If you want to understand easily english grammer join with us we providing some golden rules who helpful for you.

1. GRE - 5
NOUNS
Besides being the name of anything, a noun can play the role of a
subject. The subject usually does the action.
Example : Sunil is happy. Here, Sunil is the subject.
A noun can play the role of a direct object as well as an indirect object.
A direct object follows the verb and receives its action. It answers the
question ‘what’ or ‘whom’.
Example 1. Mohan threw the ball. (Threw what?) (ball)
Tomorrow morning David will meet your sister. (Meet whom?) (sister)
An indirect object follows the verb and answers to/for whom.
Example 2. Pallav gave me the money. (to whom?) (me)
Rahul bought Ravi a motor cycle. (for whom?) (Ravi)
A noun can also be used as a subject complement as well as an object
complement.
Examples : Rajib is an engineer.
Here, engineer is a subject complement.
I now declare you husband and wife.
Here, husband and wife are object complements.
A noun can also be used as appositive. (An appositive is a word or
phrase that comes after another word. It explains, identifies or gives
information about that word. The appositive is set off in the sentence by
one or two commas.)
Example : Our teacher, Mr. Saxena, taught us English.
Here, Mr. Saxena is an appositive.
A predicate noun or nominative follows the verb and renames the
subject.
Example : Shekhar is a student.
Here, Shekhar (noun) is renamed as student (subject).
Golden Rules
of English Grammar

2. GRE - 6
Abstract nouns refer to things that are not concrete; they cannot be
seen, felt, heard, smelled or tasted. They refer to emotions, ideas, concepts,
traits, experiences or a state of being. Common nouns are also used as
Abstract nouns as they express qualities.
Examples : love, hatred, trust, deceit, culture, curiosity, maturity,
sympathy, democracy, patience and peace.
Q. Judge in him (1)/ prevailed upon the father (2)/ and he sentenced
his son to death (3)./ No error (4)
[SSC Combined Graduate Level Tier-I Exam, 16.05.2010 (Second Sitting)]
Ans. (1) Sometimes, Common Nouns are used as Abstract nouns as
they express qualities. In this situation, we use ‘the’ before them.
Hence, ‘The Judge in him’ should be used.
Collective nouns or group words are followed by singular verbs when
we are talking of the group as a whole. They take plural verbs when we are
talking about the individual members of the group.
Examples : Compare the sentences below.
The jury is in the court room. (Here, we use a singular verb ‘is’ because
we are talking of the group as a whole.)
The jury are still debating the case. (Here, we use a plural verb ‘are’
because it is the individual members of the group who are debating the
case.)
Q. The band have been (1)/ performing at many cause oriented
concerts (2)/ to encourage people to come forward and (3)/ lend their
support to the noble cause.(4)/ No error (5).
[SIDBI Officer Online Exam, 24.02.2016]
Ans. (1) The band has singular sense. It will take a singular verb i.e.
The band has been ...... should be used.
There are some nouns which are always used in their singular forms.
(1) Collections
furniture – She bought new furniture last week.
luggage – The porter is carrying several pieces/items of luggage on
his head.
jewellery – The woman has bought a set of new diamond jewellery.
fruit – Would you like some fruit?
hair – Your hair looks lovely.
Other examples include – deer, cattle, etc.

3. GRE - 8
Q. 7. Most of the Indian population still lives (1)/ in its villages and
thus the contribution of (2)/ agriculture to Indian economy (3)/ becomes
very important. (4)/ No error (5)
[SBI Associates Clerk Exam, 07.10.2012 (1st Sitting)]
Ans. (1) The word ‘Population’ is used both in singular/plural sense.
Look at the sentences :
One-third of the world’s population consumes/consume two-thirds of
the world’s resources.
The entire population of the town was at the meeting.
Q. 8. When I was passing through the forest (1)/ I happened to see (2)/
a number of deers (3)./ No error (4)
[SSC Multi-Tasking Staff (Patna) Exam 16.02.2014]
Ans. (3) Here, a number of deer…. should be used. The plural of ‘deer’
is not ‘deers’.
Q. 9. There are many (1)/ beautiful furnitures (2)/ in the room. (3)./
No error (4)
[CDS 2011 II]
Ans. (2) furnitures should be replaced by pieces of / items of furniture.
If there is a singular verb, only furniture can be used.
Nowaday always takes –s with it. Nowadays means ‘these days’.
Example : Nowadays he is well off. Nowadays the prices are shooting up.
There are some nouns which always have plural forms.
Examples : These scissors are for cutting paper.
Your clothes are dirty.
Have you seen my glasses?
Here are your scissors.
The table of contents should not contain any pictures.
I live on the outskirts of the city.
Some of these nouns are often used with the expression, a pair of, as
they refer to things made up of two parts :
a pair of trousers, a pair of jeans, a pair of shoes, a pair of slippers, a
pair of glasses, a pair of gloves, a pair of ear-rings, a pair of goggles, a pair
of binoculars, etc.
Q. 1. My father gave me (1)/ a pair of binoculars (2)/ on my birthday
(3)./ No error (4)
[SSC Graduate Level Tier-II Exam 29.09.2013]
Ans. (4) Binoculars is a plural word. ‘A pair of binoculars’ shows
singular sense and agrees with a singular verb.

