English 🔁 Rule 3: Tense Agreement

 Past habit: used to + V1

Verb (Basic)  He used to play cricket.
🆚 Rule 4: Been vs Gone
🔹 What is a Verb?
 He has gone to Delhi. (He’s still there.)
A verb is a word that shows an action, state, or occurrence.
 He has been to Delhi. (He returned.)
 Action Verb: He runs fast.
 State Verb: She is happy. ⚠️ Rule 5: Avoid Double Negatives
 Occurrence Verb: It happens suddenly.  He did not say anything (✅)
🔑 Types of Verbs  He did not say nothing ❌
1. ✅ Main Verbs 🧱 Points to Remember for SSC CGL
These express the main action or state in the sentence. 1. Infinitive Rule: After some verbs, use to + V1 (agree, refuse, promise)
 Ex: go, come, write, read, is, was, etc. o He agreed to go.
2. 🧱 Helping Verbs (Auxiliary Verbs) 2. Gerund Rule: Some verbs are followed by verb+ing (enjoy, avoid, suggest)
They help the main verb to form tense, mood, or voice. o She enjoys dancing.
 Be, Do, Have (Primary Auxiliaries) 3. Causative Verbs: Make, Let, Get
 Can, May, Shall, Will (Modal Auxiliaries) o He made me do it. (Use V1 after 'make')
🕐 Verb Tenses 4. Subject–Verb Agreement is CRUCIAL
Verbs change form according to tense (time of action). o Neither he nor she is responsible.
 Present: eat / eats o Either of the boys has done it.
 Past: ate 5. Use of Had + V3 in past perfect
 Future: will eat o He had eaten before I arrived.
Common SSC Confusion: 6. Passive Voice Rule: Be + V3
 I did not go (NOT I did not went) o The work was done on time.
 Use V1 after did.
📙 Common Error Spotting Areas:
📊 Forms of Verb (V1, V2, V3)
Mistake Type Wrong Example Correct Form
Verb V1 V2 V3
Wrong verb form He did not went there He did not go there
Go go went gone
Agreement mismatch One of the boys have gone has gone
Write write wrote written
Irregular verb error He drinked water He drank water
Eat eat ate eaten
Causative error He made me to go He made me go
👉 Learn at least 100 common irregular verbs for SSC.
🛠️ Transitive vs Intransitive Verbs
Vocabulary – Homophones
Type Needs Object Example 📚 What Are Homophones?
Transitive Yes He wrote a letter. Homophones are words that sound the same when pronounced but have different meanings, spellings, or both.
Intransitive No He slept peacefully.
List of Confusing & Important Homophones
🔁 Regular vs Irregular Verbs Homophone Pair Meaning 1 Meaning 2
 Regular Verbs: Add –ed in past (e.g., play → played) Affect / Effect Affect – verb: to influence Effect – noun: result or outcome
 Irregular Verbs: Change form (e.g., go → went) Accept / Except Accept – to receive or agree Except – excluding
❗ Important SSC Grammar Rules & Exceptions
Compliment / Complement – something that completes or goes
🚫 Rule 1: No ‘s’ or ‘es’ with plural subject in present tense Compliment – praise
Complement well with
 She eats, They eat (✅) Principal / Principle Principal – head of school / main Principle – rule or law
 They eats ❌
Lose / Loose Lose – to misplace or not win Loose – not tight
⛔ Rule 2: Do/Does + V1 only
Stationary / Stationery Stationary – not moving Stationery – paper, pens, office supplies
 He does not play (✅)
Brake / Break Brake – to stop (a vehicle) Break – to shatter or pause
 He does not plays ❌

1 | | 2 | |
 Homophone Pair Meaning 1 Meaning 2
Council – a group of people for Homophones
Council / Counsel Counsel – advice or legal advisor
discussion
Homophone Pair Meaning 1 Meaning 2
Desert / Dessert Desert – dry land OR to abandon Dessert – sweet food after a meal
Bear / Bare Bear – to carry or tolerate / an animal Bare – uncovered or naked
Precede / Proceed Precede – to come before Proceed – to go ahead or continue
Buy / By / Bye Buy – to purchase By – beside or through / method
Capital / Capitol Capital – city or money Capitol – legislative building
Bye – short for goodbye / walkover in sports
Sight – ability to see
Sight / Site / Cite Site – location Pair / Pear Pair – a set of two Pear – a type of fruit
Cite – to quote Flour / Flower Flour – ground grain used in cooking Flower – blooming plant
Advice / Advise Advice – noun: suggestion Advise – verb: to recommend Hear / Here Hear – to perceive sound Here – in this place
Weather / Whether Weather – climate condition Whether – expressing choice or doubt Hole / Whole Hole – an opening Whole – complete, entire
Access / Excess Access – entry or approach Excess – too much Idle / Idol Idle – inactive or lazy Idol – someone admired or a statue of a deity
Allusion / Illusion Allusion – indirect reference Illusion – false impression or deception Knew / New Knew – past of "know" New – not old, recently made
Bail – release from custody OR remove Knight / Night Knight – a medieval soldier or noble Night – the dark part of a day
Bail / Bale Bale – a bundle (like hay or cotton)
water Male / Mail Male – a gender Mail – postal service or letters
Canvas / Canvass Canvas – heavy fabric Canvass – to solicit or campaign Meat / Meet Meat – flesh used as food Meet – to encounter or gather
Elicit / Illicit Elicit – to draw out (a response) Illicit – illegal or unlawful Morning / Mourning Morning – time after sunrise Mourning – expressing sorrow after loss
Persecute / Prosecute Persecute – to oppress or harass Prosecute – to bring legal action against Peace / Piece Peace – calm or absence of war Piece – a part of something
Plain / Plane Plain – simple or flat land Plane – aircraft or a tool for smoothing wood
Advanced Verb Rules – SSC CGL Quick Revision Table Right / Write Right – correct / direction Write – to compose letters or words
Topic Rule Examples Sole / Soul Sole – only one / bottom of foot or shoe Soul – spirit or essence of a person
Subject-Verb Singular subject → singular verb Steal / Steel Steal – to take unlawfully Steel – a strong metal
She writes, They write
Agreement Plural subject → plural verb Son / Sun Son – male child Sun – star at the center of our solar system
Special Agreement Toe / Tow Toe – part of the foot Tow – to pull something (like a vehicle)
Each, Either, Neither, Everyone → Singular verb Neither of the boys was present
Cases
Vain / Vein / Vane Vain – proud or futile Vein – blood vessel
The teacher, along with students, is
With/As well as etc. Verb agrees with the main subject only Vane – blade that rotates with wind
going
Tense remains consistent unless time shift is Witch / Which Witch – one who practices magic Which – question word used to choose
Tense Consistency He said that he was tired Waist / Waste Waist – body part below the ribs Waste – unwanted material / to squander
required
She has gone (V3), They are playing Weathered / Withered Weathered – worn out by exposure Withered – dried up or shriveled (esp. plants)
Correct Verb Forms Use V1, V2, V3, V+ing as per helping verb
(V+ing)
Infinitive (to + V1) Used after want, hope, decide, etc. I want to go Important Rules of Verb (Advance)
Gerund (V+ing) Used after enjoy, avoid, consider, etc. He avoided talking
[Link]. Topic Rule / Exception Example(s)
Modals Always followed by V1 You should go
Inversion with Negative Negative adverbials at the beginning cause Never have I seen such [Link]
- Make/Let + obj + V1 She made him cry 1
Words inversion (Aux + Subject + Verb) does he speak in public.
Causative Verbs - Get + obj + to V1 I got him to wash Collective Noun Singular verb if acting as unit; plural if acting The team is [Link] team are
- Have + obj + V3 I had my car repaired 2
Agreement individually wearing their new jerseys.
- If + V1, will + V1 Emphatic Use to emphasize main verb in present or He does know the truth.I did complete
If he works, he will pass 3
Conditionals - If + V2, would + V1 "do/does/did" past simple the task.
If I were you, I would go
- If + had + V3, would have + V3 Use V1 for complete action, V+ing for I saw him leave. (entire act)I saw him
4 Verbs of Perception
The work is done, The task will be ongoing action leaving. (in progress)
Passive Voice Be form + V3
completed Stative Verbs (Non- Verbs expressing state (emotion, possession, I know the answer. ❌ I am knowing
5
Verb after Prepositions Use gerund (V+ing) She is good at dancing continuous) thought) not used in continuous form the answer.
Verb + Fixed Some verbs have fixed prepositions (insist on, Transitive vs He wrote a letter. (transitive)He sleeps
He confessed to stealing the money 6 Transitive needs object; intransitive does not
Preposition confess to) Intransitive Verbs peacefully. (intransitive)

3 | | 4 | |
 [Link]. Topic Rule / Exception Example(s) Word Synonym Meaning (English) Hindi Meaning Example Sentence
Gerund vs Infinitive Some verbs change meaning with V+ing vs. I remember meeting her. His answer was too ambiguous to
7 Ambiguous Vague Not clearly defined or stated ततततततत
Meaning to + V1 (past)Remember to meet her. (future) understand.
Some verbs take both indirect and direct She gave me a [Link] gave a gift to To assess or estimate the value of ततततततततत The teacher appraised the essay
8 Double Object Verbs Appraise Evaluate
objects me. something तततत fairly.
Bare Infinitive After Verbs like make, let, help are followed by V1 She made him [Link] him [Link] me This necklace is made of artificial
9
Certain Verbs without 'to' carry this. Artificial Man-made Not natural; made by humans ततततततत
diamonds.
Subjunctive Mood (V1 After suggest, demand, recommend etc., use They suggested that he study.I demand
10 To avoid or stop something from He averted the accident by quick
after that) V1 after "that" that she be punished. Avert Prevent ततततत / ततततत
happening braking.
To send someone away as ततततततततत The criminal was banished from
Important Rules & Exceptions of Tenses – SSC CGL Special Banish Expel
punishment तततत the kingdom.
Tense Rule Usage Example Common Exceptions / Notes Her bold move impressed
Bold Daring Brave and courageous ततततत
For general truths, habits, With 'if', 'unless', 'as soon as', use everyone.
Simple Present He goes to school every day.
regular actions simple present for future events. She gave a candid reply in the
Present Action happening now or Not used with stative verbs (e.g., Candid Frank Honest and straightforward तततततततततत
She is writing a letter. interview.
Continuous planned future actions know, believe, own). ततततत / ततत The noise suddenly ceased at
Action completed recently or Do not use with specific past Cease Stop To bring to an end
Present Perfect I have finished my work. तततत midnight.
with present relevance time (e.g., yesterday, last year).
The company suffered a colossal
Present Perfect Action started in past and still He has been studying since Use since for point of time, for for Colossal Huge Extremely large ततततत
loss last year.
Continuous continuing morning. period of time.
Completed action in the past at a She went to Delhi Avoid using present perfect with To accept or own up to He confessed his mistake to the
Simple Past Confess Admit ततततततत तततत
specific time yesterday. definite past time. something teacher.
Past action in progress when I was reading when he The engineer fixed the defect in the
Past Continuous Often used with while and when. Defect Flaw A fault or shortcoming ततत
another action occurred came. machine.
Action completed before Use only if two past actions are To deny the possession of Poverty deprives many children of
Past Perfect He had left before I arrived. Deprive Rob ततततत तततत
another past action compared. something education.
Past Perfect Past action continuing up to a She had been crying for Rare in use; typically with ततततत /
Continuous point in the past hours before help came. for/since + point of time. To stop someone from doing
Deter Discourage तततततततततत Fear of punishment deters crime.
Action that will happen in the Use shall with "I/We" in formal something
Simple Future They will come tomorrow. तततत
future usage (rare in modern English).
A leader emerged from among the
Future Action that will be ongoing at a I will be working at 5 PM Not used with time clauses (e.g., Emerge Appear To come into view ततततत तततत
people.
Continuous future time tomorrow. when, after, before).
Action that will be completed The elephant is an enormous
She will have reached by Often used with time expressions Enormous Massive Very large in size or quantity तततत तततत
Future Perfect before a certain time in the animal.
10 AM. (by then, before, etc.). Handle this glass with care—it’s
future
Fragile Delicate Easily broken or damaged तततततत
Future Perfect Action continuing until a certain By June, he will have been Rarely asked but useful for fragile.
Continuous time in the future working here for 5 years. elimination in options. तततत /
Genuine Authentic Real or true Is this a genuine diamond?
तततततततत
Most Repeated Synonyms Hinder Obstruct To slow down or block तततत ततततत Heavy traffic hindered his progress.
Word Synonym Meaning (English) Hindi Meaning Example Sentence The machines are lying idle due to
Idle Inactive Not working or being used ततततततततत
ततततततत / तततत He abandoned the project due to lack of power.
Abandon Forsake To leave something permanently The arrival of the storm is
तततत lack of support. Imminent Impending About to happen ततततत
The report provides accurate imminent.
Accurate Precise Exact and free from error तततत
details. Illuminate Light up To make light or clear तततततततत तततत The street was illuminated at night.
He faced adverse weather His life was in jeopardy during the
Adverse Unfavorable Harmful or not helpful तततततततत Jeopardy Danger Risk of loss or harm तततत
conditions during travel. mission.
His aggressive behavior scared the Keen Eager Very enthusiastic तततततत She is keen to learn new skills.
Aggressive Hostile Angry and ready to fight ततततततत
children.
The teacher was lenient with the
You must alter your plans due to Lenient Merciful Not strict; forgiving तततत / ततत
Alter Modify To change or make different ततततत latecomers.
the rain.

