Comparisons — Digital SAT Reading & Writing practice
Comparative and superlative forms and logical comparisons.
Key ideas to know
Choosing Comparatives vs Superlatives
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence: Of the two candidates, Maria is the _____ experienced. (comparative or superlative?)
Use the comparative form. Compare exactly two items with -er or more; reserve -est or most for three or more items. Correct: more experienced.
Watch out: Test writers often trick you by listing two items but using a superlative form to sound natural in casual speech.
Matching Nouns in Comparisons
Which version correctly compares the two cities? A) The climate of Seattle is milder than Portland. B) The climate of Seattle is milder than that of Portland.
Choose B. Always compare parallel elements: a climate to a climate, not a climate to a city. Use that of to replace the singular noun being compared.
Watch out: Dropping that of or those of creates an illogical comparison between mismatched nouns.
Fixing Double Comparisons
Identify the error in this sentence: The new software update is more faster than the previous version. How should it be corrected?
Remove more to avoid a double comparison. Use -er with than for inequalities, or as...as for equality. Correct: faster than.
Watch out: Adding more or most to short adjectives ending in -er/-est is a frequent writing error that SAT questions actively test against.
Like vs as
Choose the correct word: “He runs the meeting ___ his predecessor did, with a strict agenda.” (like / as)
as. Use as (or as if) before a clause that has its own subject and verb (his predecessor did). Use like before a noun or noun phrase.
Watch out: Using like before a clause. Check whether a subject and a verb follow the word.