NOUN

Kinds of Noun:
1. Proper Noun: a proper noun is the name of some particular person or place.
Ex- Ram , Shyam, Delhi.

2. Common Noun: A Common noun is a name given in common to every person or thing of the
same kind or class.
Ex- boy, girl, teacher etc.

3. Collective noun: A collective noun is the name of a group of persons or things.

Ex- army, committee, crowd etc.

4.Abstract Noun: a noun denoting an idea, quality, or state rather than a concrete object.
Ex- strength, innocence, fear, judgment. Etc.

5. Material Noun: Material noun is the name given to the material, substance or things made
up of The alloy.
Ex- cotton, gold, silver etc.

NOUN: Gender
1. Masculine Gender
A noun that denotes male animal is said to be of the Masculine Gender.
Ex- Man, boy, Tiger, Sun etc.

2. Feminine Gender: A noun that denotes a female animal is said to be of the Feminine
Gender.
Ex- woman, girl, nature, lioness etc.

3. Common Gender: A noun that denotes either a male or a female is said to be of the
common gender.
Ex- Parent, child, student, cousin etc.

4.Neuter Gender: A noun that denotes a thing without life , neither male nor female , is said
to be of the Neuter gender.
Ex- Book, Pen, room etc.

NOUN: NUMBER
1. Singular Noun:
A noun that denotes one person or thing , is said to be in the Singular Number.
Ex- pen, cow, boy etc.

2. Plural Noun: A noun that denotes more than one person or thing , is said to be in the
plural Number.
Ex- Pens, Boys, Cows etc

NOUN: countable / uncountable

Countable nouns are the names of objects, people etc that we can count.
Ex- book, apple, doctor, horse etc.

Uncountable nouns are the names of things which we cant count.

They mainly denote substance and abstract things.
Ex- milk, oil, sugar, gold, honesty etc.

NOUN: CASES
The case of a noun tells us about the position of that noun or pronoun in a sentence.
In English, there are five cases.

Nominative case: a noun is said to be in the nominative case if it is the subject of a verb.
Ex- Ram is an intelligent boy.

Objective case: Nouns or Pronouns are said to be in objective case if they are the direct
object of verbs or the objects of the preposition.

Dative case: A noun is said to be in Dative case if it is the indirect object of the verb.
Rohan brought me a flower. (Me is in dative case)

Possessive case: A noun is said to be in the possessive case if it denotes possession or

ownership.
Ex- This is your pencil. (your is in possessive case)

Vocative case : A noun or pronoun is said to be in vocative case if it is used to call ( or to get
attention of a person or persons)
Ex- Mr. Mallya , people are waiting for you in the hall. (Mr. Mallya is in vocative case)

NOUN in Apposition
when one noun follows another to describe it, the noun which follows is said to be in
apposition to the noun which comes before it.
Ex- Ram , our captain, made fifty runs.
Kabir , the great reformer, was a weaver.

RULES AND EXAMPLES

1. Some nouns always take a singular verb.

Scenery, advice, information, machinery, stationery, furniture, abuse, fuel, rice, gram, issue,
bedding, repair, news, mischief, poetry, business, economics, physics, mathematics, classic,
ethics, athletics, innings, gallows.
(A) The scenery of Kashmir are enchanting. (Correct use- is)
(A) He has given advices. (Correct use- advice)

2. Some nouns are singular in meaning, but they are used as plural nouns and always
take a plural verb.
Cattle, gentry, vermin, peasantry, artillery, people, clergy, company, police.
(A) The cattle is grazing in the ground. (correct use- are)
(B) Police has controlled the situation. ( correct use- have)

3. Some nouns are always used in a plural form and always take a plural verb.
Trousers, scissors, spectacles, stockings, shorts, measles, goods, alms, premises, thanks,
tidings, annals, chattels, etc.
(A) Where is my trousers? (correct use- are)
(B) Where are my trousers? Correct
(A) Spectacles is a costly item. ( correct use- are)

4. There are some nouns that indicate length, measure, money, weight or number.
When they are preceded by a numeral, they remain unchanged in form.
Foot, meter, pair, score, dozen, head, year, hundred, thousand, million.
(A) It is a five years degree course. (correct use- year)
(A) I have seven dozens of shoes. (correct use- dozen)

5. Collective nouns such as jury, public, team, committee, government, audience,

orchestra, company, etc. are used both as singular and Plural. It depends on the usage.
(A) The jury was divided in their opinion. (correct use- were)
(A) The team have not arrived yet. (correct use- has)

6. Some nouns have one meaning in the singular and another in the plural:
a.Advice = counsel,
advices = information
b.Air = atmosphere,
airs = proud
c. Authority = command,
authorities = persons in power
d. Good = wise ,
goods = property
e. Iron = metal,
irons = fetters, chains
f. Force = strength
forces = army
g. Content = satisfaction,
contents = things contained
h. Respect = regards,
respects = compliments
i. Work = job
works = compositions, factories,.

7. People are often confused or they commit mistakes in the use of certain nouns.
(A) Lecturership is wrong: lectureship is correct.
(B) Freeship is wrong; free studentship is correct.
(C) Boarding is wrong; boarding house is correct.
(D) Family members is wrong; members of the family is correct.
(E) English teacher is wrong; the teacher of English is correct.
(F) Cousin brother or sister is wrong; only cousin is correct.

(G) Wages means punishments when used in the singular.

Ex- The wages of sin is death.
(H) It also means charges for the labour when used in the plural sense.
Ex- The wages of daily workers have been raised.

8. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person, number and gender.
Ex- Every student must bring his luggage.
All students must do their home work.
Each of the boys must carry his own bag.

9. While using everybody everyone, anybody, and each the pronoun of the
masculine or the feminine gender is used according to the context.
I shall be happy to help each of the boys in this practice.

But when the sex is not mentioned, we use the pronoun of the masculine gender.
Anyone can qualify this exam if he tries.
Each of the six boys in the class has finished their tasks. (Incorrect)
Each of the six boys in the class has finished his task. (Correct)

10. The pronoun one must be followed by ones.

One must finish his homework in time. (Incorrect)
One must finish ones homework in time. (Correct)

11. Enjoy, apply, resign, acquit, drive, exert, avail, pride, absent, etc., when used as
transitive verbs, always take a reflexive pronoun after them. When self is added to
my, your, him, her, and it, and selves to our and them they are known as
reflexive pronouns.
He absented from the meeting.
He absented himself from the meeting.

12. Who denotes the subject and whom is used for the object?
who : Its the subject of a verbe.g., Who gave you that book?
Its a predicate nominative (a noun in the predicate that renames or refers to the sentences
subject)e.g.,This is who I am.

Whom is an objective pronoun, which is a pronoun that receives the action of a verb. It
also has two main uses:
It is the object of a verbe.g., Whom should I call?
It is the object of a prepositione.g., From whom did you get this information?

13. When two or more singular nouns are connected by either or; neither nor, ;
and or, the pronoun used is singular.
Either Rohan or Sohan will give their bike. (Incorrect)
Either Rohan or sohan will give his book. (Correct)

14. When a singular and a plural noun are joined by or, nor, the pronoun must be
plural.
Either the student or his teachers failed in his duty. (Incorrect)
Either the student or his teachers failed in their duty. (Correct)
 15. Whose is used for living persons and which for lifeless objects.
Which novel did you select?
Whose photograph is lying there?

