Top Grammar Tips Useful in Online Preparation for IBPS Exam

Almost all competitive exams have an entire section dedicated to Verbal Ability (English). Students need to master English language grammatical rules to successfully tackle the verbal section of IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI, RBI, SSC CGL and SSC CHSL examinations. But first, they must acquaint themselves with various types of questions that are asked in these exams. For doing so, the best method is to get hold of previous year question papers.

According to experts providing the Best IBPS Coaching in Delhi, a good command over English language grammar is crucial to correctly solve the questions like sentence error spotting, sentence correction, and fill in the blanks. Basically, these questions check a student’s understanding related to various concepts like Syntax, Subject -Verb agreement, Nouns, Pronouns, Articles, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Modifiers etc. A good command over grammar helps you improve reading and writing skills as well.

At times, it might not be possible for the students to cover every concept. In such a case, it is crucial to select the most important areas of grammar and give them special attention in order to score maximum marks. However, students must also note that merely cramming grammatical rules will not help much. They must consistently attempt practice questions as well. Only through consistent practice can students retain the rules they have learnt.

One must note that language skills are not mastered in a day. However, from the perspective of Govt. Job exams, we are primarily concerned about scoring competitive marks in relatively less time. Students need to carefully go through the detailed syllabus of the verbal ability section to ensure that their preparation is fully exam oriented.

The general syllabus of English grammar for competitive exams comprises:

1. Articles
2. Nouns
3. Adjectives
4. Adverbs
5. Subject-Verb Agreement
6. Conjunctions
7. Direct and Indirect Speech
8. Phrases, Clauses and Modifiers
9. Prepositions
10. Voice (Active & Passive)
11. Tenses
12. Pronouns
13. Conditional Sentences
14. Question Tags

Useful Books for Cracking the Verbal Ability Section:

1. A Dictionary of Modern English Usage by H.W. Fowler
2. Basic English Usage by Michael Swan
3. Current English Usage by F.T Wood
4. The Oxford English Grammar by Sidney Greenbaum
5. Practical English Usage by Michael Swan

Questions Based on Exam Pattern:

I. Sentence Improvement: (Prepositions)

Question: She is junior than him in age.

Ans: “Than” must be replaced by “to”.

II. Sentence Improvement: (Adverbs-Subject Verb Inversion):

Question: Never such incidents have taken place on our campus.

Ans: “Such incidents have” must be replaced by “have such incidents”.

III. Sentence Error Spotting: (Question Tags)

Question: They have been working very hard (a) / for the past two years, (b) / isn’t it? (c) / No error (d)

Ans: (c). “Isn’t it” must be replaced by “haven’t they”.

IV. Sentence Error Spotting: (Pronouns)

Question: One must do (a) / his duty (b) / towards humanity. (c) / No error (d)

Ans: (b). “His” must be replaced by “one’s”.

V. Active / Passive Voice: (Converting Passive Voice into Active Voice)

Question: By 1829, British goods worth seven crore rupees were being exported to India by Britain.
(a) India was exporting British goods worth seven crore rupees to India.
(b) By 1829, Britain exported British goods worth seven crore rupees to India.
(c) By 1829, Britain was exporting British goods worth seven crore rupees to India.
(d) Britain exported British goods to India worth seven crore rupees by 1829.

Ans: (c)

VI. Narration (Converting Direct Speech into Indirect Speech)

Question: “Who are you? Where have you come from?” said the little boy to him.
(a) The little boy exclaimed who he was and asked where he had come from.
(b) The little boy asked him who he was and that where he had come from.
(c) The little boy enquired of him who he was and where he come from.
(d) The little boy enquired of him who he was and where he had come from.

Ans: (d)

VII. Sentence Error Spotting: (Adverbs)

Question: One of the prospective buyers of the house (a) / left the premises as she was asked to pay a (b) / considerable higher amount than she could afford. (c) / No error (d)

Ans: (c). “Considerable” must be replaced by “considerably”.

VIII. Sentence Error Spotting: (Subject – Verb Agreement)

Question: This has hampered the progress (a) / of economic reforms in a lot of countries (b) / as the choice of either of the extreme (c) / alternatives inevitably invite criticism. (d) / No error (e)

Ans: (d). “Invite” must be replaced by “invites”.

IX. Sentence Error Spotting: (Nouns)

Question: The old lady had to carry (a) / all the luggages herself because (b) / no porter was available. (c) / No error (d)

Ans: (b). “Luggages” must be replaced by “luggage”.

X. Sentence Error Spotting: (Tenses)

Question: During halftime, the commentator told (a) / the audience that the goalkeeper was injured (b) / in the 1st half and needed some first aid. (c) / No error (d)

Ans: (b). “Was injured” must be replaced by “had been injured”.

XI. Sentence Error Spotting: (Articles)

Question: It is really sad that hunting is still considered sport (a) / by some devious people who claim (b) / to be a part of the civilized world. (c) / No error (d)

Ans: (a). “A” needs to be placed before “sport”.

XII. Sentence Error Spotting: (Phrases, Clauses and Modifiers)

Question: Being a rainy day, (a) / he did not feel interested in going (b) / out to work in the field. (c) / No error (d)

Ans: (a). “It” needs to be placed before “being”.

XIII. Sentence Error Spotting: (Adjectives)

Question: My daughter is going to (a) / take part in the two-miles marathon (b) / in Mumbai tomorrow morning. (c) / No error (d)

Ans: (b). “Two-miles” must be replaced by “two-mile”.

XIV. Sentence Error Spotting: (Conjunctions)

Question: Hardly had the Institute (a) / published some Online Bank Coaching Videos on Youtube (b) / then the students started requesting for the Pen Drive Course. (c) / No error (d)

Ans: (b). “Then” must be replaced by “when”.

Finally, the Best Online Bank PO Coaching Course offered by Vidya Guru will help you perform well on the English language ability section and brighten the chances of your selection. Moreover, knowing grammar helps you improve your writing skills as well. Improved writing skills mean that your performance on the descriptive test, which involves essay and letter writing, will become much better.

Summary
This blog has been written with an aim of providing guidance to Govt. Job aspirants on how to improve their understanding of English language grammar. If you have any doubts, suggestions or concerns, pls. feel free to write to us at vidyagurudelhi@gmail.com.