4. GRE - 21
Q. 2. Each of these boys (1)/ play (2)/ games (3)./ No error (4)
[SSC Graduate Level Tier-II Exam 29.09.2013]
Ans. (2) If the subject of a sentence be a Distributive Pronoun (each/
everyone/either/neither), the verb is always singular.
Hence, plays (singular) should be used here.
The indefinite pronoun ‘one’ should be used throughout if used at all.
Example: One must not boast of one’s own success.
It is wrong to say – One must not boast of his own success.
Q. My father says (1) / that one should always be sincere (2)/ to his
duties. (3) / No error (4) [CDS 2013 I]
Ans. (3) One is a pronoun and its possessive case is one’s. his should
be replaced by one’s.
When the verb form to be (is, am, are, was, were) is to be
complemented by a pronoun, it should be in the nominative form, i.e. I,
you, he, she.
Examples: It was he who came in the morning.
It is wrong to say – It was him who came in the morning.
I am taller than she.
It is wrong to say – I am taller than her.
Is it I you are looking for?
It is wrong to say – Is it me you are looking for?
You are smarter than he.
It is wrong to say – You are smarter than him.
Q. 1. He is (1)/ fatter (2)/ than me (3)./ No error (4)
[SSC Multi-Tasking Staff Exam 10.03.2013]
Ans. (3) Here, nominative case i.e. than I… should be used.
Look at the sentences:
He is senior to me.
He is better than I.
Q. 2. I and him (1)/ are (2)/ very good friends (3)./ No error (4)
[SSC Multi-Tasking Staff Exam 17.03.2013 (1st Sitting)]
Ans. (1) The nominative case of a pronoun should be used as a subject.
Hence, I and he… should be used here.
Q. 3. Rustam and (1) / myself saw (2)/ the picture (3). / No error (4)
Ans. Here, Nominative case, i.e. I saw… should be used.
[SSC Multi-Tasking (Non-Tech) Staff Exam 16.02.2014]
Q. 4. Was it him (1) / who got injured (2) / in an accident this morning
(3). / No error (4)
[IPD PA/SA Exam (North-East Zone) 27.04.2014]
Ans. (1) Here, Nominative case i.e. ‘was it he’ should be used.

5. GRE - 22
Q. 5. Myself Rajesh Mehta.
(1) Myselves (2) Myself is
(3) I am (4) No improvement
[SSC (10+ 2) Level Data Entry Operator & LDC Exam 21.10.2012 (Ist Sitting)]
Ans. (3) As a subject ‘I’ should be used. Here, the use of ‘myself’ as a
subject is not correct.
A pronoun in its objective form (him, her, me) should be used as an
object of a verb or a preposition.
Examples : He has helped me and my father.
It is wrong to say – He has helped I and my father.
Her, who appeared so considerate, turned out to be cruel.
It is correct to say – She, who appeared so considerate, turned out to
be cruel.
Between you and me, you are a crook.
It is wrong to say – Between you and I, you are a crook.
Except him all were present.
It is wrong to say – Except he all were present.
If a finite verb has a noun or pronoun as its subject in a sentence, the
use of an extra pronoun for the same verb is a blunder.
Example :
A man when he becomes old, he behaves very much like a child.
Here, ‘he behaves’ will be replaced with ‘behaves’ only.
If three persons are used in a sentence, the order be Second person,
Third person and First person.
Examples : You, he and I can leave at 5 p.m.
It is wrong to say – I, you and he can leave at 5 p.m.
If you and Sita are going, Hari and I shall accompany you.
It is wrong to say – If Sita and you are going, I and Hari shall
accompany you.
When two or more singular pronouns of different persons come
together, the pronoun of the second person singular (you) comes first, the
pronoun of the first person singular (I) comes last and the pronoun of the
third person singular (he) comes in between.
Example : You, he and I must work together in this project.
It is wrong to say – I, you and he must work together in this project.