16. Each other is used when there are two subjects or objects and one another
when there are more than two.
Ram and Sita loved each other.
Those five students, who are sitting there, love one another.

17. When a pronoun stands for a collective noun, it must be in the singular number
and in the neuter gender if the collective noun is viewed as a whole.but if it gives an idea
of different entities , plural pronoun is used.
The jury gave its verdict.
Here the jury gives the idea of one whole.

If the collective noun conveys the idea of separate individuals comprising the whole, the
pronoun standing for it must be plural.
The jury were divided in their opinions.
in this sentence , the jury gives the idea of several individuals.

18. If pronouns of different persons are to be used together in a sentence, the serial
order of persons should be as follows;
second person(2) + third (3)+ first person(1) in normal sentences. But when mistake or fault
is expressed in the sentence, the order should be; first person(1) + second person(2) + third
person(3). RULE-231
You, he and I have finished the work. (Normal idea)
I, you and he are to blame. ( here Confession of guilt is expressed , its a negative idea,
hence order is 123)

19. Some is used in affirmative sentences to express quantity or degree. Any is

uses in negative or interrogative sentences.
I shall buy some apples.
I shall not buy any apples.
Have you bought any apples?
But some may be correctly used in interrogative sentences which are, in fact, requests.
Will you please give me some water?

20. The use of few, a few and the few should be used with care. They denote
number.
Few means not many, almost nothing. A few is positive and means some at least.
The few means whatever there is.
A few men are free from fault. (Incorrect)
Few men are free from fault. (Correct)
(Here the sense is negative and thus a few is wrong.)
Few teams will qualify for the world cup. (Incorrect)
A few boys will pass in the examination. (Correct)

Here the sense is positive and thus few is incorrect.

I have already read a few books that are in the library. (Incorrect)
I have already read the few books that are in the library. (Correct)
Here the sense is whatever there is. everything that is in the library

21. Use of less and fewer

Less denote quantity and fewer denote number.
No less than fifty students were selected. (Incorrect)
No fewer than fifty students were selected. (Correct)
There are no fewer than five liters of water in the bottle. (Incorrect)
There are no less than five liters of water in the bottle. (Correct)

22. Use of little, a little, the little

Little means hardly any
There is little hope of his recovery. (Incorrect)
There is a little hope of his recovery. (correct)
A little means some, though not much.
Little knowledge is a dangerous thing. (Incorrect)
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. (Correct)

The little means not much but all there is.

Little water that is in the bottle may be used for the child. (Incorrect)
The little water that is in the bottle may be used for the patient. (Correct)

23. Use of elder, older.

Elder is used for persons of same family.
Older refers to persons as well as things and is followed by than.
Rohan is elder than all other boys of this area. (Incorrect)
Rohan is older than all other boys of this area. (Correct)

Sabu is my older brother. (Incorrect)

Sabu is my elder brother. (Correct)

24. Normally than is used in the comparative degree, but with words like superior,
inferior, senior, junior, prior, anterior, posterior and prefer to is used.
Sara is junior than Neeta.( Incorrect)
Sara is junior to Neeta. (Correct)
I prefer reading than walking. (Incorrect)
I prefer reading to walking. (Correct)

25. when a comparison is made by using a comparative followed by than, the word
other must exclude the thing compared form the class of things with which it is
compared.
He is better than any man. (Incorrect)
He is better than any other man. (Correct)
Any man includes the man himself and thus the sentences will be awkward.

26. In some cases, the comparison is subtle and must be given proper attention.
Ex- The climate of Delhi is better than Mumbai. (Incorrect)
Here the comparison should be between the climate of Delhi and the climate of Mumbai.
The climate of Delhi is better than the climate of Mumbai. (Correct)
Or
The climate of Ranchi is better than that of Gaya. (Correct)
(Here, That of means the climate of)
If the traits are in plural, it will be those of.
The products of Reliance are better than those of Suzuki.
The scenery of Kashmir is better than Shimla. (Incorrect)
The scenery of Kashmir is better than that of shimla. (Correct)

27. many a is always followed by the singular verb.

Many a student were drowned in the river. (Incorrect)
Many a student was drowned in the river. (Correct)

28. If the subject is the number of the singular verb is used. And when the
expression (a +number+of) is used , plural verb is used.
The number of students are very small. Incorrect
The number of students is very small. Correct
A number of girls has passed in the examination. (Incorrect)
A number of girls have passed in the examination.( correct)

29. When as well as, along with, together with, no less than, in addition to
and not and with join two subjects, the verb will be used according to the first
subject.
Ram, as well as his five friends, are going.( Incorrect)
Ram, as well as his five friends, is going. (Correct)
The teacher, along with the students, were dancing.( Incorrect)
The teacher, along with the students, was going. Correct

Read more: http://www.bankersadda.com/2016/09/how-to-solve-grammar-questions-

bank.html#ixzz4halwI4Ch
 PRONOUNS
Personal Pronoun
A pronoun is a word used instead of a Noun.
(I, we, you, he, she, it, they) are called personal pronouns because they stand for the three
persons.

(i) The person speaking

(ii) The person spoken to, and
(iii) The person spoken of.

You is both singular and Plural.

Nominative case Objective case Possessive case

(Subjective) (Accusative) (Genitive)

First Person I me my, mine,

we us our, ours
Second Person you you your, yours

Third person he him his

she her her, hers
it it its
they them their, theirs

Pronouns are used so that our language is not cumbersome with the same nouns being repeated
over and over in a paragraph.

Subject Pronoun: (Subjective case)

(I, we, you, he, she, it, they)

Example: She is at work.

She is main subject of the sentence, hence in the sentence, She is the subjective personal
pronoun.

Objective pronoun (objective case)

Example: He will meet us later.
Us is the objective personal pronoun, as it is the object of the verb meet.

Possessive pronoun (possessive case)

Example: That is our clubhouse.

Our shows the possession of the object clubhouse.

Gender

Example: He went to the market.

He is used for male gender.
Other examples (his, him, he etc.)

Example: She is doing the laundry.

she is used for female gender.
(Her, hers, etc.)

Example: It is important to them.

It is gender neutral as it shows an object,

Them is also gender neutral as Them can consists of both genders.

Others gender neutral pronouns are - (Their, they, its.)

Number
Singular Pronoun where the pronoun is only referring to one specific Noun.
Example: That book belongs to me.

Plural Pronoun where the pronoun is used to refer to a number of nouns.

Example: That is Their book, not yours.

REFLEXIVE PRONOUN

They are object pronouns that we use when the subject and the object are the same Noun.

Example: I told myself not to bet all my money on one horse.

Example: The robber hurt himself chasing me through the alley.

Reflexive pronouns are those which are used to indicate a noun which has been used in an earlier
part of the same sentence.
(myself, themselves, yourself, ourselves, herself, himself, itself.)

Example: She blamed herself for the accident.

He is himself today.

EMPHATIC/INTENSIVE PRONOUN

These pronouns are used to emphasize a Noun or pronoun.

(myself, himself, herself, themselves, itself, yourself, yourselves and ourselves.)

