In this article, we will discuss about the top 10 English grammar shortcuts and rules in detail. With these rules & shortcuts, you can solve questions in few seconds undoubtedly. Rest depends upon your practice.
Rule 1
The following are the common shortcuts rules for Articles.
• When the names of meals such as Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / supper, no articles should be used in a general way-
Ex- I have the breakfast at 8 o’clock in the morning. (Wrong)
- I have breakfast at 8 o’clock in the morning. (Right)
• After di-transitive verbs like Elect/ Make / Appoint, no articles should be used Except they are used as mono transitive verbs.
Ex- We appointed him a chairman.(Wrong)
- We appointed him chairman. (Right)
The Government of India appointed a committee. (Right - Mono transitive verb)
• After type of / sort of / kind of / post of / title of / rank of, no articles are used.
Ex- Ram was promoted to the rank of a Manager. (Wrong)
- Ram was promoted to the rank of Manager. (Right)
Rule 2
The following are the common shortcuts rules for Nouns.
• For the uncountable words, articles ‘A/An’ should be not be used before them. Such words are-
Luggage / Baggage / Breakage / Advice / Furniture / Information / Scenery / Poetry / Work / Soap / Food / Bread / Fish / Paper / Machinery, and so on
Ex- I know that he has many informations. (Wrong)
- I know that he has much information. (Right)
Ex- The sceneries of Himachal Pradesh is very beautiful. (Wrong)
- The scenery of Himachal Pradesh is very beautiful. (Right)
• The words such as "News / Maths / Ethics / Politics / Phonetics / Economics / Statistics / Measles / Mumps / Rickets / Billiards / Innings" look like plural nouns but give singular meaning.
Ex- The news are not reliable. (Wrong)
- The news is not reliable. (Right)
• Some nouns have the same form whether singular or plural e.g. Sheep / Deer / Service / Series / Series / Species /Fish / Apparatus.
Ex- I saw two sheeps in the zoo. (Wrong)
- I saw two sheep in the zoo. (Right)
• Few nouns are always used in the plural form only e.g. Cattle / People / Police / Electorate / Poultry / Trousers / Scissors / Spectacles / Binoculars / Crackers / Swine / Gentry / Clergy. All these are used with plural form of verbs.
Ex- The scissor is very sharp. (Wrong)
- The scissors are very sharp. (Right)
• When the names of meals such as Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / supper, no articles should be used in a general way-
Ex- I have the breakfast at 8 o’clock in the morning. (Wrong)
- I have breakfast at 8 o’clock in the morning. (Right)
• After di-transitive verbs like Elect/ Make / Appoint, no articles should be used Except they are used as mono transitive verbs.
Ex- We appointed him a chairman.(Wrong)
- We appointed him chairman. (Right)
The Government of India appointed a committee. (Right - Mono transitive verb)
• After type of / sort of / kind of / post of / title of / rank of, no articles are used.
Ex- Ram was promoted to the rank of a Manager. (Wrong)
- Ram was promoted to the rank of Manager. (Right)
Rule 2
The following are the common shortcuts rules for Nouns.
• For the uncountable words, articles ‘A/An’ should be not be used before them. Such words are-
Luggage / Baggage / Breakage / Advice / Furniture / Information / Scenery / Poetry / Work / Soap / Food / Bread / Fish / Paper / Machinery, and so on
Ex- I know that he has many informations. (Wrong)
- I know that he has much information. (Right)
Ex- The sceneries of Himachal Pradesh is very beautiful. (Wrong)
- The scenery of Himachal Pradesh is very beautiful. (Right)
• The words such as "News / Maths / Ethics / Politics / Phonetics / Economics / Statistics / Measles / Mumps / Rickets / Billiards / Innings" look like plural nouns but give singular meaning.
Ex- The news are not reliable. (Wrong)
- The news is not reliable. (Right)
• Some nouns have the same form whether singular or plural e.g. Sheep / Deer / Service / Series / Series / Species /Fish / Apparatus.
Ex- I saw two sheeps in the zoo. (Wrong)
- I saw two sheep in the zoo. (Right)
• Few nouns are always used in the plural form only e.g. Cattle / People / Police / Electorate / Poultry / Trousers / Scissors / Spectacles / Binoculars / Crackers / Swine / Gentry / Clergy. All these are used with plural form of verbs.