5 | | 6 | |
Word Synonym Meaning (English) Hindi Meaning Example Sentence Word Synonym Meaning (English) Hindi Meaning Example Sentence
तततततत / ततत- His explanation was lucid and Concise Brief Short and clear ततततततततत Please keep your answers concise.
Lucid Clear Easily understandable
ततततत simple. Showing care and effort in तततततततत / She is a diligent student and always
Diligent Hardworking
work तततततत tops the class.
TENSE: Important Rules & Exceptions ततततत / The coach eliminated the weakest
Eliminate Remove To get rid of something
तततततत तततत players.
Tense /
Advanced Rule / Exception Example Feeble Weak Lacking physical strength ततततत His voice was too feeble to be heard.
Category
The workers grumbled about their
1. Simple Used for scheduled future events (esp. transport, Grumble Complain To express dissatisfaction तततततत तततत
The train leaves at 6 AM tomorrow. low wages.
Present timetables, fixed programs).
People of all faiths live in harmony
Used in commentaries, narratives, and instructions. Dhoni hits a six! / First, mix the batter. Harmony Accord Peaceful agreement ततत / तततततत
here.
2. Present Can express annoyance or irritation with “always,”
She is always interrupting me! Indolent Lazy Not willing to work तततत His indolent behavior cost him the job.
Continuous “constantly,” etc.
Quick and light in movement The dancer's nimble steps impressed
3. Present Used in news headlines to imply recent actions even when India has won the match. (headline Nimble Agile तततततततत
or action everyone.
Perfect the time is known. use, even though time is implied)
Expecting good things to Despite setbacks, she remains
Sometimes used with “just now” in Indian English, but it’s ❌ I have seen him just now. ✅ I saw Optimistic Hopeful ततततततत
happen optimistic.
ungrammatical in standard English. him just now. तततत तततत /
To die, especially in an
Used for imaginary / hypothetical situations in Perish Die Many people perished in the flood.
4. Simple Past If I knew, I would help. accident तत तततत
conditional sentences. तततततत /
After “wish” and “as if,” even present/future ideas take past I wish I had a car. / He talks as if he Radiant Glowing Bright or shining Her radiant smile lit up the room.
ततततततततत
tense. were a king. Reluctant Unwilling Not eager to do something तततततततत He was reluctant to share his views.
Not necessary if sequence is clear through connectors like ✅ He left before I arrived. (Past
5. Past Perfect
“before,” “after,” “when.” Simple is fine here too) Most Repeated Synonyms
Past Perfect is used in reported speech to backshift
He said he had completed the task.
present/present perfect. Word Synonym Meaning (English) Hindi Meaning Example Sentence
6. Future ‘Will’ is not used in clauses starting with time expressions: ✅ I will call you when he comes. ❌ To become less intense or
Abate Subside तत तततत / ततततत The storm suddenly abated.
Tenses “when,” “as soon as,” “before,” “after.” I will call you when he will come. widespread
Future Perfect is also used for assumptions about He will have reached by now. तततततततत / तततत There is ample evidence to support
Ample Plentiful More than enough
completed actions. (assumption, not future event) ततततततत the claim.
7. Future Brutal Cruel Extremely violent or harsh ततततत The brutal murder shocked the city.
Used to indicate polite inquiries about someone’s plans. Will you be joining us for dinner?
Continuous To control or limit something The government imposed laws to
Curb Restrain तततततततत तततत
8. Mixed Tense Sentences can mix tenses when referring to different time I know he was lying. / She said she undesirable curb inflation.
Usage frames. wants to help. ततततत तततत / The report disclosed many hidden
Disclose Reveal To make known or expose
Stative verbs (like know, love, believe) usually do not take ततततत facts.
9. Stative Verbs continuous tenses — but exceptions exist in informal ✅ I am loving this movie! (informal) तततततत तततत / The disease was eradicated from
Eradicate Eliminate To remove or destroy completely
usage. ततत तत ततततत the village.
10. Historical Used in storytelling or literature to make events feel So, he goes to the king and says, “I To promote growth or The teacher fostered creativity in
Foster Encourage तततततत तततत
Present immediate, even if in the past. need help.” development students.
Despite his fame, he remained
Humble Modest Not proud or arrogant तततततत / तततत
Most Repeated Synonyms humble.
To mimic or reproduce someone’s
Imitate Copy तततततत तततत Children often imitate their parents.
Word Synonym Meaning (English) Hindi Meaning Example Sentence actions
To take someone away ततततततत / He is a jolly person and always
Abduct Kidnap ततततत तततत The child was abducted from the park. Jolly Cheerful Full of happiness or joy
illegally तततततत smiling.
तततततततत / She is known for her benevolent To tempt someone with a reward तततततत / The offer was used to lure
Benevolent Kind Showing kindness or goodwill Lure Attract
ततततत nature. or bait ततततततत तततत customers.
Complete confusion and lack The stadium was in chaos after the ततततततत /
Chaos Disorder ततततततततत Mend Repair To fix or correct something He mended the torn shirt.
of order match. तततततत तततत

7 | | 8 | |
 Word Synonym Meaning (English) Hindi Meaning Example Sentence Future Perfect Continuous No acceptable passive structure
She nagged him about cleaning his
Nag Pester To annoy persistently ततत तततत
room. Most Repeated Antonyms
To make someone do something ततततत तततत /
Oblige Compel I felt obliged to help my friend. Meaning Antonym Meaning
by law/duty ततततत तततत
Word Meaning (Eng) Antonym Example Sentence
ततततत तततत / (Hindi) (Eng/Hindi)
Plead Beg To make an emotional request He pleaded for mercy in court.
ततततत तततत Refrain, avoid Take part in / He decided to abstain from
Abstain तततततत तततत Indulge
A heated argument or doing ततततत तततत alcohol.
Quarrel Dispute ततततत They had a quarrel over money.
disagreement Success, wealth / He never gave up even in
Adversity Hardship, difficulty ततततततत Prosperity
The teacher rebuked him for ततततततत adversity.
Rebuke Scold To criticize sharply तततततत
cheating. Unclear, open to Clear, direct / His ambiguous answer
Ambiguous ततततततत Explicit
Shriek Scream To cry out loudly and sharply ततततत She shrieked in fear. interpretation तततततत confused the panel.
Thrive Prosper To grow or develop successfully तततत-ततततत His business is thriving rapidly. The soldier's audacious
Audacious Bold, daring ततततततततत Timid Shy, fearful / ततततत
Vanish Disappear To stop being visible तततत तत तततत The magician made the coin vanish. move surprised everyone.
Evil-minded / The benevolent king
Benevolent Kind, charitable तततततततत Malevolent
तततततततततत helped the poor.
General Structure of Voice Transformation
Honest, Misleading / She gave a candid reply in
Candid तततततततततत Deceptive
Voice Type Structure straightforward तततततततत the interview.
Active Voice Subject + Verb + Object Don't become complacent
Complacent Self-satisfied ततततततततततत Concerned Worried / तततततत
Passive Voice Object (of active) + form of "be" + past participle (V3) + by + Subject (of active) after small success.
She is a diligent student
Diligent Hardworking तततततततत Lazy Idle / तततत who never misses a
Tense-wise Rules of Voice Conversion
deadline.
Tense Active Voice Structure Passive Voice Structure Example (Active → Passive) Uninformed / The professor was highly
Erudite Scholarly, learned ततततततत Ignorant
O + is/am/are + V3 + by She writes a letter. → A letter is written by ततततततत erudite in history.
Simple Present S + V1 + O
+S her. They lived a frugal life to
Frugal Economical, thrifty तततततततत Extravagant Lavish / ततततततत
Present S + is/am/are + V1+ing O + is/am/are + being + He is painting a wall. → A wall is being save money.
Continuous +O V3 + by + S painted by him. Introverted / He is gregarious and
Gregarious Social, outgoing ततततततत Reserved
O + has/have + been + They have finished the work. → The work has ततततततततत enjoys large gatherings.
Present Perfect S + has/have + V3 + O
V3 + by + S been finished by them. The criminal committed a
Heinous Shockingly evil ततततत Noble Virtuous / तततततत
O + was/were + V3 + by She cleaned the room. → The room was heinous act.
Simple Past S + V2 + O
+S cleaned by her. Judges must remain
S + was/were + V1+ing O + was/were + being + They were watching a movie. → A movie was Impartial Fair, unbiased तततततततत Biased Partial / तततततततत
Past Continuous impartial in all cases.
+O V3 + by + S being watched by them. Clear, easy to The teacher gave a lucid
O + had + been + V3 + by He had completed the task. → The task had Lucid तततततत Obscure Unclear / ततततततत
Past Perfect S + had + V3 + O understand explanation.
+S been completed by him. The medicine helped
O + will/shall + be + V3 + She will read the book. → The book will be Mitigate Reduce, alleviate तत तततत Aggravate Intensify / तततततत
Simple Future S + will/shall + V1 + O mitigate the pain.
by + S read by her.
Innocent, Clever & deceitful / She was too naive to notice
S + will/shall + have + O + will/shall + have + He will have written a letter. → A letter will Naive तततत Cunning
Future Perfect inexperienced ततततत the trick.
V3 + O been + V3 + by + S have been written by him.
Outdated, no Contemporary / Typewriters have become
Obsolete तततततततत Modern
longer used तततततत obsolete now.
Tenses Without Passive Voice It is prudent to save money
Prudent Wise, careful तततततततत Reckless Careless / ततततततत
Tense Reason for emergencies.
Present Perfect Continuous Cannot be changed due to continuous duration emphasis His analysis was
Superficial Shallow, not deep तततत Profound Deep / ततत superficial and lacked
Past Perfect Continuous No direct passive form exists
depth.
Future Continuous Passive structure is not used in English

9 | | 10 | |
 Meaning Antonym Meaning Antonym
Word Meaning (Eng) Antonym Example Sentence Meaning
(Hindi) (Eng/Hindi) Word Meaning (Eng) Antonym Meaning Example Sentence
(Hindi)
Boring, The job involved tedious (Eng/Hindi)
Tedious तततत Interesting Engaging / तततत The editor decided to
monotonous paperwork. To shorten or ततततततततत To make longer /
Abridge Expand abridge the novel for young
condense तततत ततततततत तततत
readers.
Active to Passive Voice Rules for Modal Verbs
Aggressive, Calm, non-violent The belligerent nations
Belligerent ततततततत Peaceful
[Link]. Modal Verb Active Voice Structure Passive Voice Structure Example (Active) Example (Passive) warlike / तततततततततत finally agreed to a ceasefire.
Subject + can/could + V₁ Object + can/could + be She can solve the The problem can His argument was not
1 Can / Could Logical and Confused, unclear
+ object + V₃ + by + subject problem. be solved by her. Coherent तततततत Incoherent coherent and lacked
consistent / ततततत
He might structure.
Subject + may/might + Object + may/might + be The work might be Poverty can deprive
2 May / Might complete the To deny or take To give, offer /
V₁ + object + V₃ + by + subject completed by him. Deprive ततततत तततत Provide children of proper
work. away तततत
Shall / Subject + shall/should + Object + shall/should + You should follow The rules should be education.
3 Fluent and
Should V₁ + object be + V₃ + by + subject the rules. followed by you. Unable to express The speaker’s eloquent
Subject + will/would + Object + will/would + be They will launch The app will be Eloquent persuasive in ततततततत Inarticulate
4 Will / Would / ततततततत speech moved the audience.
V₁ + object + V₃ + by + subject the app. launched by them. speech
Must / Subject + must/ought to Object + must/ought to + We must obey the The law must be Unrealistic / It's not feasible to finish this
5 Feasible Possible, practical तततत Impractical
Ought to + V₁ + object be + V₃ + by + subject law. obeyed by us. तततततततततत project in two days.
Has to / Object + has/have/had He has to Unfriendly, Kind, welcoming / The crowd turned hostile
Subject + has/have/had The form has to be Hostile तततततततततततत Friendly
6 Have to / to + be + V₃ + by + complete the aggressive ततततततत after the announcement.
to + V₁ + object completed by him.
Had to subject form. To express ततत ततततत To celebrate / She lamented the loss of her
Lament Rejoice
Subject + used to + V₁ + Object + used to + be + She used to teach French used to be sorrow तततत तततततत तततत childhood home.
7 Used to
object V₃ + by + subject French. taught by her. Confident and
Humble, Though meek by nature, she
Subject + Object + need(s)/needed Meek तततततत Assertive forceful /
You need to The file needs to be submissive stood up for her rights.
8 Need to need(s)/needed to + V₁ to + be + V₃ + by + तततततततततततत
submit the file. submitted by you.
+ object subject Unimportant, Important / He was scolded for wasting
Trivial ततततत Significant
minor तततततततततत time on trivial matters.
Active to Passive Voice Rules for Imperative Sentences
Most Repeated Antonyms
Type of Active Voice Example
[Link]. Passive Voice Structure Example (Passive)
Sentence Structure (Active) Hindi
Antonym
Order / Word Meaning Hindi Meaning Antonym Meaning Example Sentence
1 V₁ + object Let + object + be + V₃ Close the door. Let the door be closed. Meaning
Command (Antonym)
Request / Please + V₁ + You are requested/advised to You are requested to To take
2 Please help me. To Doctors advise patients
Advice object + V₁ + object help me. तततततततत part in
Abstain deliberately Indulge ततततत तततत to abstain from
Negative Do not + V₁ + Do not waste तततततत तततत (esp.
3 Let not + object + be + V₃ Let not time be wasted. avoid smoking.
Command object time. pleasure)
Suggestive Let’s + V₁ + Let’s paint the The king was
4 Let + object + be + V₃ Let the wall be painted.
Sentences object wall. Kind and Having ill benevolent, unlike his
It is advised that the Benevolent ततततत तत तततत Malevolent तततततततततत
General It is advised/instructed that + Read the generous will malevolent
5 V₁ + object instructions should be predecessor.
Instruction object + should be + V₃ instructions.
read. All members concurred
To तततततत with the decision
Concur To agree तततत तततत Dissent
Most Repeated Antonyms disagree ततततत except one who
dissented.
Critics derided the film,
To mock or To express ततततततत
Deride ततततत तततततत Praise while audiences
ridicule admiration तततत
praised it.