Example: He himself is his worst critic.

These pronouns act as appositives of nouns or pronouns for the sake of emphasis,

Example: You yourself wrote those words.

This request came from the employee themselves.

They themselves know that the Prank was in bad taste.

Avoid reporting things that you yourself havent witnessed.

DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUN

Demonstrative pronouns are used to show or identify one or a number of nouns that may be f ar
or near in distance or time.

They are only four in number (This, that, these, those)

This, that Singular demonstrative pronoun
These, those Plural demonstrative pronouns.

Example: That is a beautiful house.

They can also be used to show an unspecified quantity in a sentence.

Example: These were made by me.

(These is showing an unspecified quantity of something that was made by a person.)

Example: Everyone remembers those days.

(Those is showing a particular time or period of days in the past, it is being used in place of a noun
that could be school, summer, co llege etc.)

Example: This is what he is charging.

This is used as pronoun in place of a number.

These pronouns point out someone or something.

They are identical in form to demonstrative adjective/determiners.

The difference is that

A demonstrative pronoun stands alone (because it is a substitute for a noun or noun phrase)

But a demonstrative adjective is accompanied by the noun it modifies.

Example: She gave me this gift.

(This demonstrative adjective)

I like this.
(This demonstrative pronoun)

(More example of demonstrative pronoun)

These are my children.
That is a good idea.
The streets of Delhi are more crowded than those of Mumbai.
 INDEFINITE PRONOUN

These pronouns do stand for some person or thing, but we dont know for exactly whom.

When we say, somebody stole my watch.

(We dont know to whom the word somebody refers to. The word somebody is an indefinite
pronoun.

Example: One should speak the truth.

Somebody immediately called the doctor.
Anybody can solve this problem.
Nobody was present.
Many are called, but few are chosen.
Do good to others.

(Few, all, some, none, everything- indefinite pronouns)

DISTRIBUTIVE PRONOUN

These Pronouns refer to individual elements in a group or a pair, one individual at a time.

Example: Each of the boys gets a prize.

Either of these roads leads to the railway station.
Either of you can go.
Neither of the accusations is true.
You may bring any of your friends
None of our students failed last year.

Each, either, neither are called distributive pronouns because they refe r to persons or things, one
at a time.

Each used to denote every one of a number of persons or things taken singly.

Either means the one or the other of two.

Neither means not the one nor the other of two.
It is negative of either.

Either and Neither should be used only in speaking of two persons or things.

When more than two are spoken of (Any, No one, and none) should be used.

RECIPROCAL PRONOUN

Each and one really belong to the subject, Other and another are objects, but Each other and one
another have become compound pronouns, (and are called reciprocal pronouns) and are rarely
separated even by a preposition)

Example: The brothers quarreled with each other.

 They all gave evidence against one another.
Jamie and Jack always sit beside each other in break.

They havent seen one another since last year.

RELATIVE PRONOUN

These pronouns are used to connect a clause or phrase to a noun or pronoun.

These are: who, whom, which, whoever, whomever, whose, whichever and that.

Example: The driver who Ran the stop sign was careless.

Which and that are generally used for objects.

Who and whom are used for people and whose is used to show possession.

Example: she will choose the color which looks good on everyone

She is complaining to whoever she comes across nowadays.

There is a car in the parking lot that someone has painted a bright pink.

Is there anyone here whose mobile phone has a signal?

I met Hari who had just returned.
I have found the pen which I lost.
There is the book That you lent me.

INTERROGATIVE

Who, whom, which and what are interrogative pronouns as they are used to ask questions about a
person or object that we do not know about.

Compounds of these words are made by attaching (ever) to the words to strengthen the emphasis
on the word.

Example: which one would you like?

What is your Name?
Who will be managing the bullet?
Whom did you tell about this?
Whoever could have done this?
Whichever one will you choose?

Who is always the subject of the verb.

Whom is never the subject of the verb.
It is object of the verb.
It is used to show the person to or for whom the action is being done.

Example: whom were you meeting with?

PRONOUN (RULES)
 1. Since a personal pronoun works in place of a noun, the number, gender
and person of the pronoun must be according to the noun only.
Ex.- Ram has lost his books. (Not their)
She loves his husband. (Incorrect)
She loves her husband. (Correct)

2. When two or more singular nouns are joined by AND the Pronoun for
them always in the plural number.
Ex.- Mohan and Sohan have lost his books. (Incorrect)
Mohan and Sohan have lost their books. (Correct)

3. When two or more singular nouns joined by AND are preceded by EACH
and EVERY the pronoun must be singular.
Ex.- Every student and every teacher took his or her seat.
Each of Ram and Shyam has done his work.
Each man and each boy in the party has got his share.

4. When a singular nouns and a plural noun are combined by OR, EITHER
OR NEITHER NOR the singular noun usually comes first in the sentence and
the pronoun must be in the plural number.
Ex.- Either the manager or his subordinates failed in their duty in sending the
official message.

5. When two or more singular nouns are joined by Either OR, neither nor the
pronouns is always in the singular
Ex.- Ram or Mohan should invest his money in some business.
Neither Ram nor Shyam confessed his guilt
Either Sita or Kamla forgot to take her prize.

6. Either or neither are always used in relation to two things or two persons
for more than two ANY, or NONE must be used.
Ex.- Either of the two girls can pay for it.
Neither of the two brothers has been selected.
Any one of the employees can claim it.
None of the students of this class has passed.

7. When in a sentence one is used as the subject all the pronouns in the
sentence must be changed into one or ones and not his, her or him.
Ex.-One should keep ones promise.
One should do ones duty.
One must finish ones task in time.

8. When any pronoun functions as the complement of the verb To be, it is

always in the nominative case.
Ex.- It is me who have to go. (Incorrect)
It is I who have to go. (Correct)
It is him who is to blame. (Incorrect)
It is he who is to blame. (Correct)
It was he who could solve the problem Easily.

9. Whenever any pronoun functions as an object to a verb or a preposition, it

is in the objective case.
Ex.- It is for he to consider. (Incorrect)
It is for him to consider. (Correct)
Ask he to go. (Incorrect)
Ask him to go. (Correct)

10. When two singular nouns joined by AND denote the same person or thing
the pronoun used for them must be singular in number. The article THE is
placed before the first Noun.
Ex.- The accounts officer and treasures should be careful in his work of keeping
accounts.

11. When a personal pronoun is connected by a conjunction with s ome other

word in the objective case, it must be in the objective or accusative case.
Ex.- These clothes are for you and me. (not I)

12. A pronoun should be used in the objective case in a sentence beginning

with Let.
Ex.- Let him go to his office
Let her submit the records in time.

