Sentence Improvement
This section tests your ability to correct grammatical errors and improve the structure of a given sentence. A part of the sentence is highlighted, and you must choose the correct alternative to improve it.
1. Key Focus Areas
- Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure the verb matches the subject in number and person.
- Tenses: Check if the tense consistency is maintained throughout the sentence.
- Mismatched Modifiers: Ensure phrases/clauses are placed near the words they modify.
- Redundancy: Remove unnecessary repetition (e.g., "return back", "repeat again").
- Parallelism: Ensure parallel structure in lists or comparisons (e.g., "Swimming, running, and biking" not "Swimming, running, and to bike").
- Vocabulary/Idioms: Ensure the correct word or phrasal verb is used in context.
2. Strategies to Solve
- Read the whole sentence: Don't just look at the underlined part. Context matters.
- Identify the error type: Is it grammar, vocabulary, or logic?
- Eliminate clear errors: discard options that introduce new grammatical errors.
- Check for "No Improvement": Sometimes the sentence is correct as it is. Don't force a change.
- Conciseness: If two options are grammatically correct, choose the shorter, more direct one.
Practice Exercise
Improve the underlined part of the sentence. If no improvement is needed, choose 'No Improvement'.
1. He gave me an advice.
Answer: (b) some advice
'Advice' is an uncountable noun. Do not use 'an'. Use 'some' or 'a piece of'.
2. We look forward to hear from you.
Answer: (a) to hearing
'Look forward to' is followed by a Gerund (V+ing).
3. If I was a bird, I would fly.
Answer: (b) were
In hypothetical/imaginary sentences, 'were' is used with 'I/He/She'.
4. He is addicted with smoking.
Answer: (a) to
'Addicted' is followed by preposition 'to'.
5. Unique opportunity came his way.
Answer: (b) A unique opportunity
'Unique' starts with a consonant sound ('Yu'), so use article 'A'.
6. He did not know who was he and where he
came from.
Answer: (a) who he was
In indirect questions, the subject comes before the verb (Statement form).
7. No sooner had I reached the station when
the train left.
Answer: (b) than
'No sooner' is followed by 'than'.
8. I prefer coffee than tea.
Answer: (a) to
'Prefer' takes preposition 'to'.
9. One of the boy is missing.
Answer: (a) boys
'One of the' is followed by a Plural Noun.
10. He is more taller than his brother.
Answer: (a) taller
Avoid double comparatives. 'Taller' is sufficient.
Grammar Rules Summary
Verbs & Tenses
- Habitual Action: Simple Present (He goes to school daily).
- Past Action with Time: Simple Past (He arrived yesterday).
- Action started in past, continuing now: Present Perfect Continuous (I have been living here since 2010).
- Conditionals: If I study (V1), I will pass (Will + V1). / If I studied (V2), I would pass. / If I had studied (Had + V3), I would have passed.
Nouns & Pronouns
- Collective Nouns: Committee, Jury, Team usually take Singular verbs (unless divided).
- Relative Pronouns: Who (people), Which (things), That (both, specific).
Modifiers
- Dangling Modifier: "Walking down the street, the trees were beautiful." (Incorrect). "Walking down the street, I saw beautiful trees." (Correct).
Misused Words
- Affect (Verb) vs Effect (Noun): The rain affected the game. The effect was huge.
- Loose (Adj) vs Lose (Verb): My belt is loose. I don't want to lose.
- Stationary (Still) vs Stationery (Paper): "E" for Envelope (Stationery).
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