CHAPTER English Grammar

ERRORS IN USE OF ARTICLES Useof'T/ie'

ARTICLES
i
i
1. When we spe, , ,11l or· a par~1cu
, • 1ar penwn or thin g
Definite a1ready referred to.
1~ t e e.g. I diiilike the f'e llo~.
(A,An) (l'he)
2. When a singular noun represents a whole class.
Useof'An'
Before words beginning with vowel sounds , e.~. The mango is considered t/ie king among fruits.
1· (a. e, i, o, u are called vowels, others are consonants]. ,t With name of /
e.g. an apple, an egg, an owl. (i) gulfs, ~ivers, oceans, islands and mountains e.g.
2. Before words beginning with silent 'h' but sounds th e Himalayas, the Indian ocean, the Persian
as vowel. Gulf, th e Red sea, the Andaman islands, the
e.g. an hour, an honourable man, an heir, an Brahmaputra river.
/wnest man. (ii) Certain books
3. F H L, M, N, R, S, X are letters that are not e.g. th e Vedas, the Puranas, the Bible, the
v~w~ls but'begin with vowel sound 'M' has the Ramacharitmanas.
sound of'em'. So, 'an' is used before abbreviations (iii ) Musical instruments
beginning with vowels of these letters.
. e.g. th e flut e, the violin , the tabla , the trumpet.
e.g. an M.L.A., an R.A.F." an N. C. C. officer, (w) The inventions
an Fl.R., an X-ray, an H.E. school, an S.P.
e.g. I hate the telephone for its constant ringing.
Useof'A' (v) Parts of body
1. In the sense of one.
e.g. He couldn't spealt a word to save himself e.g. He was wounded in the leg.
With 'one' (since 'one' begins with sound of 'w') (vi) Religious groups
e.g. a one-man show, a one-rupee note. e.g. the Sikhii, the Hindus, the Parsees.
2. Before words beginning with consonant sound (vii) Names enforcing law
e.g. a boy, a box, a dog. e.g. the Police, the Na vy, the Air Force.
3, With Vowel letters having consonant value. (v iii)Political parties
e.g. a university, a unique article, a euphenism, e.g. the Congress, the Janata Pary, the B.J.P.
a unit, a European language (i.x) Aeroplanes, ships, trains etc
. 4. With units and rate (per). e.g. the Makalu (aeroplane), the Vik rant (Ship),
e.g. He earns rupees five hundred a month. the Rajdhani express (train).
5. In exclamatory expressions before singul ar (x) Befor e names of an empire, dynasty or
countable nouns. historical event
e.g. What a pretty girl ! e.g. the Gupta dynastry, the Old Stone Age, the
6. When two subjects or articles are thought of as a First World Wa,; the American Revolution.
single unit. (xi ) Clubs, foundations etc.

e.g. He was ready with a cup and saucer. e.g. the Lion's Club, the Ford Foundation.
7. With certain expressions of quantity. (xii ) Before common nouns denoting unique things
e.g. a lot of, a doze,i, a great deal of, a couple. e.g. the sun, the sliy, the earth, the worl.
8. With a person's name to indicate that the person (xiii ) With superlatives
is perhaps unknown to the person addressed. e.g.He is the best boy in the class.
e.g. A Mr. ray is at the door. (xiv) With ordinals
9. With a special meal (to celebrate something or in e.g. He took the first taxi that came his way.
someone's honour). (xv) Before the comparative degree
e.g. I cal1R.d my friends to a lunch to celebmte my success. e.g. The more they get, the more they want.
10. To make a common noun of a proper noun.
(xvi ) Before an adjective wh en th e noun is
e.g. This man is 'a second Newton '. understood
(This phrase means 'a philosopher as great as e.g. The poor would favour him.
Newton?
 English Gr am ma r
1.2
tlw (w ld.
.
ra ~/11 ,f Illtha n J(Oal .
NOUNS I M l/ I ' a Rh ,,ep µ •
ERRORS IN USE OF
aptb•: .c tl'am, au dience.
used iu sin1,rular form Sh f'l'/J are soitl che
1. Nouns which art1
a-
I .' nce, con g reg
turC', ad vic e " ,1s'JUfY,Lpu~ud1e
nt ion , fu rn i ( ..JCollC'd1.vc noun 1,ern n ''
li l Sc en ery . inf orm : u com mi tte e, gov
rnc
news . po etrv. bu siness
ma ch ine ry. stutionery, air. heddi1~g . , · g quite fit.
misch ief. fuel, iss ue.
rep lion, orcheSlra. ·e Loo,un
ed up yet.
pla ce is ll'orth seeing. g The tea m ar
e. . e tea m ha s no
t tur n
e.g. Th e sce ne ry of't his cs. Th
tic s, Econo mics. Classi le
(iiJ Ph ysi cs. Ma the ma 1in gs. gal lows. ns mo b of an gr y pe ~p
Eth ics , Athletic s. UU Use of Co lle cti ve.N ou h . s/c nu - rs
.:e
' interesting subject. 4. • cr ow d of peo p le •• fle et of s ip
e.g. Ec on om ics is a L'el) k of wolve · s
. wo (as 'promise')
rd h r d of ca ttle/cows • pa c
liiiJBrick, bre ad , fruit • e • pa ck of ca rd s
it. • tea m of players
e.g . Le t me buy some fru • lo af of bre ad
red, thousand, • fli gh t of birds
(fr ) Words like dozen , score, hu nd he ap of co rn
by a nu me ral. · • bo uq ue t of flo wers
million when preceded : sto ck of gr am
e.g. He bough t ten do zen
ora nges. • Sh oa l/s ch oo l of fi sh
e note, a two -hour la ss of pu pil s
1
Ex pressions as a ten -ru pe • bu nd le of sti.cks • C
v)
lk, Five-yea r pla n, a
a • bu nc h of gr ap es
journey, a four-mjle wa • ar my of sol iliers
six -m an committee etc
. • he rd of lio ns
• flock of sh_eep
e.g . A ten-rupee note is
lying there. • pi le'of bo oks
• cr ew of sailor s
2. No un s us ed on ly
in plu ra l form h ar de of no ma ds
pe op le , ge ntr y,
• sw ar m of bees
e , po
Ca ttl e . po licult ry, : bl :c k of fla ts
(i J _ • ga rla nd o~beads
peasantry, artillery. • file of pa pe r s
ght the efthi • ga ng of th ieve~
e.g. The po lic e ha ve cau 11 db ,· plw -al wo rd s.
s, spe ctades ' shorts. • lib ra ry of booofks_
fo owe .,
Scissors, trousers, stockin is
b k hept 011 the tab
le.
(J'
(ii)
0
ds ' meas1es. Y
alms, remain
• h es,
. s, nc goo 5. One of ortanne of the 00 s e.
sha rp. in I , erue the pu rp os
e.g. My scissors are very l e.g. wan o se too ls maJ s . d de cim al
as sin lar and plura
gu An )' of the h fract10ns an
3. No un s used both ns are use d ,vit
th e sa me form 6. Plw·al n ou
ratus , wages . ove r 1.
De ar, sheep, fish , appa a ha lf ho ur s.
e.g. It too k us one an d
(i) .
h.
Th ew ag es ofs ini sdeat ve bee n raised.
rs ha
e.g. Th e wages ofthe worke
dy mention ed
E OF PR ON OU NS s a ;a .
ERRORS IN USrds noun group
s are wo use d to replace noAuns or tive/ os Re fie.ii ve
Pronoun Nominative/ ccura Pr on ou n
ca se
Objective case
Vocative case
(comes afi er verb)
(comes before verb) My My sel f
I Me
Ow · Ou rselve s
We Us
Hi s Hi ms elf
He Him
He r He rse lf
She He r
Th em Th eir Th em sel ve s
They
Whom Whose
Who
e ca se.
e's'. on ou p m the obJectiv
mu st be followed by 'on 5. 'Le t' is followed by pr
1. The pronoun 'On e' _
duty 's country.
to one e.g. Let him go.
e.g. One must do one's noun followed by p r on ou
n in the
'on e in nu mb er', the pro 'Bu t' an d 'ex ce pt' are
2. When 'one' means (he, she, 6.
objective case.
sin gu lar pronoun
for it is thi rd person ep t him .
d the pa r(y exc
it). e.g. Everyone att en de bje cti ve
en up one 's studies. ( x) by pr on ou n in the su
e.g. One ofthem has giv 'such as' is followed
up his studies. ( ✓) case.
On e of them has given
body' must be followed
by 'his '. su ch a ma n as he.
3. 'Everyone' or 'Every e.g. I have no lik ing for
e his country. ply, ac qu it,
e.g. Everyon e should lov ail , pr ide , res ign , ap
ed 7. Verbs lik e enjoY, av on ou ns .
, anybody mu st be follow lowed by ref lex ive pr
4. Each, every, anyone un of the ir pe rso n. ass ert , ab se nt are fol
by the sin gu lar pro no elf fro m the cla ss.
e.g. He absen ted hi ms
s if he tries. at the pa rty.
e.g. Anyone can do thi We enjoyed ourselves
English Grammar
1.3
8. Refi exi\' e µrm~oun s ure neve r used
conceal, qu uhty, spre ad, rest. staywith Vl'rbs kee
. P, PARTS OF SPEECH
e.g. I stay<'d away fi·o m my rla .~s.
He qu alified in the test . 'I,he parts of spe ech explain
• h
ow a wo rd is used in a
9. When firs t, seco nd and thir sentence.
d pers on sing ular
pronoun s l ~. you and He) are used There are eight main parts of spee
are placed m the orde r : You , he together, the ch (also known as
and I. y word classes): nouns, pronouns,
e.g. You he and I are neig hbours. adjectives, verbs,
adv erb s, pre pos itio ns, con
In case of plur al pron oun s, 'we' jun ctio ns a nd
comes first then interjections .
·you ' and then 'the y'.
' Most parts of speech can be divided
e.g. We, you and they mus t work toge into sub-classes.
ther. Prepositions can be divided into prep
But if we hav e only two persons ositions of time,
incl
then firs t pers on pron oun is wri tten uding first prepositions of place etc. Nouns can
be divided into
first. ' proper nouns, common nouns, conc
e.g. I and Sanjeev have done this job. rete nouns etc.
10. 'Who' denotes subject and 'who It is important to know that a word
m' denotes object. can sometimes be
e.g. Who do you think did the job ? in more than one part of speech.
For example with
the word increase.
11. 'Whose' is use d for pers ons and
'which' for lifeless Increase can be a verb e.g. Prices incr
objects.
eased
e.g. This is the table which I was talk and increase can also be a noun
ing about. e.g. There was an
12. 'Which' conveys additional info increase in the number of followers .
rmation and 'tha t'
explains a cert ain thin g. The eigh t main parts of speech
e.g. I will tell you the first thing whic in English are:
h I remember. I.N OU N
13. The following expressions usually
take 'that' in place A nou n is the name of a person,
of 'who' or 'wh ich'. place, thing, or
Only, Any, It is, All, Sup erla tive s. idea.
e.g. He is the only man that can do man .. . Butte College ... house ... happine
it. ss
Any man that listens to you is a fool. A noun is a word for a person, plac
e, thing, or idea.
14. 'Each other' is used for two ; 'one Nouns are often used with an artic
ancther' for more le (the, a, an), but
than two . not always. Proper nouns always star
t with a capital
e.g. Rah ul and Renu love each othe letter; common nouns do not. Nou
ns can be singular
r.
15. The com plem ent of the verb or plural, concrete or abstract . Nou
to be , whe n it is ns show poss ession
exp ress ed by a pron oun , should by adding 's. Nouns can function
be in Nominative in different roles
case . with in a sentence; for example,
a noun can be a
e.g. It was he who did it. sub je ct , dire ct object, ind irec
t object, sub ject
16. Wh en the same person is the subj complement, or object of a prepositi
on.
ect and object, it
is necessary to use reflexive pron Exa mpl es of nou ns: Daniel, Lon
oun s. don, table, dog,
e.g. I cut me sha ving this morning teacher, pen, city, happiness, hope
. (x)
I cut mys elf shaving this morning. Example sent ences:
(✓ )
17. Wh en a pro nou n is the obje
ct of a ver b or • Steve live s in Sydney . Mary
prep osit ion it should be in objectiv uses pen and
e case. paper to write lett ers .
e.g. These book s are for you and I.
( x) • The young girl brought me a very
These book s are for you and me. (✓) long letter
Bet wee n him and me ther e is an from the t.e.ailie.r, and then she
und erst and ing. quickly
18. The Rel ativ e Pro nou n should disappeared. Oh my!
be placed as nea r as
possible to the ante c€d ent. 2.PRONOUN
e.g. I have read Shakespeare's wor A pro nou n is a wor d use d in pla
ks who was a ce of a noun.
great dramatist. (x)
She .. . we ... they.. . it
I have read the works of Shakespeare
who was A pronoun is a word used in place of
a great dramatist.( ✓ ) a noun. A pr~nou?
19. The case of the pron oun followi!1 is usually sub stitu ted for a spec
g 'tha n' and 'a s' is ific noun, which is
dec ided by men tall y sup plym th call ed its antecedent. In the sent
g e verb a nd ence above, the
completing the sentence. antecedent for the pronoun she is
the girl. Pronouns
e.g. She is taller than I (am) are furt her defined by type: persona
l pronouns refer
I love more than (I love) him. to specific persons or thin gs; P?
ssessive pronouns
indicate ownership; reflexive pr?n
ouns are used to
I
1.4 English Grammar
emphasize another noun or pronou uestions of wh en. where, how
n; relative pronouns answers tl1e q , why,
introduce a subordinate clause;
and den~ onstrative under what con d).tions, or to what degree. Adverbs
pronouns identify, point to, or refe often end in -ly.
r to nouns.
Examples of pronouns: I, you Examples: slow ly, quietly, very
, we, they, he, she, it, . always, never. too ,
me, us, them, him , her, this, thos well, tomorrow, here
e
Example sentences: Exampl e sentences:
• Mary is tired. She wants t.o
slee p. I want her • 1am usually busy. Yesterday.
I ate my lunch
to dance with me . quickl y.
• The young girl brought me • The youn g girl brought me
a very long letter a very long !ett er
from the teacher, and the n from th e tea cher. and then
she quickl y she quickly
disappe are d. Oh my! di sappea red . Oh my'
3.VERB 6. PREPOSITION
Averb expresses action or bei A prepos ition is a word pla ced
ng. before a noun or
jump ... is ... u-rite ... become pronoun to form a phrase
mod ifying anot lwr
The verb in a sentence expresses word in th e sent enc(• .
action or bein g. There
is a main verb and sometimes hy 1uth oh1111t 111,fll
one or mor e helpin~
verbs. \"Sh e can sing." Sing is the th>· tlw tn•t•. 11 1th nu 1 fnl'nd,
main verb : can is ,i\ w1ut thL· IH 1,,k until
the helping verb .) Averb must agre
e "~th its subj ect in tom orro11 1
number \both are singular or both
are plural l. Verbs Aprepo~1 l1tm 1, J 11 ord pl.1n•d \·
also take different forms to express d un· .11111u111,1 p11111•J1II
tens e. to form a phra,L• m11d1f1111g
Examples: go, speak, run , eat , play an11tlll'r 11 01cl 111 th1
, live , walk. have, ~Pn tenrt• Tlwn•f11 n· .1 Jll l pu ,n11
like , are , is 1
1n 1, ,1\11,1>, l' 11 l ,I 1
pn' po:-lltonal phra -1· Thv pn•p11,
Example sentences: 1u,111,d phr ,i-. ,1i1 ,,t
a\11 a~:- function, a, :111 .1dJ L't l1
1l' 111 ,1, ,111 ,Ill\ , 1l ·1 I 1
• I like Woodward English . I stu foll oll'lll~ h:-1111clud,·, tlw 11111-t rnn1
dy their cha11 , 1rn111 pt ,•p11,1t1"1 ,
and play their games. Exumpl6· at. on . 111 .from, 11 1th.
• The you ng girl brought me nl•,11 I,, t1•..·,·11 .1\,.,ut
a very long letter und er
from the teacher, and then Ex ample :-ent encb
she quickly
disapl):ear.e.d. Oh my!
• I left m> hi'~ on th t' uli lt' for
4. ADJECTIVE >ou
• The young girl hrnugh t lllt' a ver
An adjective modifies or des y \on!,! lt•tt, 1
cribes a noun or f'rnm tlw teachL' r. and then
pronoun. -h1 qui ck! )
disappeared. Oh nw '
pretty... old ... blue... sm art
7. CONJUNCTION
An adjective is a wor u. used to
modify or describe a Aconjunction join s words,
noun or a pronoun . It usually ans phrase !>, or da w,t,.,.
wers the question of
which one , what kind, or how man and ... but ... or. .. 11•h1ll' .. becouw
y. (Articles la, an. •
the] are usually classified as adje A conjunction joins 11 urd s. phr
ctives.) ase:- . or clau,e, a, ,n
Examples: big, happy, green, you indicat es the relat ionship bet1
ng, fun , crazy, three 1een th<· 1·l1111 ,,111,
Example sentences: joi ned. Coo rdin atin g con
junn1u n, cci11ni-t t
• The little girl had a pink hat grammatically equal element s:
. and . but. or. n1n . fur
so, yet. Subordinating conJunctio
• T he ~ girl brought me a very th at are not n:' connect dau ~r
long letter equal: because. although. \\h tlP.
from the teacher, and then ' l11l!' .
she quickl y etc. There are other types of con
disappeared. Oh my! junctio ns as well.
5.ADVERB !~amples: and , or. but , because,
so. yet. unle1:,s . smct•
An adverb modifies or Examp le sentences:
describes a verb an
adjective, or another adverb
. '
gently... extremely... carefully... ' I was hot and exhausted but
well the marath on. I still fin i8hed
An adverb describes or modifies
a v~rb , an adjective, • The young girl brought me
or another adverb , but nev a \'erv long letter
er a noun. lt usually f~om the teacher, and then
disappeared . Oh mi ~he quickl )
English Grammar 1.5

