6.1 Subject–Verb Agreement: The Ten Danger Zones
The rule is simple — singular subject, singular verb — but exams test the traps:
- Intervening phrases: "The quality of the answers was poor." (Subject: quality, not answers.)
- Compound subjects with and: usually plural — "The teacher and the coach are here" — unless the pair names one unit: "Bread and butter is my breakfast."
- Either/or, neither/nor: verb agrees with the nearer subject — "Neither the students nor the teacher was informed."
- Collective nouns: singular when acting as one body — "The committee has decided"; plural when members act separately — "The committee are divided."
- Indefinite pronouns: each, everyone, everybody, either, neither take singular verbs — "Each of the players has a role."
- The number / a number: "The number of errors is small," but "A number of errors were found."
- One of the + plural noun + who/that: the relative verb agrees with the plural noun — "She is one of the students who work hard."
- Amounts as units: "Five hundred rupees is enough." "Ten kilometres is a long walk."
- Titles and names: singular — "Great Expectations is a novel."
- There is / there are: agree with the noun that follows — "There are several reasons."
6.2 Tense Discipline
Formal writing demands consistency of tense and correct sequence of tenses in reported and complex sentences.
| Situation | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Universal truth | Present, even after past reporting verb | "The teacher said that water boils at 100°C." |
| Reported speech (past reporting verb) | Shift one step back | "He said he had finished the work." |
| Time clauses about future | Present tense in the clause | "When she arrives, we will begin." |
| Since + point of time | Perfect tense in main clause | "I have lived here since 2020." |
| Unreal condition | Past in if-clause, would in main | "If I were the coordinator, I would change the schedule." |
Faulty shift: "The manager opens the meeting and then explained the agenda." Fixed: "The manager opened the meeting and then explained the agenda."
6.3 Articles: A, An, The, and Zero
- A/an (indefinite): first mention of a singular countable noun; choose by sound, not spelling — "an hour," "a university," "an MBA."
- The (definite): known or unique items — "the sun"; second mention — "a report... the report"; superlatives — "the best"; certain names — "the Ganga," "the USA," "the Himalayas."
- Zero article: plural or uncountable nouns used generally — "Honesty is rare"; most proper names; institutions used for purpose — "go to college," "in hospital."
Common errors: "I have a good news" → "I have good news" (uncountable). "He is best player of team" → "He is the best player in the team."
6.4 Prepositions: Confusable Pairs
| Pair | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| since / for | since + starting point; for + duration | "since Monday"; "for three days" |
| in / at / on (time) | in months/years; on days/dates; at clock times | "in July"; "on Friday"; "at 9 a.m." |
| in / at / on (place) | in enclosed areas/cities; at points/addresses; on surfaces | "in Delhi"; "at the gate"; "on the desk" |
| between / among | between two (or distinct items); among a group | "between the two labs"; "among the students" |
| beside / besides | beside = next to; besides = in addition to | "Sit beside me"; "Besides English, she knows French." |
Verb + preposition slips to memorise: listen to, depend on, consist of, comprise (no "of"), superior to (not "than"), married to, angry with a person / at a thing.
6.5 Modifier Problems
A modifier must sit next to what it modifies (see Lesson 4). Quick checks: opening participial phrase → the doer must follow the comma; the words only, almost, even, just → place immediately before the word they limit. "Only she attended the demo" ≠ "She attended only the demo."
6.6 Common Indian-English Slips in Formal Writing
These forms are widespread in speech but penalised in formal writing:
| Common Usage | Standard Formal Equivalent |
|---|---|
| discuss about the issue | discuss the issue |
| return back / revert back | return / reply |
| do the needful | take the necessary action (state it) |
| myself, Rahul Sharma | I am Rahul Sharma |
| cousin brother / cousin sister | cousin |
| years back | years ago |
| what is your good name? | what is your name? |
| more better / most best | better / best |
| one of my friend | one of my friends |
| I am having two brothers | I have two brothers |
| he told to me | he told me / he said to me |
| prepone the meeting | advance the meeting (prepone is Indian English; acceptable informally, flag the register) |
🎯 Exam Focus
- Choose the correct verb and justify: (a) "The list of candidates (was/were) displayed." (b) "Neither of the answers (is/are) correct." (c) "A number of complaints (has/have) been received."
- State the rule for either/or agreement and for collective nouns, with examples.
- Correct the tense errors: "He said that he will come after he finished the assignment."
- Fill in articles: "_ university near my house has _ excellent library, and ___ library opens at 8 a.m."
- Correct: "She is superior than me, and besides she sits beside me since three years."
- Rewrite formally: "Myself Priya. I want to discuss about my marks. Kindly do the needful and revert back."