Ex- The scissor is very sharp. (Wrong)
- The scissors are very sharp. (Right)
Rule 3
The following are the common shortcuts rules for Pronouns.
• A pronoun in the nominative form should be compared with the same form of pronoun.
Ex- I respect you more than him. (Right)
• A Pronoun in the objective case is used after "Let / Between / Any Preposition"
Ex- There is no dispute between you and me. (Right)
• A singular pronoun should be used when two singular nouns are joined by either or / neither nor
Ex- Either Ram or Rakesh should do his duty. (Right)
• The verbs such as "Hurt / Cheat / Prostrate / Introduce / Present / Absent / Satisfy / Prepare / Enjoy / Avail of" are followed by either an object or a reflExive pronoun. (Myself / Ourselves / Yourself / Yourselves) (Himself / Herself / Itself / Themselves)
Ex - I introduced her to the Principal. (Right)
Ex- I introduced myself to the Principal. (Right)
• The use of Relative Pronouns :
‘Who’ is used for person.
‘Which’ is used for for things.
‘That’ is used both for persons and things.
Ex- One boy who stole my purse was a student. (Right)
The person that stole my purse was a student. (Right)
Rule 4
The following are the common shortcuts rules for Adjectives.
• While comparing the objects, we should see that a noun is compared with another but not with some other word.
Ex -The population of Delhi is greater than Meghalaya. (Wrong)
The population of Delhi is greater than that of Meghalaya. (Right)
Ex- The climate of Kashmir is better than Uttar Pradesh. (Wrong)
The climate of Kashmir is better than that of Uttar Pradesh. (Right)
• In comparisons, the monosyllable words like "hot / easy / tall / small" should not be used with more / most.
Ex- This question is easier than that.
Ex- He is more taller than Kumar. (Wrong)
He is taller than Kumar. (Right)
Rule 5
The following are the common shortcuts rules for Adverbs.
• Before the word 'Enough' an adjective under positive form should be used.
Ex -He is more intelligent enough to follow you. (Wrong)
He is intelligent enough to follow you. (Right)
• When we begin a sentence with 'seldom / never / hardly / rarely / scarcely / barely / neither / never, the rule of inversion should be applied, an auxiliary verb is used before the subject.
Ex- Hardly he goes to school. (Wrong)
Hardly does he go to school. (Right)
Ex- Seldom I got to films. (Wrong)
Seldom do I got to films. (Right)
• The adverb (As) is not used after ‘call’ and ‘consider’.
Ex- He called me as a good guy. (Wrong)
He called me a good guy. (Right)
Rule 6
The following are the common shortcuts rules for Verbs.
• The following verbs are not usually used in the continuous form. See / Smell / Feel / Hear / Notice / Recognize / See / Think / Agree / Believe / Consider / Remember / Hope / Understand / Mind / Suppose / Hate / Love / Know / Have / Want / Forgive / Keep / Prevent etc.
Ex- The flower is smelling sweet. (Wrong)
The Flower smells sweet. (Right)
• ‘For’ is used for a period of time. While, ‘since’ is used for a point of time.
Ex- I know him since 1986. (Wrong)
I have known him since 1986. (Right)
Ex - Out teacher is sick for the last two days. (Wrong)
Our teacher has been sick for the last two days. (Right)
• After negative sentences, the question tag used should be in an ordinary interrogative form.
Ex -She didn't like that book, didn't she? (Wrong)
She did not like that book, did she? (Right)
Rule 7
The following are the common shortcuts rules for Conjunctions.
• The co-relative conjunctions are used in pairs. Not only - but also, Either - or Neither – nor, Both – and, Though – yet, Whether – or. Please see that the pair is properly used.
Ex -They will either do the work else return the money. (Wrong)
They will either do the work or return the money. (Right)
• After the adverbs "Hardly / Scarcely", the conjunction 'when or before' should be used.
Ex -Hardly had he left the place than the Bomb Exploded. (Wrong)
Hardly had he left the place when the Bomb Exploded. (Right)
• Until - Denotes Time > Unless - Denotes Condition
Ex -You will not succeed until you work hard. (Wrong)
You will not succeed unless you work hard. (Right)
Ex- I want to stay here unless she speaks the truth. (Wrong)
I want to stay here until she speaks the truth. (Right)
• With the conjunction 'if' 'then' should not be used.
