English Grammar Rules That Appear Again and Again: A Comprehensive Guide for CLAT & CUET Aspirants

Brought to you by Career Launcher, South Ex, Delhi

Introduction

English grammar is often perceived as a dry and mechanical subject, yet in competitive exams like CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) and CUET (Common University Entrance Test), its role is nothing short of critical. Grammar determines not only how clearly one can express ideas but also how accurately one can interpret information—especially in exams where both speed and precision are essential.

Despite the different test patterns of CUET and CLAT, they share a significant overlap in testing grammatical awareness. Some questions are direct and obvious—asking you to fill in the blanks or spot the error. Others are subtle, embedded in comprehension passages where incorrect grammatical interpretation can lead to incorrect answers. Over the years, certain grammar rules have appeared repeatedly, forming a core set of concepts that every serious aspirant must master.

This comprehensive guide, created by the faculty at Career Launcher South Ex, Delhi, focuses on these recurring rules. It includes detailed explanations, relevant examples, and carefully constructed sample questions to help you prepare effectively. Whether you're brushing up your basics or refining your edge, this resource is structured to support every stage of your preparation journey.

Why Grammar Is a Game-Changer in CUET and CLAT

In both exams, grammar contributes directly to scoring potential, often with minimal preparation compared to the effort required for sections like Logical Reasoning or Mathematics.

In CUET, grammar is tested explicitly. Questions include error spotting, sentence completion, fill-in-the-blanks, rearrangement of parts of sentences, and cloze passages that test grammatical usage in context.

CLAT, however, has transitioned into a comprehension-based format. Still, grammar remains fundamental. It helps eliminate incorrect options, especially in tone-based questions, para summaries, and vocabulary-in-context tasks. Incorrect grammar often reveals the wrong answer, so a solid understanding acts as a filter mechanism.

Grammar Rules That Keep Reappearing in Exams

Let us now explore the core grammar rules that recur across various test papers, year after year.

Subject-Verb Agreement

One of the most frequently tested concepts involves ensuring that the verb matches the subject in number and person. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. This becomes tricky when words come between the subject and the verb or when compound phrases distract the reader.

Consider this:
Correct: The bouquet of roses is on the table.
Incorrect: The bouquet of roses are on the table.

The subject here is 'bouquet,' which is singular. The prepositional phrase 'of roses' does not alter the number of the subject.

In sentences with phrases like along with, as well as, or together with, the verb still agrees with the main subject.
Correct: The teacher, along with her students, is attending the seminar.

Tense Consistency

Maintaining a consistent tense throughout a sentence or paragraph is crucial unless there is a logical reason to shift the timeline. Tense shifts are a favorite in error-spotting and sentence-improvement questions.

Correct: He said he was going to the market.
Incorrect: He said he is going to the market.

Watch for changes in tense that do not align with the sequence of events.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Pronouns must match their antecedents in number and gender. Furthermore, the antecedent should be clear and unambiguous.

Correct: When Maya and Sita entered the room, they were surprised.
Incorrect: When Maya and Sita entered the room, she was surprised.

Avoid using vague pronouns like "it" or "they" without clearly defined antecedents. This rule is critical for clarity and comprehension.

Parallelism

When listing items or ideas in a sentence, the grammatical structure must be uniform. This concept often appears in sentence correction questions.

Correct: He enjoys swimming, running, and cycling.
Incorrect: He enjoys swimming, to run, and cycling.

Lack of parallel structure creates an awkward sentence and diminishes clarity.

Modifier Placement

Modifiers must be placed next to the word or phrase they modify. Otherwise, the meaning of the sentence becomes confusing or unintentionally humorous.

Correct: Tired after the journey, Rohan went straight to bed.
Incorrect: Tired after the journey, the bed looked inviting to Rohan.

This rule often appears in fill-in-the-blank sections of CUET.

Article Usage

The definite article "the" refers to specific or previously mentioned nouns. The indefinite articles "a" and "an" refer to nonspecific nouns. Usage depends on sound, not spelling.

Correct: An honest man, A university, The Himalayas.
"An" is used before vowel sounds, not just vowels. Hence, 'an hour' is correct even though 'hour' begins with 'h'.

Preposition Usage

Certain words require specific prepositions. These prepositions cannot be guessed; they must be memorized and practiced.

Examples include:
Interested in, Responsible for, Capable of, Accused of.

Such usage appears subtly in both direct grammar questions and cloze passages.

Conditionals

Conditional sentences express cause and effect relationships and are categorized into three main types:

• Type 1 (Real Condition): If you study, you will pass.

• Type 2 (Unreal – Present/Future): If you studied, you would pass.

