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Free PDF of Important Grammar Rules,
Download now!
Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement
1. When 2 or more ‘singular’ subjects are
connected by ‘and’, they usually take up a ‘plural’
verb.
Example:
Riya and Shreya is present in the class. (Incorrect)
Riya & Shreya are present in the class. (Correct)
Exceptions
Singular verb is used in case of some compound
nouns like:
(a) The bed and breakfast was pleasant.
(b) Breaking and Entering is a criminal offence.
2. When 2 or more ‘singular’ nouns are connected
by ‘and’ & they refer to the same person, then the
subject is followed by a ‘singular’ verb.
Example:
The principal and secretary are coming for the
meeting. (Incorrect)
The principal and secretary is coming for the
meeting. (Correct)
(where ‘principal and ‘secretary’ refer to the same
person).
3. When ‘There’ or ‘Here’ are used at the beginning
of the sentence, the verb is in accordance with the
subject.
Example:
There are guards outside the palace.
There is a guard outside the room.
4. Words like ‘as well as’, ‘along with’, ‘besides’,
‘not’ etc, which separate the subject and verb are
not a part of the subject. In such cases, a singular
verb follows for a singular subject.
Example:
The teacher, as well as his team, are expected
shortly. (Incorrect)
The teacher, as well as his team,is expected
shortly. (Correct)
5. When ‘Distances’, ‘Periods of time’, ‘Amount of
money’ etc are used as a unit, a singular verb is
used.
Example:
Five miles are too far to walk. (Incorrect)
Five miles is too far to walk. (Correct).
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6. When ‘Each’ or ‘Every’ precede the singular
subject(a) of a sentence, a singular verb used.
Example:
Every student and teacher were watching the play.
(Incorrect)
Every student and teacher was watching the play.
(Correct)
7. When ‘or’, ‘nor’, ‘either..or’, ‘neither.. nor’ are
used to connect 2 or more singular subjects, a
singular verb is followed.
Example:
Either Riya or Shreya are going tomorrow.
(Incorrect)
Either Riya or Shreya is going tomorrow. (Correct)
8. When ‘or’, ‘nor’, ‘either,,or’, ‘neither..nor’ are
used to connect 2 or more subjects of different
number (i.e. one subject singular and other plural),
then the verb followed is plural, and the plural
subject is placed before it.
Example:
Neither the committee members nor the secretary
was present there. (Incorrect)
Neither the secretary nor the committee members
were present there. (Correct)
9. In cases where the sentence expresses a wish or
is contrary to the fact, ‘was’ is usually replaced by
‘were’.
Example:
I wish it were Saturday.
If she were here, you’d be happy.
10. If the sentence starts with ‘A lot’, ‘A Majority’,
‘Some’, ‘All’ etc, the verb is in accordance with the
noun after ‘of’.
Example:
All of the work is done.
All of the singers are gone.
Rules related to ‘Verb’ Usage
11. When 2 subjects of different numbers are
connected in a sentence, separate auxiliary verbs
should be used for them.
Example:
In the incident, six injured and one were missing.
(Incorrect)
In the incident, six were injured and one was
missing. (Correct).
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12. If the main clause of the sentence is in Past
Tense, the subordinate clause should also be in
past tense.
Example:
Shreya succeeded because she works hard.
(Incorrect)
Shreya succeeded because she worked hard.
(Correct)
Exception:
The subordinate clause may be in present tense in
a sentence with a past tense main clause, only
when the subordinate clause expresses universal
truth.
Example:
The teacher explained that the sun rose in the east.
(Incorrect).
The teacher explained that the sun rises in the
east. (Correct)
13. If ‘Lest’ is used before the subordinate clause of
the sentence, the auxiliary verb ‘should’ must be
used, irrespective of the verb of the main clause.
Example:
14. Modal Auxiliaries are not used together,
however they can be connected by a conjunction.