Ex-If you work for 8 hours a day, then you will get through the Examination. (Wrong)
If you work for 8 hours a day, you will get through the Examination. (Right)
Rule 8
The following are the common shortcuts rules for Prepositions.
• After the verb "Enter" the preposition "into" should not be used Except when it is used with reference to agreement or conversation.
Ex- He entered into the premises without any permission. (Wrong)
He entered the premises without any permission. (Right)
Ex- They entered a hot discussion. (Wrong)
They entered into a hot discussion. (Right)
• After transitive verbs such as
'Discuss/Describe/reach/order/tell/demand/attach/resemble/ridicule etc. no preposition is used. The verbs directly take an object.
Ex- The poet describes about the beauty of nature. (Wrong)
The poet describes the beauty of nature. (Right)
• After the verbs "Say / suggest / propose / speak / Explain / reply / complain / talk / listen / write" the proposition "to" should be used if any object is used.
Ex- He did not reply me. (Wrong)
He did not reply to me. (Right)
Ex- You never wrote me. (Wrong)
You never wrote to me. (Right)
Rule 9
Few connectives, which are usually asked in SSC Exams, are as follows-
• Use of Across
Across - On the opposite side of
Ex -My Cousin lives across the river. (Right)
Across - From one side to another
Ex -The boy swam across the river. (Right)
Across - both sides
Ex- He threw the luggage across his shoulders. (Right)
Come Across - means meet accidentally / suddenly
Ex - I suddenly came across him. (Wrong)
I came across him. (Right)
• During - denotes duration.
Ex- During the war, many people suffered hardship. (Right)
• Of - denotes origin / cause
Ex -She comes of a rich family. (Right)
Off - denotes 'separation'
Ex -A button has come off. (Right)
• Wait for - Await.
Ex -He is awaiting for the reply. (Wrong)
Ex -He is awaiting for the reply. (Wrong)
He is awaiting the reply. (Right)
Despite - inspite of.
Ex- Despite of his hard work, he failed in the Examination. (Wrong)
Despite his hard work he failed in the Examination. (Right)
Rule 10
Practice questions as much as possible using the above stated rule daily and stick them in mind. We have illustrated each common rule with examples so that you can easily remember their implications.
Ex- I respect you more than him. (Right)
• A Pronoun in the objective case is used after "Let / Between / Any Preposition"
Ex- There is no dispute between you and me. (Right)
• A singular pronoun should be used when two singular nouns are joined by either or / neither nor
Ex- Either Ram or Rakesh should do his duty. (Right)
• The verbs such as "Hurt / Cheat / Prostrate / Introduce / Present / Absent / Satisfy / Prepare / Enjoy / Avail of" are followed by either an object or a reflExive pronoun. (Myself / Ourselves / Yourself / Yourselves) (Himself / Herself / Itself / Themselves)
Ex - I introduced her to the Principal. (Right)
Ex- I introduced myself to the Principal. (Right)
• The use of Relative Pronouns :
‘Who’ is used for person.
‘Which’ is used for for things.
‘That’ is used both for persons and things.
Ex- One boy who stole my purse was a student. (Right)
The person that stole my purse was a student. (Right)
Rule 4
The following are the common shortcuts rules for Adjectives.
• While comparing the objects, we should see that a noun is compared with another but not with some other word.
Ex -The population of Delhi is greater than Meghalaya. (Wrong)
The population of Delhi is greater than that of Meghalaya. (Right)
Ex- The climate of Kashmir is better than Uttar Pradesh. (Wrong)
The climate of Kashmir is better than that of Uttar Pradesh. (Right)
• In comparisons, the monosyllable words like "hot / easy / tall / small" should not be used with more / most.
Ex- This question is easier than that.
Ex- He is more taller than Kumar. (Wrong)
He is taller than Kumar. (Right)
Rule 5
The following are the common shortcuts rules for Adverbs.
• Before the word 'Enough' an adjective under positive form should be used.
Ex -He is more intelligent enough to follow you. (Wrong)
He is intelligent enough to follow you. (Right)
• When we begin a sentence with 'seldom / never / hardly / rarely / scarcely / barely / neither / never, the rule of inversion should be applied, an auxiliary verb is used before the subject.