• Type 3 (Unreal – Past): If you had studied, you would have passed.

Incorrect conditional construction can distort meaning and change the tense of the sentence inappropriately.

Conjunction Pairing and Agreement

Correlative conjunctions like either...or, neither...nor, and not only...but also must be used in pairs and require careful verb agreement.

Correct: Neither the manager nor the employees were responsible.
Here, the verb agrees with the nearest subject: 'employees' (plural).

Redundancy

Avoid repeating ideas unnecessarily. Redundant expressions are penalized in formal writing and comprehension.

Incorrect: Free gift, Revert back, Close proximity
Correct: Gift, Revert, Proximity

CLAT often embeds redundancy within options that seem verbose. Recognizing this helps in eliminating incorrect choices.

Voice – Active vs Passive

The active voice makes sentences clearer and more direct. The passive voice, while not always incorrect, can obscure the subject or make a sentence wordy.

Active: The committee approved the proposal.
Passive: The proposal was approved by the committee.

Prefer active voice unless the passive structure is required by context.

Commonly Confused Words

Words that sound similar but differ in meaning are tested frequently. Some of the most common include:

• Affect (verb) vs Effect (noun)

• Accept (to receive) vs Except (excluding)

• Then (time) vs Than (comparison)

• Its (possessive) vs It’s (it is)

• Their, There, and They’re

Mastery of these distinctions comes from regular usage and revision.

Question Tags

Tag questions must reflect the main clause's auxiliary verb and subject.

Correct: She is a dancer, isn’t she?
Correct: They left early, didn’t they?

Errors here often involve mismatch in subject or verb tense.

Reported Speech

When converting from direct to indirect speech, pay attention to verb tense shifts and pronoun adjustments.

Direct: She said, “I am going.”
Indirect: She said that she was going.

Time references also change: today → that day, tomorrow → the next day, etc.

Determiners and Quantifiers

These are small yet powerful words that often determine grammatical correctness. Some common ones include:

• Much, many, a few, few, little, a little

• Each, every, both, all, neither, either

Correct: A few students were absent. A little water was left in the bottle.

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Sample Practice Questions

1. Identify the error: The list of items are on the table.
   Answer: Replace are with is. The subject is singular.

2. Find the correct sentence:
   a. She said she will go to the market.
   b. She said she would go to the market.
   Answer: (b) is correct. Tense shift in reported speech.

3. Choose the correct word: He was deeply ________ in music.
   a. interested
   b. interesting
   Answer: (a) interested.

4. Identify the correct tag: They haven’t arrived yet, _______?
   Answer: have they?

5. Correct the sentence: He enjoyed to swim in the river.
   Answer: He enjoyed swimming in the river.

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Sample CUET Grammar Mini Paper

Instructions: Choose the correct answer or identify the error.

1. The team, along with the coach, (is/are) arriving tomorrow.

2. Neither of the options (is/are) suitable.

3. She said that she (will/would) attend the meeting.

4. The painting, as well as the sculptures, (has/have) been displayed.

5. If he (study/studied/had studied), he would have passed.

Answers:

1. is

2. is

3. would

4. has

5. had studied

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Grammar in CLAT vs CUET: Strategic Preparation

CUET features grammar in explicit question formats. Students should be well-versed with direct applications, such as sentence completion, fill-in-the-blanks, and cloze tests.

CLAT, on the other hand, embeds grammar within passages. Understanding voice, tone, and syntax can be the key to answering questions indirectly rooted in grammar. Grammar here is a tool for better comprehension and elimination, rather than an end in itself.

7-Day Grammar Revision Planner

Day 1: Subject-Verb Agreement, Tenses, Voice
Day 2: Prepositions, Articles, Conjunctions
Day 3: Modifiers, Parallelism, Redundancy
Day 4: Conditionals, Reported Speech, Question Tags
Day 5: Determiners, Pronouns, Confusing Words
Day 6: Mixed Practice Set
Day 7: Full-length Mock Test and Error Log Review

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Final Thoughts

Grammar is not merely a chapter in an English book—it is a tool of logic, comprehension, and communication. When understood and practiced effectively, grammar enables aspirants to score well, interpret accurately, and express clearly.

At Career Launcher, South Ex, Delhi, we’ve trained thousands of aspirants to master the art of grammar through expert-led sessions, intensive practice modules, and personalized mentoring. Your journey to mastering English grammar is not about cramming rules, but about recognizing patterns and applying them confidently.

Keep practicing, stay consistent, and remember—grammar is your silent weapon in CLAT and CUET. Use it wisely, and success will follow.