11 | | 12 | |
 Hindi [Link]. Concept / Rule Explanation Examples / Exceptions
Antonym
Word Meaning Hindi Meaning Antonym Meaning Example Sentence A noun is the name of a person, place, thing, idea,
Meaning 1 Definition of Noun Ram, honesty, India, chair
(Antonym) or quality.
Fluent and Unable to Her eloquent speech India (Proper), Army
तततततततततत 1. Proper 2. Common 3. Collective 4. Abstract 5.
Eloquent expressive in Inarticulate express ततततततत moved the entire 2 Types of Nouns (Collective), Honesty
ततततत Material
speaking clearly crowd. (Abstract)
Secretive and Not secret He cast a furtive glance Countable vs Countable: Can be counted; Uncountable: Cannot
Furtive तततत ततत, ततततत Open तततत 3 Book (C), Sugar (U)
stealthy or hidden at the forbidden file. Uncountable be counted
Sociable, Plural Formation
Reserved She's gregarious and 4 Add -s or -es to form plural Book → Books, Box → Boxes
Gregarious enjoying ततततततत Introverted ततततततततत (regular)
and shy loves hosting parties.
company Plural Formation Change internal vowel/consonant or form remains
Modest 5 Man → Men, Sheep → Sheep
Arrogantly His haughty behavior (irregular) same
Haughty ततततत Humble and तततततत Some nouns always
superior cost him many friends. 6 Nouns that exist in plural form only Scissors, Trousers, Spectacles
respectful plural
The dark clouds Some nouns always Certain abstract/material nouns always used in Advice, Furniture,
About to Far away 7
Imminent ततततत Distant तततततत signaled an imminent singular singular Information
happen in time
storm. Collective nouns - The jury is (unity), The jury
Lacking Full of After the meal, he felt 8 Treated as singular or plural depending on context
Lethargic ततततत Energetic तततततततत singular/plural are (disagreement)
energy energy lethargic and sleepy.
9 Proper nouns Always capitalized, no article usually used Ram, Delhi, Everest
Very careful तततत Not paying She is meticulous in
Meticulous Careless ततततततत 10 Material nouns No plural, no article usually; uncountable Gold, Iron, Milk
and precise ततततततततततततत attention checking every detail.
The police cracked 11 Abstract nouns Names of qualities, emotions, or concepts Beauty, Honesty, Freedom
Wicked or Morally Nouns ending in -f/-fe → Knife → Knives, Wife → Wives
Nefarious ततत / ततततत Virtuous ततततततत down on the nefarious
criminal good 12 Some change to -ves in plural
activities of the gang. ves (BUT Roof → Roofs)
Current Typewriters have Hero → Heroes, Photo →
No longer in तततततत, 13 Nouns ending in -o → s/es Some add –es, some only –s
Obsolete Modern and up-to- तततततत become obsolete in the Photos
use तततततततत
date digital age. Same form for singular &
14 No change in plural Deer, Sheep, Aircraft
Calm and Troubled The lake looked placid plural
Placid तततत Agitated ततततततत
peaceful or nervous under the moonlight. 15 Possessive case 's for living things / time / personified objects Ram’s book, A year’s time
Though reticent in Double possessive not
Reserved, not Fond of 16 Avoid using two apostrophes ❌Ram’s brother’s car
Reticent तत ततततत तततत Talkative तततततत public, she is expressive used
talkative talking
in writing. When two nouns refer to the same person, use The poet and philosopher is
Very 17 Double noun subjects
Dishonest A scrupulous officer singular verb dead.
Scrupulous principled, ततततततत, ततततत Corrupt तततततत Nouns after ‘many a’ or Always followed by singular noun and singular
or immoral cannot be bribed. 18 Many a student was late.
honest ‘each of’ verb
Uncertain Her tenacious attitude
Persistent, 19 "One of the" rule Always followed by plural noun One of the boys is missing.
Tenacious तततततत, तततत Irresolute or weak- तततततत helped her win the
determined Abstract → countable Abstract nouns can become countable if used in a
willed case. 20 Many beauties of nature
sense exception specific sense
He was known for his
Sophisticated, Uncountable noun made A glass of water, Two pieces of
Urbane ततततत Rude Impolite तततततत urbane charm and 21 With "units" or "measures"
polite countable information
grace.
The lecture was so Use of Articles with No article with proper/material/abstract nouns in ❌The gold is precious → ✔
Dull, lacking Full of 22
Vapid तततत Lively ततततत vapid that students Nouns general Gold is precious
interest energy Nationality as singular Country name = singular, nationality = adjective or India is a country. Indians are
started yawning. 23
Cautious, One should be wary noun plural people kind.
Wary ततततत Reckless Careless ततततततत
Actor → Actress, Prince →
alert while driving at night. 24 Gender specific nouns Nouns with masculine/feminine forms
Princess
Noun (Important Points to Remember) Compound nouns
25 The main noun takes the plural form Passers-by, Sisters-in-law
pluralized by first word

13 | | 14 | |
[Link]. Concept / Rule Explanation Examples / Exceptions One Word
Meaning (English) Meaning (Hindi) Example Sentence
Expressions like ‘hundred’, ‘dozen’, ‘thousand’ do Ten dozen eggs ✔, Dozens of Substitution
26 Numerical expressions The firm was declared insolvent by the
not take ‘s’ when preceded by a number people ✔ Insolvent One who is unable to pay debts तततततततत
court.
Data, Media, Criteria – These are plural of Datum, Medium, Criterion, but Criteria are important
27
plural forms often used as singular in modern usage (formal)
Noun (Most Important Rules)
Most Repeated One Word Substitution Rule
Grammar Concept Rule Explanation Incorrect Sentence Correct Sentence
No.
One Word
Meaning (English) Meaning (Hindi) Example Sentence Nouns like cattle, police, people
Substitution Singular-form Plural The cattle was grazing in The cattle were grazing in
1 look singular but take plural
ततततततत / His ambiguous statement confused the Nouns the field yesterday. the field yesterday.
Ambiguous Having more than one possible meaning verbs.
ततततततत entire audience.
"One of / Each of /
तततततत / The belligerent nations were on the These expressions are always One of the player was not One of the players was
Belligerent Hostile and aggressive 2 None of" + Plural
ततततततत verge of war. followed by a plural noun. on the field. not on the field.
Noun
A person who works selflessly for the तततततततत An altruist never thinks of personal Each of the student was Each of the students was
Altruist
welfare of others ततततततत gain. given two books. given two books.
A mild or indirect word substituted for a तततत “Passed away” is a euphemism for Collective Noun – If the collective noun implies The medical panel was The medical panel were
Euphemism 3
harsh one तततततततततत “died.” Not a Single Unit division, use plural verb. divided in its diagnosis. divided in their diagnosis.
Someone who is reserved or reluctant to The family are at sixes
Reticent ततततततत She is reticent about her personal life. The family is at sixes and
speak and sevens regarding
A sycophant never gives honest sevens regarding property.
Sycophant A person who flatters to gain advantage तततततत property.
feedback. Use ‘one’s’ (not his/their) as One must do his duty One must do one’s duty
4 Possessive of 'One'
A belief contrary to orthodox religious His views on the church were possessive pronoun with “one”. towards humanity. towards humanity.
Heresy ततततततततत
doctrine considered heresy. Words like upstairs,
No Preposition with Grandpa went to upstairs Grandpa went upstairs a
The iconoclast challenged long- 5 downstairs, outside don’t
Iconoclast One who attacks traditional beliefs तततततत तततततत Location Words a few minutes ago. few minutes ago.
standing societal norms. take ‘to’.
A misogynist should not be given a You must go to outside You must go outside
Misogynist One who hates women तततत तततततत immediately. immediately.
public platform.
Present Continuous Use present continuous for He always hits me without He is always hitting me
तततततत / Typewriters have become obsolete 6
Obsolete No longer in use for Irritating Habit repeated annoying actions. any reason. without any reason.
तततततततत now. Avoid Splitting Don’t separate “to” from the She liked to never play She never liked to play
Mark Twain is the pseudonym of 7
Pseudonym A fictitious name used by an author तततत ततत Infinitives verb with an adverb. basketball. basketball.
Samuel Clemens. When both actions are future,
Future Conditional If she will come to Delhi, If she comes to Delhi, we
The soldier remained stoic in the face 8 use: If + Present Simple, then
Stoic A person indifferent to pain or pleasure तततततत / ततततत (Real) we will meet her. will meet her.
of death. Future Simple.
Education is not a panacea for all As soon as he will enter As soon as he enters the
Panacea A remedy for all ills or difficulties ततततततत ततततत the room, you will turn off room, you will turn off the
societal problems.
Mobile phones have become the lights. lights.
Ubiquitous Present everywhere तततततततततत Impossible Past Use: If + Past Perfect, then If Joan would have invited If Joan had invited me, I
ubiquitous these days. 9
Condition Would have + V3. me, I would have met her. would have met her.
Her calligraphy impressed the art
Calligraphy The art of beautiful handwriting ततततत तततत ततत Two Past Actions – Earlier past action: Past By the time we reached, he By the time we reached,
teacher. 10
Sequence Perfect, Later: Simple Past. left the place. he had left the place.
Ephemeral Lasting for a very short time तततततत The beauty of a rainbow is ephemeral.
तततततततततत /
A somnambulist may not remember Most Repeated One Word Substitution
Somnambulist One who walks in sleep तततत ततत तततत
their nocturnal walk. One Word
तततत Meaning (English) Meaning (Hindi) Example Sentence
Substitution
तततत Being a philatelist, he owns rare
Philatelist A person who collects stamps A fatalist accepts everything as
ततततततततततत stamps from 50 countries. Fatalist One who believes in fate or destiny ततततततततत
preordained.
The project's progress is delayed due A person who leaves their own He is an emigrant who now lives in
Bureaucracy Government by departments or officials तततततततत Emigrant ततततततत
to bureaucracy. country to settle elsewhere Canada.

15 | | 16 | |
One Word Rule
Meaning (English) Meaning (Hindi) Example Sentence Rule / Concept Explanation Example
Substitution No.
Incapable of making mistakes or The scientist believed his method 6 Use of 'Pronoun' in tag Subject in tag should be in pronoun form. Raj is late, isn’t he?
Infallible तततत / ततततततततत
being wrong was infallible.
Imperative sentences → will you / Polite requests: use will you or won’t you Open the door, will
Many cultures believe in an 7
Omnipotent All-powerful तततततततततततत won’t you / can you depending on tone. you?
omnipotent deity.
Let’s go to the park,
तततततत Our itinerary includes a visit to the 8 Let’s → shall we When sentence begins with “Let’s”.
Itinerary A planned route or journey shall we?
ततततततततत Eiffel Tower.
The old man was a misanthrope Let me help you, will
Misanthrope One who hates mankind तततततततततत 9 Let me → will you Requesting permission with “Let me”.
who avoided all company. you?
Examination of one's own thoughts After the failure, he went into deep Never / hardly / scarcely / seldom These are negative in meaning, so tag should be
Introspection तततततततततततत 10 He never lies, does he?
or feelings introspection. / little → Positive Tag positive.
One who studies human races and तततत तततत तत An anthropologist studied tribal Exception: Tag of “I am” is “aren’t I”, not “am I I am your friend,
Anthropologist 11 I am → aren’t I
cultures तततततत तततत तततत rituals in Africa. not”. aren’t I?
One who fights for money rather तत तत ततत ततततत He was branded a mercenary for Everything / Everyone / Everyone was present,
Mercenary 12 Use they in tag for general indefinite pronouns.
than cause तततत switching sides in war. Somebody → they weren’t they?
An expert in matters of taste (food, Nothing / Nobody → they (positive Though subject is negative, tag should be Nobody called you, did
Connoisseur ततततत / तततततत He is a connoisseur of fine wines. 13
art, etc.) tag) positive. they?
One who always sees the negative A pessimist never expects good Even though ‘used to’ is past tense, the tag uses He used to smoke,
Pessimist तततततततततत
side of things outcomes. 14 With ‘used to’ use ‘didn't’
did. didn’t he?
One who always looks at the bright Despite the loss, he remained an
Optimist ततततततत ‘There’ as subject → use there in There is a problem,
side optimist. 15 Maintain ‘there’ in tag.
tag isn’t there?
A person who is intolerant toward A bigot refuses to accept diverse
Bigot ततततततततत Question tags are usually spoken with a rising You’re fine, aren’t
others' beliefs viewpoints. 16 Tag follows intonation: rising tone
He’s a strict teetotaller even at tone (uncertainty or confirmation). you?
Teetotaller A person who never drinks alcohol तततततततततत
parties.
Easily excusable (of a fault or His offence was venial and not Most Repeated Idioms
Venial तततततत
mistake) worth punishment.
[Link]. Idiom/Phrase Meaning Example Sentence
A handwritten or typed document The author submitted her
Manuscript ततततततततत Losing that job was a blessing in
before publication manuscript last week. 1 A blessing in disguise A good thing that seemed bad at first
disguise.
A person who flees to another Thousands of refugees crossed the
Refugee तततततततत Stop beating around the bush and tell
country for safety border. 2 Beat around the bush Avoid saying something directly
me the truth.
Versatile Talented in many fields तततततततततततततत She is a versatile actor and singer.
He burnt the midnight oil to prepare
Incapable of being corrected or 3 Burn the midnight oil Work late into the night
Incorrigible ततततततततत He is an incorrigible liar. for the exam.
reformed
I had to bite the bullet and admit my
तततततत तत 4 Bite the bullet To face something difficult bravely
I love learning etymology of English mistake.
Etymology The study of origin of words तततततततत तत
terms. Worrying about something that
तततततत 5 Cry over spilt milk Don't cry over spilt milk, move on.
cannot be changed
She hit the nail on the head with her
Question Tag 6 Hit the nail on the head Do or say something exactly right
analysis.
Rule He let the cat out of the bag about the
Rule / Concept Explanation Example 7 Let the cat out of the bag Reveal a secret by mistake
No. surprise party.
If the main sentence is positive, the tag is She is dancing, isn’t 8 Once in a blue moon Happens very rarely I go to the cinema once in a blue moon.
1 Positive Statement → Negative Tag
negative. she? I'm feeling a bit under the weather
9 Under the weather Feeling ill or sick
He hasn’t gone, has today.
2 Negative Statement → Positive Tag If the sentence is negative, the tag is positive.
he? It's your decision or responsibility I've done my part, now the ball is in
10 The ball is in your court
Use the auxiliary (helping) verb from the main You can drive, can’t now your court.
3 Use of Helping Verb in Tag
clause in the tag. you? He always calls a spade a spade, even if
11 To call a spade a spade To speak the truth bluntly
If no helping verb, use For simple present or past without helping She works hard, it offends.
4
'do/does/did' verbs. doesn’t she? His comments only added fuel to the
12 Add fuel to the fire Worsen an already bad situation
He went to Delhi, fire.
5 Tense consistency Tag tense should match the main sentence.
didn’t he?