s. INTERJECTION things but before the word which starts with a

consonant letter.
An interjecti on is a word used to express
e.g. Divide the sweets among the three boys.
emotion.
5. Amongst is also used with more than two persons
oh.'... Wo w!... Oops! or things but before the word which starts with a
An inte 1j ection is a word used to express emotion. It vowel letter.
is often followed by an exclamation point. e.g. Divide the sweets amongst us.
Examples: Ouch! Wow! Great! Help! Oh! Hey! Hi! 6. Above is used for higher than.
Example sentences: e.g. The sun rose above the horizon.
• Wow! I passed my English test. Great! - Ouch! 7. Under is used for vertically below.
That hurt. e.g. It is shady under the trees.
8. Below is used for lower than.
• The young girl brought me a very long letter
from the teacher, and then she quickly
e.g. When the sun sets it goes below the horizon.
9. Over is used for vertically above.
disappeared. ~ ! e.g. There is an aircraft coming over.
ERRORS IN USE OF PREPOSITIONS 10. Beneath means a lower position.
A preposition i.s a word used with a no~n or pronoun e.g. the ground was slippery beneath her.
to show its relat10n to some other word m a sentence. PREPOSITIONS OF DIRECTION
PREPOSITIONS OF TIME 1. To is used to express motion from one place to
another.
1. At is used
e.g. We walked to the river and back.
(a) with a definite point of time
2. Towards refers to direction.
e.g. I usually get up at 5 o'clock. e.g. He saw me running towards him.
(b) with festivals 3. Into denotes motion towards the inside of
e.g. He will come at Hali. something.
2. In is used : e.g. She fell into a ditch.
(a) with the parts of the day, (with noon, use at), 4. At refers to aim.
months, seasons and years e.g. He aimed at the bird.
e.g. He takes a walk in the afternoon. 5. For denotes direction.
(b) with the future tense referring to the period in e.g. I will leave for Pune today.
which action may take place 6. Against shows pressure.
e.g. She cleaned the edge of her knife against the
e.g. You must be careful in future.
plate.
3. On is used : with days and dates 7. Off refers to separation.
e.g. My brother will arrive on Monday. e.g. He was wiping sweat offhis face.
4. By refers to the latest time at which an action will 8. From refers to the point of departure.
be over e.g. The man parted from his friend s.
e.g. The examination will be over by 5 p.m. OTHER USES OF PREPOSITION
5. For is used with perlect continuous tense showing 1. About shows nearness.
the duration of action e.g. His father is about to retire.
e.g. I have been here for three years. 2. Along stands for in the same line.
6. Since is used with the point of time when action e.g. She led them along the corridor.
begins and continues : 3. After refers to sequence.
e.g. He has been ill since last Tuesday. e.g. She came after me.
4. Across means from one side.
7. From refers to the starting point of action.
e.g. He blew a cloud of smoke across the table.
e.g. This water came from a spring.
5. Before stands for in front of.
PREPOSITIONS OF POSITION e.g. A thief was brought before the judge.
1. At refers to an exact point. 6. Behind means at the the back of.
e.g. The tourist stayed at the Tourist Hotel. e.g. She sat down behind the hedge.
He studied at Oxford. .. 7. Beyond means on the farther side of.
2. In refers to larger areas. e.g. This is beyond his power.
e.g. He lives in Bombay. 8. Beside means by the side of.
3. Between is used for two persons or two things. e.g.! sat down beside my wife.
•e.g. Share these sweets between him and me. 9. Be:,ides means in addition to.
4. Among is used with more than two persons or e.g. He is guilty of five killings and more besides.
 'Fa
J