13. While confessing a fault (or expressing a negative idea) the sequence of
the personal pronouns should be as follows:
I, you and he are in the wrong and will be punished.
[First person first, second person next and third person last]

14. While expressing a positive idea or praise, the sequence of the personal
pronouns should be as follows:
You, He and I will get an award for the good work we have done.
[Second person (2), third person (3), and first person (1)]
You, he and I have finished the work.
Ram, I and you have finished our studies. (Incorrect)
You, Ram and I have finished our studies. (Correct)

15. After BUT, EXCEPT, BETWEEN and LET the pronoun is used in
objective case where as after such as in the subjective case
Ex.- Everyone laughed but I. (Incorrect)
Everyone laughed but me. (Correct)
Now attended the meeting except he. (Incorrect)
Now attended the meeting except him. (Correct)
Let we laugh away our sorrows. (Incorrect)
Let us laugh away our sorrows. (Correct)
This is between you and I. (Incorrect)
This is between you and me. (Correct)
They do not have a lining far such a person as me. (Incorrect)
They do not have a liking for such a person as I. (Correct)

16. Some is used in affirmative sentences to express quantity or degree.

Any is used in Negative or interrogative sentences.
Ex.- I shall buy some apples.
I shall not buy any apples.
Have you bought any apples?
I shall read any book. (Incorrect )
I shall read some book. (Correct)

17. Enjoy, apply, resign, acquit, drive, exert, avail, pride, absent, drink,
oversleep, overreach, Revenge, present etc. when used as transitive verbs, always
take a reflexive pronoun after them.
Ex.- He absented from the class. (Incorrect)
He absented himself from the class. (Corrected)
He presented himself before the manager.
He absented himself from the office today.

18. When a pronoun stands for a collective noun, it must be in the singular
number and in the neuter gender if the collective noun is viewed as a whole-
Ex.- The Jury gave its verdict.
The Jury were divided in their opinions.

19. (a) Each other is used about two persons.

Ex.- The two brothers disliked each other.
Romeo and Juliet loved each other.
The two children quarreled with each other.
(b) One another is used about more than two-
Ex.- Good boys do not quarrel with one another.
All the students of the class are friendly, they like one another.

20. The pronouns who, whom, whose are generally used for persons
Who - Nominative case
Whom - Objective case
Whose - Possessive case
Ex.- Shikha is the student who got an award.
They are the thieves whom the police caught.
This is the student whose certificates are lost.

21. Use of WHICH

(a) For infants, small animals and objects.
Ex.- This is the baby which was lost in the theatre.
This is the dog which my friend bought from the U.S.
(b) When selection is expressed.
Ex.- Which of these television sets do you want to purchase?
(c) To refer to a sentence
Ex.- He was said to be drunk, which was not true.

22. Uses of THAT

(a) For persons, lifeless things and small animals in the singular or in the
plural number.
Ex.- This is the girl that failed in the exam.
This is the Radio that I bought Yesterday.
(b) As a substitute for a singular noun already mentioned.
Ex.- The weather of Hyderabad is for better than Chennai. (Wrong)
The weather of Hyderabad is far better than that of Chennai. (Right)
 VERB (RULES)
(SUBJECT AND VERB AGREEMENT)

General Rule
The verb must agree with its subject in number and person

Rule-1 When two subjects are joined by AND the verb is plural
Ex.-My friend and his father are in India

Rule-2 When two singular nouns joined by AND refer to the same person
or thing, the verb is singular.
Ex.-The secretary and treasurer has been arrested.
The district magistrate and collector is on leave today

Rule-3 Article THE is used only once when the two nouns refer to the
same person or thing. If the two nouns refer to different persons or things,
article THE is used before each noun. In such cases, the verb will be in the
plural form.
Ex.-The secretary and the president have been given warm welcome.

Rule-4 If two different singular nouns express one idea, the verb should
be in the singular form.
Ex.-Bread and milk is good for Breakfast.
Rice and curry is my favorite dish
This is the long and the short of the matter.

Rule-5 When two singular subjects are practically synonymous the verb
should be in the singular form.
Ex.-The law and order situation in the state is under control
His power and influence is on the decline.
Power and position has no charm for my friend.
Peace and Prosperity is the need to the day.

Rule-6 If two singular subjects combined by AND are preceded by each

or every, the verb should be in the singular.
Ex.-Every boy and girl was present in the class Yesterday.
Every man and every woman has the right to express his or her view.

Rule-7 When the subjects joined by (Either-or), (Neither-nor) are of

different persons, the verb will agree in person and number with the noun
nearest to it.
Also, the plural subject must be placed nearest to the verb.
Ex.-Either Radha or Rani has done this mischief.
Neither Mohini nor Ragini is beautiful
Either the CM or the Cabinet Ministers are responsible for this problem.
Neither you nor he is to take up this task.
Either you or I am responsible for this mistake.

Rule-8 If connectives like with, together with, as well as accompanied

by etc. are used to combine two subjects the verb agrees with the subject
mentioned first.
Ex.-The president of India together with his personal secretaries is invited to
this function.
The actress, along with her manager and some friend, is attending the
function.
Mr. Michael, accompanied by his wife and children is arriving tonight by train.

Rule-9 When (Not only-but also) is used to combine two subjects, the
verb agrees with the subject close to it
Ex.-Not only Hari, but also his brothers were arrested.

Rule-10 Use of None/No.

None can take either a singular or a plural verb depending on the noun
which follows it.
Structure [None + of the + (non-count noun) + singular verb]
Ex.-None of the counterfeit money has been found
Structure [None + of the + (plural count. noun) + plural verb]
Ex.-None of the students have finished the exam yet.

No can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the noun which
follows it.
Structure : [No + Singular Noun + Singular Verb ]
ex- No employee has received the salary.
Structure : [No + plural Noun + plural Verb ]
Ex.- No examples are relevant to this case.

Rule-11 Many words indicating a number of people or animals are

singular.
The following nouns are usually singular.
(If the individual members are acting separately, they are plural and take
plural verb.)
[Congress, Family, Group, Committee, Class, Organisation, Team, Army, Club,
Crowd, Government, Jury, Minority, Public]
Ex.-The family was happy at the news
The family were fighting over inheritance.
Our team is certain to win the match.
The committee have arrived by different trains.
The crowd was wild with excitement.

Rule-12 Majority can be singular or plural. If it is alone it is usually

singular, if it is followed by a plural noun, it is usually plural.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Majority by itself is singular but when majority refers to a

set of people it is plural.
e.g. A majority is always right.
e.g. A majority of students are right.

Rule-13 The number/A number

The number is singular: The number of acres destroyed by wildfires has
increased dramatically over the past several years.
A number is plural: A number of students are standing outside the office.

Rule-14 Collective nouns indicating time, money and measurements

used as a whole are Singular and take a singular verb.
Twenty five rupees is not such a big amount for him
Two miles is too much for this man to run.

Rule-15 when a lot of, a great deal of, plenty of, most of and some of
refer to number, a plural verb is used.
Ex.-A lot of people were present in the party.
Some of the students were absent.
But, if these expressions refers to an amount, the verb is in the singular
number.
Ex.-A lot of work has to be completed before we go.
A great deal of work has been finished

Rule-16 When the percentage or a part of something is mentioned with

plural meaning the plural verb is used.
Ex.-30 % of Indian women are literate.
Three-quarters of the food has been eaten.
(Here the reference is to the food as a whole)

Rule-17 Barracks, Headquarters, Whereabouts, Alms etc. take a singular

verb, as well as plural verb.
Ex.-The headquarters of the UNO is/are New Y ork
 Rule-18 In sports, while referring to the players, the name of the
country is followed by plural verb.
Ex.-England have won the World Cup.

Rule-19 When the word ENEMY is used in the sense Armed forces of a
nation with which ones country is at war, we have to use the plural verb.
The enemy were forced to Retreat.