6. GRE - 34
Ans. (1) The Simple Past is used for indicating an action completed
in the past. If often occurs with adverbs or adverbial phrases of past time.
For example:
Sita has written a novel last year. (Incorrect)
↓
Present Perfect
Sita wrote a novel last year. (Correct)
↓
Simple Past
Therefore, I passed …. is the correct sentence.
Q. 3. It’s over a year _____ my uncle.
(1) since I visited (2) since I haven’t visited
(3) that I don’t visit (4) since I didn’t visit
[IPD PA/SA Exam (Madhya Pradesh Zone) 22.06.2014]
Ans. (1) In such structures, Simple Past should be used. Hence, the
correct option will be ‘since I visited’.
Q. 4. He has read four plays (1)/ written by Shakespeare (2)/ by the end
of his vacation (3)./ No error (4)
[SSC Section Officer (Commercial Audit) Exam 30.09.2007]
Ans. (1) To denote a job completed in the past, we use Simple Past
tense. Hence, He read four plays … will be the correct sentence.
Q. 5. It is time (1) we should have done (2)/ painting by Hussain (3)./
No error (4)
[SSC (10+2) Level Data Entry Operator & LDC Exam 11.12.2011
(2nd Sitting – East Zone)]
Ans. (2) We use Simple Past after it is + time that shows present time.
Hence, we did … should be used.
Q. 6. During the last few years (1)/ the company works hard (2)/ to
modernize its image (3)./ No error (4)
[SSC Graduate Level Tier-I Exam 21.04.2013 (1st Sitting)]
Ans. (2) The sentence shows past time. Hence, Simple Past i.e. the
company worked hard… should be used.
Q. 7. You need not tell a lie (1)/ when the judge asked you where you
were (2)/ when the crime was committed (3)./ No error (4)
[SSC GL Tier-II Exam 21.09.2014]
Ans. (1) Here, Simple Past i.e. You needn’t have told a lie… should be
used. The sentence shows past time.
When we state an event that shows something of the past time, Past
Indefinite tense is used.
Example :
It rained heavily during our visit to the Taj last week.

7. GRE - 75
The comparative adjectives, like superior, inferior, senior, junior, prior,
anterior, posterior, prefer, etc. should be followed by ‘to’ instead of ‘than’.
Example :
He is senior to me.
It is wrong to say – He is senior than me.
Q. Right from his childhood (1) he used to prefer (2) sports than stud-
ies (3) No error (4) [CDS 2009 II ]
Ans. (3) If comparison is made between two nouns, prefer is always
followed by to. Than should be replaced by to.
Adjectives, like unique, ideal, perfect, complete, entire, extreme, chief,
full, square and round, which do not admit different degrees of comparison
should not be compared.
Example :
It is a unique thing.
It is wrong to say – It is the most unique thing.
All the adjectives which refer to the same noun should be in the same
degree of comparison.
Example :
He is the wisest and most honest worker in the office.
It is wrong to say – He is the wisest and honest worker in the office.
‘Elder’ and ‘eldest’ should be used for persons only. To be precise, they
should be used for the members of the same family only. ‘Older’ and ‘oldest’
are used for both persons and things.
Example :
He is my elder brother.
It is wrong to say – He is my older brother.
You can use articles before adjectives which are followed by the nouns
in which they modify. If there is no associated noun, then they can’t be
used. Do not attach articles to adjectives in declarative statements which
use adjectives following the nouns, like: the car – the fast car; a dog – a
happy dog.