Engllsh Grammar
1 .6
WORDS FOLLOWED BY PREPOSITIONS
• endowwith • pleased with
A • conducive to
• abound \\ith • confer on • enlarge on • prefer to
• abstain from • confirmation of • engage in • preference for
• according to • conform to • essential to • present with
• accordance with • congratulate on • expostulate with • prevent from
• accuse of • conscious of • extend to • priority to
• accustomed to • contiguity with F, G, I • probe into
• acquaint with • converge on • fed up with • prohibit from
• acquit of • convictof • focus on • proud of
• adverse to • co-opt to • forbid to R,S
• affiliate to/with • copewith • fraught with • recoil from
• afflict with • correspond with • fritter in • reconcile to
• afraid of • converge on • full of • remand to
• agree to/on • convict of • give to • remonstrate with
• aim at • co-opt to • grapple with • repent of
• allegation • copewith • good at • replete with
• about • correspond with • identical with
• cost of • reply to
• allude to • impose on
• credit with • research on
• alternate with • incur on
• criticism of • resolve on/to
• alternative to • indict for
• angrywith • cure of • sail for
• indifferent to • satiate with
• apply to (body) D • indulge in
• appreciation of • decide on • infatuate with • satisfied with
• apprise of • debarfrom • infect with • sentence to
• approximate of • delightin • infest with • sick of
• arraign against • deliberate on • information on • side with
• arrest in • denudeof • insensible to • sparing
• arrive at/in • depart to • insist on • square with
• ashamedof • departure for • interest in • st ickler for
• aspire to/after/at • depend on/upon • intimate to • subversive of
• associate with • deprive of • intoxicate with • succeed in
• assure of • derive from • intrigue with • sue for
• attribute to • derogate from • intrude on
• derogatory to • superior to
B,C • investigation of • supply with
• besetwith • desist from • involve in
• despairof • sure of
• beware of J,K,L • surprised at
• blinkat • detrimental to
• devoid of • jealous of • su sceptible to
• boast of • jeer at
• break.off • difficulty in • su spect of
• diffident of • jump at
• bungle over • sympathy for
• just to
• careful of • disabuse of T,U,V, W
• disagree with • knock at
• cause of • lash at • testify to
• centre on • disgusted with • thank for
• dispose of • lay siege to
• charge with • leave for • throw at
• clamour for • dissociate from
• divestof • live on (income) • tinker at
• clampon • long for
• divide into • tire of
• coerce into
• collide with • dressedin O,P • trace to
E • oblivious of • trample on
• comment on
• effort in (-ing) • operate on • translate into
• compatible with
• complain of • election to • opinion on • try to (do)
• comply with • embroil in · • overcome with
• unequal to (the task)
• complimen t on • emphasis on • pay a call on
• persevere in • vie with
• composed of • employ in
• enamoured of • persist in • vote for (a candidate)
• concurin • plan for • wait for (or await)
• condole with • encroach on
• pleadfor • ways of
• wish for
 English Grammar 1. 7
SOME SPECfil CASES 3. No sooner is followed by than.
• absolve from (blame) / of (sin) e.g. No sooner did we reach there than it began to
• admit to (hospital, place, class) rain.
• appear for (examination)/at 4. Not only is followed by but also.
• begin on (not from Sunday) e.g. Not only did he help her, but also dropped her
• blow down (the rooD/off (steam)/over (pass off) home safely.
5. Lest is negative and so should not be followed by
• buy in (market, store)/at (shop) not; it is followed by should.
• come/go by (bus, train) e.g. Work hard lest you should fail .
• come into (conflicit with) If would or may is used in place of should, then
• compare with (one man height with another's)/to else should be used in place oflest.
(one man's height to a building) e.g. Give him water, else he may die.
• consist of (to denote the substance)/in (define the 6. Both is complemented by and, not by as well aE.
subject) e.g. Both Amit and Satish are good at Science.
• deal with (somebody)/ in (goods) 7. So ..... as ~s used in negative sentences, whereas
as .. ...as 1s used in affirmative sentences.
• die of (disease)/from (other causes)
e.g. He is not so tall as his brother.
• differ from (to be different from)/with (to disagree)
8. Other is followed by than.
• due to (used after a noun, not after a verb)
e.g. He has no other claim than his wealth.
• entrust to (somebody a job) 9. The word reason is not followed by because, but
• entrust (somebody) with a job) by that.
• fill with (enthusiasm)/ in (a form ) e.g. The reason why he didn't go was that his
• fire at (when not hit)/on (when injured to killed) mother was ill.
• gladof(the news)/at (having arrived safe) 10. Because denotes reason.
• hostility to/in hand (being attended to)/ on hand (in in order that denotes purpose.
possession oD e.g. He went to the doctor because he was ill.
• ingratiate (oneselD with 11. Words such as regard, describe, define, treat,
• inquire into (matter)I of (person)/about. often (thing) mention, depict, portray are followed by as.
• invest with (power/in (blank) e.g. I regard her as my sister.
12. As and since are also used to express reason.
• key of (the door)/to (a problem)
e.g. As he was not there, I spoke to his brother.
• level (charge) against.
13. Neither is followed by nor and both are followed
• look at (consider evidence)/to (somebody for aid) by same auxiliary verb.
• meeting (called) for (Sunday) e.g. Neither Ravi nor Raju was seen.
• motive in (doing)/for (an act) 14. Either is followed by or.
• neglect of (duty)/in (doing a thing) e.g. Either you are or he is to blame.
• nominated to (board) 15. Unless, until, if not, so that should not be
• noted for (good things) followed by not.
• owing to (used after a verb, not after a noun ) e.g. Wait here until I come.
• part from (people)/with (things) 16. If is used in conditional series
• preventive for priority Whether is used in uncertainty.
• putout(light)/off(trip) e.g. I don't know whether he was present.
• Shoot at (when injured)/in (leg, head) 17. To express time before use until or till and to
express how long use as long as.
• take up Uob)/to (a hobby)
e.g. Work as long as you live.
• taste of (sensation)/for (liking)
18. Such is followed by as.
• tear off(remove)/up (to pieces)
e.g. We talked about such subjects as the weather.
• vest with (The P.M. is vested with power to ...)/ in
(Powers are vested in the P.M. to ...) Such is followed by that if we emphasize degree
of something by mentioning the result.
ERRORS IN USE OF CONJUNCTIONS
e.g. The extent of the disaster was such that not a
1. Scarcely or hardly is followed by when. single man could survive.
e.g. Hardly had I slept when the telephone rang. 19. Like is followed by pronoun; as is followed by a
2. Though is followed by yet. clause.
e.g. Though he worked hard yet he failed. e.g. He runs like me.
 English Grammar
, .8
But these words a re singular when they refer to a
ERllORS IN SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT study science or practice. If t hese words have
1. Singular subject must have singular verb. ;nodifiers with them, they become plural and hence
e.g. He writes; I write. take plural verbs. . .
2. Plural subject must have plural verb. e.g . His politics are somewhat divided.
e.g. Th ey write; We write. 14. Title of the books need singular verbs.
3. 1\vo subjects joined by and will always take a plu- e.g . Great Expectations is a good _book.
ral verb. lS. Some nouns in the plural form r e~resent an
e.g. The doctor and nurse work together. amoun, t a frac tion • or an elementdh
of time. These
tak ·
Th e doctor and nurses work together. nouns are considered singular an ence e sm-
The doctors and nurse work together. gular verbs. . .
Sixty minutes is enough to finish this work .
4. Toro singular subjects joined by or or nor will take . ~ - ll
a singular verb. 16. If two subjects are joined togeth er by as ~e as
the verb will act according to the first subJec~.
e.g. A doctor or a nurse is working in the hospital.
e.g. Students as well as the teacher are playing.
5. A singular subject and a plural subject joined by_or
or nor will take a singular or plural verb depending 17. The subject Many a ..... is always followed by the
on which subject is nearer the verb. singular verb.
e.g. Neither Deepak nor his friends are joining the e.g. Many a man was drowned in the sea:
tour. 18. If two subjects are joined togeth_er by with t he
Neither his friends nor Deepak is joining the verb will act according to t he subJect.
tour. e.g. The principal together with his students was
6. If the subject is singular and the predicate is plural, seeing the final match.
the verb must agree with its subject and not its 19. Ifsubject is The number of ... use a singular verb.
predicate. e.g. The number of boohs is very small.
e.g . Physical conditioning and mental attitude are 20: If the subject begins wit h A number of ....
winning combination. (= many), use a plural verb.
The winning combination is physical e.g. A number of books a re missing.
conditioning and mental attitude.
21. If two subjects express one idea, use a singular
7. Indefinite pronouns such as
verb.
someone , somebody, each, nobody, anyone, e.g. Bread and butter is wholesome food.
anybody, one, no one, everyone, everybody, either,
neither, etc. always take a singular verb. 22. When adjectives such as much, less, little and
more are u sed as nouns . th ey must ha ve a
e.g . Each ofmy friends calls me once a month. singular verb.
8. Indefinite pronouns which indicate more than one e.g. A little ofgood habits ma hes our life happy.
(several, few, both, many) always take plural verbs
ERRORS IN THE USE OF TENSES
e.g. Both ofthe books required careful reading.
The ch anged form s of a verb that indicate time of the
9. Collective nouns (fleet, army, committee, crowd)
action are called tenses of t he verb.
are singular when the group works together as a
unit and hence take singular verbs. 1. When the verb in the Prin cipal Clause is in th e
e.g. The jury has reached its verdict. Past tense, the verbs of the Subordinate Cla uses
should be in the Past tense.
10. Collective nouns are plural when the members of
the group are acting individually and hence take e.g. He said that he had finished his wnrh.
plural verbs. 2. But a past tense in the Principal Clause may 01·
may not be follwoed by the Past tense in the sub-
e.g. The jury have argued for fi ve hours.
ordinate clause if the latter expresses un viersal
11. Some words (such as news, measles, mumps etc. ) or habitual truth.
end in -s but represent a single thing. These words
need singular verbs.
e.g. The teacher said that the earth revolves round
the sun.
e.g. The 7 o'clock news is about to begin. 3. Any tense may be used in the sub-ordinate clause
12. Some words (such as scissors, trousers, spectacles, ifit gives a comparison by using the word than.
shorts etc.) end in - s and seem to represent a
e.g. The teacher likedAnil better than he liked me.
single thing, but they are two parts to that single
thing. These words take plural verbs. 4. Any tense can be used when the subordinate clause
is in a quotation.
e.g. The scissors are on the table.
e.g. I said, "I am going to Delhi today".
13 Words (such as politics, ethics, athletics etc. ) that
· end in -ies are usually singular and hence take 5. The Present Perfect Tense (subject + has/have
+ V3 ) cannot be used when an expression of Past
singular verbs. . . time (yesterday, last night, ago etc. ) is used.
e.g. Mathematics is his favourite sub.1ect.
e.g. We wrote to you yesterday about his motha
~ -Jg,•.-:=--

Engksh Grammar 1.9

~ ln l'tmdith,nal ~"'n~em-es the st~bordinnte rlnuse. INFINITIVE (TO+ VI )

l>c:'.:1 nuuig \\ nh 1f. 1s generall>· m Present or Past 1. Verbs such as learn, remem ber, promise, swear,
t t'l;St' but not in fut ure tense. consent. neglect, r efu se. purpose, t ry, endeavou r,
.: V I !N to D..·lhi. I shall Set' the Red Fort. attempt. fail, care. hope , decide, hesitate, prepare,
~th
~Y the;hnu:e-s as if and as though, P ast tense determine. undertake, manage, arrange, seem,
,Uld plural form of the \·erb should be used. forget, agree. regret etc. are followed by infinitive:
t',i., Ht· b,:hm·es as if he icere a millionaire. e.g. We endeavour to invite such persons.
& Past Pt.>rft>et ten~ (subject+ h ad+ is tL'-ed when
y., ) We promise to do this work soon.
a ~ntenre refers to two past actions and one of 2. Verbs such as order. tell. invite, oblige. allow,
them O('('Uf'S earlier than the other. permit. compel. teach , instruct, advise, tempt,
.-.g. Whm my uncle mme to India I had passed encourage. urge. request, show, remind, forbid ,
.\Lt warm etc. are followed by object and infinitive
9. Words like usually. generally, often, whenever e.g. The teacher instructed th e students to go.
etc. are u:Sed in Present Indefinite tense. 3. Verbs or expressions like-will, can, do, must, may,
r.g. I usually go to play cricket. let are followed by infinitiYe without to
10. If the action began in the past and is still continu- e.g. Let him do this 1cork.
in!r in the present. use P resent Perfect tense 4. E~-pressions like would rather, woU.: .l sooner, rather
lS~bject + hru; ha Ye + been ,-:+ ing\. than. sooner than. had better are followed by infinitive
r.g. I hare bec>n reading in this class for t1co \\ithout to
months. e.g. fou had better tell him.
n. Do not use the Future or the Present tense after 5. See can be used with infinitive or without it
such e...-q,ressions as suppose that, it is high c>.g. Go to see him.
time. it is time. as if etc. 6. The infinitiYe is used after adjectives like delight.
e.g. It is high time> that you 1cent hom<'. angry. glad. astonished
GERUND & Th'FINITIVE e.g. I 1cas astonished to find him.
Use of Gerund (V 1 + ing) i. The Yerb know is neYer directly followed by the
1. "1len an action is being considered in gene r al infi nitiYe. It is follo,\·ed by a conjunction and then
sense. gerund is used as ;:ubject. the infinitiYe
e.g. Sicimming is his famu rite paHime. e.g. Do you kn oic to play the harmonium ? (x )
2. Gerund i;: used as subject in ;:hort proh ibition:o Do you kn o1c hou• to play th e harmonium ?( ✓ )
e.g. Smoking is prohibited. 8. ...had better is ahrnys followed by th ~ infinitive
3. Verbs such as help. :otop. dete;:t. aYoid. finish. dr ead. ,,ithoutto
mind, preYent. dislike. risk. deny. rffollect. no good. e.g. fo u had b£tter to stop taking the medicine
no use. resent. delay. postp on e. defe r. enjo \·. 1chich ha s harmful side-effects. ( x )
forgiw. pardon . excuse. suggest etc. are follo ,,·ed fo u had better stop taking the medicine which
by the gerund. has harm ful side-effects. ( ✓)
e.g. It is no use saying. 9. Infinitin is not u sed with to after verbs of
4. A gerund is placed after a preposition : perception like-to see. to hear, to feel , to watch
etc.
e.g. She is tired ol1ralking.
But the preposition s except and but are follo ,,·ed e.g. I sou· him cross the street.
by an infi.nitiYe. 10. AYoid using split-infinitive :
5. Agerund. showing physical acti,ity. i;: put after come e.g. He planned to not goon a vacation thisyear. (x)
or go He planned nottogo on a vacation this year. (✓)
e.g. He is to go shooting. AUXILIARY VERBS
6. Nouns , followed by a ge rund. are put in th e These are helping ~·erbs.
possessiYe case. 1. May implies permission, doubt or possibility.
e.g. He hates hi.s brother s drinking el'eryday. e.g. It may rain tonight.
7. Ifthere is a sense of dislike. hesitation, risk etc. in 2. Might is the past form of may but it does not
a sentence, use gerund. necessarily r epresent past time.
e.g. I di.slike rea.ding cheap novels. Often it implies more doubt than may.
8. Adjecti\·e before gerund are put in the pos;:essive e.g. If th e clouds are salted, the rains might come.
case. 3. Can is used to express ability.
e.g. I do not mind your going away. e.g. He can do this work.
9. With a view to is always followed by a gerund 4. Could is the past form of can but it does not
and not an adjective. necessarily represent past time. Often it implies a
e.g. We go to school with a view to studying. more uncertain condition than can.
e.g. She could refuse, but she never does .
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English Grammar 1.11