Rule-20 Use of Lay and Lie

The verb Lay is transitive and is always followed by an object
The verb Lie is intransitive and cannot have an object.
(Lay Laid Laid)
Ex.-Lay the child on the bed.
I laid the book on the table.
(Lie Lay Lain)
Let me lie here.
He lay under that tree.

Rule 21. When sentences start with there or here, the subject will
always be placed after the verb, so care needs to be taken to identify it
correctly.
Examples:
There are four hurdles to jump.
There is a high hurdle to jump.
Here are the keys.
There is a problem with the balance sheet.
Here are the papers you requested.

Rule 22 : Titles of books, movies, novels, etc. are treated as singular

and take a singular verb.
The Burbs is a movie starring Tom Hanks.

Rule 23: When gerunds are used as the subject of a sentence, they take
the singular verb form of the verb; but, when they are linked by and, they
take the plural form.
Standing in the water was a bad idea.
Swimming in the ocean and playing drums are my hobbies.

Rule 24 :If two infinitives are separated by and they take the plural
form of the verb.
To walk and to chew gum require great skill.
 Rule 25: Dont get confused by the words that come between the
subject and verb; they do not affect agreement.
Ex- The dog, who is chewing on my jeans, is usually very good.

Rule 26: Inverted Sentences

Usually in a sentence the subject always precedes the verb, but sometimes
they can reverse this order, so that the verb comes before the subject.

Incorrect: Through the Golden Eagle Bridge passes thousands of vehicles every
day.
In the above sentence, the singular verb passes is not referring to the singular
Golden Eagle Bridge but to the plural thous ands of vehicles. Hence, the correct
verb will be the plural pass.

Correct: Through the Golden Eagle Bridge pass thousands of vehicles every
day.

27. Final Rule Remember, only the subject affects the verb!
 ADJECTIVE
Rule-1 Adjective of quantity like much, LITTLE, ENOUGH, SUFFICIENT,
WHOLE, etc. must be used with uncountable nouns only as they express
quantity and not number.
Ex.-Many (not much) boys are absent from the class today.
Many (not much) boys failed in the examination.

Rule-2 The use of few, a few and the few should be used with care
they denote number. Few means NOT MANY.
Few has negative meaning
A few means SOME AT LEAST
The few means WHATEVER THERE IS.

Ex. I read few books.

I Read a few books.
I Read the few books I had.
A few men are true from fault. (Incorrect)
Few men are true from fault. (Correct)

Rule-3 Use of little, a little, the little

Little means hardly any in quantity.
Ex.-He had little money
There is little water in the bottle
There is a little hope of his recovery (Incorrect)
There is little hope of his recovery (Correct)

A little means Some in quantity if not much.

Ex.-Little knowledge is a dangerous thing. (Incorrect)
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.(correct)
He had a little money.
There is a little water in the bottle.

The little means not much in quantity but all that is.
Ex.-I spent the little money I had.
little water that is in the bottle may be used for the patient. (Incorrect)
A little water that is in .. (Correct)

Rule-4 Adjective of number must be used only with the countable nouns
and not with uncountable as they indicate number and not quantity.
Ex-I have taken many milk today. (Incorrect)
I have taken much milk today. (Correct)
Do not drink so many water. (Incorrect)
Do not drink so much water. (Correct)

Rule-5 Some, All, Any, No. Most etc. may be used both as adjectives of
number and Adjectives of quantity as they can express number as well as
quantity.
Ex.-There are no boys in the class (Adj. of Number)
There is no milk in the pot. (Adj. of quantity)

All big machines are imported from foreign countries. (Adj. of number)
All the sugar was thrown into the sea. (Adj. of Quantity)

Give me some water. (Adj. of Quantity)

Some of these students are excellent. (Adj. of Number)

Rule-6 the comparative adjectives, ending with like superior, inferior,

senior, junior, prior, anterior, posterior, exterior etc. Take to after them
and not than.
Ex.-He is senior than me. (Incorrect)
He is senior to me. (Correct)

Health is preferable than wealth. (Incorrect)

Health is preferable to wealth. (Correct)

Rule-7 Double comparative adjectives or double superlative adjectives

must not be used.
(Incorrect) He is more senior than me.
(Correct) He is senior to me.

Milk is more preferable than tea. (Incorrect)

Milk is preferable to tea. (Correct)

Ashoka was the most strongest of the kings. (Incorrect)

Ashoka was the strongest of the kings. (Correct)

Rule-8 Comparative degree must be used when the comparison is

between two persons of things and superlative degree when the comparison
is among more than two things.
Ex.-Who is the tallest of these two brothers ? (Incorrect)
Who is taller of these two brothers ? (Correct)

He is wise of all students in the class. (Incorrect)

He is the wisest of all students in the class. (Correct)
 Rule-9 The comparative ending in er is not used when we compare
two qualities in the same person or thing. In that case we use more before
the Adjective.
Ex.- Ram is braver than wise. (Incorrect)
Ram is more brave than wise (Correct)

Rule-10 Use of (Later, Latter; latest, last)

Later and Latest shows time
Latter and last shows position

Ex.-He latter refused to come (Incorrect)

He later refused to come. (Correct)

The later part of the novel is not clearly written (Incorrect)

The latter part of the novel is not clearly written . (Correct)

Rule-11 Use of (farther, further; farthest, furthest)

Farther, Farthest - denote distance
Further, Furthest - next, also (position)

Ex.-After this he made no farther statement. (Incorrect)

After this he made no further statement. (Correct)

Delhi is farther from Haridwar than Roorkee.

Dont make further delay.

Rule-12 Before superlative adjectives articles THE must (always)

placed.
Ex.-He is the best boy of the class.
She is the most intelligent girl.

Rule-13 Use of (Nearest, next)

Nearest denotes distance.
Next denotes position.

Ex.-He was sitting next to me.

Patna junction is the nearest to my house.

This is the next post-office to my house. (Incorrect)

This is the nearest post-office to my house. (Correct)

Rule-14 Use of (Elder, older; Eldest, oldest)

Elder and eldest are used of members of the same family.
Older and oldest are used for persons or things.

Elder takes To after it while older takes than

Ex.-I have an older brother (Incorrect)
I have an elder brother (Correct)

Mohan is the eldest boy in the town. (Incorrect)

Mohan is the oldest boy in the town. (Correct)

Rule-15 Use of less and fewer

Less - Quantity
Fewer - Number
Ex.-There is fewer sugar in your tea than in mine. (Incorrect)
There is less sugar in your tea than in mine. (Correct)
He has less money than I.

Rule-16 Some adjectives like (Perfect, Ideal, Full, Chief, Unique,

Complete, Infinite, Extreme, Entire, Universal, Empty, Impossible,
Unanimous, square, sound etc. are not compared as they express meaning
which do not admit of any variation of degrees.
Ex.-This achievement was most unique. (Incorrect)
His achievement was unique. (Correct)

Your knowledge is most perfect. (Incorrect)

Your knowledge is perfect (Incorrect)

Rule-17 When a comparison is introduced and has ANY after it, the
things compared must always be excluded from the class of things with
which it is compared, by using OTHER
Ex.-London is larger than any city in England. (Incorrect)
London is larger than any other city in England (Correct)

Ram is cleverer than any student in his class (Incorrect)

Ram is cleverer than any other student in his class. (Correct)

The tiger is as swift as any animal.