8. GRE - 76
Example :
She is a young girl.
This is a nice shirt.
Here, the adjectives ‘young’ and ‘nice’ appear before the nouns as
descriptive elements rather than part of declarative statements. So, the
article is needed.
Q. A hot and (1)/ a cold spring (2)/ was found near each other (3)./ No
error (4) [SSC Section Officer (Audit) Exam 10.12.2006]
Ans. (3) Here, the subject of the sentence ‘a hot and a cold spring” is
plural because article ‘a’ has been used before both adjectives. Therefore,
‘was found near each other’ should be replaced by ‘were found near each
other’.
ADVERBS
You can tell whether a word is an adverb or not by considering its
function in the sentence. If it is describing one of the three parts of speech,
i.e. a verb, an adjective or other adverb, you can simply say that it is an
adverb.
Adverbs describe verbs (actions). They give more detail about the
action.
Example :
My cat eats slowly.
In the sentence above, ‘slowly’ is an adverb since it describes the way
my cat eats.
How does my cat eat? Slowly.
Therefore, we can say that adverbs generally answer the question ‘How’.
Q. 1. The pleader argued intelligently.
Name the part of speech of the bold word in the above sentence.
(1) Adjective (2) Noun
(3) Verb (4) Adverb
[DSSSB Grade-II (DASS) Tire-II Exam, 29.03.2015]
Ans. ( 4) Intelligent is Adjective
Intelligence ⇒ Noun
Intelligently ⇒ Adverb
Q. 2. The economic disparity (1)/ has grown rapid in (2)/ the era of
globalization (3)/ and free market forces. (4)/ No Error (5)
[RBI Assistant Exam, 29.04.2012]
Ans. (2) An adverb adds to the meaning of a verb, an adjective or
another adverb.
Hence, has grown rapidly in …. should be used here.

9. GRE - 115
‘But’ is used both as a conjunction and a preposition. As a conjunction
‘but’ is used for joining contrasting ideas.
Examples:
Their front door was open, but nobody was at home.
The rope was thin but it was strong.
He is hardworking, but not clever.
‘But’ as a preposition can mean except after all, none, every, any, no etc.
Examples :
They are all wrong but me. (= except me.)
All but you loved me for money. (= All except you loved me for money.)
Everybody came but John. (= Everybody came except John.)
The expression ‘but for’ is used for expressing the idea of ‘if something
had not existed/happened’.
Examples :
We should have enjoyed the journey but for the rain.
He would have helped us but for having no money himself. (—except
that he had no money.)
After but we usually use object pronouns. Subject pronouns are also
possible in a formal style.
Example :
Nobodybut him would do a thing like that. (More formal: Nobody but he —)
Q. There would have been (1)/ a disaster (2)/ and for your prompt
action (3)./ No error (4)
[SSC (10+2) Level Data Entry Operator & LDC Exam 27.10.2013 (2nd Sitting)]
Ans. (3) ‘But’ is used for showing contrast. Hence, but for your prompt
action … should be used here.
When a coordinating conjunction joins two words, phrases, or
subordinate clauses, no comma should be placed before the conjunction.
Examples :
Words: bread and butter
Phrases: at the beach or by the lakeside
Subordinate clauses: what you say and what you do
A coordinating conjunction joining three or more words, phrases or
subordinate clauses creates a series and requires commas between the
elements.

10. GRE - 116
Examples :
Words: peanuts, cookies and milk
Phrases: in the mountains, at the beach or by the lakeside
Subordinate clauses: what you think, what you say and what you do
A coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses creates
a compound sentence and requires a comma before the coordinating
conjunction.
Examples :
Raja ate all the peanuts, so Sunil ate the cookies.
I don’t care for the beach, but I enjoy a good vacation in the mountains.
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together.
Some examples of correlative conjunctions are either/or, neither/nor, not
only/but also, both/and, although/yet, whether/or, so/that.
Examples :
She not only wrote the text but also selected the illustrations.
I have finished both my English essay and my history essay.
You could use either the spoon or the fork.
He would neither eat nor allow us to eat.
It is wrong to say – Neither he would eat nor allow us to eat.
I shall neither follow your instructions nor resign.
It is wrong to say – Neither I shall follow your instructions nor resign.
He visited not only France but also Germany.
It is wrong to say – He not only visited France but also Germany.
Q. 1. Neither the girl nor her parents (1) was present (2)/ to receive the
award (3)./ No error (4) [SSC Graduate Level Tier-II Exam 29.09.2013]
Ans. (2) When we use correlative ‘neither … nor’, the verb agrees
according to the number and person of the nearest subject. was should be
replaced by were.
Q. 2. I will have (1)/ both the blue (2)/ or the black pen. (3)/ No error. (4)
[SSC CHSL (10+2) LDC, DEO & PA/SA Exam, 15.11.2015
(Ist Sitting) TF No. 6636838]
Ans. (2) Either ... or is a correct form of correlative. Hence, either the
blue.... should be used.
Q. 3. Scientists have created/ the blackest material ever made,/ which
is as dark that it can absorb/ almost all light that hits it.
(1) Scientists have created
(2) the blackest material ever made
(3) which is as dark that it can absorb
(4) almost all light that hits it
(5) No error [RBI Officer Grade-B (Phase-I) Exam, 21.11.2015]
Ans. (3) so... that is a correct form of connective. Hence, which is so
dark that it can ... should be used.

