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SSC CHSL Correct / Incorrect Sentences

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This page covers SSC CHSL Correct / Incorrect Sentences with complete concept notes, 15 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.

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Concept Notes

Correct / Incorrect Sentences— Rules & Concept

Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Core Concept

You need to spot grammar errors in given sentences. The errors can be in subject-verb agreement, tense, prepositions, articles, or sentence structure. Your job is to identify the mistake or confirm the sentence is correct

Subject-Verb Agreement

Singular subjects take singular verbs, plural subjects take plural verbs 2

Tense Consistency

Don't mix tenses unnecessarily in one sentence 3

Article Usage

Use 'a/an' for countable singular nouns, 'the' for specific references 4

Preposition Rules

Each verb/noun has specific prepositions (interested 'in', not 'on') 5

Pronoun Agreement

Pronouns must match their antecedents in number and gender Formula for Quick Checking: S-V-A-T-P Method: S = Subject (check if singular/plural) V = Verb (check agreement with subject) A = Articles (check a/an/the usage) T = Tense (check consistency) P = Prepositions (check correct usage)

Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs

SSC gives you complete sentences. You mark 'Correct' if no error exists, or 'Incorrect' if there's a grammar mistake. Common error types are subject-verb disagreement (40%), wrong prepositions (25%), tense errors (20%), and article mistakes (15%).

ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question
Example

'One of the boys IS playing' (not 'are playing'). Shortcut Trick 2 - Either/Neither Rule: 'Either...or' and 'Neither...nor' take verbs according to the SECOND subject

Example

'Neither the teacher nor the students ARE present' (verb agrees with 'students').

Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1

Identify subject = 'Each' (singular)

2
Step 2

Check verb = 'have' (plural)

3
Step 3

Apply S-V rule = Singular subject needs singular verb

4
Step 4

Error found = 'have' should be 'has' Answer: Incorrect Worked Example 2: Sentence: 'The committee has decided to postpone the meeting.'

1
Step 1

Identify subject = 'committee' (collective noun, treated as singular)

2
Step 2

Check verb = 'has' (singular)

3
Step 3

Check tense = Simple past perfect (consistent)

4
Step 4

Check prepositions = 'decided to' (correct) Answer: Correct Shortcut Trick 3 - Collective Noun Rule: Team, committee, family, group, etc. are usually singular in Indian English. Use singular verbs with them. #1 Most Common Trap: Students confuse collective nouns with plural nouns. 'The team ARE playing well' is wrong. Collective nouns like team, family, committee take SINGULAR verbs in SSC exams. Remember: 'The team IS playing well.' Another major trap is with 'one of the' constructions. Students think 'One of the girls are dancing' is correct because 'girls' is plural. But the subject is 'one', which is singular, so it should be 'One of the girls IS dancing.' Time-Saving Strategy: Read the sentence once completely, then apply the S-V-A-T-P method systematically. Don't rush to answer based on 'sound'. SSC tests formal grammar rules, not conversational English. If you can't spot an obvious error in 30 seconds, the sentence is likely correct.

Key Points to Remember

  • Use S-V-A-T-P method: Subject-Verb-Article-Tense-Preposition for systematic checking
  • Collective nouns (team, family, committee) always take singular verbs in SSC
  • One of the + plural noun always takes singular verb (One of the boys IS)
  • Either...or and Neither...nor verbs agree with the SECOND subject mentioned
  • Each, every, everyone, someone, anyone always take singular verbs
  • Check subject-verb agreement first as it covers 40% of all errors
  • Don't rely on 'sound' - SSC tests formal grammar rules only
  • Tense must be consistent throughout the sentence unless time reference changes
  • Articles: Use 'a/an' for first mention, 'the' for specific/second mention
  • If no obvious error found in 30 seconds, sentence is likely correct

Exam-Specific Tips

  • Subject-verb disagreement accounts for 40% of sentence errors in SSC CGL
  • Collective nouns take singular verbs in Indian English grammar rules
  • Either/neither constructions follow the proximity rule for verb agreement
  • Words like each, every, everyone, someone are always grammatically singular
  • Preposition errors account for 25% of incorrect sentences in SSC
  • Article errors represent 15% of grammar mistakes tested
  • Tense inconsistency forms 20% of sentence error patterns
  • One of the + plural noun construction always requires singular verb form
Practice MCQs

Correct / Incorrect Sentences — Practice Questions

15graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis

All MCQs →
Practice 1easy

Neither the manager nor the employees (A) was willing (B) to accept the new terms (C) of the contract. (D) No error (E)

Practice 2easy

The students are looking forward to (A) attending the annual function (B) which will be held (C) in the school ground. (D) No error (E)

Practice 3easy

Neither the manager nor (A) the employees was / (B) the employees were / (C) the employees has / (D) the employees have present during the meeting. No error (E)

Practice 4easy

The principal along with the teachers (A) have planned (B) a special assembly (C) to honour the distinguished guests. (D) No error (E)

Practice 5easy

She has been working (A) in this office (B) for the last five years (C) and she have not received any promotion. (D) No error (E)

Practice 6easy

The committee (A) have decided (B) to postpone the meeting (C) until next week. (D) No error (E)

Practice 7easy

The doctor advised (A) him to not smoke / (B) him not to smoke / (C) that he does not smoke / (D) that he should not smoke regularly. No error (E)

Practice 8easy

The number of students (A) have increased / (B) has increased / (C) are increasing / (D) have been increasing significantly this year. No error (E)

Practice 9medium

Neither the manager nor the employees (A) was / (B) were / (C) have been / (D) has been present at the meeting yesterday. No error

Practice 10medium

She has been working (A) on this project (B) for the last three years (C) and she have completed (D) most of the tasks. (E) No error

Practice 11medium

The data (A) suggests / (B) suggest / (C) have suggested / (D) are suggesting that climate change is affecting agricultural productivity in the region. No error

Practice 12medium

She has been working (A) at / (B) in / (C) on / (D) for this organisation since 2015 without taking any leave. No error

Practice 13medium

The principal requested that every student (A) should submit / (B) submits / (C) submit / (D) will submit their assignment by Friday. No error

Practice 14medium

The committee (A) have decided / (B) has decided / (C) are deciding / (D) have been deciding that the new policy will be implemented next month. No error

Practice 15medium

The report, along with the supporting documents, (A) were submitted (B) to the board (C) for their review (D) yesterday. (E) No error

60-Second Revision — Correct / Incorrect Sentences

  • Remember: Collective nouns are always singular (team IS, family HAS)
  • Formula: One of + plural = singular verb (One of the students IS)
  • Trap: Don't let plural words near singular subjects confuse verb choice
  • Quick check: Either/or verbs match the SECOND subject only
  • Rule: Each, every, everyone = always singular verbs
  • Strategy: Apply S-V-A-T-P method in 30 seconds maximum
  • Fact: If no clear error visible, sentence is probably correct
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