English Language & Comprehension — Module 3

Grammar — Most Tested Rules

Grammar accounts for 8–12 questions in the English section. Focus on Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, Subject-Verb Agreement, and Error Spotting.

Tenses — Common Exam Rules

Since / For"Since" = specific point in time. "For" = duration. Both use Present Perfect: "I have lived here since 2018 / for 5 years"

Past PerfectUse for earlier of two past actions: "He had left before she arrived." — "had left" happened first.

Would / Should"Would" = past habit or conditional. "Should" = advice/obligation. Never mix with "if + simple past"

When / While"When" + simple past. "While" + past continuous: "While I was reading, the phone rang."

Subject-Verb Agreement — 6 Key Rules

Each / Every / Either / Neither → always singular verb: "Each of the students is present."
Collective nouns (team, jury, committee) → singular verb usually: "The jury has given its verdict."
Either...or / Neither...nor → verb agrees with the nearer subject: "Neither the boys nor the girl is ready."
Intervening phrases don't change the verb: "The quality of mangoes is good." (not 'are')
Uncountable nouns → always singular: "The news is good." "Mathematics is difficult."
A number of → plural verb. The number of → singular verb.

Articles — A / An / The

"A" before consonant sounds: a university, a one-way street, a European (sound matters, not spelling)
"An" before vowel sounds: an hour, an honest man, an MBA, an MLA
"The" with unique things: the Sun, the Moon, the President of India, the Constitution
No article with proper nouns, languages, games: "She plays cricket." "He speaks Hindi."

Common Preposition Rules

At / In / OnAt = specific place/time. In = enclosed/month/year. On = surface/day/date: "on Monday", "in July", "at 5pm"

By / WithBy = agent/means of transport. With = instrument: "killed by the thief" but "killed with a knife"

Between / AmongBetween = two people/things. Among = three or more: "divide between two", "distribute among all"

Beside / BesidesBeside = next to (place). Besides = in addition to: "She sat beside him." "Besides maths, she likes science."

Vocabulary — Synonyms, Antonyms & One-Word

Vocabulary questions (8–12 per paper) test Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases, and One-Word Substitution. Legal and formal English words appear most often.

High-Frequency Synonyms (MHT CET LAW)

AbdicateRenounce, Relinquish, Give up (voluntarily giving up power or responsibility)

BenevolentCharitable, Philanthropic, Generous (well-meaning and kindly)

CoerceCompel, Force, Intimidate (persuade by force or threats)

EloquentArticulate, Fluent, Persuasive (fluent or persuasive in speaking)

FrugalEconomical, Thrifty, Sparing (simple and economical)

MendaciousDishonest, Untruthful, Deceitful (not telling truth)

ObdurateStubborn, Obstinate, Inflexible (stubbornly refusing to change)

VerboseWordy, Long-winded, Garrulous (using more words than needed)

One-Word Substitution — Most Asked

AmbivertOne who is both introvert and extrovert

AltruistOne who lives for the welfare of others

BibliophileOne who loves books

IncorrigibleOne who cannot be corrected or reformed

InsolventOne who cannot pay his debts

ContemporariesPeople living at the same time

NumismaticsStudy/collection of coins and currency

PosthumousPublished/occurring after the author's death

Idioms & Phrases — High Frequency

At the drop of a hat — immediately, without hesitation
Beat around the bush — avoid the main topic
Burn the midnight oil — work/study late at night
Hit the nail on the head — say something exactly right
Turn a blind eye — deliberately ignore a problem
Under the weather — feeling unwell

Reading Comprehension — Strategy

Reading Comprehension carries 10–14 questions in the English section — the largest chunk. Mastering RC strategy can save 15+ marks.

Strategy: Read questions FIRST (30 sec), then read the passage. This helps you know what to look for and saves 2–3 minutes per passage.

Types of RC Questions

Main IdeaWhat is the central theme/purpose of the passage? Look for the most general statement.

Direct FactAnswer is directly stated in passage. Just find the relevant sentence — no inference needed.

InferenceNot directly stated — you must conclude from the passage. Stay within what passage implies.

Tone/AttitudeIs the author critical, appreciative, neutral, sarcastic? Look for adjectives and evaluative language.

Word MeaningMeaning of a word in context — the passage will hint at meaning. Use elimination method.

TitleBest title captures the MAIN idea. Not too broad, not too narrow. Must reflect the whole passage.