The tiger is as swift as any other animal.
 Rule-18 Each is used to indicate a limited number and EVERY to
denote an unlimited number in selection or choice.
Ex.-Everyone of the two boys was given a prize. (Incorrect)
Each one of the two boys was given a prize (Correct)

He came to see us Each day. (Incorrect)

He came to see us Every day. (Correct)

Rule-19 "Some" is used in the affirmative sentence "any" is used in

negative and interrogative sentence.
I dont want some chocolates. (Incorrect)
I dont want any chocolates (Correct)

I will have any tea. (Incorrect)

I will have some tea. (Correct)

Did you go somewhere last night ?

Did you go anywhere last night ?

Rule-20 Whats the Correct Order for Multiple Adjectives in a sentence?

When you list several adjectives in a row, theres a specific order they need to
be written or spoken. Native speakers of English tend to put them in the
correct order naturally, but if youre learning English, youll have to memorize
the order. It goes like this:
Before the adjectives you will normally have the Determiner.

1.Determiner: The determiner tells us if the noun is singular or plural, definite

or indefinite
a, an, the, my, your, four, those, some etc

2.Quantity or number:

3.Quality or opinion: Explains what we think about something. This is usually

our opinion, attitude or observations. These adjectives almost always come
before all other adjectives.
beautiful, boring, stupid, delicious, useful, lovely, comfortable

4.Size: Tells us how big or small something is.

big, small, tall, huge, tiny
5.Shape / Weight / Length: Tells about the shape of something or how long or
short it is. It can also refer to the weight of someone or something.
round, square, circular, skinny, fat, heavy, straight, long, short,

6.Condition: Tells us the general condition or state of somethi ng

broken, cold, hot, wet, hungry, rich, easy, difficult, dirty

7.Age: Tells us how old someone or something is.

old, young, new, ancient, antique

8. Colour: The colour or approximate colour of something.

green, white, blue, reddish, purple

9.Pattern: The pattern or design of something.

striped, spotted, checked, flowery

10.Origin: Tells us where something is from.

American, British, Italian, eastern, Australian, Chilean

11.Material: What is the thing made of or constructed of?

gold, wooden, silk, paper, synthetic, cotton, woolen

12.Purpose/Qualifier/Use: What is it for? These adjectives often end in ing.

sleeping (bag), gardening (gloves), shopping (bag), wedding (dress)
If you look at the examples above, you can ask what are the gloves used for?
(gardening) What is the bag used for? (shopping)

And after these adjectives we have the

13.Noun: The person or thing that is being described

This is the correct order for adjectives that come directly before a noun, and
they are separated by commas.

Ex- My beautiful, big, circular, antique, brown, English, wooden coffee table
was broken in the move.

If the adjectives come after the verb be as the complement, then the
qualifier will stick with the noun at the beginning of the sentence. The
adjectives in the complement are separated by commas with the final two
being separated by and.
For example-
My coffee table is beautiful, big, circular, antique, brown, English and
wooden.
Ex- I love that really big old green antique car that always parked at the end
of the street.
Ex- a wonderful old Italian Car.(opinion-age- origin)
A big square blue box. (size -shape- color)
A disgusting pink plastic ornament. (opinion- color- material)
I bought a pair of black leather. (color-material)
 ADVERB
An adverb is a word which modifies the meaning of verb, an adjective or
another adverb.

Rule-1 Adverb of manner are mostly formed from adjective by adding

(ly)
Ex.- (Clever -Cleverly),
(Wise -Wisely),
(Kind - Kindly),
(Foolish - Foolishly)

Rule-2 When the adjective ends in (y) preceded by a consonant, change

(y) into (i) and add (ly)
Ex.- Happy - Happily
Ready - Readily
Heavy - Heavily

Rule-3 Adverb of manner are generally placed after the verb or after
the object if there is one.
Ex.- It is raining heavily.
He is walking slowly.
Ram speaks English well.
He does his work carefully.

Rule-4 Adverbs of frequency are normally placed before the main verb
and after the auxiliary (is, am, are, was, were, had, have, will, shall etc.)

Adverb of frequency (always, never, often, rarely, usually, generally,

sometimes, almost, already, hardly, nearly, just, quite, occasionally)
Ex.- He always comes late.
He is always late.
He often visits the U.S.
His brother never takes alcohol
He is never punctual.

Rule-5 The auxiliaries have to and used to prefer the adverb before
them.
Ex.- I often have to go to college by walk.
He never used to agree with me.
 Rule-6 Adverb ENOUGH is always placed after the word which it
qualifies.
Ex.- Is the hall big enough ?
He spoke loud enough to be heard.
She is wise enough to understand your intention.
He had enough money to buy this car. (Correct)
(Noun)
He is faster enough to defeat you. [use fast]
He is bravest enough to be selected for the post of soldier [use brave]

Rule-7 Seldom or Never and Seldom if ever are both correct but
Seldom or ever is incorrect.
Ex.- We seldom or ever visit Delhi. (Incorrect)
We Seldom or never visit Delhi. (Correct)

Rule-8 Else should be followed by but

Ex.- It is nothing else than pride. (Incorrect)
It is nothing else but pride. (Correct)
Rohit has no one else to talk to except his wife. (Incorrect)
Rohit has no one else to talk to but his wife. (Correct)

Rule-9 The use of NEVER for NOT is Incorrect

Ex.- I never broke your windopanes. (Incorrect)
I did not break your windowpanes. (Correct)

Rule-10 Adverbs [Seldom, nowhere, never, nothing, hardly, scarcely,

neither, barely, rarely] are not used with other negative words.
Ex.- I rarely went to meet nobody. (Incorrect)
[Use anybody in place of Nobody]
I rarely went to meet anybody. (Correct)

She hardly knows nothing about me. (Incorrect)

She hardly knows anything about me. (Correct)

Rule-11 Adverb AS is used with the following verbs

[Regard, Describe, define, treat, view, know]
Ex.- I regard him as my brother.
Biology had been defined as the study of organism.
Adverb AS is not used with the following verbs -
[Name, elect, think, consider, call, appoi nt, make, choose]
 Rule-12 SO as an adverb of degree must not be used without a
correlative.
Ex.- He is so weak. (incorrect)
He is very weak (Correct)

It was so lovely.(InCorrect)
It was very lovely. (Correct)
He is so weak that he cannot walk. (Correct)

Rule-13 The adverb too means more than enough and should not be
used instead of every or much
The news is too good to be true.
He is too weak to walk.

