70
Here are some tricky er/est words ETS will use:
er est
more most
between among
better best
less least
worse worst
You cannot modify an “er” word with more. For instance, you wouldn’t say
“more better.” Likewise do not modify an “est” word with most - “most best.”
There are adjectives such as “beautiful” that cannot be turned into an “est” word. For example, we can say, Jane
is the more beautiful of the two girls or Jane is the most beautiful of the girls in the class.
Counting Errors Trick #2
Counting nouns are also tested on the SAT. Below is a list of words to use for things that can be counted (such as
balls) and things that cannot be counted (such as water).
Can be Counted Cannot be Counted
fewer less
number amount
Robert puts less money in his bank account than Bob does.
Step 1: Spot the counting word (less).
Step 2: Ask: What noun is “less” modifying? Money
Step 3: This is a tricky one, because we can count money, but think of it this way: you can count dollar bills,
but money as a unit, as with capita, cannot be individually counted. Less is correct.
Time and distance, like money, are also modified by less.
Mark burns fewer calories every day since he stopped working out.
Step 1: Spot the counting word (fewer).
Step 2: Ask: What noun is “fewer” modifying? Calories
Step 3: Calories can be counted, so fewer is correct.