RC 5-Step Method

Step 1: Read all questions quickly (don't read options yet)
Step 2: Read passage once, marking key points (underline keywords mentally)
Step 3: Answer direct fact questions first — easiest marks
Step 4: For inference/tone questions — eliminate obviously wrong options
Step 5: Main idea/title question — answer LAST, after understanding the whole passage

Writing Skills — Para Jumbles & Fill in the Blanks

Para Jumbles (sentence rearrangement) and Fill in the Blanks account for 6–10 questions in the English section.

Para Jumbles — Solving Strategy

Find the opening sentence: It introduces the topic, has no pronoun reference from before, and does not start with "But/However/Therefore"
Find the closing sentence: Contains conclusion words (thus, therefore, hence, finally, in conclusion)
Link by pronouns: "he, she, they, it, this, these" — find the noun they refer to in a preceding sentence
Connectors: "However/But" = contrast. "Moreover/Furthermore" = addition. "Therefore/Thus" = result.
Definite article: "a/an" introduces something new. "the" refers to something already mentioned — so "the X" must follow "a/an X"

Fill in the Blanks — Rules

Read the complete sentence first, identify the grammatical category needed (noun/verb/adjective/adverb)
Look for context clues — words like "but, however, although" signal contrast; "and, moreover" signal similarity
Double blank questions: both blanks must fit together — eliminate options where one fits but the other doesn't

Error Spotting — Common Errors

Double Comparative"More better" ✗ → "Better" ✓. Never use "more" with -er forms.

Redundancy"Return back" ✗, "revert back" ✗, "past history" ✗ — words already contain the meaning.

Could / Was able to"Could" = general ability. For specific instance: "I was able to finish it" (not "could finish it")

Look forward toAlways followed by -ing: "I look forward to meeting you" (not "to meet")

Flashcards — Click to Flip

Click any card to reveal the answer. Track your progress above.

What is the rule for using "Since" vs "For"?

"Since" = specific point in time (since 2020, since Monday). "For" = duration (for 5 years, for two hours). Both use Present Perfect tense.

What does "Mendacious" mean?

Mendacious = not telling the truth; dishonest, deceitful. Antonym: Truthful, Honest. Example: "The mendacious witness gave false testimony."

One word for: "One who loves books"

Bibliophile. Other book-related words: Bibliophobia = fear of books. Bibliography = list of books on a topic.

What article comes before "MBA", "MLA", "hour"?

"An" — because they start with vowel SOUNDS: "an em-bee-ay", "an em-el-ay", "an our" (h is silent). Sound matters, not spelling!

"The committee has/have given their decision" — which is correct?

"has" — collective nouns (committee, jury, team, board) take a singular verb when acting as a unit: "The committee has given its decision."

What is "Incorrigible"?

Incorrigible = one who cannot be corrected or reformed. Example: "He is an incorrigible liar." Synonyms: Hardened, Irredeemable.

"Between" vs "Among" — what is the rule?

Between = two entities. Among = three or more. "Divide the work between the two of them." "Distribute the sweets among all students."

Idiom: "Burn the midnight oil" — meaning?

To work or study very late into the night. Origin: before electricity, people used oil lamps and burning them at midnight meant working very late.

"More better" — is this correct? What is the rule?

Incorrect! "More better" is a double comparative. Use either "better" OR "more good" (though "better" is the correct comparative form). Never combine "more" with -er forms.

How to find the opening sentence in Para Jumbles?

Opening sentence: (1) Introduces the topic. (2) No pronoun referring to a previous sentence. (3) Does NOT start with "But, However, Therefore, Thus, So."

What does "Obdurate" mean?

Obdurate = stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action. Synonyms: Stubborn, Obstinate, Inflexible. Antonym: Compliant, Flexible.

"I look forward to _____ (meet/meeting) you." Which is correct?

"meeting" — "Look forward to" is always followed by a gerund (-ing form), not infinitive. Similarly: "devoted to working", "used to doing", "accustomed to living."

Practice Quiz — English Language

15 questions covering Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension and Writing Skills. No negative marking.

Choose the correct sentence:

The synonym of "Mendacious" is:

One word substitution: "One who cannot be corrected"

Choose the correctly filled blank: "I look forward to _____ you at the conference."

Identify the error: "The committee have decided to cancel the event."

The idiom "Turn a blind eye" means:

Choose the correct article: "She holds _____ MBA degree from a reputed university."

Which word means "one who lives for the welfare of others"?

Choose the correct preposition: "Divide the chocolates _____ all the children."

Q10

Identify the error: "She is more better at English than her sister."

Q11

In Reading Comprehension, what should you read FIRST?

Q12

The antonym of "Verbose" is:

Q13

Which connector signals CONTRAST in a sentence?

Q14

Choose the correct sentence:

Q15

"Posthumous" means:

🎉

0 / 15

Great job!