Rule-14 Rather is used as comparative adverb for the sake of

emphasis.
Ex.- We should think of living rather or dying.
[This sentence is correct because there is comparison between living and
dying]
You are rather very clever. (Incorrect)
You are very clever. (Correct)

Rule-15 In order to make our meaning clear, an adverb must be placed

as near as possible to the word it modifies
Ex.- She has only three dollars with her.
(Adv.) (Adj.)
We only have four hours to finish this paper. (Wrong)
We have only four hour to finish this paper (Right)
That building nearly costs sixty thousand rupees. (Wrong)
That building costs nearly sixty thousand rupees.(Right)
She just wants to take one class. (Wrong)
[Not anything else]
She wants to take just one class.(Right)
[Not even second]

Rule-16 When an adverb modifies an intransitive verb, it usually follow

it.
Ex.- She sang melodiously.
She writes neatly
The birds fly swiftly
 Rule-17 When a verb consists of an auxiliary and a main verb, the
adverb which qualifies is placed between the auxiliary and the main verb.
Ex.- I have told him often not to come late. (Wrong)
I have often told him not to come late. (Right)

Rule-18 When an adverb modifies an adjective or another adverb, the

adverb usually comes before it.
Ex.- The cuckoo sings quits sweetly.
Do not speak so fast.

Rule-19 Use of hard, hardly, scarce, scarcely

Hard as an adverb means Diligently. It usually follows the verb.
Ex.- He works hard to make both ends meet.
Our team played hard in Pakistan.
I tried hard to succeed.
Hardly When used as an adverb means scarcely, barely. It conveys a
negative meaning.
Hardly (Scarcely) had he reached the station, when the train left.
[Hardly and scarcely are followed by when]

[No sooner is followed by than]

Scarce as an adjective means not plentiful, hard to find, not often found.
Ex.- Coal has become scarce in England.
Scarcely as an adverb is almost synonymous Hardly
I can scarcely hear you.
They have scarcely enough to look after their children

Rule-20 Use of MUCH, VERY

Much qualifies adjectives or adverbs in the comparative degree; very in
the positive.
Ex.- The air is much hotter today than yesterday.
This book is much heavier than that.
This book is very useful
He spoke very loudly.
There are six basic kinds of errors in the grammar of a sentence.

Error type-1 Subject -verb agreement

Error type -2. Errors of modifiers
Modifiers are words / group of words / phrases in one part of sentence , which
modify another part of the sentence.
In correct written English ,the modifier has to be kept as close as possible to
the word or clause it modifies.

Ex- bruised and battered, Ravi gave his Car to the mechanic.
Bruised and battered , the car was given to the mechanic by Ravi.

Errors type -3 errors in the usage of Pronouns .

The pronouns used in a sentence should agree with their antecedents.

Error type - 4 error in the tense of the verbs.

Error type - 5 errors of parallelism
Error type -6 error in the use of singular words/ idioms and phrases.
Proper use of adverbs , prepositions. Conjunctions. Adjectives.

Q.1 With the advent of YouTube, Facebook, and Flickr, many savvy political
consultants undertook revolutionary micro-targeting and get-out-the-vote
techniques that enabled political candidates with cash-strapped budgets to
be able to reach numerous likely voters and succeed in raising large
numbers of money from enthusiastic and committed supporters in a short
period of time.

A.cash-strapped budgets to be able to reach numerous likely voters and

succeed in raising large numbers of money

B.cash-strapped budgets to reach numerous likely voters and be successful in

raising large amounts of money

C.cash-strapped budgets to reach numerous likely voters, succeeding in raising

large amounts of money
D.cash-strapped budgets to reach numerous likely voters and succeed in raising
large amounts of money

E.cash-strapped budgets to be able to reach numerous likely voters and

succeed in raising large amounts of money

Explanation: Option(D) is correct

The sentence must be constructed such that corresponding consequences

of an action are parallel. Specifically, the sentence should read enabled
political candidates with cash-strapped budgets to x and y where x and y are
parallel.

The phrase to be able to z is redundant and should be replaced by to z

The phrase numbers of money should be amounts of money since number
is only used when the object in question can be counted and money cannot be
counted (i.e., you do not say 1 money, 2 money, 3 money). Note: By
comparison, dollars can be counted (i.e., you would say 1 dollar, 2 dollars, 3
dollars) and as a result, we would say: the number of dollars.

a.the phrase to be able to reach is redundant and can be shortened as follows:

to reach; large numbers of money is not grammatically correct since money
itself cannot be counted and, as a result, amount should be used instead

b.the phrase to reach...and be successful is not parallel

c.this sentence is set up such that succeeding modifies reaching voters instead
of being a separate action on its own

d.the phrase is parallel (i.e., to reach...[to] succeed); to be able to reach is

replaced by the shorter to reach

e.the phrase to be able to reach is redundant and should be replaced by to

reach

Q.2 With his sub-four minute mile Bannister broke a psychological barrier,
inspiring thousands of others to attempt overcoming seemingly
insurmountable hurdles.

A.inspiring thousands of others to attempt overcoming

B.inspiring thousands of others to attempt to overcome

C.inspiring thousands of others to overcome

D.and inspired thousands of others to attempt to overcome

E.and inspired thousands of others to attempt overcoming

Explanation: Option(D) is correct

In (A) the word inspiring seems incorrectly to refer to the word barrier; also
the expression attempt overcoming is unidiomatic.

In D, the correct answer, inspired is correctly parallel to broke, and

attempt to overcome is idiomatic.

Q.3 An analysis of sixteenth century probate inventories in the major

English towns show that even some artisans and yeomen owned silver
spoons, cups or salt cellars.

A.show that even some artisans and yeomen owned silver spoons, cups or

B.show that some artisans and yeomen even owned silver spoons, cups or

C.show that even some artisans and yeomen owned silver spoons, cups and

D.shows that some artisans and yeomen owned even silver spoons, cups and

E.shows that even some artisans and yeomen owned silver spoons, cups or

Explanation - Option(E) is correct

The subject of the sentence is analysis and therefore the verb should be the
singular shows. Hence either D or E must be correct.

The word even should be in front of the word which it qualifies. The intention
is to express surprise that some artisans owned silver, as indicated in E by
putting even in front of artisans, and not surprise at the spoons as implied
in D.
In E, the correct answer, the word or seems preferable because the artisan or
yeoman might own any of the items and not necessarily all the items as would
be implied by the use of and.

Q.4 In archaeological terms the university was a latecomer to the town,

which was already centuries old by the time we first hear of the
establishment of a community of scholars and teachers in the late 12th
Century.

A.which was already centuries old by the time we first hear of the
establishment of

B.already centuries old by the time we first hear of its establishment of

C.which was centuries old already when we first hear of the establishment of

D.that was already centuries old by the time we first are hearing of the
establishing of

E.that was already centuries old by the time we first hear that they had
established

Explanation -Option(A) is correct

There is nothing wrong with the use of which in choice A, since the
description correctly refers to the work in front of the comma. It is better not t
spend time worrying over the choice between that and which look for
other clear-cut problems.

We can eliminate E because the pronoun they does not have an antecedent.
We can eliminate D because it is too wordy and uses establishing when
establishment would have been better.

We can eliminate C because already is in the wrong place. And finally we can
eliminate B because the use of its makes the sentence less clear than what
we have in A

Q5.The United Nations Human Development Index takes into account life
expectancy, education, as well as income per person

A.into account life expectancy, education, as well as income per person

B.life expectancy, education, as well as income per person into account

C.into account life expectancy and education, as well as income per person

D.into account life expectancy, and education, and income per person

E.life expectancy, education, and income per person in its account

Explanation : Option(C) is correct

The problem with the original sentence is the list: we need to have an and at
the right point. We can have a list such as a, b, and c when we intend the
items to have equal weight.