17 | | 18 | |
[Link]. Idiom/Phrase Meaning Example Sentence [Link]. Pronoun Rule Explanation / Usage Example
To initiate a conversation in a social He told a joke to break the ice at the Two singular nouns joined by Ram and Shyam did their
13 Break the ice 10 Compound subject → plural verb/pronoun
setting party. 'and' → plural pronoun. work.
Her English has improved by leaps and If two nouns refer to the same The poet and philosopher
14 By leaps and bounds Very quickly or significantly 11 If article is before first noun only
bounds.
person → singular pronoun. gave his opinion.
15 Cost an arm and a leg Very expensive That luxury car costs an arm and a leg.
'It' for known reference; ‘This/That’ to
I’m tired, going to hit the sack early 12 Use of ‘it’ and ‘this/that’ It is raining. This is my pen.
16 Hit the sack Go to bed or sleep refer to something just mentioned
tonight.
Sadly, the old man kicked the bucket Distributive pronouns – each, Always take singular verbs and singular Neither of the men has done
17 Kick the bucket To die 13
last week. either, neither pronouns his duty.
He found himself in hot water after the Pronouns must be clear in Avoid ambiguous or vague pronoun ❌ When Ravi met Raj, he
18 In hot water In trouble 14
mistake. reference. references was angry. (Unclear)
She was on cloud nine after winning
19 On cloud nine Extremely happy Emphatic pronouns used for
the competition. 15 Myself, herself, themselves, etc. I myself did it.
emphasis.
Make a mountain out of a Don’t make a mountain out of a
20 Exaggerate a minor issue Pronoun after ‘than’ or ‘as’ takes
molehill molehill. 16 Compare in same case as subject or object He is taller than I (am).
After several failed attempts, he threw the case of the comparison.
21 Throw in the towel To give up or quit
in the towel. ‘Each other’ – two; ‘one another’ – more
17 ‘Each other’ vs ‘one another’ They love each other.
22 Take with a grain of salt Not take something too seriously Take his advice with a grain of salt. than two
She spilled the beans about the Use of possessive pronouns (mine, Do not use apostrophe (no mine’s, your’s,
23 Spill the beans Reveal secret information 18 This book is mine.
wedding surprise. yours, theirs) etc.)
She always goes the extra mile for her
24 Go the extra mile Do more than what is required ❌ Ramesh he is my friend.
students. 19 Avoid redundant pronouns Do not repeat subject unnecessarily
You’re barking up the wrong tree by ✅ Ramesh is my friend.
25 Barking up the wrong tree Accusing the wrong person
blaming me. Pronoun must match in person If using a sentence like “You and I…”, You and I should do our
20
(1st, 2nd, 3rd). maintain person sequence work.
Most Important Pronoun Rules

[Link]. Pronoun Rule Explanation / Usage Example

Most Repeated Idioms
A pronoun must agree with its Singular noun → singular pronoun; plural
1 Every boy loves his mother.
antecedent in number and gender. noun → plural pronoun [Link]. Idiom/Phrase Meaning Hindi Meaning Example Sentence
'Each', 'Everyone', 'Either', Each of the girls has her own तततत तततत He took the lion’s share of the
2 Take singular verbs and singular pronouns 1 The lion’s share The largest portion
'Neither', 'One' are singular. book. तततततत inheritance.
Use of 'It' for lifeless things and Used as a subject or object for ततततत
3 It is a nice chair. Inexperienced people take Fools rush in where angels fear
animals. objects/animals (unless personified) 2 Fools rush in ततततततततत ततत
rash actions to tread.
ततत तततत ततत
'They' used for plural or when Used for collective, gender-neutral If anyone comes, they will be
4 ततततत ततततततत Her strong argument carried the
gender is not known. reference welcomed. 3 Carry the day To win or succeed
तततत day.
Reflexive pronouns used when Myself, himself, herself, etc. used when
5 She hurt herself. तततततत तत
subject and object are same. subject = object In a depressed or inactive Sales have been in the doldrums
4 In the doldrums तततततत तत
Not used in place of subject/object when ❌ Myself went there. ✅ I state lately.
6 Avoid using reflexives incorrectly. तततततत ततत
not reflexive went there. He threw up the sponge after
Relative Pronouns (who, whom, 'Who' – subject; 'Whom' – object; 'Which' The man who came is my 5 Throw up the sponge To surrender or quit ततत ततत तततत
failing thrice.
7
whose, which, that) – non-living; 'That' – persons + things uncle. Eat someone out of To consume someone’s तततत ततततततत The guests ate them out of house
6
Who – doer of action; Whom – receiver of The girl whom I met was house and home resources completely तत तततत and home.
8 Use of 'who' vs 'whom'
action helpful. An achievement to be proud तततत तततत Winning the award was a feather
7 A feather in one’s cap
'One' must be followed by 'one’s', Maintain consistency in pronoun of ततततत ततततततत in her cap.
9 One must do one’s duty.
not 'his/her'. reference तततत तततत / तत Many small businesses bit the
8 Bite the dust To fail or die
तततत dust in recession.

19 | | 20 | |
[Link]. Idiom/Phrase Meaning Hindi Meaning Example Sentence Rule Example(s)
Rule Description Exceptions / Notes
His excuses cut no ice with the No.
9 Cut no ice Have no effect ततत ततत त तततत
manager. A plural noun name of a country, The United States is
ततततत तत 6 book, subject, etc., takes singular powerful. Mathematics is None
A sudden and unexpected His resignation was a bolt from
10 A bolt from the blue ततततततततततत verb. tough.
event the blue.
तततत When amount, distance, period, or
Five years is a long time. Ten If parts are emphasized, use plural: Five
To stop trying after ततततत तत ततत Don’t rest on your laurels — 7 quantity is considered as a whole,
11 Rest on one’s laurels rupees is not enough. years have passed.
achieving success तततततत त तततत keep working. use singular verb.
ततत ततत ततत Stop building castles in the air; When a sentence begins with ‘There’
12 Castles in the air Unrealistic plans or dreams There are many books on Locate the actual subject after
ततततत be practical. 8 or ‘Here’, the verb agrees with the
the table. There is a pen. there/here.
Have a personal interest or तततततततततततत He supported the plan because real subject.
13 Have an axe to grind
selfish motive तततततततत तततत he had an axe to grind. Titles of books, movies, subjects take "The Chronicles of Narnia" is
9 None
ततततततत ततत The company weathered the singular verb. interesting.
14 Weather the storm Survive a difficult situation
तत तततततत storm of recession. Uncountable nouns take singular Water is essential.
Do something thoroughly or If we’re redecorating, let’s go the 10 None
15 Go the whole hog तततत ततत तततत verb. Information was given.
completely whole hog. Gerund phrases or Infinitives as Swimming is good for health.
Reverse the situation to तततततत ततत She turned the tables by 11 None
16 Turn the tables subjects take singular verb. To err is human.
one's advantage तततत exposing their lie. Words like ‘with’, ‘together with’,
Act too soon without ततततततततत He jumped the gun by releasing The teacher, along with Ignore the additional subject – verb
17 Jump the gun 12 ‘as well as’, ‘in addition to’ do not
preparation तततत the product early. students, is present. agrees with main subject.
make the subject plural.
तततततत तत Employees must toe the When fraction or percentage is 50% of the work is done. Focus on the object of ‘of’
18 Toe the line Follow the rules or authority
तततत तततत company line. 13 used, the verb agrees with the noun 50% of the people are (singular/plural) to determine verb
तततततत तत He rode roughshod over that follows ‘of’. present. form.
19 Ride roughshod over Treat without care or respect
ततततततत तततत everyone’s opinions. Nouns plural in form but singular in Economics is boring. News is
In a state of suspense or तततततत तत She was on tenterhooks 14 None
20 On tenterhooks meaning take singular verb. surprising.
anxiety तततततत ततत awaiting her results. If the subject is ‘none’, verb may be
None has arrived. None Use plural if referring to countable
15 singular or plural depending on the
Subject Verb Agreement were missing. people/things.
context.
Rule Example(s)
Rule Description Exceptions / Notes Confusing Spellings
No.
Common Hindi
Word Meaning Example Sentence
A singular subject takes a singular Misspelling Meaning
She goes to school. They go Acommodate / To provide lodging or The hotel can accommodate 200
1 verb, and a plural subject takes a None Accommodate ततततत तततत
to school. Accomodate space guests.
plural verb.
Occurence / The sudden occurrence of rain
If both refer to the same person/thing, Occurrence An event or incident तततत
Two subjects joined by ‘and’ usually Occurrance ruined the picnic.
2 Ram and Shyam are friends. use singular verb: Bread and butter is To divide or They decided to separate after
take a plural verb. Separate Seperate ततत तततत
his breakfast. disconnect ten years of marriage.
Two singular nouns joined by ‘or’, Either Ravi or Raju is If subjects differ in number, verb agrees Definately / ततततततत I will definitely attend the
Definitely Without doubt
3 ‘nor’, ‘either...or’, ‘neither...nor’ responsible. Neither Rani with nearer subject. Either he or his Definetly ततत तत meeting.
take a singular verb. nor Reema has come. friends are coming. Embarass / To make someone feel तततततततत He was embarrassed by his
Embarrass
Indefinite pronouns like everyone, Some indefinite pronouns like some, all, Embarras self-conscious तततत mistake.
Everyone wants to win. Reccommend / To suggest something ततततततत Can you recommend a good
4 someone, each, either, neither, one few, many may be plural depending on Recommend
Neither was selected. Recomend as suitable तततत book?
take singular verbs. usage. The act of keeping
Take plural verb when members are Regular maintenance of the car
Collective nouns take singular verb Maintenance Maintainance something in good तत-तततत
is essential.
5 The team is playing well. acting individually: The team are condition
when acting as one unit.
arguing among themselves.