9 When rompurat.ive degee is used in superlative 8. Latter means the second of two things.
· sense, it is followed by 'an y oth er' .
e.g. Keats and Byron are romantic poets, but I prefer
r.i;. Kapi/ is better lha11 a11y bowie,: (x) the latte,:
~ Kap,:/ is better tha11 a11y other bowle,: ( ✓) Later refers to time.
10. Compound adjective ~ormed_ by adding 'worth' is e.g. She came to school later than I.
placed after the noun 1t qualifies.
ERRORS IN USE OF ADVERBS
e.g. This is a worth seeing sight. ( x) Adverbs are words that add information about
This is a sight worth seeing. ( ✓) the verb.
11. When two or more comparatives are joined by 'and', 1. Adverbs of manner, place and time are usually
they must be in the same degree. placed after the verb or object.
e.g. Russel was one of the wisest and most learned e.g. He was running slowly.
men of the world. Reena does her worh care{ully.
l2. When there are two objects of comparison , then to 2. Adverbs of frequency (e.g. never, often, usually,
avoid repetition of noun, 'that' is used for singular always, rarely, etc. ) and other adverbs (like already,
noun and 'those' for plural noun . almost, just, quite , nearly, hardly) are normally
e.g. The climate of Ran chi is better than Caya. ( x) put between subject and verb. If there is more than
The climate of Ranchi is better th an that of' one word in the verb, they are put after first word.
Ga.ya. (✓) e.g. He ofren goes to Delhi.
13. If comparison is made by using 'other', 'than' is I quite agree with you.
used instead of't ut'. But if verb is 'am', 'is' and 'are', adverb is placed
e.g. He turned out to be no other tlwn 111y old ji-iend. after the verb.
14. Likely, certain and sure are followed by 'to'. e.g. I am never late for school.
e.g. He i.s likely to win. 3. The adverb enough is placed after the adjective.
CONFUSED ADJECTIVES e.g. She is cunning enough to taclde him.
1. Beautiful is used for woman ; handsome for man. 4. 'Ever' is sometimes incorrectly used for 'never'.
e.g. He is a handsome you th . e.g. He seldom or ever tells a. lie. (x)
She is a beautiful girl. He seldom or never tells a lie. ( ✓)
2. Less refers to quantity, fewer denotes number. 5. Adverb 'not' shouldn't be used with words having
e.g. He takes no less than a. litre of milh. negative meaning.
They have fewer boohs than I have. e.g. The teacher forbade me not to go. (x)
3. Last is the final one; Latest is last upto the present. The teacher forbade me to go. ( ✓)
e.g. Z is the last letter of the alpha.bet . 6. The word 'only' should be placed immediately before
This is the la.test edition of th e booh. the word it modifies.
4. Each is used for one of two or more things; every e.g. Hari answered only two questions.
is used for more than two things, taken as a group. 7. An adverb should not be used before an infinitive.
e.g. Each of the two boys was wrong. e.g. He quichly did the job. (x)
He read every booh I gave him. He did the job quichly. (✓)
5. Older refers to persons or things. 8. The auxiliaries have to and used to come after the
e.g. This tree is older than that. adverb.
Elder refers to persons only. e.g. He ofren used to go to cinema.
e.g. He is my elder brother. SOME MORE TIPS OF USAGE
6. Little means 'not much'. 1. Avoid the use oflots, a lot and a whole lot in the
A little means 'at least some'. sense of much or a great deal.
e.g. He slept little. e.g. He expects to earn a lot of money on his sale
He slept a little. of farm products. (x)
7. Farther means 'more distant'. He expects to earn a great deal of money on
Further means 'additional'. his sale of farm products. ( ✓)
e.g. Mumbai is farther than Delhi. 2. Plenty is a noun and is always followed by of.
I shall get further information. e.g. He has plenty of room in his old house.
 English Gra ....
, ., 2 ·••Illar

, Wh en two comp~ratives are used in a senten ce for

3. Due t.o nlways modifies a noun and not u verb. Hence, 14
prop or tion , the 1s used before both of them.
no sentence should begin with due to, it must he e.g. Th e higher we go, the cooler it is.
u sed only after some fo1111 of the verb to be.
. Do the needful is incorrect, write do what is
e.g. H is death was due to natural causes. 15
necessary.
4· Alright is incorrect, u se all right.
l6. Never say family members, say members of the
e.g . I th ink it is a quite alrig ht ifyou stay. ( x)
family.
I think it is quite all right ifyou stay. (✓) e.g. His family members have gone to Mumbai. (-,,.J
S. If the gender is not determined, use the pronoun The members of his family have gone to
of the masculine gender. Mumbai (✓)
e.g. If anybody has got the book let her return it ( x) 17. Else is always followed by but and n ever by than.
If anybody has got the book let him return it ( ✓) e.g. It is nothing else but your prid e which makes
6. When two nouns are closely connected, apostrophe you say such a thing.
- 's will be written after second only. 18. All of is u sed in conversation, not in standard
e.g. Ravi's and Shikha's mother is ill. ( x) written English.
Ravi and Shikha's mother is ill. (✓) e.g. She gave all ofher antiques to the museum (xJ
7. Both and as well as cannot be used together in the She ga ve all her antiques to the m useum ( ✓)
same sentence because both convey the same sense.
19. Talking terms is wrong, u se speaking terms.
e.g. Both Pinki as well as Pooja are beautiful ( x)
e.g. He is not on talking terms with h is brother (-, _)
Both Pinki and Pooja are beautiful. ( ✓)
H e is not on sp cahing ter ms w i th his
8. Supposing am' ;f car.not be used together in the
broth er (✓)
same sentence.
20. Verbs like resemble, recommend, comprise, order,
e.g. Supposing if he fails, what will he do ?( x)
accompany, reach, join, shirk, attack. em ph asise
If he fails, what will he do ? (✓) discuss, fear, succeed, resist. request. assist. ben~
9. Endure suggests suffering, usually in silence and efit, afford etc. are not followed by any preposition
tolerate, means to allow it with some degree of when used in the active voice.
approval.
e.g. H e emphasised on th e need for discipline. ( x)
e.g. He endured the pain without complaint.
He emphasised th e need for discipline. r ✓)
He will not tolerate laziness.
She will accompany with you lo Ch ennai. ( x J
10. Avoid the use of had with ought.
She will accompany you to Ch ennai. r ✓J
e.g. You had not ougth to do it. ( x)
21. The phrase type of, sort of and kind of do not follow
You ought not do it. (✓) a or an.
ll. As is used when one compares things or persons e.g. What hind of a friend are you? ( x J
of equal or about equal size or quality, so is used
What hindoffrienda reyou ?( ✓)
when one compares things or persons which are
unequal. 22. ~ full hour number follows o'clock, but in fraction
e.g. H e weighs as much as his father. (x) 1t does not follow.
He does not weigh so much as his father. (✓) e.g. He left this place by 10. 40 o'cloch. ( xJ
12. Avoid using the double comparative and double He left this place by JO.40. r✓)
superlative. 23. Yet means up to the present t ime som eth ing th at
e.g. This pen is the most costliest in this store. (x ) has not happened.
This p en is the costliest in this store. (✓) e.g. H is brothers are not married even yet.
13. Cent per cent and word by word are wrong uses.
The real terms are hundred percent and word
for word.
English Grammar

EXERCISE
10· (a) Have you a pencil ? I have not got one
Directions (Q. 1- 20) (b) Is he coming? Yes I think so
In this section you are required to spot errors in (c) He enjoyed during the holidays
sentences. Read each sentence to find out whether there (d) 1asked for my pencil but he did not give it to me
is any error in any of the parts. Errors, ifany, are only (e) No error.
in one of the parts. No sentence has more than one 11· (a) The boy who does best he will get a prize
error. When you detect an error, in any of the parts of
the sentence, choose the corresponding alphabet. (b) Whoever does best will get a prize

1, (a) The scenery here is not good

(c) Who did this? I
(d ) He and I are brothers
(b) I have lost my furnitures
(c) We have received no information (e) No error.
(d) He told his mother this news 12. (a) I went for a walk with some friends
(b) He is wiser than I
(e) No error.
(c) The master tested the boy if he could read
2. (a) Ple.ase excuse the trouble
English
(b) He took pains over his work
(d ) I shall see whether the brakes work well
(c) In India there are many poor
(e) No error.
(d) Scouts wear shorts
13. (a) Everyone is frightened when he sees a tiger
(e) No error. (b) None of us has seen him
3, (a) I spent the holidays with my family
(c) People strave when they have no money
(b) Gone him some blotting paper
(d) The size of the shoe should be the same as
(c) Write this in your note book this shoe
(d) Gone my kind regards to all (e ) No error.
(e) No error. 14. (a ! Everyone knows this
4. (a) We had a good play of football (b) Every man knows this
(b) We saw a play k l Th ese all mangoes are ripe
(c) We like acting (el l He hold the book in both hands
(d) He is a tall man ((.' J No error.
(e) No error. 15. In I I have no any friends
5. (a) The boy was wearing a new sui t
(bi Neither man has come
(b) He took offence at this
le) All idle man should do some wo1k or other
(c) Please put your sign here
tel ) Shakespeare is greater than any other poet
(d) Please put your signature here
(el No erro r.
(e) No error. 16. (a) Open yo ur book at page six
6. (a) He is my cousin brother
lb) He is in class ninth
(b) We are all brothers
le) Thi s article costs ten rupees
(c) I spent the middle of the day worki ng
(cl ) He came a second time
(d ) He had a large amount of money
(e) No error.
(e) No error.
17. (a ) Ki ng George VI
7. (a) He got into bad company
lb! He is older than I
(b) One of my servant tell s me
(c:) He is better than I
(c) Some of my servants tell me
(d ) Raipur is Hotter th anSimla
(d) The front of the house
(eJ No error.
(e) No error.
18. (a ) He is worse than I
8. (a) I had a bathe in the sea
lb) A horse is more useful than a car
(b) I have hurt a toe
k J He gets a small salary
(c) Each of these days play games
(d ) I our library the number of books is less
(d ) None ofus went
(e) No error.
(e) No error.
9. (a) A man should work hard 19. (a) He is the more clever of the two
(b) A man should not waste his time (b) He is the cleverer of the two
(c) A boy should not waste his time (c) From the three he is more clever
(d ) Here is my cup; please fill it (d ) Of the two plans this is the better

(e) No error. (eJ No error.