Example:
Riya should must leave. (Incorrect)
Riya should and must leave. (Correct)
Rules related to ‘Pronoun’ Usage
15. When a pronoun is used as a complement of
the verb ‘to be’, it should be in the nominative or
subject form.
Example:
If I were him, I would visit her. (Incorrect)
If I were he, I would visit her. (Correct).
16. When a pronoun is used as the object of a
‘preposition’ or a ‘verb’, it should be in objective
case.
Example:
These assignments are for you and I. (Incorrect)
These assignments are for you and me. (Incorrect)
17. If indefinite pronoun ‘one’ is used, it should be
used throughout the sentence.
Example:
One must now dwell on his own past. (Incorrect)
One must not dwell on one’s own past. (Correct)
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18. Emphatic pronouns are not used alone as
subjects.
Example:
Himself cleaned the room. (Incorrect)
He himself cleaned the room. (Correct)
19. ‘Neither’ and ‘Either’ are used while referring to
2 persons or things. While speaking of more than 2
persons or things, ‘Any’, ‘None’, ‘No one’ are used.
Example:
(a) Anyone of these 2 dresses will look good on her.
(Incorrect)
Either of these 2 dresses will look good on her.
(Correct)
(b) Neither of the boys in the classroom submitted
the assignment. (Incorrect)
None of the boys in the classroom submitted the
assignment. (Correct)
20. ‘Each-Other’ are used while referring to 2
persons or things. ‘One-Another’ ae used while
referring to more than 2 persons or things.
Example:
The twins hated one another. (Incorrect)
The twins hated each other. (Correct)
21. When ‘And’ is used to join two or more singular
nouns, the pronoun used for them should be plural.
Example:
Both Shreya and Riya have done her assignment.
(Incorrect)
Both Shreya and Riya have done their assignment.
(Correct)
Exception:
When ‘And’ is used to join two or more singular
nouns, which refer to the same person, the pronoun
used will be singular.
Example:
The principal and secretary is good at their duty.
(Incorrect)
The principal and secretary is good at his duty.
(Correct)
(where principal and secretary refer to the same
person).
22. When ‘or’, ‘nor’, ‘either-or’, ‘neither-nor’ are
used to join 2 or more singular nouns, the pronoun
used for them should be singular.
Example:
Neither Shreya nor Riya has done their assignment.
(Incorrect)
Neither Shreya nor Riya has done her assignment.
(Correct)
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23. In case 2 or more singular pronouns are used
in a sentence for different persons, first, pronoun of
second person (you) will be used, followed by
pronoun of third person (he/she) and the pronoun
of first person (I) will come at the end.
Example:
He, I and You should go together. (Incorrect)
You, he and I should go together. (Correct)
24. In case 2 or more plural pronouns are used
a sentence for different persons, first, pronoun
first person (We) comes, followed by pronoun
second person (you) and at the end, pronoun
third person (they) should be used.
Example:
They, we and you should go together. (Incorrect)
We, you and they should go together. (Correct)
25. An objective case pronoun (me, him, her, us,
them etc. ) is used after the words like ‘Between’,
‘But’, ‘Let’, ‘Except’ while a subjective case pronoun
(I, He, She etc) is used after ‘Such as’.
Example:
Everyone marked the attendance sheet but I.
(Incorrect)
Everyone marked the attendance sheet but me.
(Correct)
He wanted to do the project with a person such as
me. (Incorrect)
He wanted to do the project with a person such as
I. (Correct)
Rules related to ‘Adverb’ Usage
26. An adverb is used to modify a verb, adjective or
another adverb.
Example:
Shreya works very careful. (Incorrect)
Shreya works very carefully. (Correct)
27. ‘Too’ (which means more than required is
usually used with unpleasant adjectives and hence
is not used with pleasant adjectives. Like too happy
is wrong.
