English Sentence Correction Rules
Introduction
Sentence Correction is one of the highest-scoring topics in English Grammar. In competitive examinations, candidates are required to identify grammatical errors and choose the correct form of a sentence.
This topic tests your understanding of grammar rules such as Tenses, Subject–Verb Agreement, Articles, Prepositions, Pronouns, Modals, Active–Passive Voice, Direct–Indirect Speech, and Sentence Structure.
Mastering Sentence Correction improves both exam performance and everyday English communication.
What is Sentence Correction?
Sentence Correction is the process of identifying and correcting grammatical, structural, or vocabulary-related mistakes in a sentence.
Example
❌ She do not like coffee.
✅ She does not like coffee.
❌ He have completed his work.
✅ He has completed his work.
Why is Sentence Correction Important?
Sentence Correction helps you—
- Improve grammar accuracy.
- Write grammatically correct English.
- Increase marks in competitive exams.
- Improve spoken and written communication.
- Strengthen Reading Comprehension.
Common Areas Tested
Most competitive exams ask Sentence Correction questions based on the following grammar topics:
- Subject–Verb Agreement
- Tenses
- Articles
- Prepositions
- Pronouns
- Conjunctions
- Modals
- Active & Passive Voice
- Direct & Indirect Speech
- Vocabulary Usage
- Parallelism
- Word Order
Basic Rules of Sentence Correction
Rule 1: Subject–Verb Agreement
The verb must agree with the subject in number and person.
❌ She go to school.
✅ She goes to school.
Rule 2: Correct Tense
Use the appropriate tense according to the context.
❌ I have seen him yesterday.
✅ I saw him yesterday.
Rule 3: Correct Article
Use a, an, or the correctly.
❌ He is an university student.
✅ He is a university student.
Rule 4: Correct Preposition
Choose the appropriate preposition.
❌ He is good in English.
✅ He is good at English.
Rule 5: Correct Pronoun
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents.
❌ Every student should bring their book. (Informal modern usage is common, but many competitive exams prefer singular agreement.)
✅ Every student should bring his or her book. (Follow the exam pattern.)
Rule 6: Correct Word Order
Arrange words logically.
❌ Always I get up early.
✅ I always get up early.
Common Sentence Correction Examples
Example 1
❌ She don't know the answer.
✅ She doesn't know the answer.
Example 2
❌ He have gone to Kolkata.
✅ He has gone to Kolkata.
Example 3
❌ We discussed about the problem.
✅ We discussed the problem.
Example 4
❌ The news are interesting.
✅ The news is interesting.
Example 5
❌ One of my friend is absent.
✅ One of my friends is absent.
Memory Tricks
Trick 1
Always identify the Subject first.
Then check the Verb.
Trick 2
Look for Time Words
Examples:
- Yesterday → Past Tense
- Tomorrow → Future Tense
- Since/For → Perfect Tense (depending on context)
Trick 3
Read the sentence twice.
Many grammar mistakes become obvious on the second reading.
Exam Tip
In competitive examinations, Sentence Correction questions are commonly asked in these formats:
- Choose the grammatically correct sentence.
- Identify the incorrect part.
- Replace the underlined portion.
- Select the best improvement.
80 Most Important Sentence Correction Rules for Competitive Exams
Sentence Correction questions in competitive exams are mainly based on grammar rules. Mastering these rules will help you solve questions quickly and accurately.
Rule 1: Subject–Verb Agreement
The verb must agree with the subject in number.
❌ He go to school.
✅ He goes to school.
❌ They goes to school.
✅ They go to school.
Rule 2: Singular Subjects Take Singular Verbs
Words like:
- Everybody
- Everyone
- Somebody
- Nobody
- Anyone
- Each
- Every
always take a singular verb.
❌ Everybody know the answer.
✅ Everybody knows the answer.
Rule 3: One of + Plural Noun + Singular Verb
❌ One of the boys are absent.
✅ One of the boys is absent.
Rule 4: The Number / A Number
The number of → Singular Verb
A number of → Plural Verb
Examples:
✅ The number of students is increasing.
✅ A number of students are absent.
Rule 5: Correct Use of Articles
Use a before consonant sounds.
Use an before vowel sounds.
Examples:
✅ a university
✅ a European country
✅ an honest man
✅ an umbrella
Rule 6: Correct Prepositions
Examples:
Good at
Interested in
Afraid of
Depend on
Married to
Proud of
Different from
Capable of
Rule 7: Correct Tense
Time expressions determine tense.
Yesterday → Past
Now → Present
Tomorrow → Future
Example:
❌ I have seen him yesterday.
