SSC English Ultimate Grammar Guide

300 Essential Examples with Logic & Explanations

1. Tenses (50 Essential Patterns)

Focus: Conditional clauses, Past Perfect (double action), and It is time.

#	Incorrect Concept / Pattern	Correct Sentence & Logic
1	I have written a letter yesterday.	I wrote a letter yesterday. Yesterday/Ago = Simple Past.
2	If he will study, he will pass.	If he studies, he will pass. Conditional clause never takes 'will'.
3	The train left before I reached.	The train had left before I reached. Earlier of two past actions = Past Perfect.
4	It is time we go home.	It is time we went home. It is time + Subject + V2.
5	I am knowing him since childhood.	I have known him since childhood. 'Know' is stative; use Perfect Tense with since.
6	He is playing for two hours.	He has been playing for two hours. Time duration = Perfect Continuous.
7	I wish I was the PM.	I wish I were the PM. Imaginary/Subjunctive always uses 'were'.
8	Unless you will work, you fail.	Unless you work, you will fail. Unless clause = Simple Present.
9	He had died last week.	He died last week. No 'had' for single past events with time markers.
10	Since I was a child, I am liking milk.	Since I was a child, I have liked milk. State continuing from past to present.
11	Habitual actions	The sun rises in the east. Universal truths = Simple Present.
12	He will have reached before I go.	He will have reached before I go. Future Perfect + Simple Present.
13	I haven't seen him since he has left.	I haven't seen him since he left. Since + Simple Past.
14	He said he is coming.	He said he was coming. Backshift in past reporting.
15	I am having a car.	I have a car. 'Have' (possession) is not continuous.
16	When he will arrive, I meet him.	When he arrives, I will meet him. When + Simple Present, Future.
17	I have been working here since 5 years.	I have been working here for 5 years. Duration = For, Point of time = Since.
18	By 2025, I finish the project.	By 2025, I will have finished the project. By + future time = Future Perfect.
19	I am seeing him now.	I see him now. Verbs of perception are generally not continuous.
20	If I had money, I would have bought it.	If I had money, I would buy it. Hypothetical present (V2 -> Would).
21	If I had worked, I would pass.	If I had worked, I would have passed. Third Conditional (Had V3 -> Would have V3).
22	He is often coming late.	He often comes late. Adverbs of frequency = Simple Present.
23	Suppose if he comes, what will you do?	Suppose he comes, what will you do? Don't use 'Suppose' and 'If' together.
24	He didn't knew the truth.	He didn't know the truth. Did + V1.
25	The patient died after the doctor had come.	The patient died after the doctor had come. Correct usage of After/Before.
26	I have seen him just now.	I saw him just now. 'Just now' (past point) = Simple Past.
27	I just saw him.	I have just seen him. 'Just' (recent completion) = Present Perfect.
28	He always loses his keys. (annoyance)	He is always losing his keys! 'Always' + Continuous = Expressing irritation/annoyance.
29	I didn't see him lately.	I haven't seen him lately. 'Lately/Recently' = Present Perfect.
30	It is the first time I am eating this.	It is the first time I have eaten this. It is the first/second time + Present Perfect.
31	I was knowing the answer.	I knew the answer. Mental states (know/believe) are never continuous.
32	Scarcely I had reached when it rained.	Scarcely had I reached when it rained. Inversion: Scarcely/Hardly + Had + Subject + V3.
33	No sooner I reached than it rained.	No sooner had I reached than it rained. Inversion: No sooner + Had + Subject + V3... than.
34	As soon as he will come, I will leave.	As soon as he comes, I will leave. 'As soon as' clause = Simple Present.
35	I wish I have a million dollars.	I wish I had a million dollars. Wish + V2 for present/unreal desires.
36	She is smelling the soup.	She is smelling the soup. Correct: Intentional physical action can be continuous.
37	The soup is smelling good.	The soup smells good. Inherent quality/sense = Simple Present only.
38	I am thinking you are right.	I think you are right. 'Think' as an opinion = Stative (Simple Present).
39	I am thinking about the problem.	I am thinking about the problem. Correct: 'Think' as a mental process = Continuous is okay.
40	Water is freezing at 0°C.	Water freezes at 0°C. Scientific laws = Simple Present.
41	He has been knowing her for years.	He has known her for years. 'Know' cannot be used in Perfect Continuous.
42	I am having a lot of work today.	I have a lot of work today. 'Have' (possession/state) is not continuous.
43	I am having lunch now.	I am having lunch now. Correct: 'Have' (eating/experiencing) can be continuous.
44	By the time he arrives, I finished.	By the time he arrives, I will have finished. By the time + Present -> Future Perfect.
45	He behaves as if he is a king.	He behaves as if he were a king. 'As if/As though' + Subjunctive (Were).
46	I didn't meet him since he left.	I haven't met him since he left. Since + Past point = Present Perfect in main clause.
47	He will have been playing since 2 hours.	He will have been playing for 2 hours. Duration in Future Perfect Continuous = For.
48	I have seen that movie last week.	I saw that movie last week. 'Last week/month/year' = Simple Past only.
49	It is high time you start your career.	It is high time you started your career. It is high time + Subject + V2 (Past Subjunctive).
50	I am always helping the needy.	I always help the needy. Positive habits/Virtues = Simple Present.

