Adjectives vs. Adverbs on the SAT
The Simple Rule That Earns You Easy Points
Master sentence structure, punctuation, and clarity with repeatable rules.
Guard the Sentence Core
Identify the subject and verb, then make sure punctuation does not split them or add extra ideas.
- Find the subject + verb first. That is the sentence core.
- Only add commas around extra information, never inside the core.
- Re-read the sentence without the modifier to test clarity.
Why Adjectives vs. Adverbs Matters on the SAT
Knowing the difference between an adjective and an adverb is something the SAT Reading and Writing section tests regularly, and although the underlying rule is simple, the questions are designed to look tricky. Most students who lose points on these questions do so not because the grammar is difficult, but because they rely on what "sounds right" rather than applying a clear rule. Once you learn the pattern, adjective-versus-adverb questions become some of the fastest and most reliable points on the entire test.
This post gives you the rule, walks you through the one big trap the SAT loves to set, and then lets you practice with questions that mirror the real test. Ten minutes here could save you from second-guessing on test day.
The Core Rule: What Is the Word Modifying?
Everything comes down to one question: what is the modifier describing?
- Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns.
They answer: Which one? What kind? How many?
Example: "The careful surgeon operated on the patient." → "careful" describes the noun "surgeon." - Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and
other adverbs. They answer: How? When? Where? To what extent?
Example: "The surgeon operated carefully on the patient." → "carefully" describes the verb "operated."
That's the entire foundation. If the word you're choosing describes a noun, pick the adjective. If it describes a verb, adjective, or adverb, pick the adverb. Most of the time on the SAT, two answer choices will differ only by the presence or absence of -ly, that's your signal that this rule is being tested.
The Linking-Verb Trap
Here's where the SAT gets sneaky. Most students know that verbs need adverbs. But linking verbs break that expectation, and the test exploits this ruthlessly.
A linking verb connects the subject to a word that describes the subject itself, not the action. Common linking verbs include:
- be (is, am, are, was, were)
- seem, appear, become
- sense verbs: feel, taste, smell, look, sound
After a linking verb, the modifier describes the subject (a noun), so you need an adjective, not an adverb.
- ✅ "The soup tastes good." → "good" (adjective) describes "soup"
- ❌ "The soup tastes well." → "well" is an adverb, this implies the soup has a functioning sense of taste
- ✅ "She feels bad about the mistake." → "bad" (adjective) describes "she"
- ❌ "She feels badly about the mistake." → "badly" is an adverb, this implies her sense of touch is impaired
On test day, if you see a sense verb or any form of "be," pause and ask: is this verb describing an action, or is it linking the subject to a description? If it's linking, choose the adjective. This single check can save you from the SAT's most common modifier trap.
SAT Strategy: A Three-Step Process
When you spot a question where answer choices swap between adjective and adverb forms, use this process:
- Find the target word. What is the blank modifying? Locate the verb, noun, or adjective the answer word connects to.
- Classify the target. Is it a noun/pronoun? → You need an adjective. Is it a verb/adjective/adverb? → You need an adverb.
- Check for linking verbs. If the verb is linking (be, seem, feel, sound, etc.), the modifier actually describes the subject, so choose the adjective.
This takes about ten seconds once you've practiced it. Let's put it to work.
Practice Adjectives vs. Adverbs with SAT-Style Questions
These questions mirror the format and difficulty of real SAT Reading and Writing questions. Work through them in order, they start straightforward and build to the trickier patterns.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Key Takeaways for Adjectives vs. Adverbs
- Identify the target word first. If the modifier describes a noun or pronoun, you need an adjective. If it describes a verb, adjective, or adverb, you need an adverb.
- Linking verbs are the trap. Verbs like be, seem, feel, appear, taste, smell, look, sound, and become take adjectives, not adverbs, because the modifier describes the subject, not the action.
- Don't trust your ear alone. The SAT designs wrong answers to "sound right." Apply the rule, pick the answer, and move on with confidence.
- When two choices differ only by -ly, the question is testing this exact concept. That's your cue to find the target, check for a linking verb, and choose accordingly.
Conclusion: The Core Rule for Adjectives vs. Adverbs
Adjective-vs.-adverb questions follow a single, learnable pattern. Once you train yourself to find the target word and check for linking verbs, these questions become fast, confident pickups, the kind of points that add up quietly and make a real difference in your score. Practice until the three-step process feels automatic, and on test day, you'll handle these in seconds while other students are still second-guessing.
Remember: Find the target, classify it, check for linking verbs. Three steps, ten seconds, one more point on the board.
About the Instructor