✅ I saw him yesterday.
Rule 8: Since vs For
Since → Point of time
For → Period of time
Examples:
✅ Since 2018
✅ For five years
Rule 9: Much vs Many
Much → Uncountable nouns
Many → Countable nouns
Examples:
Much water
Many books
Rule 10: Less vs Fewer
Less → Uncountable nouns
Fewer → Countable nouns
Examples:
Less sugar
Fewer students
Rule 11: Correct Pronoun
Pronouns must agree with the noun.
❌ Each student should submit their paper. (Many modern style guides accept singular "their," but competitive exams often expect traditional agreement.)
✅ Each student should submit his or her paper.
Rule 12: Double Negatives
Avoid two negatives in one sentence.
❌ I don't know nothing.
✅ I don't know anything.
Rule 13: Comparative Degree
Between two persons → Comparative
Among more than two → Superlative (when appropriate)
Examples:
Ram is taller than Shyam.
Everest is the highest mountain.
Rule 14: Parallel Structure
Correct:
She likes singing, dancing and reading.
Incorrect:
She likes singing, dancing and to read.
Rule 15: Correct Conjunction
Examples:
Although...yet ❌
Although...still ❌
Although... (alone) ✅
Because...so ❌
Because... (alone) ✅
Frequently Asked Sentence Corrections
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence |
|---|---|
| She don't know. | She doesn't know. |
| He have done it. | He has done it. |
| We discussed about it. | We discussed it. |
| The news are good. | The news is good. |
| Mathematics are difficult. | Mathematics is difficult. |
| Each boys were present. | Each boy was present. |
| He is senior than me. | He is senior to me. |
| He married with her. | He married her. |
| I prefer tea than coffee. | I prefer tea to coffee. |
| Return back soon. | Return soon. |
| Repeat again. | Repeat. |
| Enter into the room. | Enter the room. |
| Order for food. | Order food. |
| Discuss about the issue. | Discuss the issue. |
| Comprise of five members. | Comprises five members. |
Commonly Confused Expressions
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| More better | Better |
| Most best | Best |
| Very unique | Unique |
| Free gift | Gift |
| Past history | History |
| Advance planning | Planning |
| True fact | Fact |
| Continue on | Continue |
| Revert back | Revert |
| Mutual cooperation | Cooperation |
Memory Tricks
Trick 1
First identify the Subject.
Then check the Verb.
Trick 2
Look for Time Words.
Yesterday
Today
Now
Tomorrow
Since
For
These usually indicate the required tense.
Trick 3
Read from the end of the sentence.
Many grammar errors become easier to notice.
Trick 4
Look for hidden Article mistakes.
Examples:
a European
an MBA
an hour
a one-time payment
Previous Year Style Questions
Example 1
Choose the correct sentence.
A. She don't like coffee.
B. She doesn't likes coffee.
C. She doesn't like coffee.
D. She don't likes coffee.
✅ Answer: C
Example 2
Choose the correct sentence.
A. One of the boys are absent.
B. One of the boys is absent.
C. One of boys is absent.
D. One boys are absent.
✅ Answer: B
Example 3
Choose the correct sentence.
A. He is good in English.
B. He is good at English.
C. He is good on English.
D. He is good over English.
✅ Answer: B
Example 4
Choose the correct sentence.
A. I have seen him yesterday.
B. I saw him yesterday.
C. I seeing him yesterday.
D. I had saw him yesterday.
✅ Answer: B
Example 5
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Mathematics are easy.
B. Mathematics were easy.
C. Mathematics is easy.
D. Mathematics have easy.
✅ Answer: C
Quick Revision Box
✔ Subject and Verb must agree.
✔ Use correct tense according to time.
✔ Use proper Articles.
✔ Choose correct Prepositions.
✔ Avoid double negatives.
✔ Maintain parallel structure.
Practice MCQs (Competitive Exam Pattern)
MCQ 1
Choose the grammatically correct sentence.
A. She don't like tea.
B. She doesn't likes tea.
C. She doesn't like tea.
D. She not like tea.
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: After doesn't, the main verb remains in its base form (like).
MCQ 2
Choose the correct sentence.
A. He have completed the work.
B. He has completed the work.
C. He having completed the work.
D. He had complete the work.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 3
Choose the correct sentence.
A. The news are interesting.
B. The news is interesting.
C. The news were interesting.
D. The news have interesting.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 4
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Mathematics are my favourite subject.
B. Mathematics is my favourite subject.
C. Mathematics have my favourite subject.
D. Mathematics were my favourite subject.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 5
Choose the correct sentence.