, ., 4
English Grammar
20. (o) 1-ie i8- b .
\b) T econnn g strong 27. That man is aggressive b~ nature is a hard fact of
here ,· . life and no one can deny 1t.
\r) 1-i . s a very good teacher 111 that class
\d) Tl~i~v~l\ sp~nd the rest of his life here (a) That man is aggressive by nature is a hard
s 18 a sight worth seeing fact oflife which none can deny.
\e) No error (b) That man is aggressive by nature is a hard
Directions (Q. ~1-30) fact oflife and no one can deny it.
Each. qu es t·ton (c) That man is aggressive by nature is a hard
below has a sentence from the choices
Prot,tded. identify th eone which best restates the given fact oflife and not one can deny.
sentence and marh its number as the answer. (d) That man is aggressive by nature is hard for
21. Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. anyone to deny.
(a) Uneasily lies the head that wears a crown. 28. He is as old as I.
(b) Uneasy is the head wearing a crown. (a) He is as old as me.
(c) The head which wears the crown lies uneasy. (b) He and I are equally old.
(d) The head which is wearing the crown lies (c) He and I are equally older.
uneasy. (d) Both he and I are of the same age.
22. Had I been a little early, I would not have missed 29. Aman becomes wiser with age and experience.
the train. (a) A man as he is aged and experienced becomP,s
(a) Had I been a little early, I would not have wiser.
missed the train. (b) Aman with age and experience becomes wiser.
(b) Had I been a little early than now, I would not (c) Aman as he is aged and experienced becomes
have missed the train. the wiser.
(c) Had I been a little earlier, I would not have (d) With age and experience, a man becomes wiser.
missed the ,. : in.
30. Hazards of life cannot be negated but they can be
(d) Had I only been a little early than now, I would quite effortlessly evaded.
not have missed the train.
(a) Hazards in life can be quite effortless ly evaded
23. She is as intelligen ·• as her sister if not more. and completely nullified.
(a) She is more intelligent than her sister. (b) Hazards of lilfe cannot be avoided but they
(b) She is as intelligent as her sister if not more can be made ineffective.
intelligent. (c) To be made ineffective, hazards of life must
(c) She and her sister are equally intelligent. be avoided.
(d) She is less intelligent than her sister. (d) It may not be possible to nullify the hazards
24. You will not succeed unless you are optimistic. oflife but they can quite easily be avoided.
(a) You will not be successfull unless you are Directions(Q. 31-40)
optimistic. Each sentence is broken into four parts a, b, c, d.
(b) You will not succeed until you are an optimist. Mark the part which has an error Ignore errors of
punctuation.
(c) You will not succeed unless you don't be
optimistic. 31. (a) Every man, woman
(d) You will not succeed unless you don't be an (bl andchild
optimistic. (c) in the house on fire
25. The students were advised to follow the (d) have been saved.
instructions of the examiner. 32. (a) One of the
(a) The instructions of the examiner were (b) best lawyers in town
followed by the students. (c) have been
(b) The students followed the examiner's (d) hired.
instructions. 33. (a) I request you (b) kindly to
(c) The examiner's instructions were advised to
(c) come to me (d) immedia tely.
be followed by the students ..
(d) It has been advised to the students that they
34. (a) My friend's mother
should follow the examiner's instructions. (b) is the principal
26. Despite being ill, he attended the classes. (c) of a
(a) Despite of being ill, he attended the classes. (d) girl's college.
(b) Despite his illness, he attended the classes. 35. (a) To succeed in these tests
(c) Inspite of his being ill, he attended classes. (bl it is absolutely necessary
(c) for us
(d ) The classes were attended by him inspite of
being ill. (d) to aim for speed and accuracy.

A M#'J i
l ~ .$'11 '''°'~\<\.,I 1.15

~ r+,,, ,11'1,'l' \.\IW l ' ,\ -m. Ahh1111gh 1110--,1 hotol1, in Bhutun hus u diHlinctly
' l''"''IHll 11\:-1\'\\\\W\\t 111\ , ;\I lni:nl llm·m11-. ~,nw pnnrlt'r with thr p{'rt't.'ivcd tasl.('S
,,l',I \l\\'11' \l\~h'<'l\1\11' 1,1h• nf \\'p:,1tl'l'll tom !,'l'oup~. nnd rnn be rnthcr blund.
, , t\ll-l ,\l- 1\\\ll\'l't:mt
•l-1, 'l'lw c-ru:;tnr{'nn~ find snnrlmU)' in thcjords, often
" ,~:., \\\•n\\'h \1\11\1 ,$\th' 111 t ht' 11tl\\1).., ;plwr,, din~ng IO the walls in lnrge, gregarious groups.
~~\ r
, h,
~ ln llw~,, trnpil'nl lmvlunds the Maya built an
~ 1:- ;\ l't'l\\l\\li1'I' h \ :ill 1~\11\
n_~n1ri11n 1·iYilization thnl eventually supported
,, t'\it h 1n t tw ,\1)Yd11pN\ :\l\d dt1\ '\1h1p11\~ world Ont' lift ht' highe:-t population densities in the pre
,,, ih,it 1ht•~ ,·:n11wt ,,11\tlll\lt' 111 n:w 1•11ntrnption$ - in<l11strinl Amerirn.
" hKh i,\\\ ,, \\\It lh\\ \\1\\$ ~~\ $,'$.
Dirt'<•tions (Q. 46-50)
~ _.: ~'\\1~1\1\'I\ ;\I'\' n-11\W\\I\\$ ()r
b.'ocl, th t' follorring questions hos tll'O sentences A
11.u 1lw1r thnt)
.,,1 B.
Cl lll/

,1 :mil h,· 1:- th,' b\ltt .\fori, 101. i(you thin/.; st'ntcnct' A hos on error.
3 ,,f 1\\,11~ ,,, ,,~):.'\'\'.\h'<l JIik,,,- .\JorA· 1hi. i{yo11 think scntrnct' B has an error:
~ 1,1 .-\ nn, ,,i '''''"'"'-' .Hark (c !. i{yo11 thin A· both sen tenet's .4. and B ho ve
~\ \$ It \\\ \\ hh·h tTn>rs .
• th,' pnl'>lw $,Xt11r .\/o r/.; ld l. 1{ yo11 th ink neither sentence hos 011 error.
11
,,: l\Hll tlw pn, :\\,' $t'<.'t111· ,,, - ,•, 1:<t. --l6. :\. Tlw bo:<s himself or his secretm·y answer the
,It\ 1,1 .~.lth,,1,.:-h tlw l'<':1wr·:' hrnd f,•,•t phllrlt' on Saturday.
B. ~t'ith,' r the qua lity nor the prices have
,:-- :m' "' 'lit,.,d r,,r '"' imnnn):
drnnged.
1,-1 th,•1r f1,,nt t~'<'t
-ti. .-\ . Tlw mt" mbers re-rommended t h at all
1
31 :m• :;m:111 :md. lrnndhk,• delinquent,- be fmed.
Din'C'tionslQ. 41-4.'l l B. .·\ ::,tone l~·ing in one position for a long time
tlt:v,: t--,,...;"'~' ~1 " · •;t"· _,ynt,..h ~\". c:'\h •i; <l 1·:,•i;:cl: ,· H1_, or mny gather moss.
o.;1.H ·:1.l l ~ ..i e~' (rY\)~ . -!S. .\ . l'ntil I recei\'ed tJrnt letter. I was hoping to
.\ t~•~ i1 . l,':}: t·rt• ;., 1.>:•; ~:\ tP ;c:• t''''\'~ h:n·t• had a ,i sit from Krishnan .
.\le:~ ~ . i· :i:,·,..,· ,1n- ::, ,, ,·•-"\)''" B. Folio\\' tlw main road for a nrile: then you need
.\/, ; ~ l", ;''t~,.. rt.· tllY ' 'ZtPY !i:\~ ·: ;:~ ,1 t --· \lr,, 1
w takt> the next road at the left. ·
. \J,1,-l
. ('J•• :':i:,·n.• l $ · :\' t ....'\l'·. -19 . .-\ . Tlw people to 11·atch rlo:<ely are the ones ruling
.n. 1'hi,; ,;,_,.,1,- hk<' ,,,w bi,: dn.•.1m ... ,;:iy,; :1 ll"t':1r~- behind the political scene .
.--\ll\t'rll":U1 wom:m tl1ht'r hu,;b,md. :i:< th,-~- :'i t 111 :1 B. Giw the tools to 1rhoe,·er ran use them best.
µl:in<' t1yin~ lwnlt' 50. .\. The magazine has been published continuous
.'2,. Th<' W tl t~t m1:<t.1kt' .11w n · pl\1tit ,,1--,:-,mi::nwn l'an ,;ince 1951. and it ha;: the funniest cartoons
m:lk<' 1:; 1,, 1:1k<' :ill !lw nmn,'y \t , , ,:i1·t' ll and bt' yllu r:rn possibly imagine.
behold,'n ill lfomg thin~ ,,n :;,,m,'lHlt' t'l:::t'·::: t ,' !11\::'. B. I ft't"l glum]~-1rhen I read his nightmarish tales.

-ANSWERS .·
MCQ ~-pe Questions
1. 1/, 2.10 \ 3. •e• 4. 0 5. 1c 1 6. Ia I 7. 1b1 8. tel 9. tel 10. (c)
ll.10 1 12. [" I 13. c' 1-1. C1 15. a 16. 1b1 17_1d 1 18. (d l 19. (cl 20. (a )

21. lcl 22.w 23. C' 2-1. IO I 2-5. 1d 1 26. 1bI 27.10 1 28. td , 29. (d l 30.(d !
31.\d l 3°2. ICI 33._lb l 34.td l 35. 1d 1 36. I C I 37. 1d 1 38. I C I 39. tbJ 40. (c)
41. la l 42. td l 4-3. b l -!--1. 1d 1 45. (d l 46.IQ I 47. 1d 1 48. tel 49.(dl 50. (c)
_J
1 .1 6 English Grammar

EXP ATIONS
1\ICQ TYPE QUESTIONS 29. C ~oice (~ ) and ( b ) mean ~hat the prere quis ite for
Wisdcm 1S age and expenence, which is incorrect.
21. Uneasily does not denote a state, which is required
Just by growing old and working for a long period
in the conte.ict. 'Wearing a crown' denotes that
a person cannot imp rove his wisdom. 'The wiser;
the bea d is doing it, ' is wearing' denotes a
is used only when we compare wisdom with some
continuous action, which is impossible , a s the
other quality. Choice (d ) is the correct restatement
head cannot do it. Hence choice ( c ) restates the
of the given one. Hence correct choice is (d ).
given sentence correctly.
30. The given statement says that one cannot
22. All the statements have the correct combination
completely nullify the hazards of life but they can
o f ten...-.es. So, we need not check it. Let us find
be eYa d ed quite easily. Choice (a ) which s tate s
the errors in other statements. 'Early than now·
that hazards cannot b e avoided is wron g (b ) states
and 'earlier' suggest that I reached early; in that
t hat h azards can be made ineffective and h e nce
case, I did not miss the train. So, choices ( b ), lc l,
this is also ,,Tong (c ) does n ot con vey the m eaning
and ( d ) do not state the same idea as in the question
as stated and h en ce it too is incorrect. (d) correctly
statement. Hence correct choice i s (a l.
restates th e idea and i s our a n swer.
23. The given statement states that both s he and her
31. EYer_\· man r efe r s to a singular noun. therefor e .. ..
sister are equally intelligent. This is given in
has been saYed.
statement. Hence correct choice is <c ).
32. h as
24. 'Unless' denotes co ndition, 'until· denotes time .
Choice ( b ) has adverb clause of time.With unless. 33. drop 'kindly·
another negativ e is not u sed . 'Unless ... .. d on·r· is 34. Girr s implie s po ssessiYe n oun. wh e r e a s th e
wrong. So, Choices ( c ) and ( d ) are incorrect. H ence college is m eant for girls .
correct choice is ( a J. 35. aim at. a in1 fo r is \\Tong usage .
25. Choices ( a ) and ( b ) s tate the s ame idea [l a 1 - 36. delete their - add : its
passiv e voice ; ( b ) Active Yoice ] that the s tud ents
37. d e lete th ey - a dd : ''"e
followed the ins tructions , which diffe r s from the
38. de lete h e is - add : th ey are.
question statement . In s truction s cannot b e
advised. So, choice (c ) is meaning less . Choice (d J 39. delete it - add : that
states the context of the given statement aptly. 40. d e let e th e ir - add : it s.
26. Despite means inspite of. Despite of is a wrong 41. One s it s ·on· a plane.
usage. 'His' need not be u s ed in choice <c ), as t h e 42. The r e ar c n o error s .
sentence is a bout one person . Choice <d J m eans
43. H otel s ·h a ,·e· and some pande r 't o ..
that the classes were ill . Hence correct choice
is <b ). 44. There are no e rror s in this sente nce .