11. GRE - 153
Two singular subjects connected by ‘or’ or ‘nor’ require a singular verb.
Example :
My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.
Q. 1. Our success or our failure (1)/ largely depend (2)/ upon our
actions (3)./ No error (4) [SSC Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff Exam 20.02.2011]
Ans. (2) Singular subjects connected with ‘or’ agree with a singular
verb. Hence, largely depends … should be used.
Q. 2. The mother with her children were expected.
(1) was (2) will
(3) have (4) No improvement
[SSC CHSL (10+2) DEO & LDC Exam 09.11.2014]
Ans. (1) Here, the subject ‘The mother’ is singular; also ‘children’ is not
a subject. Therefore, it will take a singular verb.
Two singular subjects connected by ‘either/or’ or ‘neither/nor’ require
a singular verb.
Examples :
Neither Ramesh nor Paresh is available.
Either Julie or Aruna is helping today with stage decorations.
When the subjects joined by ‘either - or’ neither - nor’ are of different
persons, the verb will agree in person and number with the subject nearest
to it. Also, the plural subject must be placed nearest to the verb.
Examples :
Neither you nor he is to take up this task.
It is wrong to say – Neither you nor he are to take up this task.
Either the Chief Minister or the Cabinet Ministers are responsible for
this problem.
It is wrong to say – Either the Chief Minister or the Cabinet Ministers
is responsible for this problem.
Either you or I am responsible for this mistake.
It is wrong to say – Either you or I are responsible for this mistake.
Q. 1. Neither Alice or Mary remembers (1)/ what happened before (2)/
the car crashed (3)/ into the wall. (4)/ No error (5)
[Oriental Bank of Commerce Clerk Exam, 09.01.2011 (IInd Sitting)]
Ans. (1) Neither .. nor is the correct form of correlative.
Q. 2. Either he (1) or I (2) are wrong. (3) No error (4)
[NDA/NA 2014 I]
Ans. (3) When two subjects are joined with either—or, the verb comes
according to the subect nearest to the verb. Here ‘I’ is the nearest subject.
So, it should be followed by am, not by are.

12. GRE - 154
The subject-verb agreement rules do not apply to verbs used in the
simple past tense without any helping verbs.
Example :
The boy talked to me. (Singular)
The boys talked to me. (Plural)
The verb in an ‘or’, ‘either/or’, or ‘neither/nor’ sentence agrees with the
noun or pronoun closest to it.
Examples :
Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf.
Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf.
We use ‘neither’ while referring to two items and ‘none’ while referring
to more than two items or to an uncountable noun.
Examples :
Neither of the two candidates is very impressive.
None of the four candidates impress us.
Q. He is a university professor (1)/ but of his three sons (2)/ neither has
any merit (3)./ No error (4)
Ans. (3) ‘Neither’ is used for two things. For more than two things,
none should be used.
[SSC Combined Graduate Level Tier-I Exam 16.05.2010 (First Sitting)]
Two singular subjects connected by either… or, /or/neither… nor
require a singular verb.
Examples :
My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.
Neither Ravi nor Kiran is available.
Either John or Prem is helping today with stage decorations.
Q. 1. Neither of the two (1)/ candidates have (2)/ paid his subscription
(3)./ No error (4) [SSC FCI Assistant Grade-III Main Exam 07.04.2013]
Ans. (2) Neither of/ Either of agrees with a singular verb, i.e.
candidates has …. should be used.
Q. 2. Neither of the two (1)/ candidates have (2)/ paid his subscription.
(3)/ No error (4)
[DSSSB Fire Operator Exam, 31.08.2014]
Ans. (2) Either of/Neither of is followed by a plural noun but a singular
verb. Hence, have should be replaced by has.
--