21 | | 22 | |
 Common Hindi Rule
Word Meaning Example Sentence Rule Description Example(s) Exceptions / Notes
Misspelling Meaning No.
Acceptance of truth or She nodded in acknowledgment Portions, parts or half – verb depends on Half of the cake is eaten. Half
Acknowledgment Acknowledgement तततततततत 13 Match verb with object of ‘of’.
receipt of the applause. noun after 'of' of the students are absent.
Commitee / A group formed for a The committee approved the Plural form units of measurement or
Committee ततततत Ten dollars is a lot. Forty If counted individually → use
Commettee purpose new rules. 14 money (as single amount) take singular
miles is too far. plural: Ten dollars were scattered.
Questionaire / A set of written Please fill out the questionnaire verb
Questionnaire तततततततततत
Questionnair questions carefully. There is a boy and two girls.
"There" or "Here" + multiple subjects → Common trap in rearranged
A chart showing days, 15 There are two girls and a
Calendar Calender ततततततत Mark the event on the calendar. verb agrees with nearest subject order.
weeks, and months boy.
Privelege / A special right or ततततत Voting is a privilege of every
Privilege
Priviledge advantage तततततत citizen. Preposition
Inner sense of right His conscience wouldn't allow
Conscience Concious / Conciens ततततततततत S.
and wrong him to lie. Rule / Concept Explanation Example Exception / Note
Communication or The manager acted as a liaison No.
Liaison Liason / Liasson तततततत • At → precise time• On →
cooperation between the teams. Prepositions of Time: at, At 5 PM, On Monday, ❗Use at night, at noon,
The air pump created a vacuum 1 specific day/date• In →
Vacuum Vaccum / Vacume An empty space ततततततत on, in In 2022 not in night
in the bottle. month/year/longer period
Prepositions of Place: at, • At → point• On → surface• In At the door, On the ❗Use in bed, in hospital
2
Subject Verb Agreement on, in → enclosed space wall, In the room (UK English)
❗Use present perfect:
Rule • Since → point in time• For → Since 2010, For 5
Rule Description Example(s) Exceptions / Notes 3 ‘Since’ vs ‘For’ “He has been here since
No. duration years
morning.”
Subjects joined by "not only...but also", • By → agent/doer• With → Made by the artistCut “He was beaten by Ram
Neither Ramesh nor his Verb agrees with the subject
1 "either...or", "neither...nor" (different 4 Use of ‘By’ vs ‘With’
friends have arrived. closer to the verb. instrument/tool with a knife with a stick.”
persons)
❗Use between for
Introductory “What” clause takes "What" acts as a singular subject
2 What she says is true. • Between → two• Among → Between Ram and individual distinctions:
singular verb despite implying a longer idea. 5 ‘Between’ vs ‘Among’
more than two ShyamAmong friends “between the three
A great deal of / A good deal of takes a
A great deal of effort is If used with plural countable noun players”
3 singular verb when referring to
required. (rare), verb can be plural. Use of ‘To’ after certain Verbs like listen, reply, talk, Listen to meThis ❌ Incorrect: “Listen
uncountable noun 6
verbs belong need 'to' book belongs to her me”
Subjects like ‘more than one’ take More than one student has Though it appears plural, the
4 ❗Use “jumped into the
singular verb failed. expression is treated as singular. • In → position• Into → She is in the roomShe
"One of the + plural noun" takes singular 7 Use of ‘In’ vs ‘Into’ river”, not “jumped in the
5 One of the boys is absent. Main subject is “One”, not “boys”. movement went into the room
verb river”
Plural phrases treated as a unit take Slow and steady wins the “Slow and steady” is a compound He entered the
6 No Preposition After Enter, discuss, order, reach don’t ❌ Incorrect: “entered
singular verb race. idea, so singular. 8 roomThey discussed
Certain Verbs take preposition into the room”
Subjects expressing a wish or the plan
Use ‘were’ for all subjects in Use ‘on’ for screens, platforms, On the phone, On TV, ❗Avoid “in the TV” or “in
7 hypothetical statement use singular I wish I were a bird. 9 Use of ‘On’ with devices
imaginary/wishful situations. devices On the train phone”
verb (subjunctive mood)
The number of cases is The door of the
"The number of..." takes singular; "A Watch out for the article “The” vs. ‘Of’ shows Not used like “principle’s
8 rising. A number of people 10 Indicates origin or belonging houseA man of
number of..." takes plural “A”. possession/relation man” (wrong)
are protesting. principles
If preceded by "a pair of", use He went to the
Nouns like trousers, scissors, spectacles ‘To’ vs ‘At’ (Direction vs • To → movement• At → ❗“He is looking at her”,
9 These scissors are sharp. singular verb: A pair of scissors is 11 marketHe is at the
take plural verb Place) position not “to her”
missing. market
Relative pronoun (who/which/that) She is one of the players Focus on the noun just before the The train arrived on
10 • On time = exact time• In time = Both correct but differ in
verb agrees with its antecedent noun who have qualified. relative pronoun. 12 ‘On time’ vs ‘In time’ timeHe came in time
early enough meaning
Collective phrases like 'a herd of', 'a flock Treated as one unit unless to help
11 A herd of cows is grazing.
of', 'a bouquet of' take singular verb individuals are being referred to. Use of ‘From’ and ‘To’ in Denotes range, both are ❌ Not: “From 9 AM – 5
13 From 9 AM to 5 PM
Each of / Every one of / Either of / range required PM”
Each of the students was Focus on "each" / "either" etc.,
12 Neither of followed by plural noun takes
present. not the plural noun.
singular verb
23 | | 24 | |
S. Common
Rule / Concept Explanation Example Exception / Note Word Meaning Hindi Meaning Example Sentence
No. Misspelling
Use of ‘About’, not Manoever / A movement needing skill The driver made a quick
‘About’ is common; ‘regarding’ We talked about the “Regarding the issue” → Maneuver ततत / तततततत
14 ‘Regarding’ in informal Maneouvre and care maneuver to avoid the accident.
is formal movie Formal
usage Camoflage / Disguise to blend with The soldier wore camouflage
Camouflage तततततत
Jumped onto the Camoflauge surroundings clothes.
Double Prepositions Used for clarity of motion or ❗Don’t split these: “out
15 tableRan out of the Milennium / We celebrated the new
(into, onto, out of) direction the room” ❌ Millennium A period of 1,000 years तततततततततततत
room Millenium millennium in the year 2000.
“Look forward to”,
Idiomatic Use of Prepositions are fixed with Memorize as fixed
16 “Accused of”, “Proud Adjectives
Prepositions idioms expressions
of”
Preposition at the end of a Acceptable in modern usage This is the book I was Avoid in formal writing if Rule / Concept Explanation / Examples Exceptions / Notes
17
clause with relative pronouns looking for possible
Adjective of Quantity Much, Little, Some (quantity); Many, Few, Several Don’t use “much” with countable nouns (e.g.,
Use of ‘Than’ without
18 No preposition after ‘than’ He is better than me ❌ Avoid: “than to me” vs Number (number) ❌ much books)
prepositions
Look at (see), Look Opinion → Size → Age → Shape → Colour →
Different meaning with Verb + preposition changes Memorize verb- Ex: A beautiful small old round red Indian
19 after (care), Look for Order of Adjectives Origin → Material → Purpose → Noun
different prepositions meaning preposition pairings wooden cooking bowl
(search) (OSASCOMP)
Followed by Comparative and Big → Bigger → Biggest, Beautiful → More Do not use “more” or “most” with double
Both are correct and Despite the rain / In
20 ‘Despite’ vs ‘In spite of’ noun/gerund only, not Superlative Forms beautiful → Most beautiful comparatives (e.g., ❌ more better)
interchangeable spite of the rain
clause
Use of ‘than’ with
Always use “than” with a comparative adjective Ex: He is taller than his brother
Spellings Comparative

Common ‘The’ with

Word Meaning Hindi Meaning Example Sentence Superlative Always use ‘the’ before superlatives Ex: She is the best player
Misspelling
A person who does not He is an atheist and doesn’t Adjective
Atheist Athiest ततततततत Double
believe in God follow any religion. Never use two comparatives/superlatives ❌ more wiser → ✅ wiser; ❌ most tallest
The magician’s act was truly Comparatives /
Bizarre Bizzarre / Bizzare Very strange or unusual तततत together → ✅ tallest
bizarre. Superlatives
Concensus / There was a consensus on the Use of ‘very’ and “Very” with positive degree; “Much” with past Ex: Very good, Very tall; Much improved,
Consensus General agreement तत ततततत
Consencus need for change. ‘much’ participles/comparatives Much better
Harrasment / Aggressive pressure or She filed a complaint against Ex: My elder brother (✔); My older phone
Harassment तततततततत
Harresment intimidation workplace harassment. Elder / Older Elder = family relation; Older = general age
(✔)
Entreprenuer / A person who starts a He is a successful young
Entrepreneur तततततत Farther = physical distance; Further = Ex: Delhi is farther; We need further
Enterprenuer business entrepreneur. Farther / Further
figurative/abstract discussion
Ocassional / They meet on occasional
Occasional Happening sometimes ततत-ततत तत Ex: Few students passed (almost none); A
Occassionel weekends. Few / A Few / The
Few = none; A few = some; The few = all that exist few students passed (some); The few
Perseverence / Continued effort despite Her perseverance helped her Few
Perseverance तततततत students who passed (specific)
Perserverance difficulties clear the exam.
Ex: Little water (negligible); A little water
A strong pattern of beats He played the drums with Little / A Little / The Little = almost none; A little = some; The little =
Rhythm Rythm / Rhythym तत (some); The little water left (limited
or movement perfect rhythm. Little all that is available
amount)
A written
Always ask for a receipt after Use of same / such / Same takes “as”; Such takes “as”; Quite = Ex: He is the same as you; It was such a nice
Receipt Reciept / Receit acknowledgment for तततत
payment. quite completely day; It is quite wrong
goods
A rank in the army or ❌ Less people → ✅ Fewer people; ✅
Sergeant Sargent / Sergent तततततत The sergeant led the parade. ‘Less’ vs ‘Fewer’ Less = uncountable; Fewer = countable
police Less milk
Threshhold / Entrance or beginning तततततत / He is on the threshold of a great Use of Positive
Threshold
Threshhold point ततततततत career. Adjective with Use positive degree between “as...as” Ex: She is as tall as her sister (not taller)
His birthday is on the twelfth of 'as...as'
Twelfth Twelth / Twelf Number after eleven ततततततत
June.

25 | | 26 | |
Rule / Concept Explanation / Examples Exceptions / Notes Word English Meaning Hindi Meaning Synonyms (Repeated in Exams)
"Enough" comes after the adjective/adverb, but Ex: He is strong enough; We have enough ततततत /
Use of ‘Enough’ Trivial Of little value or importance Insignificant, Minor, Petty, Unimportant
तततततततत
before noun time
Each boy was called; Every boy in the class Adverbs – Complete Rules, Types, Usage & Exceptions (SSC English)
Each / Every Each = individual; Every = group
passed
He came later; Of the two brothers, the latter [Link]. Category / Rule Explanation / Rule Details Example
‘Latter’ vs ‘Later’ Latter = second of two; Later = after some time
is taller An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or She runs quickly. / He is very
1 Definition
another adverb. tall.
Use of Distributive Each, Every, Either, Neither always followed by Each student has a book; Neither boy was
Adjectives singular noun & verb present 1. Manner (how?)
2. Place (where?)
Ex: Only he solved it (not anyone else); He She sings sweetly. / He arrived
Should be placed right before the word it 2 Main Types of Adverbs 3. Time (when?)
‘Only’ Adjective Rule only solved it (not explained) — different late.
modifies 4. Frequency (how often?)
meanings 5. Degree (to what extent?)
Be, Seem, Become, Appear, Feel, Look, Sound,
Use of Adjectives Mostly ends in -ly, tells how an action
Taste, Remain followed by adjectives (not Ex: She looks happy (✔), not happily (❌) 3 Adverb of Manner He spoke softly.
after Verbs happens.
adverbs)
Tells where something happens. Usually He sat here. / The kids are
4 Adverb of Place
placed after the main verb. playing outside.
Most Repeated Synonyms
Tells when an action occurs. Usually comes at He will leave tomorrow. /
5 Adverb of Time
Word English Meaning Hindi Meaning Synonyms (Repeated in Exams) the end or beginning of the sentence. Yesterday, she came home.
Tells how often. Common adverbs: always, He never lies. / I always brush
Abandon To leave permanently or give up ततततत तततत Desert, Forsake, Relinquish, Quit 6 Adverb of Frequency
usually, often, sometimes, never, rarely. my teeth.
ततततत, Kind-hearted, Charitable, Generous, Tells intensity or extent. Common: very, too,
Benevolent Kind and generous 7 Adverb of Degree / Quantity She is very smart. / It is too late.
तततततततत Compassionate almost, quite, rather, so.
Candid Honest and straightforward तततततततततत Frank, Blunt, Honest, Forthright Position Rule – Verb He sings beautifully. / She
8 Usually placed after the verb or verb-object.
Modifier finished the work quickly.
Detrimental Causing harm or damage तततततततत Harmful, Injurious, Damaging, Adverse
Position Rule – Placed before the adjective or adverb it She is very tall. / He ran quite
9
Eliminate To remove or get rid of ततततत Erase, Exclude, Remove, Abolish Adjective/Adverb Modifier modifies. fast.
Position Rule – Frequency Usually placed before the main verb and I often go there. / He has never
Feasible Possible and practical तततत Viable, Achievable, Attainable, Workable 10
Adverbs after the auxiliary verb. spoken rudely.
Gregarious Fond of company; sociable ततततततत Sociable, Outgoing, Companionable, Extroverted Too = more than necessary (negative), Very = This tea is too hot to drink. / She
11 "Too" vs. "Very" Rule
high degree (neutral/positive) is very beautiful.
Hostile Unfriendly or aggressive तततततततततततत Antagonistic, Unkind, Bitter, Adverse
Use much with past participles, comparatives; He is much improved. / He is
12 “Much” vs. “Very”
Immaculate Perfectly clean or faultless तततततततत Spotless, Flawless, Unblemished, Pure very with adjectives and present participles. very tired.
So is often followed by that, Too is followed He was so tired that he slept. /
Jeopardy Danger of loss or harm तततत Risk, Peril, Danger, Hazard 13 “So” vs. “Too”
by to + verb. He is too weak to walk.
तततततत / Hard = with effort (adverb of manner);
Keen Eager or sharp Eager, Sharp, Enthusiastic, Intense He works hard. / He hardly
ततततत 14 Hard vs. Hardly Hardly = barely / almost not (adverb of
works.
degree)
Lenient Not strict; merciful तततत Merciful, Tolerant, Mild, Compassionate
He arrived late. / Lately, I’ve
15 Late vs. Lately Late = not on time; Lately = recently
Mundane Lacking interest; dull तततततत / तततत Boring, Dull, Routine, Ordinary been busy.
He lives near the station. / I
Notorious Famous for something bad ततततत Infamous, Disreputable, Ill-famed, Scandalous 16 Near vs. Nearly Near = close to (place); Nearly = almost
nearly died of fear.
Obsolete Out of date; no longer used तततततततत Outdated, Archaic, Outworn, Antiquated Fast, Early, Late – Same Some adverbs do not take –ly, their adjective He runs fast. / The train arrived
17
Adjective & Adverb Forms and adverb form is the same. early.
Perplexed Confused or puzzled तततततत Baffled, Confused, Bewildered, Mystified
He is tall enough to play. / She
18 “Enough” Rule Enough comes after the word it modifies.
Quench To satisfy thirst or desire तततततत Satisfy, Extinguish, Douse, Slake spoke loudly enough.
Double Negatives (⚠️ ❌ He didn’t do nothing. ✅ He
Reluctant Unwilling or hesitant तततततततत Unwilling, Hesitant, Disinclined, Loath 19 Never use two negative adverbs together.
Error)** didn’t do anything.
ततततत तत
Scrutinize Examine closely and thoroughly तततततत Examine, Inspect, Analyze, Probe