27. Choice ( a ) best restates the given se nte nce , 45. There are no e rror s .
though choice ( b ) is the repetition of the given 48. (A J hoping to h ave a visit :
statement. 'Not one can deny' in choice (c ) and (B ) .... t h e n tak e the next road t o
for any one to deny' in choice ( d ) make them 50. (A ) continuously; (B ) g lum.
incorrect. Hence correct choice is (a ) .
28. In this type of comparison , the pronouns are in
subjective case 'Me', which is in objective case is
wrongly used in choice ( a ) . Equally is not used
with ' old' . Of the same age is the correct
expression . Hence correct choice is (d ).
 Sentence Completion
A Sentence Compl etion question cons ists of an incomplete sentence. Moreover the question
incomplete sentence, which h as one or two blanks. sentence also may h ave difficult words in itself,
From the answer choices given, you are asked to knowing the meaning of which is essential for
choose the appropriate word / words that ca n take understanding the sentence holistically and thus
the place of the blanks in order to best complete the to choose the appropriate word(s).
meaning of the given sen tence. Look at the following question:
Directions: The department can use information received
Each of the sentences below has one or t wo blanks; from dissatisfied employees and _ to launch an
each blank indica tes omission of a word or set of investigation against the company.
words. Beneath the sen tence a re given four answer A. pettifoggers VIEVV LIBRARY
choices, each conta in ing a word or a set of words.
Choose the word or set of words fo r each blank that B. buccaneers AC(" No:_ %2. ~ ~~
gives the best meaning to the sen tence as a whole. C. ambassadors <.. N .
.,.eh O.,,. - ~
Mil t.1. O
_;:--1r'-A

A thinking ma n resists t he vu lgar prosperity that D. whistleblowers

______ eve r to ______ by pres e n-i n g a nd The knowledge of the meaning of the words in
communicatin g heroic sentimen ts. choices is essential for you to select the answer
A. disin tegrates ... ba nality to this question with confidence. Let's analyze
B. transform s... neut rality. meaning of these words.

C. decays ... lu xury A Pettifogge r is one who practices chicanery or

unlawful business. Can this word fit the sentence?
D. retrogrades .. . ba rba rism
No.
E. leve l ... hurtly
A Buccaneer is a pira te: again not a word that
The theory underlying a ,;(•nlence completion stim ulus would go with dissatisfied employees to supply
is that t he mea ning a n<l t he tone of a sentence can be information about a company.
gathered without the mi~si11g wr,rcl! wo rds. Ifso, it is
A wh istl ebl ower is one wh o informs about
possible for you to s upply lh <' a pp ropnale word!s1 to
co rru pti on or wrongdoing. Yes, this fi ts th e
complete the s<•nle nc<'.
sentence.
Inva ri a bly, in eve ry ~enlencl' com pl eti on questio n,
An Ambassador is not one to do a nything with a
th ere will be a clue or two that could hl' used as leacll sl
toward identifyi ng th e correct 11·rird1s 1. company. In fact this is t.he first choice you could
eliminate.
Th ese cl ues could be ;-;t ruct ura l I syntax/gra mm a r
clues ) or sema ntic (mea ning clues 1. T he word/ s1 tha t ii. Skill of semantics and syntax
you choose should agree and merge with the sentence Eve ry sente nce h a s a sem a ntic dimen sion
structurally a nd fun ction ally or semantically. (meaning ) a nd a syntactical dimension (word
Every sentence co mpletion qu esti on can be a nalyzed a r ra ngement ). Knowl edge of t h ese two is a
for the negative or positive natu re or tone of words tu ma ndatory condition for you t o be able to choose
be fi lled in . the appropriate word . You must understand the
mea ning of a sentence in order to identify the
What is measured by a Sentence completion
appropria te choice word t hat fill s th e blank, and
question?
completes the sentence coher ently.
i. Skill of vocabulary
You should have a good understanding of the
Sen tence completion question is a tes t of your
fun ctions of structural words in a sentence such
word power and dictio• . It is only if you know th e
as unless, rather, yet, while unfortunately, in
meaning ofword!s) that you will be able to choose
contrast, despite.
confidently, th e appropriate one(s) to fill th e
2 .2 Sentence Completion

Look at the following questio n : part. And both words must fit into the meanin g c,f thi:
· of words is des troyed if you change
Th e mean mg senten ce; therefore read you r ch0ice into the FScnu,n<:€
th em, wherea s the meanin g of a though t_ _ supply ing and eval uating both words.

whatev er word you think prope r to use. Each senten ce contai ns a few crucia l clues that
determ ine the answe rs, a nd finding th ese clue~ will
A. alter s B. transfo rms
guide you to the correct answe r. Look for what is
C. re mains D. settles directl y stated. In senten ce comple tion question, you
E. Ruins may also find poetic and literary langua ge, which tests
your unders tandin g of figurat i ve usage. The correct
When you read the senten ce you must recognize
answe r is the on e that is directly implie d in the
the function of'whe reas' in the sentence. It signals
a shift in the meanin g of the senten ce. senten ce.

'One thing is destroy ed wherea s the other is not' ,- Determ ine wher e the senten ce is hea ding, using
the answe r thus is !CJ remain s. structu ral cl ues.
The seman tic feature of a sentence refers to its Anticip ate ans wer s in your words.
meanin g, a nd how the meanin g of the given words Look fo r ans wers that are similar to yours.
in a senten ce helps us to identif y the word to
comple te t he senten ce. Fix the words in the senten ce to see if they get
with the whole sentence.
Study the following sentence:
A cul t brand _ _ the imagin ation of a small Senten ce compl etion strate gy in a nutsh ell.
group who spread s the word. makes conver t s. ,- Strateg y 1
helps turn a fri nge produc t into a _ _ na me. Read the entire se ntence .
A. ceases ... redoub table ) n hr,th one- and two-bl ank senten ces read the
B. elevate s ... dynamic entire senten ce before you inspec t the choices.
C. fires ... dream An ri\·erall under s tandin g of th e sentence is
D. seizes... mainst ream c-;,ential.
The first clue is the word Imagin ation : henc:r• , Strate gy 2
options (AJand <DJit, ceases a nd seize.- can eaiily Identify structu ral clues to determ ine the rniture
be elimina ted. You have to work fo r fires and 1Jfthr: wrJl'd ~ require d.
elevate s. To fire One's Imagin ation i:- a .-;tanda rd
You can determ ine the posi t i\·e or negativ e tone
idiomatic usage. Moreo\·er the meanin g of the
of the ex pected \\'Or d usin g structu ral clues. And
sentence implies turning a frin ge periphe ral 1
I

drea m product. identify the wr,rd~ ll'hose synony m, a ntonym,

product into /the opposi te ofit 1a
parallel v:r,rd or cause/e ffect you have to supply.
Hence, answer is fCJ.
, Strate gy 3
iii. Skill of identifying clues
A sentence completion question is not merely a Substi tute _\'U Ur own word:=,.
test of your vocabu lary. It also tests your ability Place your own \\·ords in the blanks assumi ng
to analyze the given sentenc e and to identify the that a nswer choices are not given, going by the
structu ral and semantic clues tha t decide cm th e clues you have identif ied.
meanin g and nature of the wordlsJ to be ch0sen. ,- Strategy 4
You will find one or two clues in a senten ce
Id entify the words s imi lar to the ones you
completion questio n. Common key words such substit uted.
as a nd or but are all more valuable for us in
sentenc e completion. These are structu ral clues. If the word you have s ubstitu ted goes with the
<These are dealt with in detail laterJ require ments of th e sentenc e. you are sure to
find , a word!sJ similar in meanin g and tone to
Sente nce Comp letion Strate gies the ones you have substit uted.
In order to a nswer sentenc e completion question Strategy 5
,-
correctly, you should first read th e entite senten ce as
you see it, withou t trying to fill the word(sJ. Desist Re ad the senten ce again with word/s) filled in.
from workin g on each blank separat ely. The second Now read the entire sentence with the words filled
part of t he senten ce may have a bearing on its first in to see ifthe word(s J fit literally and figuratively.
sentence Compltllon

A. THOllGHTf'ONTINlllTY CLUIEH of nn nn 111WPr •• rhn"'(' ti l,y th, .,, du, "

In "nm<' ll!'nt !'lll'C'I', tlw n,t-1 J)lll l of 1111' i.t•11t,•nc·1• nnrl ~uch ~11(11 11,ord in, lud,,
th<' ,.,.r0 nd p111t ru l' pm nllr>l 1cic•o11 Tlwre JH n<J 1,h1fl 111 ,, But
mrnnmg Tlw m111!-4111g v. orrl in llw 1.im lA•ncr 1Hporall1•l
t.o. or Jrnr. n 11w1m1111; i..nml111 W II v.rn cl nln•ady give n ,. On tlw con trnry
m tlw ~c•nt.f'n<'<' OnP port of tlw i..<·nwnr<• may hP 0 , In sp1t1• of
~uppm1 to :mollwr Sonw ollw , lmw1-1, though , oni>
part of lht• fooP llll'llC'C· ma) h1• rrrmplc•nwntnry ti, tlw
,. Yr t
othc•r 111 nwamni; Thl'hl' du <•~ 1·ont111up I lw i..rn h'nr<' ,, Ilowpver
m tlw Aa nw dirPct1on Tlw JJm,1 t1 v1• or 1wg;i11,·c• wrn• ,. l'n)C'SS
of whnl follow i. 1r, not chc1ngl'd ln t lll'1<P clue• wordi...
ThP words that 1nd1 ra tt• ~uch crm\111u1t .v an,
,. lfath1' r
, Similarly
,. Although
,. f3pr;.tlJ~f'
,. \\'hill'

