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Adverb

The document provides an overview of adverbs, including their definitions, types, and common usage errors relevant for the SAT. It highlights key topics such as the confusion between adjectives and adverbs, misplaced modifiers, and the proper use of intensifiers. Additionally, it offers strategies for tackling SAT adverb questions and includes practice examples to reinforce understanding.

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2 views

Adverb

The document provides an overview of adverbs, including their definitions, types, and common usage errors relevant for the SAT. It highlights key topics such as the confusion between adjectives and adverbs, misplaced modifiers, and the proper use of intensifiers. Additionally, it offers strategies for tackling SAT adverb questions and includes practice examples to reinforce understanding.

Uploaded by

nandanwarkrish86
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ADVERB THEORY FOR THE SAT

What Is an Adverb?

An adverb modifies:

• A verb (e.g., run quickly)

• An adjective (e.g., very bright)

• Another adverb (e.g., too quickly)

They answer questions like:

• How? (quickly, silently)

• When? (yesterday, soon)

• Where? (here, outside)

• To what extent? (very, too, almost)

Types of Adverbs

Type Example

Manner She sings beautifully.

Time He arrived late.

Place They live nearby.

Frequency She always studies.

Degree/Intensity It’s extremely cold.

Common SAT Adverb-Related Topics

1. Adjective vs. Adverb Confusion

• SAT often tests if you use an adverb when describing a verb and an adjective when
describing a noun.
Example:

• She runs quick.

• She runs quickly. (modifies verb "runs")

2. Misplaced Modifiers (Adverb Placement)

• Adverbs should be placed close to the word they modify.

SAT Trap Example:

• She almost drove her kids to school every day.


→ ("almost" modifies "drove"? Illogical)

• She drove her kids to school almost every day.

3. Ambiguous or Dangling Modifiers

• When the adverb placement makes the sentence unclear or ridiculous.

Example:

• Driving to work, the traffic was terrible.


(Who is driving? The traffic?)

• Driving to work, I found the traffic was terrible.

4. Too vs. Very vs. So

• These intensifiers often show up in usage questions.

• Be precise:

o Very = intensifies (She's very smart.)

o Too = excessively (He's too tired to run.)

o So = requires a result (He was so tired that he fell asleep.)

5. Conjunctive Adverbs

• These connect ideas and often appear after a semicolon or at the beginning of
sentences.

Examples:

• However, therefore, moreover, consequently, thus


Correct Use Example:

• I studied hard; therefore, I aced the test.

SAT TRAPS + SOLUTIONS

SAT Trap Description Example Fix

Adjective used
Tests precision in She writes
instead of She writes beautiful.
modifying verbs beautifully.
adverb

He only eats
Placement makes
Misplaced vegetables. (Does he He eats only
sentence unclear or
adverb just eat or only vegetables.
illogical
vegetables?)

Vague Words like “so” need a She was so tired


She was so tired.
intensifier complete result clause that she fell asleep.

Faulty When adverbs make He runs faster than He runs faster than
comparison comparisons unclear anyone. anyone else.

Overused or Sometimes SAT will She whispered.


She whispered very
redundant ask you to remove ("Whispered" already
quietly.
adverbs unnecessary adverbs implies quietness)

KEY STRATEGIES FOR SAT ADVERB QUESTIONS

Step-by-step approach:

1. Find what the adverb is modifying.

2. Check if it’s the right form (adverb vs adjective).

3. Check if it’s in the right position.

4. Make sure it doesn't create ambiguity.

5. Eliminate redundancy.
PRACTICE EXAMPLES

Identify the Error:

The professor explained the theory clear so that everyone understood.

• Error: clear should be clearly (modifying the verb "explained")

Choose the Best Version:

She spoke to the crowd (A) more confident, (B) more confidently, (C) most confident, (D)
confidently than usual.

• Correct Answer: B) more confidently

Fix the Modifier:

Only John wanted to go to the party.

• Ambiguity: Does “only” modify John or “wanted”?

• Better: John only wanted to go to the party. (vs. he didn’t want to dance or stay
late)

FINAL TIPS

• Avoid adjectives ending in -ly (e.g., friendly, lovely) — these are adjectives, not
adverbs!

• Use context — SAT adverb questions are subtle. Look at the entire sentence
structure.

• Read out loud (in your head) — Does it sound natural/logical?

• Don’t overthink — Most adverb errors are basic grammar, not obscure exceptions.

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