PSAT Writing : Identifying Comparative and Superlative Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #3 : Identifying 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.
Of the sixteen jellybean varieties available, the turquoise tasted more exquisite. No error.
tasted
Of the sixteen
available, the
No error.
more
more
This sentence uses a comparative (“more”) to compare more than two things—sixteen, in fact. For a comparison involving more than two things, a superlative (“most”) is used. The corrected sentence reads, "Of the sixteen jellybean varieties available, the turquoise tasted most exquisite."
Example Question #1 : 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.
Of her four classes that semester, Introduction to Biology was the more challenging. No error.
that
No error.
semester, Introduction
more challenging
her
more challenging
This sentence uses the comparative adjective “more” to compare four things. The superlative “most” would be correct here, as the superlative form of adjectives is used when three or more things are being compared. The corrected sentence reads, "Of her four classes that semester, Introduction to Biology was the most challenging."
Example Question #1 : 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.
People who experience less health problems are more likely to be happier and less depressed than their unhealthy counterparts. No error
than
No error
less
happier
who
less
The error in this sentence is "less" because "health problems" are countable nouns—you can count the number of health problems a person has. When referring to countable nouns, you should use "fewer" instead of "less." The beginning of this sentence, then, should read, "People who experience fewer health problems."
Example Question #2 : 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.
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
Even though
are all
than
further
No error
further
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."
Example Question #2 : 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.
Between Portia and Franklin, the majority of observers would zealously agree that Franklin is the most intelligent. No error
Most
Between
agree that
the majority of
No error
Most
When three or more items are being compared, "most" and other superlatives should be used. However, when only two items are being compared, as is the case here, "more" should be used instead.
Example Question #3 : 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
between
and
At first
cutest
No error
cutest
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.
Example Question #2 : 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.
While Scott enjoys spending time with his brother and sister, he likes his brother best because they have more in common. No error
and
best
with
more in common
No error
best
Given that Scott is comparing only his brother and sister (two subjects), the superlative adjective “best” should not be used because it is only appropriate when three or more items are being compared. Here, the comparative adjective “better" should be used instead.
Example Question #3 : 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.
The oldest of the triplets is the activest one, perhaps because he intuitively knows that he is the big brother who needs to take care of everyone. No error
of
activest
No error
because
who
activest
“Activest” is not a word; “most active" should be used instead.
Example Question #6 : 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.
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
other
No error
outselling
more
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."
Example Question #4 : 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.
While I enjoy both swimming and running, I am best at swimming, as I naturally have more upper body strength and feel very natural in the water. No error
both
No error
best
more
in the water
best
When two items are being compared, the word "better" should be used to distinguish one from the other. "Best" is only used when three or more items are being compared.
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