,. And ,. l ' nfortunat.ely

,. Sin('(' ,. Noll(•! lwll•ss
,. Thw, , lro111r:1ll.,
,. 111 f':KI ,. l'aradux1rall_,.
,. Mon•ov<' r ,. (Jn tlw otlll'r hand
, ln<l<•(•d ,. ( 'ont rad1rt11nl \'
,. In :1dd1t1011 ,. ('nntra, t1n·l.v
,. ( 'ons<•41u·nt l_y ,. Despll <'
Study Uw following- 1-o<•n (1· 111·<·1< :
,. E\'!·n though
1. Tlw f'rlm , rnpt ,h",1 ,·cl dt·ptl1 111cl matu nt _\ .
likPw1 s1• tlw tn•:1 1111, 111 ,h1111 ,·cl p1 " lu nd 1t\ ,. Evt'n ,r
2. 1-h~ l ll'g'l ll lll ' ll l II ;1 , ('(I Jl\ llll'llll,! .111d Jh'I ,11 ,1,,, l ' Illustrations:
3. Shak,•spe:trl' II\ e, ft11,., ,., 11, I.Kt h, 1- 111111wrt.1 l l lis arg,.1mPnt was f1awed but persuasive
B. PARALLEL II)EA('Ll1ES
Then• ,~ no cynicism 111 the way the young deal with
These clues an• , urnlar to t he th11ught 1·0111111u11., l'lup, 1.-.~u!'~. on tht• contrary they are optimistic toward hfe
The word that c<1111pl1·tt•, tlw ,t>n t,•111'<' 1, 111 tlw ~a m!'
Tlw emphasis will not be Oil physical assets but Oil
Lone, as in th<· v.11rci aln•:1d_, g1, ,·11 Th" ,1 t11d , , that
lll tangil.Jle~.
complete t ht' sPnt t•nre lllmpl<'nll'llt, .i ,1uni t1r ph ra~e
already givt•n In th e ~ell tences above the word 111 1tahrs are
1. All that th!' ) oun g usk uf tilt' poht1ral cla~~ 1s structural clues, wh1C'h mdicatP that the words to l"lt'
compabbJUn and conct•rn ~~·mpath~· rnn' filled Ill are opposite Ill menll111g to tlw words, that
11. On 4u!'~tJU11 ,il)f)ut poliircal a11d elPctoral r!'f't,rm~. art' al ready gi ven 111 the sentt'nces.
the rebpondPnls sho,~•!'d l.{n•at forPthought and D. CAUSE EFFECT CLUES
v11,wn/ruuon al1ty. Whtie study1111-1 11 s1•11t1•1u:,• rnmplt•t11m qt1t'st1on. you
In the above isent.ence~ you 011.1y oli~l'J'\'t• th at thl' should lw 11h11' to gnuge as tu wh1r h d11X>eti,111 the
words g1vn1 and the wurd b t hat have to ht· fill1•d lll sentt•n<'l' 1s lwndmg lf tlw ~,•ntl' n1·,• hns an 1dl'H, it is
are parallel/ cornpl,•nwntary ur 111 tl w HU!llt' tont• J.l(ll>.~1bl1• tu mf,•r wlrnt would lo!{lrnlly follow tlw l'UU~ tl
C. THOUGHT REVERSAL CLUE8 ph1•111J1ll<·m111. In otlwr w,1rds, Wl' rn n ant i,·1pntl' tht•
The1,e t.e rmi.. clrn ngt the dirn-tion of tlw i,1•nu-n1·c. typt• of l'ffrrt tha t tlw i-:i v,•n l' IIU Sl' would lN1d to.
They make one purl of the 1,1enl1•n1·(• 1·ontrnd11·t.ury to S1111 d11rly by nn11 ly1.111 1< tlw nt1tl1rt• of nn etTel'I
the olhPr part. The word or phnttit• I!tut cun1pl<'l1•1, tiwnt pm•t•s in whtl'11 l'lfot'l ts giv,•11 1, Wt' rnn nlsu infer
the 1,entonce is oppollit.e 111 nwuning tu u word ur tlw plnusihll•1·1111:ml fiictor that would'w rnntributed
phraB<i already Kiven. ThP poHJ\1 \11' or ,wgutiw l'hnrg<• tu llw typt> of l'lfo<'l g1v1•n. Tlw t>t1s1rst wny is to
2.4 Sentence Completion
identify the tone of the cause or effect to be supplied E. WORD DEFINATION CLUES
into the sentence-negative or positive
Yet another common clue found in senten
Let's work on sentences with cause effect relationship. Ce
completion stimuli is the meaning or definition ofthe
Torture is so prevalent and _ _ _of the helpless word to be filled given as part of the incomplete
so common that these helpless beings are certainly sentence itself. It is similar to the thought continuity
clue, except that in case the meanmg of the word or
When they pair out their story of agony. definition of the word to be selected is already given.
(1) indemnifications ... unhinged Let us study an example :
(2) felicitation ... believable The great irony of Angle Computers is that very
(3) disparaging ...credulous posture that won Steve jobs' a cult ~o~lowing creating
(4) victimization ... credible an exclusive group of _ _ technicians who
refused to bow to IBM, hobbled his company. -
In the above sentence you observe that there are two
clues: parallel and causal. Signaled by the word and iconoclastic......stubbornly
the first blank needs a word parallel to torture i.e. conseivative ......invariably
victimization. The intensity of these two results in rebellious.. ... ..timidly
the possibility of the stories believable or credible. traditional ........outrightly
Look at another example: In the sentence above you would've already observed
Higher education in India can no longer be allowed to the words 'refused to bow', which signals the word to
remain as a/ an __ instrument that crushes the be placed in the second blank. This phrase clearly
spirit of the individual while goading him into a defines the word stubbornly.
_ _ _ and consumerist mode. Another example :
(1) innerving... boisterous The crisis in modern education is not merely a
(2) emasculating... materialist constraint of_ of funds but of ___ practices,
(3) invigorating ... pragmatic unsuited for contemporary system.
(4) relegating ... humanistic scarcity.... ..d~ i.nai.re
An instrument that crushes the spirit of the individual fulsomeness .... ..authoritative
cannot be innerving or invigorating (both means restrictiveness.... ...autocratic
energizing) nor can it be riveting; since rivet means paucity.......anachronistic
to hold firmly and relegate means to lower in rank is In the above sentence the key to the letter word is
closer but the latter word cannot be humanistic (3) 'unsuited for contemporary education', you can now
The word that is parallel to consumerist is materialist. easily eliminate unsuitable choices and arrive at
In a similar mode identify the cause effect ideas in choice D, i.e., anachronist.
th~ incomplete sentences in the following drill and
choose appropriate words to complete them.
sentence Completion 2.5

EXERCISE
MCQ TYPE QUESTIONS 7. Home is _____ one has yet to improve.
Directions for Q. 1 to 41 : fo each of the following (a) a discovery over which
~enti>nces. a part / parts of the sentence is left (b) a certain over which
unfinished. Beneath each sentence, four different (c) an invention on which
ways ofcompleting the sentence are indicated. Choose (d) an institution upon which
the best alternative among the four.
8. The highest reward for a man's toil is not what
1. For some of our ruling politicians, social justice he gets for it but what _ _ __
has apparently come to mean that _ _ _ __
(a) he makes out of it.
(a} they have a right to plunder public money
from the treasury (b) he gets for others.
(b} they have a right to the plunder of public (c ) he has overcome through it.
money from the treasury (d) he becomes by it.
(r} theirs is the right to plunder public money 9. An act of justice closes the book on a misdeed;
from the treasury an actofvengeance _ __ _
(d } the right is theirs to plunder public money (a) reopens the first chapter
from the treasury (b) writes an epoilogue
2. Some critics believe that Satyajit Ray never quite (c) writes one of its own
came back to the gr eat beginning he made in his
(d) opens new books
path-breaking film Pather Panchali. _ _ _ __
have endured decade:; of well-travelLd bad prints 10. The trail is the thing , not the end of the trail.
to become a signpost in cinematic history. Travel too fast and you miss _ _ __
(a) The bizarre history of its misty origins (a) all you are travelling for.
(bl Its haunting images (b} all the sights you are supposed to see.
(cl Its compelling munificence (cJ the very excitement of your travel.
(d) The breathtaking awe it inspires (d ) all the enjoyments of t ravel.
3. _ _ _ _ _ , the more they remain the same. 11. _ _ _ _ _ _ that in this apparent mess,
(a l The less the dynami sm two things not be interfered with.
(bl The more things change (aJ It is important.
(c} The more pronounced th e transformation (b) it is of cardinal important.
(d ) The more th e merrier (c) It should be urgently under-stood.
4. Revenues are likely to r egister a dramatic (d) It cannot be emphasised.
increase if _ _ _ _ _ on the hundred million
people who are said to comprise the ri sin gindian 12. A country's wealth is its people. But instead of
drawing out the strengths of the people, instead
middle class.
of drawing out their talent, this use of religion
(a) a flat tax is collected de bases, d egrades and depresses than
(b) a flat tax is placed
(c} taxes at a flat rate are charged (a) in greater and greater measure
(d) tax is imposed at a fl at rate (b) further
5. I am an entertainer. _ __ __ I have to keep (c) beyond reasonable limit
smiling because, deep in my heart , laughter and
(d) more and more
sorrow have an affinity.
13. Wines that yielded a good commercial profit
(a) Even if I have tears in me _ _ _ _ _ in the same limited areas of France
(b) Despite conditions of extreme adversity as of now.
(c) lnspite of misery around me (a) seem to have been produced
(d) Although I have yet to make it big (b) appear to have a remarkable semblance
6. The stock market is probably _____ And
(c) bear a significant similarity in terms of
the way the markets are plunging says a lot about production to those grown
investor confidence.
(d) appear to have been similarly produced
(a) an ideal indication of the health of public
sentiment 14. This is about _ _ _ _ _ a sociological analysis
(b) the least imperfect mechanism for judging the
can penetrate.
quantity of the sentiment of the public. (a) the other limits that
(c) the best indicator of public sentiment (b) just how far into the subject that
(d) the best barometer to assess the sentiment of (c) the relat.ive distance that
the public (d) as far as
 S1nt1n01 Complillon