Ex- Hardly he goes to school. (Wrong)
Hardly does he go to school. (Right)
Ex- Seldom I got to films. (Wrong)
Seldom do I got to films. (Right)
• The adverb (As) is not used after ‘call’ and ‘consider’.
Ex- He called me as a good guy. (Wrong)
He called me a good guy. (Right)
Rule 6
The following are the common shortcuts rules for Verbs.
• The following verbs are not usually used in the continuous form. See / Smell / Feel / Hear / Notice / Recognize / See / Think / Agree / Believe / Consider / Remember / Hope / Understand / Mind / Suppose / Hate / Love / Know / Have / Want / Forgive / Keep / Prevent etc.
Ex- The flower is smelling sweet. (Wrong)
The Flower smells sweet. (Right)
• ‘For’ is used for a period of time. While, ‘since’ is used for a point of time.
Ex- I know him since 1986. (Wrong)
I have known him since 1986. (Right)
Ex - Out teacher is sick for the last two days. (Wrong)
Our teacher has been sick for the last two days. (Right)
• After negative sentences, the question tag used should be in an ordinary interrogative form.
Ex -She didn't like that book, didn't she? (Wrong)
She did not like that book, did she? (Right)
Rule 7
The following are the common shortcuts rules for Conjunctions.
• The co-relative conjunctions are used in pairs. Not only - but also, Either - or Neither – nor, Both – and, Though – yet, Whether – or. Please see that the pair is properly used.
Ex -They will either do the work else return the money. (Wrong)
They will either do the work or return the money. (Right)
• After the adverbs "Hardly / Scarcely", the conjunction 'when or before' should be used.
Ex -Hardly had he left the place than the Bomb Exploded. (Wrong)
Hardly had he left the place when the Bomb Exploded. (Right)
• Until - Denotes Time > Unless - Denotes Condition
Ex -You will not succeed until you work hard. (Wrong)
You will not succeed unless you work hard. (Right)
Ex- I want to stay here unless she speaks the truth. (Wrong)
I want to stay here until she speaks the truth. (Right)
• With the conjunction 'if' 'then' should not be used.
Ex-If you work for 8 hours a day, then you will get through the Examination. (Wrong)
If you work for 8 hours a day, you will get through the Examination. (Right)
Rule 8
The following are the common shortcuts rules for Prepositions.
• After the verb "Enter" the preposition "into" should not be used Except when it is used with reference to agreement or conversation.
Ex- He entered into the premises without any permission. (Wrong)
He entered the premises without any permission. (Right)
Ex- They entered a hot discussion. (Wrong)
They entered into a hot discussion. (Right)
• After transitive verbs such as
'Discuss/Describe/reach/order/tell/demand/attach/resemble/ridicule etc. no preposition is used. The verbs directly take an object.
Ex- The poet describes about the beauty of nature. (Wrong)
The poet describes the beauty of nature. (Right)
• After the verbs "Say / suggest / propose / speak / Explain / reply / complain / talk / listen / write" the proposition "to" should be used if any object is used.
Ex- He did not reply me. (Wrong)
He did not reply to me. (Right)
Ex- You never wrote me. (Wrong)
You never wrote to me. (Right)
Rule 9
Few connectives, which are usually asked in SSC Exams, are as follows-
• Use of Across
Across - On the opposite side of
Ex -My Cousin lives across the river. (Right)
Across - From one side to another
Ex -The boy swam across the river. (Right)
Across - both sides
Ex- He threw the luggage across his shoulders. (Right)
Come Across - means meet accidentally / suddenly
Ex - I suddenly came across him. (Wrong)
I came across him. (Right)
• During - denotes duration.
Ex- During the war, many people suffered hardship. (Right)
• Of - denotes origin / cause
Ex -She comes of a rich family. (Right)
Off - denotes 'separation'
Ex -A button has come off. (Right)
• Wait for - Await.
Ex -He is awaiting for the reply. (Wrong)
Ex -He is awaiting for the reply. (Wrong)
He is awaiting the reply. (Right)
Despite - inspite of.
Ex- Despite of his hard work, he failed in the Examination. (Wrong)
Despite his hard work he failed in the Examination. (Right)
Rule 10
Practice questions as much as possible using the above stated rule daily and stick them in mind. We have illustrated each common rule with examples so that you can easily remember their implications.
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