Selecting the Correct Sentence Tips and Tricks for Government Exams

Introduction

Sentence Correction holds immense importance as the most critical and high-scoring segment within the verbal ability section of any test. Mastering the concepts and strategies within this area relies not only on fundamental grammar principles but also on the precise application of various vocabulary words.

• The shortcut tricks in Verbal Ability are designed to swiftly and accurately address reasoning questions during exams. Here, we'll demonstrate an easy and comprehensive method on how to employ these shortcut tricks to solve Verbal Ability problems.

Important Tips and Tricks

To begin, understanding certain fundamental grammar rules is crucial for adeptly handling Sentence Correction questions:

1. Subject-Verb Agreement

Ensure that the verb in a sentence aligns correctly with its subject.
(i) Maintain consistency between the subject and verb, whether singular or plural:

Examples:

• "A boy is reading a novel" (singular)
• "The boys are reading a novel" (plural)

(ii) For collective nouns, the verb typically takes a singular form:

Example:

• "The class is making a noise."

Note: Certain collective nouns like cattle, poultry, police, and gentry use a plural verb. There are exceptions to this rule.

(iii) When subjects are connected by "AND," use a plural verb:

Example:

• "Gold and Silver are precious metals."

When subjects are linked by "OR," opt for a singular verb:

Example:

• "The dog or the pup is sick."

For sentences with two different subjects, the verb aligns with the closer subject:

Examples:

• "Sachin or I am going for a party."
• "Sachin or Rahul is going for the party."

(iv) Sentences starting with EACH, EVERYONE, and ANYONE demand a singular verb:

Examples:

• "Every one of the boys loves to ride."
• "Anyone has a pen, please."

(v) Clarify the usage between "I" and "Me":

In sentences with two subjects or objects connected by AND:

• "Jenny and I joined the chess club." (Subject pronoun 'I' is correct)
• "Jill took Justin and me to the shop." (Object pronoun 'me' is correct)

Note: Use the objective form of a pronoun in comparisons using "than" or "as."

Examples:

• "He is taller than I am."
• "He writes as fast as I do."
• "I swim better than him."
• "I am as tall as her."

(vi) Neither....Nor and Either....Or Usage:
When both subjects are singular, the verb should also be singular.

Example:

• "Either the mother or the daughter has cooked the meal."
• However, if one subject joined by OR or NOR is plural, the verb becomes plural and the subject closest to the verb.

Example:

• "Neither the teacher nor the students were present."

Parallelism: Maintain parallel structure within sentences. If an infinitive is used, ensure consistency with all phrases using infinitives. Likewise, if a verb follows, employ objective cases.

Examples:

• "She likes to cook, dance, and play."
• "She likes cooking, dancing, and playing."

2. Repetition Error

Avoid redundancy or repeating the same thing twice.

Examples:

• "He returned back from Delhi."
• "I hardly have any money to give you."

Preferred usage:

• "He came back from Delhi."
• "I have no money to give you."

3. Modifier Error

• Ensure participles have clear subjects.

Example:

• "Sitting on the gate, a scorpion stung him."

Revised:

• "While he was sitting on the gate, a scorpion stung him."

Another Example:

• "He visited the place where Napoleon died during his holidays."

Improved:

• "During his holidays, he visited the place where Napoleon died."

4. Comparisons

Ensure comparisons are between similar entities.

Example:

• "The population of London is greater than any other city in India."

Revised:

• "The population of London is greater than that of any other city in India."

Rule: Exclude the thing compared from the rest of the class when using a comparative degree with "than."

Examples:

• "He is stronger than any other man living." (Correct)
• "Solomon was wiser than all other men."

Include the thing compared in superlative degrees.

Examples:

• "Solomon was the wisest of all men."
• "He is the strongest of all men."

Difference Between some confusing words

(i) Few and Less: "Few" precedes countable nouns, while "less" is used before uncountable nouns.

Examples:

• "There are few children in the class today."
• "There is less juice left in the jar."

(ii) Few and A few: "Few" implies something negligible or hardly any, whereas "a few" signifies some.

Examples:

• "Few persons can keep a secret."
• "A few persons are convinced about the new manager."

(iii) Little and A Little: "Little" and "a little" refer to quantity in a similar manner.

Examples:

• "There is little hope of his recovery" (almost none).
• "A little tact would have saved the situation" (some tact).

(iv) Lay and Lie: Differentiate between "lay" and "lie" as they have distinct usage.

(a) Lay, laid:

• "Lay the table," ordered the mistress.
• "He laid the guitar by his side."
• "The hen had laid an egg."

(b) Lie, Lay, Lain:

• "Let me lie down here."
• "He lay under the Banyan tree."
• "He had lain in the sun for three hours yesterday."

These distinctions help in using these words appropriately in sentences.