway construction involves a great deal of planning, as it can be quite unpredictably.
as it can be quite unpredictably.
if it can be quite unpredictably.
if it can be quite unpredictable.
as it can be very unpredictably.
as it can be quite unpredictable.
as it can be quite unpredictable.
The use of the adverb "unpredictably" is incorrect in the sentence, as it describes a noun and should be an adjective. Otherwise, the sentence is absolutely correct; therefore, the best answer choice is "as it can be unpredictable."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb Errors
Just as animals run when frightened, humans often have a strongly desire to flee when panicked.
have a strongly desire
had strongly desires
had a strong desire
have strong desire
have a strong desire
have a strong desire
The underlined portion of the sentence problematically contains a misused adverb, "strongly." This needs to be turned into an adjective to appropriately describe "desire." "Have a strong desire" is the only answer choice that does this and is fully gramatically correct.
Example Question #441 : Correcting Usage Errors
Under normal circumstances, the family would have never driven up to the frighteningly looking motel.
to the frighteningly looked motel.
to the frighteningly looking motel.
for the frighteningly looking motel.
to a frighteningly looking motel.
to the frightening looking motel.
to the frightening looking motel.
The use of the word "frighteningly" is absolutely incorrect, as it is an adverb being used to describe a gerund, or a verb that takes the form of a noun, in "looking." Gerunds need to be modified with an adjective. Therefore, "to the frightening looking motel" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.
Few people will ever remember too many detail from their early childhood.
too much detail
too many detail
too much details
much details
many detail
too much detail
The two words "many" and "much" mean the same thing, "a lot of," but are used in two distinct ways. "Many" is used exclusively with counting nouns, while "much" is used with noncounting nouns; therefore, when used with "detail," "much" is correct, while "many" would be correct with "details."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.
Until you completely comprehend the message of the author’s first novel, you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel.
otherwise you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.
only after fully appreciating the equally poignant sequel.
you did not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.
you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.
you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel.
you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.
The answer choice "otherwise you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel" is another subordinate clause, so this answer choice is incorrect because it leaves the sentence with no independent clause.
In the answer choice "you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel," "equal" is an adjective, but you must choose an adverb that modifies the adjective “poignant." "Equally" is the correct form, so this answer choice is incorrect.
The answer choice "only after fully appreciating the equally poignant sequel," is another subordinate clause, so this answer choice is incorrect. You must pick an independent clause.
In the answer choice "you did not appreciate the equally poignant sequel,"the past tense form of “did appreciate” does not agree with the insubordinate clause, which indicates that something will happen in the future (after you comprehend the message). The appropriate choice should indicate somethign that occurrs in the future, so this answer choice is incorrect.
The answer choice "you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel" is a future-tense independent clause with the appropriate adverb form of "equally." It is correct!
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.
Certain scientific theories were actually developed by two researchers simultaneous.
of two researchers simultaneous.
by two researchers simultaneous.
by two researchers simultaneously.
of two researchers simultaneously.
by two researchers in simultaneous.
by two researchers simultaneously.
The use of the word "simultaneous" actually describes the verb "developed," even though it is next to the verb "researchers." The issue can be corrected by making the word "simultaneous" an adverb. "By two researchers simultaneously" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.
He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
He were a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
He was a horrible comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
He was a horribly comedian, and can't make anyone laugh.
He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make one laugh.
He was a horrible comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
The use of the adverb "horribly" is wrong, as the word modifies a noun, "comedian," and should actually be an adjective. This problem can be corrected by shifting "horribly" to its adjectival form. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "He was a horrible comedian, with no ability to make anybody laugh."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb 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 non-profit organization never had financial issues, as it always handled its money perfect.
as it always handled it's money perfect.
as it always handled its money perfectly.
as it always handles its money perfect.
as it always handled its money perfect.
so it always handled its money perfect.
as it always handled its money perfectly.
The use of the adjective "perfect" is incorrect in this sentence, as it modifies the verb "handled." A verb can only be modified by an adverb, meaning "perfect" must be changed to its adverbial form. As the only answer choice to use the adverb "perfectly" instead of the adjective "perfect," the correct answer choice is "as it always handled its money perfectly."
Example Question #952 : Word Usage 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.
Questions abounded in the inquiry into illegal payments alleged made by the college to student athletes.
allegedly made
made alleged
allegedly making
alleged making
alleged made
allegedly made
The word "alleged" is modifying the word "made," a verb, which needs an adverb to modify it. The adverb form of "alleged" is "allegedly," which makes the correct answer "allegedly made."
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