Example:
She was too glad to to join there. (Incorrect)
She was very glad to join there. (Correct)
28. Use of ‘Too Much’ and ‘Much Too’: An adjective
(usually unpleasant) is used after ‘Much too’ while a
noun is used after ‘Too much’.
Example:
Her depression is too much painful for him.
(Incorrect)
Her depression is much too painful for him. (Correct)
29. Use of ‘Presently’ Vs. ‘At present’. ‘Presently’
usually refers to ‘shortly’ or ‘soon’, while ‘At
Present’ is used to refer to the present time.
Example:
You can’t do anything more presently. (Incorrect)
You can’t do anything more at present. (Correct)
The doctor will be here at present. (Incorrect)
The doctor will be here presently. (Correct)
in
of
30. Use of ‘Hard’ Vs. ‘Hardly’. ‘Hard’ as an adverb
of
means ‘with great or utmost effort or energy’ while
of
‘Hardly’ is used to specify a minimal amount.
Example:
It was raining hard all day.
It hardly rained today.
Rules related to ‘Adjective’ Usage
31. Adjective Usage for Countable and Uncountable
Noun:
(a) Countable Nouns: Adjectives like ‘Many’, ‘Few’
are used.
(b) Uncountable Nouns: Adjectives like ‘Much’,
‘Little’ are used.
(c) Adjectives like ‘Some’, ‘Any’, ‘Plenty of’, ‘A lot’,
‘Lots of’, ‘A little bit’, ‘Enough of’, ‘No’ have flexible
usage and can be used for both Countable and
Uncountable Nouns.
Example:
She wasted so much water today.
She had many drinks today.
You have little reason to complain.
She had few assignments today.
32. ‘Last’ and ‘Latter’ are used to describe the
position. ‘Later’ and ‘Latest’ are used to describe
time.
Example:
He reached last than expected. (Incorrect)
He reached later than expected. (Correct)
33. In order to denote quantity or degree, we use
‘Any’ in case of interrogative sentences and ‘Some’
in case of affirmative sentences.
Example:
Riya read any books. (Incorrect)
Riya read some books. (Correct)
Did Riya read some book? (Incorrect)
Did Riya read any book? (Correct)
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34. For the comparison of 2 things, use of
superlative degree is incorrect. Comparative degree
should be used in this case. Superlative degree is
used in case of comparison among more than 2
things.
Example:
Which station is closest among the two? (Incorrect)
Which station is closer among the two? (Correct)
This is a better book out of all others. (Incorrect)
This is the best book out of all others. (Correct)
35. While comparing 2 qualities of the same
person, ‘More’ is used instead of comparative ‘er’
degree.
Example:
Riya is braver than wise. (Incorrect)
Riya is more brave than wised. (Correct)
36. Adjectives like ‘Unique’, ‘Universal’, ‘Extreme’,
‘Entire’, ‘Complete’, ‘Perfect’ etc are not used in
comparative degree.
Example:
This is a most unique book. (Incorrect)
This is a unique book. (Correct)
She has the most perfect smile. (Incorrect)
She has a perfect smile. (Correct)
37. The degree of comparison should be same for
all the adjectives referring to a particular noun in a
sentence.
Example:
She is the smartest and hard-working of the whole
batch. (Incorrect)
She is the smartest and most hard-working student
of the whole batch. (Correct)
38. Use of ‘Elder’, ‘Eldest’ Vs. ‘Older’, ‘Oldest’.
Elder/ Eldest are used to refer to a person only and
usually used to describe the relationships within a
family. Older/ Oldest are used to describe persons
as well as things.
Example:
Riya is her elder sister. (Correct)
Riya is her older sister. (Correct)
This is the oldest house of the locality. (Here eldest
can’t be used).
Rules related to ‘Preposition’ Usage
39. After the preposition, objective case of noun or
pronoun are used.