27 | | 28 | |
[Link]. Category / Rule Explanation / Rule Details Example Word Meaning (Eng) Meaning (Hindi) Synonym Example Sentence
fast → faster → fastest Adverse Unfavorable; harmful तततततततत Hostile The medicine has some adverse effects.
Comparative & Superlative 1-syllable: add –er/–est.
20 quickly → more quickly → most
Adverbs 3-syllable: use more / most. Ambiguous Unclear or doubtful ततततततत Vague His ambiguous reply confused everyone.
quickly
Exception – Adverb with Some adverbs modify whole sentences, not Unfortunately, we lost the He lost many friends due to his arrogant
21 Arrogant Proud in a negative way ततततत Haughty
Adjective Meaning just verbs. match. / Clearly, he lied. behavior.
Kind-
"Only" should be placed just before the word ✅ Only Ravi passed. ≠ Only Benevolent Kind and generous ततततत The benevolent king was loved by all.
22 "Only" Placement Rule hearted
it modifies. passed Ravi (changes meaning) Honest and
Candid तततततततततत Frank She gave a candid opinion on the matter.
straightforward
Summary Table – Common Adverb Confusions Cautious Careful to avoid danger तततततत Alert Be cautious while crossing the road.
Word 1 Meaning Word 2 Meaning Cease To stop ततत तततत Halt The noise ceased suddenly.
Hard With effort Hardly Barely / Almost not Deteriorate To become worse ततततततत Worsen His health deteriorated quickly.
Late Not on time Lately Recently Emerge To come out or appear ततततत Appear A leader emerged during the crisis.
Near Close by (place) Nearly Almost Endure To suffer patiently ततत तततत Tolerate She endured all hardships silently.
Fast Rapid (same form) — — The glass is too fragile to be handled
Fragile Easily broken तततततत Delicate
roughly.
Enough Sufficient (after adj.) — — तततत तततततत
Furious Very angry ततत Enraged She was furious at the delay.
Most Important Phrasal Verbs Hinder To create obstacles तततत ततततत Obstruct Lack of funds hindered the project.
A storm is imminent according to the
Phrasal Verb Meaning Example Sentence Imminent About to happen ततततत Approaching
forecast.
Break down To stop functioning (machine/vehicle) The car broke down on the way to Delhi. Don’t jeopardize your career with foolish
Jeopardize To risk or endanger तततत ततत ततततत Endanger
Call off To cancel something They called off the match due to rain. decisions.
Clear and easy to
Come across To find by chance I came across an old diary in my cupboard. Lucid तततततत Clear His explanation was lucid and helpful.
understand
Cut down on To reduce the amount of something You should cut down on sugar to stay fit. Mundane Ordinary or boring तततततत / तततत Boring He was tired of the mundane routine.
Drop out To leave school/college before finishing He dropped out of college in the second year. Omit To leave out तततत तततत Exclude Don’t omit any detail in the report.
Figure out To understand or solve something I can't figure out this math problem. Reluctant Unwilling or hesitant तततततततत Hesitant She was reluctant to speak in public.
Get along with To have a good relationship She gets along with all her colleagues.
Give up To stop trying or surrender He gave up smoking last year. Articles (Important Rules)
Look after To take care of someone/something She looks after her younger brother. Rule
Concept / Rule Explanation Examples Exceptions / Notes
Look into To investigate/examine The police will look into the matter. No.
Used with singular ‘University’ starts with a
Make up To invent a story or to reconcile She made up an excuse for being late. ‘a’ before consonant a boy, a car, a
1 countable nouns starting vowel letter but a
sounds university
Pass out To faint or become unconscious He passed out from the heat. with a consonant sound consonant sound (/ju:/)
Used with singular ‘Hour’ and ‘honest’ start
Put off To postpone something The meeting was put off till Monday. an apple, an hour,
2 ‘an’ before vowel sounds countable nouns starting with consonant letters but
Put up with To tolerate something unpleasant I can't put up with this noise anymore. an honest man
with a vowel sound have vowel sounds
Run into To meet someone by chance I ran into an old friend at the mall. Used when the noun is
‘the’ for something specific the sun, the book Refers to a particular
3 specific or previously
Take off To remove clothes or to begin flight The plane took off at 6 PM. or known you gave me object/person
mentioned
Turn down To reject or refuse something She turned down the job offer. Used with one-of-a-kind the Earth, the These are unique or well-
4 ‘the’ with unique things
Turn up To appear or arrive He turned up late to the party. things Moon, the sky known globally
the best student, Also used with ordinal
Work out To exercise or to solve a problem We need to work out a solution. Used before adjectives in
5 ‘the’ before superlatives the highest numbers: the first, the
Back out To withdraw from a commitment He backed out of the deal at the last minute. the superlative degree
mountain second
Articles are used to a doctor, an Use a/an based on sound,
6 ‘a/an’ with professions
Most Important Synonyms describe professions engineer not spelling
‘The’ used with natural
Word Meaning (Eng) Meaning (Hindi) Synonym Example Sentence ‘the’ with names of rivers, the Ganga, the But no article with lakes
7 landmarks like rivers,
तततत तततत / He had to abandon the plan due to lack of seas, etc. Pacific, the Sahara (e.g., Lake Victoria)
Abandon To leave or give up Forsake oceans, deserts, etc.
ततततततत funds.

29 | | 30 | |
Rule Idiom Meaning (English) Meaning (Hindi) Example Sentence
Concept / Rule Explanation Examples Exceptions / Notes
No. Throw in the He threw in the towel after multiple failed
Use ‘the’ with countries To give up or surrender ततत ततत तततत
‘the’ with plural country the Netherlands, No article with India, towel attempts.
8 having plural names or
names the United States Australia, France, etc. So worried that one doesn't I’m at my wit’s end with these constant
union structures
At one’s wit’s end तततत तततततत तततत
But: The English (when know what to do power cuts.
Do not use articles before
No article before languages He studies English. I referring to people), The Finding his house without an address was
9 general subjects or Wild goose chase A futile or hopeless search ततततततत तततततत
or subjects like mathematics. Mathematics of class 12 is
languages a wild goose chase.
tough
Proper names of Use ‘the’ only when proper By the skin of तततत ततततततत तत, He escaped the accident by the skin of his
No article before proper She met Rahul. He Barely or narrowly
10 people/places do not take noun is qualified: the one’s teeth ततत-ततत teeth.
nouns lives in Paris.
an article Shakespeare of India Cut the Gordian Solve a difficult problem तततत तततततत तत She cut the Gordian knot with her brilliant
Use of ‘the’ before knot easily ततततत तत ततततततत strategy.
Used when adjective the rich, the poor, Verb is always plural: The
11 adjectives representing a
refers to an entire group the blind rich are not always happy. Put a spoke in the His rivals put a spoke in the wheel of his
class To hinder or obstruct ततततत ततततत
But article used when wheel promotion.
Meals generally do not We had lunch. She
12 No article before meals specific: The lunch you It's a classic Catch-22—you need
take an article is cooking dinner. A dilemma with no escape ततत तततततत ततततत
made was delicious. Catch-22 experience to get a job, but a job to gain
But: The football of that due to conflicting rules ततत तततततत त तत
No article before Articles are not used with He plays cricket. experience.
13 match was torn. (specific
sports/games sports They love football. तततत तत ततत तततत
instance) To face a painful situation He bit the bullet and accepted the
‘an’ is used before Bite the bullet तततततत तत ततततत
Based on pronunciation a B.A., an M.L.A., an bravely demotion.
14 Articles with abbreviations abbreviations starting with तततत
(sound) S.P.
vowel sounds She was taken to task for her rude
‘The’ is used when She plays the violin. Not used in general Take to task To scold or criticize तततततत तत ततततततत
Use of ‘the’ with musical behaviour.
15 referring to playing a He practices the references (e.g., Music is
instruments Burn the candle ततततत तत ततततततत He’s burning the candle at both ends
musical instrument flute. soothing.) Overwork oneself
‘A few’ and ‘a little’ have at both ends ततततत तततत preparing for exams.
a few friends
Use of ‘a few’ vs. ‘few’ and ‘a positive meaning; ‘few’ Use articles to change tone The lion’s share The largest part तततत तततत तततततत He got the lion’s share of the inheritance.
16 (some), few friends
little’ vs. ‘little’ and ‘little’ have negative and meaning तततत तततततत तत ततत
(almost none) Feather one’s Make money dishonestly The minister was accused of feathering his
tone तततत तततततत तत तत
a hundred rupees, a own nest for personal benefit own nest.
Use of ‘a/an’ with numbers Article ‘a/an’ can mean Also: twice a week, once an तततततत तततत
17 dozen eggs, a kilo of
and quantity expressions one or per hour Have an axe to He joined the protest because he had an
rice To have a selfish motive ततततततत तततत
Use ‘the’ before famous the Bible, the grind axe to grind.
‘The’ with historical events But: Moby Dick (ordinary
18 books (sacred), wars, Ramayana, the In the offing About to happen soon ततततत तततत तततत A reshuffle in the cabinet is in the offing.
and books titles may not use article)
historical references Battle of Panipat
Cry over spilt Regret over something that
When talking about Use ‘the’ when referring to a तततत ततत तत तततततत Don’t cry over spilt milk—just move on.
No article before seasons Winter is cold. I like milk can't be changed
19 seasons in general, no particular season: The
(general) summer. To be in a subordinate She was tired of playing second fiddle to
article is used winter of 2021 was harsh.
Play second fiddle तततत तत तततत तततत
Omission of articles in "President Visits Common in journalism; not a position her boss.
Articles are dropped in
20 newspaper City", "Man Wins grammar error in that Steal someone’s Take credit for another's तततत तत तत ततततततत He stole my thunder by announcing the
headlines to save space
headlines/telegrams Lottery" context ततत तततत
thunder idea project first.
Do something completely If we’re redecorating, let’s go the whole
Go the whole hog तततत ततत तत तततत
Most Important Idioms or thoroughly hog and do the floors too.

Idiom Meaning (English) Meaning (Hindi) Example Sentence

Conjunctions
To do something Who will bell the cat and question the
To bell the cat तततत तत ततत तततत
dangerous or risky corrupt leader?
ततततत तत
Be in the To feel sad, bored, or She's been in the doldrums since losing her
ततततततततततत तत
doldrums inactive job.
तततततत ततत तततत

31 | | 32 | |
 Type of OWS English Meaning Hindi Meaning Example Sentence
Definition Use Examples
Conjunction ततत ततत तततततततत
A person indifferent to culture The philistine rejected the art gallery
Connects two equal grammatical and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet Philistine ततत ततततत तततत
and the arts invitation outright.
To show addition, contrast, तततत
Coordinating units (words, phrases, or 🔹 He is poor but honest.
choice, result, or reason. ततततततततततत ततत His quixotic plans to change the world were
clauses). 🔹 She must study or fail. Quixotic Extremely idealistic, impractical
तत ततततततततत admirable but unrealistic.
Connects a dependent To show time, cause-effect, because, although, since, if, The manager was surrounded by
One who flatters for personal
Subordinating (subordinate) clause to an condition, contrast, purpose, unless, when, while, though Sycophant तततततत sycophants who agreed to everything he
gain
independent clause. comparison. 🔹 I will call you when I arrive. said.
either...or, neither...nor, not Excessively submissive or eager ततततततत His obsequious behavior annoyed his
To join two elements with Obsequious
Used in pairs to join equal to please तततततत/तततततत colleagues.
Correlative equal importance in parallel only...but also, both...and
sentence elements. A fictitious name used by an Samuel Clemens wrote under the
structure. 🔹 Neither John nor I am going. Pseudonym ततततत
author pseudonym Mark Twain.
however, therefore, moreover, Present everywhere at the same Technology has become omnipresent in our
Act as conjunctions to connect Omnipresent तततततततततत
Conjunctive Show transition, contrast, thus, hence, meanwhile time lives.
ideas between independent
Adverbs sequence, cause-effect. 🔹 She was late; therefore, she All-knowing or having The narrator in the novel had an omniscient
clauses. Omniscient ततततततत
missed the bus. unlimited knowledge point of view.
Repeated in a sentence to link the more…the, the less…the All-powerful; having unlimited Many religions believe in an omnipotent
Linking For rhetorical balance or Omnipotent तततततततततततत
power deity.
thoughts smoothly (less common 🔹 The more you practice, the
(Pairing) emphasis. A person who attacks
in modern English). better you become. तततततततत तत The philosopher was considered an
Iconoclast traditional beliefs or
तततततत iconoclast for rejecting old ideologies.
institutions
Subcategories of Subordinating Conjunctions (With Purpose & Examples) A person who dislikes He turned into a misanthrope after repeated
Misanthrope तततततततततततत
humankind betrayals.
Category Purpose Common Conjunctions Example Sentence
The bibliophile spent hours browsing rare
when, before, after, as soon as, while, Bibliophile A person who loves books तततततत तततततत
Time Indicates time of action I will wait until you return. bookshops.
till, until
Speaking one's thoughts aloud ततततत ततत ततततत Hamlet's soliloquy "To be or not to be..." is
She was crying because she lost her Soliloquy
Cause/Reason Shows cause or reason because, since, as, now that when alone (in drama) तततततत तततत legendary.
toy. Mild expression substituted for ततत तत ततत तततततत
Euphemism "Passed away" is a euphemism for "died".
Condition States condition if, unless, provided that, in case You may go if you finish your work. a harsh one तततत तततततत
Shows contrast or although, though, even though, Although he is rich, he is not A solution or remedy for all ततततततत तततत तततत There is no panacea for all the world's
Contrast Panacea
opposition whereas, while arrogant. problems or diseases / तततततततततत तततत issues.
He works hard so that he can Inclined to be silent or reserved तत ततततत तततत /
Purpose Shows aim or goal so that, in order that Reticent She is reticent about her personal life.
succeed. in speech तततततत
Seeming to be everywhere at Smartphones have become ubiquitous in
Comparison Draws comparisons than, as...as She is taller than her brother. Ubiquitous तत ततत तततततततत
once modern society.
Never showing signs of getting She was an indefatigable worker, always
Tips to Remember Indefatigable ततत तततततततत
tired ready for more.
He appeared nonchalant during the
 FANBOYS is the acronym for coordinating conjunctions: Nonchalant Calm and relaxed, unconcerned तततततत / ततततततत
interview, impressing the panel.
 For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. In exactly the same words as
 Correlative pairs must be used together and followed by parallel structures. Verbatim तततततत He repeated the speech verbatim.
used originally
 Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses, which cannot stand alone. Believing in equality of all तततततत ततत He advocated for an egalitarian society with
Egalitarian
people ततततततत तततत तततत equal opportunities.

