English Grammar: Syllabus, Rules & Practice

Sequence rules

• Use the simple past for actions completed at a finished past time: They moved last year.
• Use past perfect to show the earlier of two past actions: The film had begun when we entered.
• Use present tense for general truths, even when the reporting verb is past: The teacher said that water boils at 100°C.
• Keep the timeline consistent; shift tense only when the time or meaning changes.
• In Type 1 conditionals, use present simple after if and a suitable present or future form in the result clause.

Quick rules

• Use the base verb after a modal: can go, not “can goes.”
• Most modals do not take to; common exceptions include ought to and have to.
• Must not means something is prohibited; need not means it is not necessary.
• Choose the modal from context: might signals possibility, while should commonly gives advice.

Statements

Use said (that) or told + person + (that). Adjust pronouns, tense and time words to fit the reporting situation.

Questions

Use asked. Yes/no questions take if or whether; keep a question word in wh-questions. Change question word order to statement order.

Commands and requests

Use a suitable reporting verb + object + to + base verb. For a negative instruction, use not to.

Common tense and time changes

• The if-clause names the condition; the main clause gives the result.
• Do not usually put will in the if-clause: If she studies, she will do well (not “If she will study…”).
• The clauses can change order. Use a comma when the if-clause comes first: If you need help, call me. / Call me if you need help.
• The result can use a modal or an instruction: If it is sunny, we can play outside. / If you finish early, check your answers.

Core agreement rules

• A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb: The bird sings; The birds sing.
• Two subjects joined by and usually take a plural verb: Ravi and Meera are ready.
• With each, every, everyone, somebody, nobody and similar words, use a singular verb: Each of the answers is correct.
• With either…or and neither…nor, the verb usually agrees with the nearer subject: Neither the players nor the captain is late.
• A phrase between subject and verb does not change the subject: The box of pencils is on the desk.
• Some nouns that look plural name one subject or amount and take a singular verb: Mathematics is useful; Ten kilometres is a long walk.

Common distinctions

• Use few with plural countable nouns and little with uncountable nouns: few chairs, little time.
• A few and a little mean some; few and little often suggest not enough.
• Use some commonly in affirmative statements and any in questions and negatives, while context can create exceptions.
• Do not use an article before a plural or uncountable noun when speaking generally: Books are useful; Milk is nutritious.

Noun clauses

A noun clause does the work of a noun. It can be the subject or object of a sentence and often begins with that, what, who, whether, why, when or how.

Relative clauses

A relative clause describes a noun or pronoun. It commonly begins with a relative pronoun such as who, whom, whose, which or that.

How to tell them apart

• A noun clause fills a noun position: ask “what?” after the verb — She knows what the answer is.
• A relative clause follows a noun and describes it — She found the answer that was missing.
• Keep statement word order inside a noun clause: I know where he lives, not “I know where does he live.”

The 2026–27 English syllabus places 10 marks for Grammar in Section B, Writing Skills and Grammar. Grammar skills are assessed in context, including editing or omission, sentence rearrangement and sentence transformation. The published R1 format lists editing/omission; R2 lists paragraph completion. Both include rearrangement and transformation.

1. By the time we reached the hall, the programme ______ (begin).
2. My sister ______ (read) a novel when I called her yesterday.
3. Choose a modal for obligation: All candidates ______ carry their admit cards. (might/must)
4. Choose a modal for advice: You ______ check your work before submitting it. (should/can)
5. Change to reported speech: Rina said, “I have completed my project.”
6. Change to reported speech: The guard asked me, “Where are you going?”
7. Report the request: Father said to us, “Please keep the room tidy.”
8. Complete the Type 1 conditional: If the weather improves, we ______ (play) outdoors.
9. Complete the sentence: Unless you hurry, you ______ (miss) the bus.
10. Choose the correct verb: Each of the participants (has/have) received a certificate.
11. Choose the correct verb: The basket of mangoes (was/were) on the table.
12. Choose the determiner: There is ______ sugar left, so we can make tea. (a little/a few)
13. Choose the determiner: How ______ books did you borrow? (much/many)
14. Identify the noun clause: “I know that she speaks French.”
15. Complete with a relative pronoun: The doctor ______ treated my brother was kind.
16. Rearrange: every day / walks / to school / Neha
17. Edit the error: “The students was waiting outside.”
18. Transform into reported speech: Aman said, “I can solve this puzzle.”