Example:
I do not confide in she. (Incorrect)
I do not confide in her. (Correct)
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40. Before words like ‘Yesterday’, ‘Today’,
‘Tomorrow’, ‘the next day’, ‘the following day’, we
do not use the prepositions ‘on’, ‘in’, ‘at’ etc.
Example:
He will go there in the next day. (Incorrect)
He will go there the next day. (Correct)
Some easily confused words
41. Use of Among & Between
It is common knowledge that between is used for
two entities and among for more than 2 entities.
However, ‘Between’ can be used for more than 2
entities as well, when talking about distinct or
individual items. ‘Among’ is usually used when the
talking about items/ individuals that aren’t distinct.
Example:
He has to choose between IIT-Bombay, IIT-Kanpur
and IIT-Delhi.
He has to choose among the top IIT colleges.
In the first statement, distinct colleges are defined
and hence, the use of between is correct. In the
second statement, no particular college is defined
and hence ‘among’ is used.
42. Use of Will & Would
One common difference is that ‘Will’ is never used
for past reference.
‘Will’ is used for definite future actions, quick
decisions, promises, offers and likely predictions.
‘Would’, on the other hand, is used to refer to
requests, invitations, asking permission, talking
about preferences and making arrangements.
Example:
We will go tomorrow.
Staying in a hotel would be expensive.
43. Use of Shall and Should
‘Should’ is basically the past tense of ‘Shall’ but the
usage is very different. Should is used to denote
probability, consequences & conditions, personal
opinion, to ask someone’s opinion etc.
Shall is used to denote certain laws & rules, refer to
things/ actions in future, express determination etc.
Example:
Riya should have reached home by now.
(Probability)
Should you face any doubt, I’ll help you.
(consequences & conditions)
You should study now. (Personal opinion)
What should we read? (asking someone’s opinion)
Candidates shall assemble in hall 1. (laws & rules)
He shall become the team leader next month.
(future event)
I shall overcome my fear of heights.
(determination).
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44. Use of Advice and Advise 48. If the sentence doesn’t need the clause that the
Advise is a verb form which means ‘to give word in question is connecting, use which. If it
counsel’. does, use that.
Advice, on the other hand, is a noun which means Example:
opinion or recommendation. Our school, which has three playgrounds is located
Example: in Delhi.
I have a piece of advice for you. Our school that has three playgrounds is located in
I advised him to leave tomorrow. Delhi.
As per the first sentence, there is a single school
Some special cases with 3 playgrounds and it is located in Delhi.
But as per the second statement, there can be a
45. In cases of nouns which are plural (such as
number of schools but the one with 3 playgrounds
"girls"), the possessive which is formed in writing
in located in Delhi.
by adding an apostrophe after the plural ‘-s’, is
pronounced the same as the plural and the singular
49. Use of ‘Witness to’ and ‘Witness of’
possessive form.
‘Witness to’ is used to denote that "someone gave
Example:
witness to something". On the other hand, ‘witness
The girls' bags [girls' sounds like girls]
of’ is used to express that "someone is a witness of
something".
46. For singular nouns which end in ‘-s’, the
Example:
possessive is formed by adding -'s, just as with
We are the witness of the changing environment
other nouns. In these cases, pronunciation is as if
condition as a result of pollution.
the spelling were -es:
Witness to the accident say they saw the car hit the
Example:
bike.
The boss's phone. [boss's sounds like bosses]
50. Use of ‘Correspond to’ and ‘Correspond with’
47. Both many and many a convey the same
‘Correspond to’ is used to refer to things that are
meaning that is "a large number of". The only
similar or analogous. ‘Correspond with’ is used to
difference is that many is used with countable
denote ‘in harmony or agreement’.
plural nouns followed by plural verb while many a is
Example:
followed by a singular countable noun and takes a
The joints of a horse correspond to human knees.
singular verb with it.
The entire plan was revised to correspond with the
Example:
official calendar of the school.
Many a time, I have seen her pass by me.
There were many papers scattered in the hall.

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