Most Important Antonyms

Most Important One Word Substitution

33 | | 34 | |
 Meaning Antonym Meaning Type of Conditional Structure Typical Use Example Sentence Key Notes & Exceptions
Word Meaning (Eng) Antonym Example Sentence
(Hindi) (Eng/Hindi) - Hypothetical
To increase / The storm suddenly present/future
1. Abate To reduce or lessen तत तततत Intensify Hypothetical, unlikely - "Were" often used instead
तततततत abated. If + Past Simple, If I had a car, I would
2. Evil-minded / Her benevolent smile Second Conditional present or future of "was" (subjunctive
Kind and generous ततततत Malevolent would + base verb drive to work.
Benevolent तततततततततत calmed the room. events mood)
- Could, might can replace
To oppose / ततततत I concur with your
3. Concur To agree तततत तततत Disagree would
तततत opinion.
- Past regrets or
The dauntless warrior If + Past Perfect, hypothetical past
4. Dauntless Fearless ततततततत Cowardly Timid / ततततत Imaginary past If she had studied, she
charged into battle. Third Conditional would have + past - Could have, might have as
Fluent and तततततततततत Tongue-tied / She gave an eloquent situations would have passed.
participle alternatives
5. Eloquent Inarticulate
expressive ततततत ततततततत speech. - No future meaning
He leads a frugal Mixed Conditional
6. Frugal Economical तततततततत Lavish Wasteful / ततततततत If + Past Perfect, Past condition affecting If I had taken the job, I - Past action impacts
lifestyle. (Present Result of Past
would + base verb present would be rich now. present result
7. He is gregarious by Condition)
Sociable ततततततत Reserved Shy / ततततततततत Mixed Conditional (Past If + Past Simple, If she were more careful,
Gregarious nature. Present condition - Rare but logical in some
Result of Present would have + past she wouldn’t have made
Her haughty tone affecting past situations
8. Haughty Arrogant ततततत Humble Modest / तततततत Condition) participle the mistake.
offended everyone.
9. Her room was
Perfectly clean ततततततत Dirty Impure / तततत Additional Notes & Variations
Immaculate immaculate.
Protection / The bridge is in Variation/Feature Explanation Example
10. Jeopardy Danger तततत Safety
ततततततत jeopardy.
Had I known, I would have acted
Clear and easy to He gave a lucid Inversion (Formal) Swap if clause into inversion for formal writing
11. Lucid तततततत Confused Unclear / तततततत differently.
understand explanation. "Unless" Means "if not" (only in real conditions) Unless it rains, we’ll go out.
12. His job involves "Provided that", "as long as", "on You can go, provided that you finish
Boring, ordinary तततततततत Extraordinary Unique / ततततततत Formal substitutes for "if"
Mundane mundane tasks. condition that" work.
13. They hatched a nefarious "Even if" Strong emphasis on hypothetical Even if it rains, we’ll continue.
Evil, wicked ततततत Virtuous Moral / ततततत
Nefarious plan.
Supposing he arrives early, what will
Typewriters are "Supposing", "what if" Used for speculation
14. Obsolete Outdated तततततत Modern New / तततततत we do?
obsolete now. Express regret/desire (uses second/third I wish I had studied harder.
Tangible, The tension was "Wish" / "If only"
conditional forms) If only it would stop raining.
15. Palpable तततततत Indistinct Faint / ततततततत
noticeable palpable. "Should" in Conditionals Formal or polite alternatives in first conditionals If you should see him, say hello.
Motivate /
Police tried to quell the
16. Quell To suppress ततततत Encourage ततततततततततत
तततत
protest. Summary of Modal Verbs in Conditionals
तततततत Modal Conditional Type Usage Example
17. Revere To respect deeply Despise Hate / तततत तततत We revere our teachers.
तततत
Will 1st If she calls, I will answer.
He remained stoic If I knew, I would tell you.
18. Stoic Emotionless ततततततत Emotional Sensitive / ततततत Would 2nd & 3rd
during the trial. If I had known, I would have told you.
19. Her tenacious spirit won If you study, you can pass.
Determined तततत Weak Loose / ततततत Can / Could All types (depends on context)
Tenacious the race. If I could fly, I would travel the world.
To annoy or तततततत His words vexed me If it rains, we may stay in.
20. Vex Soothe Calm / तततत तततत Might / May All types (expressing possibility)
irritate तततत deeply. If I had tried, I might have succeeded.

Conditionals Common Mistakes & Warnings

Type of Conditional Structure Typical Use Example Sentence Key Notes & Exceptions Mistake Correction
- Always true ❌ If I will go, I will call you.
If + Present Simple, Universal truths, "If" clause never uses "will" in conditional sentences.
Zero Conditional If you heat ice, it melts. - “When” can replace “if” ✔ If I go, I will call you.
Present Simple scientific facts, routines ❌ If I was you, I would…
- No future use Use "were" for all subjects in hypothetical statements (subjunctive mood).
- Future plans or warnings ✔ If I were you, I would…
If + Present Simple, Real, possible future If it rains, we will cancel
First Conditional - May use may, might, can ❌ If he would have studied, he would have passed.
will + base verb events the trip. Never use "would have" in "if" clause.
instead of will ✔ If he had studied, he would have passed.

35 | | 36 | |
 One Word Substitution English Meaning Hindi Meaning Example Sentence
Quick Conditional Checker Infallible One who never makes mistakes तततत No human is infallible.
Hamlet’s soliloquy is famous in
Question Answer Soliloquy Speech to oneself in a play ततत तततत
literature.
Is it about a general fact? Use Zero Conditional Insolvent Unable to pay debts तततततततत He was declared insolvent after losses.
Is it about a likely future possibility? Use First Conditional Veteran A person with long experience तततततत ततततततत He is a veteran in the teaching field.
Is it about an unlikely present/future situation? Use Second Conditional Novice A beginner or inexperienced person तततततततत The novice struggled in his new job.
Is it about an impossible past situation? Use Third Conditional ततततततत तततत
Glutton A person who eats too much He is a glutton who never stops eating.
Does it mix past condition with present/future result? Use Mixed Conditional तततत ततततततत
A person who practices severe self- तततततत / ततततत The monk lived as an ascetic in the
Ascetic
discipline ततततततत mountains.
Most Confusing One Word Substitution ततततततततत
Recluse A person who lives in seclusion He became a recluse after retirement.
ततततततत
One Word Substitution English Meaning Hindi Meaning Example Sentence
Inhabitant A resident or occupant of a place तततततत He is an inhabitant of this village.
तततततततत He is an altruist who supports the
Altruist A person who helps others selflessly The vagabond roamed the countryside
ततततततत needy. Vagabond A person who wanders without home तततततततत
तततत freely.
One who donates for the welfare of The philanthropist donated to the A person without home, job, or तततततततत The city has many derelicts on the
Philanthropist तततततत/तततततततत Derelict
others orphanage. property ततततततत streets.
ततततततत
He was criticized for being a ततततत / ततत
Misogynist A person who hates women तततत तततततत Cynic One who finds fault in everything ततततत तततत He is a cynic who trusts no one.
misogynist.
A misogamist avoids the idea of ततततततत
Misogamist A person who hates marriage ततततत तततततत तततततततत
marriage. He is a maverick who challenges the
“Dry lake” is a misnomer as it has Maverick An independent-minded person ततततततततत तततत
Misnomer A wrong or unsuitable name तततततत ततत ततततततत norm.
water.
तततततत तततततत तत
Many religions describe God as One who stresses on formal He was dismissed as a pedant for his
Omnipotent One who has unlimited power तततततततततततत Pedant तततत तततत तततत
omnipotent. rules/learning rigid behavior.
ततततततत
The omniscient narrator knew every
Omniscient One who knows everything ततततततत One who remains unaffected by ततततततत तत तततत
detail. Stoic He remained stoic despite hardships.
emotions ततततततत
Omnivorous One who eats all types of food ततततततततत Bears are omnivorous animals. ततततत तत
Fatalist One who believes in fate ततततततततत He is a fatalist who accepts destiny. A person who doubts the existence of तततततततत तत
Agnostic He describes himself as an agnostic.
One who always looks on the bright An optimist always sees opportunities God ततततत तततत तततत
Optimist ततततततत ततततततत
side in problems.
One who looks on the dark side of
Pessimist तततततततततत A pessimist fears the worst.
things Most Asked Phrasal Verbs
ततततततततत
Introvert A shy person, inward-looking He is an introvert who prefers solitude. Phrasal
ततततततत Meaning (English) Hindi Meaning Example Sentence
ततततततततत Verb
Extrovert Outgoing and social person The extrovert enjoyed the lively party.
ततततततत Call off Cancel तततत तततत They called off the meeting due to rain.
Hypocrite One who pretends to be virtuous ततततत He was exposed as a hypocrite. Carry on Continue तततत तततत Please carry on with your work.
The project was delayed by Break down Stop working (machine) तततत तत तततत My car broke down on the highway.
Bureaucracy Government by officials तततततततत
bureaucracy.
Come across Find by chance ततततत ततत तततत I came across an old friend yesterday.
Atheist A person who denies existence of God ततततततत He declared himself an atheist.
Look after Take care of तततततत तततत She looks after her younger brother.
Theist A person who believes in God तततततत A theist believes in divine powers.
ततत ततत तततत / तततत
Many illiterate adults join evening Give up Stop trying / Quit He gave up smoking last year.
Illiterate One unable to read or write तततततततत तततत
classes.
ततततत ततततत तत ततततत तततत / तततत-तततत She brought up an interesting point during the
She is ambidextrous and can draw with Bring up Mention or raise a topic
Ambidextrous Able to use both hands equally तततत ततततत तततत तततत meeting.
तततत ततततततत both hands. Set off Start a journey तततततत तततत तततत We set off early to avoid traffic.
Anonymous Without a name or identity तततततत The anonymous donor gave $1 million. Put off Postpone ततततत The match was put off due to rain.
Ubiquitous Present everywhere at once तततततततततत Technology has become ubiquitous. Remove (clothing) / Become तततततत / ततततत तततत /
Take off The plane took off at 5 PM.
successful ततत तततत
Contemporary Belonging to the same time ततततततत He is a contemporary of Shakespeare.
Turn down Reject ततत तततत He turned down the job offer.
The orphan was adopted by a kind
Orphan A child whose parents are dead तततत
Look into Investigate तततत तततत The police are looking into the case.
family.
Martyr One who sacrifices life for a cause तततत He became a martyr for his nation. Look for Search तततत तततत I am looking for my lost keys.
Mentor A wise guide or adviser ततततततत / तततत She is my mentor at work. Run out of Finish, no more left तततततत तत तततत We have run out of milk.