13. GRE - 155
Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by such words as
‘along with’, ‘as well as’, ‘besides’, ‘not’, etc. These words and phrases are
not part of the subject. You should use a singular verb when the subject
is singular.
Examples :
The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.
Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.
Q. 1. Patience as well as perseverance (1)/ are necessary (2)/ for
success (3)./ No error (4) [SSC Section Officer (Audit) Exam 05.06.2005]
Ans. (2) It is possible to connect two subjects with ‘as well as’ before
a verb. If the first subject is singular, the verb is also likely to be singular.
For example:
Alice as well as Paula was shocked by the news. Hence, ‘are’ should
be replaced by ‘is’.
Q. 3. The Managing Director along with the staff members were pres-
ent (1) for (2) the annual general body meeting. (3) No error (4)
[NDA/NA 2011 II]
Ans. (1) were will be replaced by was. When two subjects are joined
by along with; the verb comes according to the first subject. Here, the first
subject is ‘The managing Director’ which is singular.
When as well as is part of the subject, the verb must agree with the
noun before as well as.
Example :
John, as well as Mary, want to drop the course.
This sentence is wrong as the verb want must agree with the noun
preceding as well as in this case.
The correct sentence will be – John, as well as Mary, wants to drop
the course.
Q. 1. He as well as (1)/ you like (2)/ to go (3)./ No error (4)
[SSC (10+2) Level Data Entry Operator & LDC Exam 04.12.2011
(1st Sitting – North Zone)]
Ans. (2) In the subjects joined with ‘as well as’ along with together
with, the verb agrees with the first subject. Hence, you likes … should be
used here.
Q. 2. The captain along with his team (1)/ are practising very hard (2)/
for the forthcoming match (3)./ No error (4)
[SSC (10+2) Level Data Entry Operator & LDC Exam 04.12.2011
(1st Sitting – East Zone)]
Ans. (2) In the subjects joined by ‘as well as, with, together with, along
with’, etc., the verb agrees with the first subject.
Hence, ‘is practising very hard’ should be used.

14. GRE - 189
Q. 2. “Turn around,” he told her.
(1) He told her turn around.
(2) He asked her to turn around.
(3) He asked to her to turn around.
(4) He asked turn around.
[SSC (10+2) Stenographer Grade ‘C’ & ‘D’ Exam, 31.01.2016, TF No. 3513283]
Ans. (2) Told ⇒ asked; Connective ⇒ to + V1
Q. 3. The peon said to his officer, “Please forgive me.”
(1) The peon told his officer please forgive him.
(2) The peon requested his officer to forgive him.
(3) The peon said to his officer that he should forgive him.
(4) The peon requested his officer that he forgive him.
[SSC CHSL (10+2) LDC, DEO & PA/SA Exam, 01.11.2015 2nd Sitting]
Ans. (2) said to ⇒ requested
Q. 4. The teacher said to him, “Do not go out.”
(1) The teacher ordered him to not go out.
(2) The teacher told him do not go out.
(3) The teacher advised him not to go out.
(4) The teacher commanded him that he should not go out.
[SSC CGL Tier-II Exam, 25.10.2015 TF No. 2148789]
Ans. (3) said to ⇒ advised
Q. 5. I said to my mother, “Please warm this milk. Don’t boil it.”
(1) I asked my mother that she may warm that milk but not boil it.
(2) I told my mother respectfully that she will warm that mik and not
to boil it.
(3) I requested my mother that she warm that milk and not to boil it.
(4) I requested my mother to warm that milk and asked her not to boil it.
[SSC CGL Tier-II Exam, 25.10.2015 TF No. 2148789]
Ans. (4) said to ⇒ requested
Q. 6. The officer said, “Cowards ! you shall soon be put to death.”
(1) The officer called them cowards and said that they must be put to
death soon.
(2) The officer called them cowards and said that they would soon be
put to death.
(3) The officer said that they were cowards and should be put to death
soon.
(4) The officer said that they would soon be put to death.
[SSC CGL Tier-II Exam, 25.10.2015 TF No. 2148789]
Ans. (2) shall ⇒ would