A. One of the students are absent.
B. One of the students is absent.
C. One of students are absent.
D. One students is absent.
✅ Answer: B
Error Spotting Questions
MCQ 6
Identify the incorrect part.
He / don't / know / the answer.
A. He
B. don't
C. know
D. answer
✅ Answer: B
Correction: doesn't
MCQ 7
Identify the incorrect part.
Each of the boys / were / present / today.
A. Each of the boys
B. were
C. present
D. today
✅ Answer: B
Correction: was
MCQ 8
Identify the incorrect part.
She is / good / in / English.
A. She is
B. good
C. in
D. English
✅ Answer: C
Correction: at
MCQ 9
Identify the incorrect part.
I have seen / him / yesterday / evening.
A. I have seen
B. him
C. yesterday
D. evening
✅ Answer: A
Correction: I saw
MCQ 10
Identify the incorrect part.
The teacher / discussed about / the problem / yesterday.
A. The teacher
B. discussed about
C. the problem
D. yesterday
✅ Answer: B
Correction: discussed the problem
Fill in the Blanks
MCQ 11
Everybody ________ ready.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
✅ Answer: C
MCQ 12
He is married ________ a doctor.
A. with
B. to
C. in
D. at
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 13
She has lived here ________ 2020.
A. for
B. since
C. from
D. during
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 14
There isn't ________ sugar left.
A. many
B. much
C. few
D. several
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 15
There are ________ students this year than last year.
A. less
B. lesser
C. fewer
D. little
✅ Answer: C
Sentence Improvement
MCQ 16
Choose the correct replacement.
He is senior than me.
A. senior with
B. senior from
C. senior to
D. senior over
✅ Answer: C
MCQ 17
Choose the correct sentence.
A. I prefer tea than coffee.
B. I prefer tea over coffee.
C. I prefer tea to coffee.
D. I prefer tea with coffee.
✅ Answer: C
MCQ 18
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Return back tomorrow.
B. Return tomorrow.
C. Return again tomorrow back.
D. Return back again.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 19
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Repeat again.
B. Repeat once again again.
C. Repeat.
D. Repeat back.
✅ Answer: C
MCQ 20
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Enter into the room.
B. Enter in the room.
C. Enter the room.
D. Enter inside into the room.
✅ Answer: C
Previous Year Style Questions
MCQ 21
Choose the grammatically correct sentence.
A. A number of students is absent.
B. A number of students are absent.
C. A number of student are absent.
D. A number students are absent.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 22
Choose the grammatically correct sentence.
A. The number of students are increasing.
B. The number of students is increasing.
C. The number students is increasing.
D. The number of student are increasing.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 23
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Neither Ram nor his friends is present.
B. Neither Ram nor his friends are present.
C. Neither Ram nor his friends was present.
D. Neither Ram nor his friends has present.
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: With Neither...nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it (friends → are).
MCQ 24
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Either the boys or the teacher are coming.
B. Either the boys or the teacher is coming.
C. Either boys or teacher are coming.
D. Either the boys or teacher were coming.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 25
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Neither of the boys have arrived.
B. Neither of the boys has arrived.
C. Neither of boys have arrived.
D. Neither boys has arrived.
✅ Answer: B
Mixed Grammar Questions
MCQ 26
Choose the correct sentence.
A. He as well as his friends are honest.
B. He as well as his friends is honest.
C. He as well his friends is honest.
D. He as well as friends are honest.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 27
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Bread and butter are my favourite breakfast.
B. Bread and butter is my favourite breakfast.
C. Bread with butter are my breakfast.
D. Bread butter are breakfast.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 28
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Every boy and every girl are ready.
B. Every boy and every girl is ready.
C. Every boys and every girls are ready.
D. Every boy and girl are ready.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 29
Choose the correct sentence.
A. The police is investigating the case.
B. The police are investigating the case.
C. The police has investigating the case.
D. The police was investigates the case.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 30
Choose the correct sentence.
A. The furniture are expensive.
B. The furniture is expensive.
C. The furnitures are expensive.
D. The furnitures is expensive.
✅ Answer: B
Quick Exam Tips
✅ Read the sentence carefully before selecting an answer.
✅ Identify the subject first, then check the verb.
✅ Look for clue words like yesterday, since, for, every, each, one of, neither, either.
✅ Eliminate grammatically incorrect options first.
✅ Revise common error patterns regularly.
Grammar Challenge
Correct the following sentences:
- She don't play football.
- One of the girls are absent.
- He is good in Mathematics.
- I have completed the work yesterday.
- The furniture are costly.