37 | | 38 | |
Phrasal Example Example
Meaning (English) Hindi Meaning Example Sentence S.
Verb Sentence Type Rule for Reporting Verb Changes in Tense Other Changes (Direct (Indirect
No.
Get through Succeed / Pass ततत तततत She got through the final exam. Speech) Speech)
exclamations use "exclaimed with joy", won the
Hold on Wait ततततततततत तततत Hold on a minute, I’ll be right back. Present Simple. "exclaimed with match.
Look out Be careful / Watch out तततततत तततत Look out! There’s a car coming. sorrow".
Tense change per 'May' changes to
Back out Withdraw from an agreement तततत तत तततत He backed out of the deal at the last minute. He prayed
Optative Reporting verb changes to: general rule, but 'might' or remains as He said,
that God
Break out Start suddenly (war, fire, etc.) ततततत तततत तत तततत A fire broke out in the market. 5 (Wishes, • 'wished', 'prayed', 'cursed', prayers usually 'might' in prayers. "May God
might bless
Prayers, Curses) 'blessed' stay in Present Words like 'God' bless you."
Carry out Perform / Execute तततत तततत / ततततत तततत The soldiers carried out their orders. me.
Tense. often retained.
Come up ततततत तततत / ततततत
Produce or suggest an idea She came up with a brilliant plan.
with ततततत
Leave school/college before ततततत ततत ततत तततत Time & Place Word Changes in Narration
Drop out He dropped out of college in the second year.
completion तततत
Fall apart Break into pieces तततततत-तततततत तत तततत The chair fell apart after years of use. Direct Speech Indirect Speech
Give in Surrender / Accept defeat ततत ततत तततत She finally gave in to their demands. Now Then
Go through Experience / Examine carefully ततततत तततत / तततत तततत He went through a difficult time. Today That day
Keep up Tomorrow The next day / following day
Stay at the same level तततततत तततत तततत It’s hard to keep up with fast learners.
with
Yesterday The previous day / day before
Look down Don’t look down on others because of their
Think less of / Disrespect तततततततत तततत Here There
on background.
Make up Invent (story) / Compensate ततततत / तततततत तततत He made up an excuse for being late. This That
Put up with Tolerate ततत तततत I can't put up with his behavior anymore. These Those
Take over Gain control / Responsibility तततततततत ततततततत She will take over the company next month. Ago Before
Tonight That night
Narration Rules: Last night The previous night
Example Example
S.
Sentence Type Rule for Reporting Verb Changes in Tense Other Changes (Direct (Indirect
No. Pronoun Changes in Narration
Speech) Speech)
If Reporting Verb is
in Past → Tense Pronoun in Direct Speech Change Based On Context (Speaker, Listener, Third Party)
shifts back: I Changes according to subject of Reporting Verb
• Present Simple → Pronouns & Time
Past Simple Words change We Changes based on who is included
• Present accordingly. Example: He said that You Changes according to object of Reporting Verb
'Said' changes to 'told' (if He said, "I
Assertive Continuous → Past • I → he/she he was
1 object present) or remains am reading He/She Generally remains same (third person)
(Statements) Continuous • My → his/her reading a
'said'. a book."
• Present Perfect → • Today → that day book. My/Our/Your Changes to his/her/their as per speaker and listener
Past Perfect • Tomorrow → next
• Past Simple → day
Past Perfect Key Exceptions (Tense Doesn’t Change In These Cases)
• Future → ‘would’
+ base verb
Situation Tense Rule Example (Direct Speech → Indirect Speech)
Use ‘if’/‘whether’ for
Yes/No questions; Universal Truths/General No change in tense even if Reporting Verb is in Teacher said, "The sun rises in the east." → Teacher
Use same question Facts Past. said that the sun rises in the east.
Reporting verb changes to She said,
Interrogative Same tense change word (who, what, She asked if I
2 'asked'/'inquired'/'wanted to "Are you He said, "Mahatma Gandhi was a great leader." →
(Questions) rules as above. why, etc.) for Wh- was coming. Historical Facts No change.
know'. coming?" He said that Mahatma Gandhi was a great leader.
questions; No
question mark in If Reporting Verb is in Present or Future, tense
Indirect Speech. Present Reporting Verb He says, "I am happy." → He says that he is happy.
of reported speech remains same.
Tense change not
Reporting verb changes to: No tense change if sentence has 'if', 'as if',
needed; Instead, He If-Wish/Hypothetical He said, "I wish I were a king." → He said that he
Imperative • ‘ordered’ (for commands) Remove imperative He said,
use 'to' + base verb requested 'wish', 'would', 'should', 'could', 'might', 'ought
3 (Orders, • ‘requested’ (for requests) form; Use 'to' + verb "Please Sentences/Unreal Past wished he were a king.
or 'not to' for me to help to'
Requests, etc.) • ‘advised’ (for advice) or 'not to' + verb. help me."
negative him.
• ‘urged’, ‘begged’, etc.
commands.
Interjections like He said, Special Note for 'Let' Sentences
Tense changes per He
Reporting verb changes to: 'oh!', 'alas!', 'hurrah!' "Hurrah!
Exclamatory normal rule, but exclaimed
4 • ‘exclaimed with are omitted or We have
(Exclamations) often not required with joy that
joy/sorrow/surprise’, etc. replaced with won the
as most they had
phrases like match."
39 | | 40 | |
 Type of Sentence Rule Example (Direct → Indirect Speech) S. No. Type of Parallelism Explanation / Rule Correct Example Incorrect Example
Let’s Use ‘suggested’ or ‘proposed’ + ‘that’ He said, "Let's go for a walk." → He suggested that we should go for a All items in a list must be in He enjoys swimming, cycling, He enjoys swimming, to cycle,
5 Parallel Gerunds
(suggestion) clause walk. gerund form (-ing form of verb). and running. and running.
Let (permission) Use ‘allowed’ or ‘permitted’ He said, "Let him go." → He allowed him to go. Correlative
Ensure same structure follows
Conjunctions (Not She is not only hardworking She is not only hardworking
Let 6 both parts of correlative
Use ‘prayed’ or 'wished' He said, "Let God help you." → He prayed that God might help me. only...but also, but also intelligent. but also has intelligence.
(wish/prayer) conjunctions.
Either...or, etc.)
When comparing, both parts
Superfluous Expressions 7 Comparison Structure must be in same grammatical His salary is higher than hers. His salary is higher than she.
Superfluous expressions are words or phrases that are unnecessarily repeated or redundant in a sentence. They do not form.
He walked through the park,
add any extra meaning and make the sentence lengthy or awkward. Parallel Prepositional Multiple prepositional phrases He walked through the park,
8 across the street, and into the
Phrases must be in parallel form. across the street, and inside.
Superfluous Expression Better Alternative Reason building.

Advance planning Planning Planning is always done in advance.

Added bonus Bonus A bonus is already an addition.
Key Rule of Parallelism:
When two or more parts of a sentence are connected by conjunctions like and, or, but, nor, or by correlative conjunctions
Free gift Gift Gifts are always free by nature.
like either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also, they must follow the same grammatical structure.
End result Result A result is always at the end.
Return back Return 'Return' already implies 'back'. Common Errors to Watch For:
Past history History History is always about the past. 1. Mixing gerunds and infinitives.
2. Switching between nouns and clauses.
Future plans Plans Plans refer to the future inherently.
3. Inconsistent structures in lists or comparisons.
Collaborate together Collaborate 'Collaborate' means to work together.
4. Mismatching forms after correlative conjunctions.
Close proximity Proximity Proximity itself means 'close'.
Completely destroyed Destroyed Destroyed means completely damaged. Tip to Identify Errors:
Unexpected surprise Surprise Surprises are unexpected by definition. Break the sentence into parts connected by and, or, but, nor and check if each part has the same grammatical form.
Final outcome Outcome An outcome naturally comes at the end.
Mutual cooperation Cooperation Cooperation always involves mutual effort. Cloze Test
True fact Fact A fact is always true.
Vocabulary
Exact replica Replica A replica already implies exactness. Trick/Technique Explanation / Usage Example & SSC Tip
Tricks
Merge together Merge Merging means joining together. Read before & after the blank;
Vocabulary 1. Contextual Meaning Predict approximate word meaning from
Revert back Revert 'Revert' means to go back. guess meaning before seeing
Tricks Guessing surrounding words and passage tone.
options.
Sum total Total Total is the sum itself.
Identify whether passage tone is positive, negative, Don't pick harsh/negative words
Necessary requirement Requirement A requirement is inherently necessary. 2. Tone Consistency
formal, etc. in a cheerful passage.
Personal opinion Opinion An opinion is always personal. SSC options often contain confusing synonyms—
3. Synonym Trap Check sentence flow after
pick the most accurate one for the context, not just
Avoidance inserting your chosen word.
a dictionary meaning.
Parallelism
Learn common collocations like
4. Collocation Certain words naturally go together (strong tea,
S. No. Type of Parallelism Explanation / Rule Correct Example Incorrect Example 'make an effort', 'pay attention',
Awareness heavy rain, etc.). SSC frequently tests this.
etc.
Use same grammatical form for
5. Usage-Based Choose the word that fits best in common English Preference usually given to
Parallel Words (Nouns words in a series (nouns with She likes reading, writing, and She likes reading, to write,
1 Selection usage, not rare or bookish words. common usage words in SSC CGL.
/ Adjectives / Verbs) nouns, adjectives with adjectives, traveling. and traveling.
Verify that the correct word form (noun, verb,
etc.). 6. Word Form Test (Part ‘She is a very ___ person.’ — An
adjective, adverb) fits grammatically and logically
He is responsible for planning He is responsible for planning of Speech Check) adjective is required here.
in the sentence.
All phrases in a list must follow the event, organizing the the event, team Words like 'therefore', 'hence', 'thus',
2 Parallel Phrases 7. Cause-Effect Words Know their specific usages to fill
the same structure or form. team, and supervising the organization, and to 'consequently' are often tested to show cause-effect
staff. supervise staff. Mastery correct connectors.
relations.
Clauses in a sentence must They wanted to win the match, They wanted to win the Words like 'however', 'nevertheless', 'on the
3 Parallel Clauses maintain the same grammatical to break the record, and to match, breaking the record, 8. Contrast Indicator Watch for these indicators in
contrary', 'yet' show contrasting ideas—often
Words confusing questions.
structure. celebrate together. and celebrate together. tested in Cloze Tests.
All items in a list must be in the She wants to sing, to dance, She wants to sing, dancing, SSC sometimes includes idioms or fixed E.g., 'At the drop of a hat' =
4 Parallel Infinitives 9. Idiomatic Expressions
infinitive form (to + verb). and to act. and to act. expressions in Cloze Tests. immediately; learn such phrases.

41 | | 42 | |
Vocabulary S. No. RC Type Description Tricks to Solve
Trick/Technique Explanation / Usage Example & SSC Tip
Tricks 🔹 Read the question first.
If a word or similar meaning word has already Avoid using same words Questions based on clearly stated facts
10. Repeated Words 1. Factual / Direct 🔹 Skim for keywords.
appeared near the blank, avoid repeating it repeatedly; SSC tests vocabulary or data in the passage.
Clue 🔹 Answer directly from the passage.
unnecessarily—pick alternative expressions. variety in passages.
🔹 Understand the tone.
Requires interpretation or logical
2. Inferential / Indirect 🔹 Don't assume extra info.
deduction from given information.
Grammar Tips 🔹 Stick to the passage logic.
Vocabulary Ask the meaning or opposite of a word 🔹 Read 2 lines before & after the word.
Topic Key Rules & Concepts Examples 3.
(Synonyms/Antonyms) used in the passage. 🔹 Use context clues (tone, examples, etc.).
1. Certain nouns are always singular (e.g., news, furniture).2. Some nouns 🔹 Focus on central idea/theme.
• The news is shocking. Ask the best suitable title or heading of
take plural forms with different meanings (e.g., advice/advises, 4. Title / Heading-based 🔹 Avoid options that are too narrow or too
Noun Rules • His hair is black. the passage.
hair/hairs).3. Collective nouns take singular/plural verb based on broad.
• The team are arguing.
context.4. Uncountable nouns don’t take “a/an”. Identify the tone or author’s
1. Pronouns must agree with antecedents in number/gender.2. “Each, • Everyone is ready.• Neither of 🔹 Observe adjectives and verbs.
5. Tone / Mood / Attitude perspective (critical, sarcastic,
Pronoun Rules everyone, either, neither” take singular verbs/pronouns.3. Avoid the boys has done his work.• He 🔹 Eliminate extreme or irrelevant emotions.
optimistic, etc.)
ambiguous pronouns.4. Use reflexive pronouns correctly. hurt himself. Ask the central idea or summary of the 🔹 Read first & last paragraph carefully.
1. Singular subject → singular verb; plural subject → plural verb.2. In • Neither he nor his friends are 6. Main Idea / Gist
passage. 🔹 Eliminate trivial and supporting ideas.
Verb Rules (Subject- “either/or” & “neither/nor”, the verb agrees with the nearer subject.3. coming. 🔹 Look for signal words: because, due to, results
Verb Agreement) Collective nouns can take singular/plural verb based on meaning.4. Words • Each student has done his Based on identifying causes or
7. Cause & Effect in, therefore.
like “each, every, many a” take singular verb. homework. consequences stated or implied.
🔹 Match cause to correct effect.
1. Sequence of tenses must be maintained.2. Present perfect isn’t used with • She said that she had finished
Questions about the sequence of events 🔹 Note timeline markers: first, next, finally.
Tense Rules definite past time (use simple past).3. Past perfect is used for earlier of two her work. 8. Chronological / Sequence
past actions.4. Present continuous for ongoing actions. • I saw him yesterday. or steps in a process. 🔹 Read sequentially.
1. Use “a” before consonant sounds, “an” before vowel sounds.2. “The” is Ask whether a statement agrees with 🔹 Avoid assumptions.
• He is an honest man. 9. Statement True/False
used for specific nouns or when both speaker and listener know the the passage or not. 🔹 Look for explicit proof in the passage.
Articles (a/an/the) • The sun rises in the east.
subject.3. No article with proper nouns, names of meals, and abstract Fill in the blanks Fill the blank in a line from the passage 🔹 Eliminate grammatically incorrect options.
• She likes tea. 10.
nouns (usually). (Contextual) using contextual understanding. 🔹 Match tone, tense, and flow of the paragraph.
1. Comparative & superlative degrees must be used correctly.2. Use “more” What is the writer trying to do: inform, 🔹 Identify intent by analyzing examples, tone,
• She is more beautiful than her 11. Author's Purpose
for longer adjectives (e.g., beautiful → more beautiful).3. Avoid double argue, criticize, persuade, etc. and overall theme.
Adjective Rules sister.
comparatives/superlatives.4. “Elder” refers to people only in family;
• He is the eldest in the family. 🔹 Understand both elements of the analogy.
“older” for age difference in general. Comparisons or logical relationships
12. Analogy-based Questions 🔹 Check if the logic matches the original
1. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.2. “Too” indicates • He ran quickly. mentioned in the passage.
Adverb Rules excessiveness; “very” indicates a high degree.3. Use “much” with past • It is too cold to go out. relationship.
participles & “very” with present participles (exceptions apply). • She is very beautiful.
1. Common prepositions: in, on, at, by, for, since, from, to, with.2. “In” → • He lives in Delhi.
Preposition Rules months/years/periods; “on” → specific days/dates; “at” → exact time.3. • She came on Monday.
After certain verbs, fixed prepositions are used (e.g., depend on, agree to). • It depends on you.
1. Correct pairings: either...or, neither...nor, both...and, not only...but also.2. • Neither he nor I was present.
Conjunction Rules Use “lest” with “should”.3. “Though/although” followed by “yet” (though • Walk carefully lest you should
optional in modern usage). fall.
• She writes a letter. → A letter
1. Object of active sentence becomes subject in passive.2. Correct auxiliary is written by her.
Voice
verbs and past participle form required in passive.3. Only transitive verbs • They have completed the
(Active/Passive)
can be changed into passive voice. project. → The project has been
completed by them.
• He said, “I am happy.” → He
1. Change pronouns and tense according to reporting verb.2. Tense
Narration said that he was happy.
changes based on reporting verb (present → no change; past → tense shifts
(Direct/Indirect • She asked, “Where are you
back).3. Question forms change to statements in indirect speech.4. Time &
Speech) going?” → She asked where I
place words must be adjusted (e.g., now → then, here → there).
was going.
• Incorrect: He didn’t saw her. →
1. Identify incorrect verbs, pronouns, articles, prepositions, tenses, etc.2.
Correct: He didn’t see her.
Error Spotting Tips Check subject-verb agreement and modifier placement.3. Watch out for
• Incorrect: More better. →
incorrect comparisons, double negatives, redundant words.
Correct: Better.

Reading Comprehension

43 | | 44 | |