2. Subject-Verb Agreement (50 Essential Patterns)

Focus: Neither-nor, Not only-but also, A number of, and Amount/Distance.

#	Pattern / Concept	Correct Sentence & Logic
51	Each of the students have passed.	Each of the students has passed. Each/Every = Singular.
52	Ram as well as his friends are coming.	Ram as well as his friends is coming. Verb agrees with the first subject.
53	Neither he nor I are going.	Neither he nor I am going. Verb agrees with the nearest subject.
54	Not only the teacher but also the students is happy.	Not only the teacher but also the students are happy. Agrees with the nearest (students).
55	A number of boys is playing.	A number of boys are playing. 'A number of' = Plural verb.
56	The number of boys are small.	The number of boys is small. 'The number of' = Singular verb.
57	Many a man have come.	Many a man has come. Many a + Singular noun + Singular verb.
58	Physics are my favorite.	Physics is my favorite. Names of subjects = Singular.
59	Politics are a dirty game.	Politics is a dirty game. Uncountable/Abstract = Singular.
60	Five hundred rupees are a big amount.	Five hundred rupees is a big amount. Amount/Weight/Distance as a unit = Singular.
61	Bread and butter are my breakfast.	Bread and butter is my breakfast. Pair nouns as one idea = Singular.
62	The poet and singer are dead.	The poet and singer is dead. One 'The' means one person.
63	The poet and the singer is dead.	The poet and the singer are dead. Two 'The's means two people.
64	Mathematics are difficult.	Mathematics is difficult. Singular field of study.
65	His mathematics is weak.	His mathematics are weak. Possessive + Mathematics = Calculations (Plural).
66	The jury has divided in their opinion.	The jury were divided in their opinion. Divided collective noun = Plural.
67	Furniture are very old.	Furniture is very old. Uncountable nouns = Singular.
68	Information are wrong.	Information is wrong. Uncountable.
69	None of the boys have come.	None of the boys has/have come. None of + plural noun can take both, but singular is formal.
70	More than one girl were present.	More than one girl was present. More than one + Singular Noun = Singular Verb.
71	More girls than one was present.	More girls than one were present. Plural noun before 'than one' = Plural Verb.
72	The sceneries of Kashmir are beautiful.	The scenery of Kashmir is beautiful. 'Scenery' is uncountable; no plural form.
73	He gave me many advices.	He gave me much advice (or pieces of advice). 'Advice' is uncountable.
74	The cattles are grazing.	The cattle are grazing. 'Cattle' is already plural; never adds 's'.
75	The peoples of the world is diverse.	The peoples of the world are diverse. 'Peoples' (with 's') refers to different nations/ethnicities.
76	Poultry is cheap here.	Poultry are cheap here. 'Poultry/Gentry/Clergy' are plural collective nouns.
77	Each pen and each pencil are blue.	Each pen and each pencil is blue. 'Each/Every' + 'And' still takes a singular verb.
78	Every boy and girl are invited.	Every boy and girl is invited. 'Every' distributed over subjects = Singular.
79	One of my friend is coming.	One of my friends is coming. One of + Plural Noun + Singular Verb.
80	He is one of the men who is wise.	He is one of the men who are wise. Relative pronoun 'who' refers to plural 'men'.
81	This is the only one of his books that are worth reading.	This is the only one of his books that is worth reading. 'The only one' makes the relative clause singular.
82	Gulliver's Travels were written by Swift.	Gulliver's Travels was written by Swift. Titles of books/movies = Singular.
83	The United States have a big army.	The United States has a big army. Country names = Singular.
84	A pair of shoes are in the box.	A pair of shoes is in the box. 'A pair of' = Singular.
85	My shoes is new.	My shoes are new. Paired items (shoes/pants/scissors) = Plural.
86	Half of the apple are rotten.	Half of the apple is rotten. Fraction + Uncountable/Singular = Singular.
87	Half of the apples is rotten.	Half of the apples are rotten. Fraction + Plural Countable = Plural.
88	The majority of students is absent.	The majority of students are absent. 'Majority of' + Plural = Plural verb.
89	The majority is always right.	The majority is always right. 'Majority' as a single collective unit = Singular.
90	There is many boys in the class.	There are many boys in the class. 'There' is an expletive; verb follows the real subject (boys).
91	A committee were formed to study the case.	A committee was formed to study the case. Collective noun as a single body = Singular.
92	Nothing but trees were seen.	Nothing but trees was seen. 'Nothing but' + Noun = Singular Verb.
93	Two-thirds of the city were destroyed.	Two-thirds of the city was destroyed. Fraction of a whole = Singular.
94	Two-thirds of the people was killed.	Two-thirds of the people were killed. Fraction of many individuals = Plural.
95	A great many soldier has died.	A great many soldiers have died. 'A great many' = Plural Noun + Plural Verb.
96	Neither of the two roads lead to Delhi.	Neither of the two roads leads to Delhi. 'Neither of' (referring to two) = Singular.
97	None of the money are yours.	None of the money is yours. 'None of' + Uncountable = Singular.
98	Rice and curry are his favorite food.	Rice and curry is his favorite food. Items combined to form one dish = Singular.
99	Not only his friends but also his brother have come.	Not only his friends but also his brother has come. Verb agrees with the second subject (brother).
100	The crew is fighting among themselves.	The crew are fighting among themselves. Collective noun members acting individually = Plural.