Try solving them before checking the answers in the next section.
Final Practice MCQs
MCQ 31
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Every student have a notebook.
B. Every student has a notebook.
C. Every students has a notebook.
D. Every student having a notebook.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 32
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Neither of the answers are correct.
B. Neither of the answers is correct.
C. Neither answers are correct.
D. Neither the answers is correct.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 33
Choose the correct sentence.
A. One of my friend is absent.
B. One of my friends is absent.
C. One of my friends are absent.
D. One of friend is absent.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 34
Choose the correct sentence.
A. She is one of the best teacher.
B. She is one of the best teachers.
C. She is one of best teacher.
D. She is one best teachers.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 35
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Hardly had I reached the station when the train left.
B. Hardly I had reached the station when the train left.
C. Hardly had I reached the station than the train left.
D. Hardly I reached the station when the train left.
✅ Answer: A
MCQ 36
Choose the correct sentence.
A. No sooner did he arrive when it started raining.
B. No sooner had he arrived than it started raining.
C. No sooner had he arrived when it started raining.
D. No sooner did he arrived than it started raining.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 37
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Scarcely had I entered when the bell rang.
B. Scarcely I had entered when the bell rang.
C. Scarcely had I entered than the bell rang.
D. Scarcely I entered when the bell rang.
✅ Answer: A
MCQ 38
Choose the correct sentence.
A. He is able to do this work.
B. He can able to do this work.
C. He is can do this work.
D. He able can do this work.
✅ Answer: A
MCQ 39
Choose the correct sentence.
A. She returned back yesterday.
B. She returned yesterday.
C. She came returned yesterday.
D. She returned again back.
✅ Answer: B
MCQ 40
Choose the correct sentence.
A. I look forward to meet you.
B. I look forward to meeting you.
C. I look forward meet you.
D. I am look forward to meeting you.
✅ Answer: B
Common Mistakes Students Make
❌ Mistake 1
Ignoring the Subject before choosing the Verb.
✔ Always identify the Subject first.
❌ Mistake 2
Ignoring Time Expressions.
Example:
Yesterday
Last week
In 2020
These usually require the Past Tense.
❌ Mistake 3
Using incorrect Prepositions.
Examples:
❌ Good in English
✅ Good at English
❌ Mistake 4
Using redundant words.
Examples:
❌ Return back
❌ Repeat again
❌ Discuss about
✔ Return
✔ Repeat
✔ Discuss
❌ Mistake 5
Ignoring fixed grammar rules.
Examples:
- Prefer to
- Married to
- Different from
- Capable of
- Interested in
- Good at
Last-Minute Revision Chart
| Grammar Rule | Correct Form |
|---|---|
| Everybody | Singular Verb |
| Each | Singular Verb |
| One of + Plural Noun | Singular Verb |
| A number of | Plural Verb |
| The number of | Singular Verb |
| Since | Point of Time |
| For | Period of Time |
| Much | Uncountable Noun |
| Many | Countable Noun |
| Less | Uncountable Noun |
| Fewer | Countable Noun |
| Good | At |
| Married | To |
| Prefer | To |
| Different | From |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is Sentence Correction?
Sentence Correction is the process of identifying and correcting grammatical mistakes in a sentence according to standard English grammar rules.
Q2. Which grammar topics are most important for Sentence Correction?
The most important topics include:
- Subject–Verb Agreement
- Tenses
- Articles
- Prepositions
- Pronouns
- Conjunctions
- Modals
- Active & Passive Voice
- Direct & Indirect Speech
- Vocabulary Usage
Q3. How can I improve my Sentence Correction skills?
- Learn grammar rules thoroughly.
- Practice daily MCQs.
- Solve previous year questions.
- Read English newspapers and editorials.
- Revise common grammar errors regularly.
Q4. Which competitive exams ask Sentence Correction questions?
Sentence Correction is commonly asked in:
- WB Gram Panchayat
- SSC (CGL, CHSL, MTS)
- Railway (RRB)
- PSC & WBCS
- Banking
- Food SI
- TET
- CDS
- NDA
- Other Central & State Government Exams
Q5. What is the best strategy to solve Sentence Correction questions quickly?
- Identify the subject.
- Check the verb.
- Look for time indicators.
- Verify articles and prepositions.
- Eliminate incorrect options and choose the grammatically correct sentence.
Conclusion
Sentence Correction is one of the most scoring sections in competitive English. A strong command of grammar rules, combined with regular practice and revision, can significantly improve your performance in objective examinations. Focus on understanding grammar concepts instead of memorizing isolated rules, and solve a variety of practice questions to build confidence.