15. GRE - 190
Q. 7. The teacher said, “Don’t come to school on Monday because it is
a holiday.”
(1) The teacher asked if we were coming to school on Monday because
it is a holiday
(2) The teacher told us not to come to school on Monday because it
was a holiday.
(3) The teacher told us don’t come to school on Monday because it is
a holiday.
(4) The teacher asked us don’t come to school on Monday because it
is a holiday. [SSC CGL Tier-II Exam, 25.10.2015 TF No. 2148789]
Ans. (2) said ⇒ told
don’t ⇒ not to
Q. 8. The guide said to the swimmer, “Don’t swim out too far.”
(1) The guide asked the swimmer not swim out too far.
(2) The guide forbade the swimmer to swim out too far.
(3) The guide suggested the swimmer that don’t swim out too far.
(4) The guide told the swimmer to not swim out too far.
[SSC CGL Tier-II Exam, 25.10.2015 TF No. 2148789]
Ans. (2) said to ⇒ forbade
Q. 9. Dr. Ratan said to the patient, “Take light food and do not go out
in the Sun.”
(1) Dr. Ratan advised the patient to take light food and to do not go
out in the Sun.
(2) Dr. Ratan advised the patient to take light food and do not go out
in the Sun.
(3) Dr. Ratan advised the patient to take light food and not go out in
the Sun.
(4) Dr. Ratan advised the patient to take light food and not to go out
in the Sun.
[SSC CGL Tier-II Exam, 25.10.2015 TF No. 2148789]
Ans. (4) said to ⇒ advised
do not ⇒ not to
Q. 10. Meera’s mother told her not to forget to buy the milk.
(1) Meera’s mother said “Remember to buy the milk.”
(2) Meera was told by her mother “Buy the milk.”
(3) Meera’s mother reminded her, “Don’t forget to buy the milk.”
(4) Meera’s mother said to her, “You must buy the milk.”
[SSC CHSL (10+2) LDC, DEO & PA/SA Exam, 06.12.2015
(2nd Sitting) TF No. 3441135]
Ans. (3) Direct speech should be used.
When we change Interrogative sentences from Direct to Indirect
Speech, the Reporting verb ‘told’ / ‘said’ changes into ‘asked’ / ‘enquired of’.

16. GRE - 205
Examples :
Your father has to wear glasses, doesn’t he?
They don’t have to come early, do they?
We had to borrow some money to buy a new house, didn’t we?
They didn’t have to read the story book, did they?
Some introductory phrases such as ‘I am afraid’, ‘’I think’, ‘I believe’, ‘I
am sure’, ‘I suspect’, ‘I suppose’ , ‘it appears that’ , ‘it seems that’ , ‘it looks
as if’ , ‘as far as I remember’ , ‘as far as I can see’, etc. don’t affect question
tags except for the transfer of negation .
Examples :
I suppose you are not serious, are you?
I think my mom returned home, didn’t she?
I don’t suppose you are serious, are you?
I don’t believe you have paid for it yet, have you?
I don’t think anyone will volunteer, will they?
It appears that she is enjoying herself, isn’t she?
If the subject of the sentence is everything, nothing, something, any-
thing the pronoun in the tag is ‘it’.
Examples:
Everything is ready, isn’t it?; Nothing has the end, has it?
Anything is possible, isn’t it?;
After positive imperatives, we use ‘will you’, ‘won’t you’, ‘can you’, ‘can’t
you’, ‘could you’, etc .Yet for the negative imperatives we only use ‘will you?’
Examples :
Open the door, will you / won’t you, can you, could you, etc.
Don’t play with your toys, will you?
Q. You will come (1) / to my party tomorrow, (2) / isn’t it? (3). / No error (4)
[SSC Multi-Tasking (Non-Tech) Staff Exam, 16.02.2014]
Ans. (3) The sentence shows future time. Hence, question tag ‘won’t
you?’ should be used.
After ‘I am’, the tag used is ‘aren’t’.
Examples:
I am your father, aren’t I?; I am a bit late, aren’t I? ;
I am a teacher, aren’t I?
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