Or we can have a list such as a and b, as well as c if the first two items are to
be taken together.

But we cannot have a list like this: a, b, as well as c. Nor can we have a and b
and c. Using this information we can eliminate A, B and D.

Of the remaining choices, C is best as E is awkward and brings in an

unnecessary its.

Q.6 Ricks has written extensively on not only major figures in English poetry
like Milton and Housman, but also on the lyrics of Bob Dylan.

A.on not only major figures in English poetry like Milton, but also on

B.not only on the poetry of such major figures as Milton and Housman, but also
on

C.not only on major figures in English poetry like Milton and Housman, but also
on

D.on major figures in English poetry like Milton and Housman, as well as

E.on major figures in English poetry such as Milton and Housman, but also on

Explanation: Option(B) is correct

In A the paired conjunctions not only... but also are not used with correct
parallel phrases: if not only is followed by a prepositional phrase, but also
should also be followed by a preposition. The parallelism is not correct in D
either.
The expression such as is better than like when we are giving examples, and
so we can focus on B and E. B is better as the poetry of major figures (not the
figures themselves) is contrasted to the lyrics of Dylan. In answer E the but
also is not correct without a not earlier in the sentence.

Q.7 Because chickens lack teeth, they need another way to break apart the
food they eat before reaching the stomach, and for this reason, chickens
have a gizzard in which stones they swallow are used to grind their food.

A.before reaching the stomach, and for this reason, chickens have a gizzard in
which stones they swallow are used to grind their food.

B.before it reaches the stomach, and for this reason, chickens have a gizzard in
which stones they have swallowed is used to grind their food.

C.before it reaches the stomach, and for this reason, chickens have a gizzard in
which stones they swallow are used to grind their food.

D.before reaching the stomach, and for this reason, chickens have a gizzard in
which stones they have swallowed is used to grind their food.

E.before it reaches the stomach, and for this reason, chickens have a gizzard in
which stones they have swallowed are used to grind their food.

Explanation : Option(E) is correct

This question focuses on verb tense and agreement, as well as general

rhetorical construction. In this sentence all of the verbs agree with their
subjects. However, the phrase before reaching the stomach does not have a
clear subject. It appears to modify they, the chickens, instead of food. The
present tense verb swallow should be replaced with the present perfect verb
have swallowed in order to indicate that the swallowing occurred before the
use of the stones.

Q.8 The publishers, unwilling to shoulder the entire risk, insisted that the
author should pay half the cost of the initial print run of his controversial
new book.

A.The publishers, unwilling to shoulder the entire ris k, insisted that the author
should pay half the cost of the initial print run of his controversial new book.
B.The publishers, unwilling to shoulder the entire risk, insisted that the author
should be paying half the cost of the initial print run of the a uthors
controversial new book.

C.The publishers, unwilling to shoulder the entire risk, insisted that the author
pay half the cost of the initial print run of his controversial new book.

D.Unwilling to shoulder the entire risk, the publishers insisted the author
should pay half the cost of the initial print run of his controversial new book.

E.Unwilling to shoulder the entire risk, the author was required by the
publisher to pay half the cost of the initial print run of his controversial new
book.

Explanation : Option(C) is correct

The subjunctive expression insisted that the author pay is correct in C. A, B

and D are wrong because they incorrectly insert should.

E is incorrect because the unwilling to shoulder the entire risk is incorrectly

attributed to the author (dangling modifier problem).

Q.9 A course of cognitive behavior therapy can be as effective, if not more

so, than drug therapy and without the side effects, in helping the elderly to
overcome insomnia.

A.as effective, if not more so, than drug therapy and without the side effects,
in helping the elderly to overcome insomnia

B.more effective than drug therapy and without the side effects, in helping the
elderly to overcome insomnia

C.at least as effective in helping the elderly over come insomnia as drug
therapy, and is without the side effects of drug treatment

D.at least as effective as drug therapy in helping the elderly to overcome

insomnia without side effects

E.equally effective as drug therapy in helping the elderly to overcome insomnia

without side effects

Explanation : Option(C) is correct

The original version is incorrect because as... as, is correct, not as... than.
Options B and E change the meaning we need to convey that CBT is at least
as effective, and so we should consider only C and D.

Although D is shorter, it is not correct because it seems to suggest that

insomnia is without side effects. And so the answer is C.

Q.10 Studies show that teachers unconsciously assume that students who
regularly perform poorly on assessments have below-average abilities, and
in neglecting to provide the academic challenges that would catalyze their
intellectual potential, the students often accept this damaging diagnosis and
the life limits it implies.

(A) in neglecting to provide the academic challenges that would catalyze their
intellectual potential

(B) when they neglect providing the academic challenges that would be
catalyzing their intellectual potential

(C) when teachers neglect to provide the academic challenges that would
catalyze their students intellectual potential

(D) in neglecting in providing the academic challenges that would catalyze

their students intellectual potential

(E) in being neglectful with respect to providing the academic challenges that
would be catalyzing their intellectual potential

Explanation: 3) Split #1: modifier problem. The sentence begins with an

independent clause, then a comma and the word and, introducing a second
independent clause, the main clause of which follows the underlined part. If
the underlined part begins with participial phrase, this must modify the
students, the subject of the second independent clause. This is problematic,
because the students dont neglect to provide the academic challenges
thats a teachers job, not a students job! Choices (A) & (D) & (E) all have a
participial phrase that illogically modifies the students, so these are
incorrect.

Split #2: choice (B) makes the classic repeated pronouns mistake. when
they[the teachers] neglect providing the academic challenges that would be
catalyzing their [the students] intellectual potential The pronoun
they/their refers to two different antecedents in the same sentence!
Thats 100% illegal on the GMAT. (B) is incorrect.
This leaves (C) as the only possible answer.

Q11. Simon Bolivar (1783 1830) is remembered in that he led the

independence revolutions in several South American counties, like
Venezuela and Bolivia, and for instilling the ideals of democracy across the
continent.

(A) in that he led the independence revolutions in several South American

counties, like Venezuela and Bolivia, and for instilling

(B) to have led the independence revolutions in several South American

counties, such as Venezuela and Bolivia, and that he instilled

(C) to have led the independence revolutions in several South American

counties, including Venezuela and Bolivia, and having instilled

(D) for leading the independence revolutions in several South American

counties, like Venezuela and Bolivia, and to have instilled

(E) for leading the independence revolutions in several South American

counties, such as Venezuela and Bolivia, and for instilling

Explanation :
#1: the idiom P is remembered for doing X is elegant way to refer to
someones famous achievement. The constructions P is remembered in that
he did X and P is remembered to have done X are far more awkward and
less smooth. This is a problem with (A) & (B) & (C) & (D) all have problems
with these.

Split #2: parallelism. The overall structure is Bolivar is remembered ___ and
___ those two blanks must have matching grammatical forms. Lets look at
whats in those slots:

(A) in that he led and for instilling = NOT parallel

(B) to have led and that he instilled = NOT parallel

(C) to have led and having instilled = NOT parallel

(D) for leading and to have instilled = NOT parallel

(E) for leading and for instilling = CORRECT!

From either of these splits, we see that (E) is the only possible answer.