11\. '\'l111 11:11'1 :<I

1
i,:111111nll d11\l' t11•1111·1s 11111111 uf t lw \ol 1rl11ol11Ak11\. l1wh1111lol{h1nl
\1:111,11111111, 11hilu~11phh1!\I trnd11 iun 11~ ,t h1111 1/11 n1lt11rnl, 111111111·
rl11,·d111w1I 111, 111 11111\ , \11th 111\ ,t ~ 1\l\•111•~,, (t) p11lit il'11I, (1\'lllllllllll'
\'l\1\l\11\\11111-, I :< lh11l 111, 111111:<I:. uf1t 1'111111. tdl 11lnnh1gi1·11I , l'llll11rnl
10\ :1,1r11•:1 111' th,1111111,,~ 111
2:1. lt1 llllt'l'll\lnlr,,·, ll\ll l'l111lh111gl'H 111·11111 t'IIIHll-:---
1/11 :1,11 uf pr11h1.:1111:: t11 itll'lllllt'N tn r11d111·11 pov11rly, nnd lo
\l'l 1•11\11•1·111111 uf d1:1p111r~ 1111 11wlli1·i1•11( p11hli1· NtJl'lor unll1rp1·it1eH.
Id) :-11'11\f! nf1•11111n\111111111w~ tu (11) f11r111, lil111r1dis11
lt\. 'l'lw 11l11M I h:11 l h11s11 1·1111111111111•:: 11~1•d ~1•1•111 :<11 (Ii\ 11111lclhH·h1:1:1. privnt iH1•
:;1111ph1 whh 1h111 tlwir n11111wtit11rs (,·l wurk1•r:1, t11kc• ov1•r
w1\l 1111w 1lw111~Ph•1•:. i11r 111111hi11l1111.: 1c/) l'llt'III, l'IIN( 1·111·t 111'!1
nf I h,,m ti r:;t. :.l•I. 'l'lw 111tl't'l'lll i.:11111•rnll'd h.v t lw Su1·1·l•r W11rld Cup
\n l 11clv111H·11rl l1•1·h11ol,1i,:y, hit 111 romp111·1•d to llw wny 1Tickot
\/,) 11111llys1s, 11h11~1• tlw 1111li1111.
\I'\ pn:-:<l\)!11uftinw, 1·111·~1' 1111 111ild1•1', f11sl'i1111(1•s
1tl\ h111ds111h1, ki,·k tbl l11k1•wnrn1, 1•l1•1·t nl"ll's
17. N,, c\1111ht, 1l wn~ n11r 1m II i,:m·,·rnnwnt hut il w11:l (rl 111pid, 111spm•s
h11i1111 n111 on h11rn1w11d 1d,•11:;, 11::111.: till 111111:11111I. 1-(riµ:1
_____s11l11li1111:;. :.lli. 'l'h1111 gh Oll1' 1•,V t' 1s kq1( firml y on tho
\nl worn 0111 t/11 s1•1·1111rl h1111d , th1• 1·ompnny 1111w nlso pronrnles
1rl imprnl'li1'11l 1dl 11pp1~1pri11l1• l'lllll l'IIIJ)tll'llt',V 111'1 .
lR OVl'rnll. nil tlw r1'l'1•11t pnlic.v l'h1111i,:11s h,v tlw to) µn1s1'11l, 1•x1wr11111•11tnl
i:-01·,,rnntc1nt uni~• fl tlllHttll In 11 in I lw (hi f11t11n•, pop11l11r
Sll)llll' i11cl11st ry. \rl prl's1•11! , p11p11l11r
to) :<11p1•rfil'inl 11l l1•mp nt lil1t•rnlis11lu111 till mnrkl'I , pop11l11r
tbl drop in llw lll'i'1tn 21i. 'l'lw lnw prnhih its II per~on l'rnm l'l'l ling u
trl lnrR'<' chnn111' snndnlwonrl t rl'1', 1'\'l'II 1f il 1-(ruw~ Oil one's own
tdl smnll n•1,.'11li1ti11f: nuthorily lnnd . wit ho u( pr i11r pl' rm iss iu n from the
19. In pusuum·1• uf thc-ir rl1•n~io11 tu n'sist whnt t lwy i.:uv1•rn11wnt. As poor pt•11pl1• rn111wl dcnl with the
snw ns unt i-lnbuur pulH·i,, s. tlH• 1·11mp11n~• 1-(U\'l'rtlment . Ihis ll'l,(nl prov is inn IP11ds tu a rip-
employee-~. union ln1111d1l.'d 11i,:itnt1011 tu ronring b11s11n•ss for _ , who rnre
111•ilh1' r for tlw ___ , nor l'or lhe trees.
to\ show tlwir virilily to\ middll'ml•n, rich (/,) llw l-(Ov1•rnmenl, poor
(b) rc-ulfirm th<'ir comn111nwn1 to tlw 1·0111p1111y. (r) tout s, rich till lou(!;, poor
(r) bring down th<' govc-rnment
27. H will (11k1• som1• linw for mnnv South Koreans
(dl d<'monslrnte their st t'CIIR'I h lo --,------ llw cuntlict in~ imag1•~of North
20. Scientists how found ____ 1•vid1•ncl' thn( Kon•n, ll'l 11lmw lo _ _ _ _ _ whnl Lo make
Nenndcrtiiuls, now nn extinct sp1•cil•s ofhumnns of their nortlwrn cousins.
_____ Europ<', W<'l'l' cnnnibnls. (n) reconcile, <ll•1·id1• (/Jl underslund, clarify
(al grisly, living in (c) mnke out, decide td) recuncill.', u11<lerstand
(bl incontrovertible, n cross 28. In lhcsl' bll'nk and depressing limes or _ _ _
(rl chilling inhabiting price s, non -performing go vernm e nts and
(d ) proper, in ______ criml' rules, Sourav Ganguly has
21. The telephone symbolist's thut nwkord gi ven us, I ndinns, a lol to cheer about.
_ _ _ _ in nil communicntion technologies; (al escnluting, increasin!{
while it _ _ _ _ _ lo bring us togeth<'r, it lb) spirulling, booming
keeps us apart. le) spirulling, soaring
(a) paradox, needs (I>) irony, intends (d ) ascending, debilitating
(c) paradox , tries (d) irony wishes 2tJ. Tho manners and of the nouveau riche
22. The world is fast moving into 11 period of is u recurrent -==~~:_-__- in the literature.
'civilisationnl clash' in which tho primury (a) Rtyle, motif
identification of people nnd countries will nol be (/1) morals, story
_ _ __ _ as during the Cold War, but k) wealth, theme
(dl momls, theme
sentence Completlon 2.7
30. Many people suggest _ _ _ _and still others
34. As navigators, calendar makers, and other __of
would like to convince people not to buy pirated
the night sky accumulated evidence to the
cassettes.
contrary, ancient astronomers were forced
(a) to bring down audio-cassette prices to reduce
the incidence of music piracy, others advocate to_ _that certain bodies might move in circles
strong legal action against the offenders, about points, which in turn moved in circles about
(b) bringing down audio-cassette prices to reduce the earth.
the incidents of music piracy, others are (a) scrutinizers; believe
advocating strong legal action against (b) observers; agree
offenders,
(c) scrutinizers; suggest
(c) bringing down audio-cassette prices to reduce
the incidence of music piracy, others advocate (d ) observers; concede
strong legal action against offenders, 35. Every human being, after the first few days ofhis
(d) audio-cassette prices to be brought down to life, is a product of two factors: on the one hand,
reduce incidence of music piracy, others there is his ___ endowment; and on the other
advocate that strong legal action must be taken hand, there is the effect of environment, including
against offenders,
31. The ancient Egyptians believed._ _ _so that (a) constitutional; weather
when these objects were magically reanimated
(b) congenital; education
through the correct rituals, they would be able
to function effectively. (c) personal; climate
(a) that it was essential that things they portrayed (d) genetic; pedagogy
must have every relevant feature shown as 36. Exhaustion of natural resources, destruction of
clearly as possible individual initiative by governments, control over
(b) it was essential for things they portray to have man's minds by central _ _ of education and
had every relevant feature shown as clearly propaganda are some of the major evils which
as possible, appear to be on the increase as a result of the
impact of science upon minds suited by _ __
(c) it was essential that the things they portrayed
had every relevant feature shown as clearly to an earlier kind of world.
as possible, (a) tenets; fixation
(d) that when they portrayed things, it should (b) aspects; inhibitions
have every relevant feature shown as clearly (c) institutions; inhibitions
as possible (d) organs; tradition
32. Archaeologists believe that the pieces of red-ware 37. But _______ are now regularly written
pottery excavated recently near Bhavnagar and not just for tools, but well-established practices,
_ _ _shed light on a hither to dark 600-year organisations and institutions, not all of which
period in the Harappan history of Gujarat. seem to be _ _ _ _ _ _ _ away.
(a) estimated with a reasonable certainty as being (aJ reports, withering (b) stories, trading
about 3400 years old, (c) books, dying (d) obituaries, fading
(b) are estimated reasonably certain to be about 38. The Dar win who _ _ _ _ _ _ is most
3400 years old remarkable for the way in which he
(c) estimated at about 3400 years old with _ _ _ _ _ _ the attributes of the world
reasonable certainty, class thinker and head of the household.
(d) estimated with reasonable certainty to be (a) comes, figures
about 3400 years old, (b) arises, adds
33.The genocides in Bosnia and Rwanda, apart from (c) emerges, combines
being mis-described in the most sinister and (d) appeared, combines
___manner as 'ethnic cleansing', were also
39. Since her face was free of ______ there
blamed, in further hand-washing rhetoric, on
was no way to _ _ _ _ if she appreciated
something dark and interior to ____ and
what had happened.
perpetrators alike.
(a) make-up, realise
(a) innovative; communicator
(b) expression, ascertain
(b) enchanting; leaders
(c) disingenuous; victims (c) emotion, diagnose
(d ) scars, understand
(d! exigent; exploiters
 ---1
2.8
Sentence Cornpi
etlon
40. In this context, the ____ of the British The key point here is to view the fired employees
labour movement is particularly _ _ __ a "failed product" and to ask how the process (47) as
(a) affiar, weird such a phenomenon in the first place. ---..
(b) activity, moving 45. (a) dismissing (b) punishing
(c) experience, significant (c) firing (d) admonishing
(d ) atmosphere, gloomy 46. (a) resolve (b) thwart
oil. !ndi_an intellectuals may boast, if they are so (c) defeat (d ) close
inclined, ofbeina _ _ _ _ _ _ to the most 47. (a) derived (b) engineered
elitist among th; intellectual (c) produced (d) allowed
of the world. ------
Directions for Q. 48 to 57 :
(a) subordinate, traditions
Fill up the blanks, numbered [48}, [49}.... up to [57] i
(b) heirs, cliques the two passages below with the most appropriate w~r~
(c) ancestors, societies from the options giuen for each blank.
(d ) heir, traditions "Between the year 1946 an.d the year 1955, I did not
Directions for Q. 42 to 47. file any income tax returns. With that [48) statement
Fill the gaps in the passages below with the most Ramesh embarked on an account of his encounter with
appropri.ate word from the options giuen for each gap. the Income Tax D_epartment: "I originally owed
Rs. 20,000 in unprud taxes. With [49) and [50), the
Th e right words are the ones used by the author. Be
20,000 became 60,000. The Income Tax Department
guided by the author's overall style and meaning when then went into action, and I learned first hand just
you choose the answers. how much power the Tax Department wields. Royalties
Von Nuemann and Morgenstern assume a decision and trust funds can be [51); automobiles may be [52]
frarnework in which all options are thoroughly and auctioned off. Nothing belongs to the [53) until
considered , each option being independent of others, the case is settled."
with a numerical value derived for the utility of each 48. (a) devious (b) blunt
possible outcome (these outcomes reflecting, in turn, (cl tactful (d) pretentious
all possible combinations of choices). The decision is 49. (a) interest (b) taxes
then made to maximize the expected utility. (c) principal ld ) returns
(42 )__, such a model reflects major simplifications 50. (a) sanctions (b) refunds
of the way decisions are made in the real world. (c) fees (d ) fines
Humans are not able to process information as quickly 51. (a) closed (b) detached
and effectively as the model assumes; they tend not
(c) attached (d ) impounded
to think (43) _ _ as easily as the model calls for;
they often deal with a particular option without really 52. (a) smashed (b) seized
assessing its (44J _ _, and when they do assess (c) dismantled (d ) frozen
alternatives, they may be extremely nebulous about 53. (a) purchaser (b) victim
their criteria of evaluation. (c) investor (d) offender
42. (a) Regrettably (b) Firstly At that time the White House was as serene as a
(c) Obviously (d ) Apparently resort hotel out of season. The corridors were [54).
43. (a) quantitatively In the various offices, [55) gray men in waistcoats
(b) systematically
talked to one another in low-pitched voices. The only
(c) scientifically (d ) analytically colour, or choler, curiously enough, was provided by
44. (a) implications (b ) disadvantages President Eisenhower himself. Apparently, his [56)
(c) utility (d ) alternatives was easily set off; he scowled when he [57) the
In a large company, (45) __ people is about as corridors.
common as using a gun or a switch-blade to (46)__ 54. (a) striking (b) hollow
an argument. As a result, most managers have little (c) empty (d ) white
or no experience of firing people, and they find it 55. (a) quiet
emotionally traumatic; as result, they often delay the (b) faded
act interminably, much as an unhappy spouse will (c) loud (d ) st.en torian
prolong a bad maniage. And when the firing is done, 56. (a) laughter (b) curiosity
ifs often done clumsily, with far worse side effects (c) humour (d ) temper
than are necessary. 57. (a) paced (b) strolled
Do the world-class softward organizations have a (c) stormed
different way of firing people ? No, but they do the (d) prowled.
deed swiftly, humanely. and professionally.
sentence Completlon 2.9

ANSWERS
MCQ Type Questions

1. (a ) 2. (b) 3. (bl 4. (d ) 5. (b) 6. (c) 7. (d) 8. (d) 9. (c) 10. (c)

12. (d) 13. (a ) 14. (d ) 15. (a ) 16. (d) 17. (bl 18. (a) 19. (d) 20. (c)
U. (a )
22. (c) 23. (d ) 24. (b) 25. (b) 26. (d) 27. (a) 28. (c) 29. (d) 30. (c)
21. (3)
32. (d) 33. (c) 34. (d) 35. (d ) 36. (d ) 37. (d) 38. (c) 39. (b! 40. (c)
31. (c)
42.(d) 43. (d ) 44. (d) 45. (c) 46. (a ) 47. (d) 48.(b) 49.(a) 50. (d)
41. (d )
51. (c) 52. (b) 53. (d ) 54. (c) 55. (a ) 56. (d) 57. (d )

EXPLANATIONS
(b) A man's toil may secure a lot of things for
MCQ TYPE QUESTIONS his children or friends . That too is not
something great.
1, They in choice (a) means 'some of our ruling
politicians' (the subject). Also grammatic ally (c) A man's toil may help him to overcome
'they have a right to plunder ........ .' is correct many difficulties, but that does not give him
wheras' ...... right to the punder ...... ' is incorrect. much pleasure.
2. 'Bizarre' means 'weird'. Hence, choice (a ) is So, choice (d ) is the best answer. What one
ruled out. "Its haunting images have endured ' becomes by one's toil is greater than what one
fits syntactically. choice (c) can also be ruled gets.
out as 'munificence' means generosity and this 9. (a) 'Reopens the first chapter' means begins
is not intended in the sentence. Also, the word from the very start.
'prints' in the given sentence gets with the word <b) 'Writes an epilogue' means ends the book.
'images' of choice (b). (c) 'Opens new books' means creates new
3. 'They' in the part after the comma must refH problems.
to somebody or some-thin g . Hence, only The above three are only partly correct. An act
choice (b ) will fit as 'they' in that case refers of justice pardons for ever an act of vengeance
to 'things'. creates new prcblems. It is a saying. "An act of
4. The right word to precede the proposition 'on' justice closes the book on a misdeed; an act of
is imposed. Tax is not collected on ....... people. vengeance writes one of its own."
Tax is not placed on people, Tax is not charged Here, the trail is the important thing and hence
10.
on people. Hence, choices (a J, (b ) and (c Jare not
the excitement of the trail is what you will be
the answers. Tax is imposed ..... on ......
looking for.
5. Choice (d ) is ruled out as it does not logically
11. (b) The expression must be "it is of cardinal
fit. Choice (a ) is also ruled out because of the
expression 'tears in me'. importance".
6. The key words are 'plunging' and 'investor (c) There is no urgency in understand ing, "It
confidence'. If markets are plunging, investor should be understood " is enough.
confidence is low. This aspect is brought out (d) Instead of"it cannot be,' the expression should
best by choice (c). be it must be'.
7. (a) 'Discovery'refers to something that existed So choice (a ) is the best, It is important that
previously and came to knowledge later. the two things are not to be interfered with.
Home is not a discovery. 13. (b) It is not mentioned with what do wines
(b) Home is not a certain. It is a set up which bear semblance.
comes into being as a result of a certain (c) The 'similarity ' is only in te rms of
composition ofvarious factors. production . The similarity in production
(c) Home is not a new invention of anyone at does not achieve commercial profit.
any stage of development. (d) For the same commercial profit wines need
So choice (d) is the best answer. Home is an not be produced in the same of similar manner.
institution just like 'marriage. Home is a reality So, choice (a ) is the best. It does not mention
only when its members accept certain principles. that the wines of similar profit are similarily
8. (a) A man's toil may help to make out wealth, produced or have semblance with one another.
but it is not the ultimate aim.