3. Prepositions (50 Essential Patterns)

Focus: Fixed prepositions, confusing pairs (beside/besides), and omission cases.

#	Fixed Preposition / Concept	Correct Sentence & Logic
101	Abide by	Every citizen must abide by the laws of the country. Abide always takes 'by'.
102	Superior to	This new engine is superior to the old one in every way. Latin adjectives ending in 'ior' take 'to', not 'than'.
103	Prevent from	The heavy rain prevented us from reaching the venue on time. Prevent + Object + from + Ving.
104	Between vs Among	The secret was kept between the two sisters / The sweets were distributed among the five children. Between (2) / Among (3+).
105	Beside vs Besides	He sat down beside me / Besides English, he can speak French and German. Beside (Next to) / Besides (In addition to).
106	Die of vs From	The old man died of cancer / Many people die from overwork in this city. Of (Disease) / From (External cause/Reason).
107	Omission: Enter	The CEO entered the hall followed by his assistants. No 'into' for physical entry into a place.
108	Omission: Discuss	The committee discussed the budget for over three hours. No 'about' after the verb 'discuss'.
109	Omission: Order	I have ordered a new laptop from the online store. No 'for' when 'order' is used as a verb.
110	Congratulate on	I would like to congratulate you on your brilliant performance. Congratulate + on (not 'for').
111	Angry with/at	She was angry with him for lying / He was angry at the delay of the flight. With (Person) / At (Thing).
112	Agree with/to	I agree with you on this matter / The manager agreed to the new proposal. With (Person) / To (Plan/Proposal).
113	Omission: Investigate	The detectives are investigating the cause of the fire. No 'into' after 'investigate'.
114	Omission: Comprise	The apartment comprises three bedrooms and a kitchen. No 'of' in active voice (Comprise = Consist of).
115	Good at	My sister is very good at solving complex math problems. Good/Bad + at (not 'in').
116	Look after/for/into	Please look after my plants while I'm away. After (Care) / For (Search) / Into (Examine).
117	In vs Into	He is sitting in the room / He jumped into the swimming pool. In (Position) / Into (Movement/Motion).
118	Since vs For	I have lived here since 2010 / I have lived here for sixteen years. Since (Point of time) / For (Period/Duration).
119	Sympathy for	We should always have sympathy for the homeless. Sympathy + for (not 'with' in this context).
120	Dispense with	The company decided to dispense with his services. Dispense with (to do without/get rid of).
121	Approve of	My parents do not approve of my late-night parties. Approve + of (never 'for').
122	Believe in	You must believe in yourself to succeed. Believe + in (for trust/existence).
123	Compare with/to	Compare this copy with the original / Life is often compared to a journey. With (Similar) / To (Dissimilar/Metaphor).
124	Deal in/with	This shop deals in organic vegetables / I don't know how to deal with rude customers. In (Trade) / With (Problem/Person).
125	Differ from/with	The new version differs from the old one / I differ with you on the choice of colors. From (Quality) / With (Opinion).
126	Familiar with/to	Are you familiar with this software? / Her name is familiar to everyone here. With (Knowledge) / To (Known by).
127	Blind of/to	He is blind of one eye / Leaders shouldn't be blind to the needs of the people. Of (Physical) / To (Moral/Awareness).
128	Informed of	Please keep me informed of any further developments. Informed + of (not 'about').
129	Omission: Lack (Verb)	The team lacks the spirit to win the championship. No 'of' when 'lack' is used as a verb.
130	Noun: Lack of	There was a serious lack of communication between them. Use 'of' when 'lack' is a noun.
131	Inferior to	This fabric is inferior to the one we saw yesterday. Prior, Junior, Senior also take 'to'.
132	Absented from	He absented himself from the meeting without permission. Absent (verb) + from.
133	Wait for/on	We have been waiting for the results all day / She waits on tables at a local cafe. For (Await) / On (Serve).
134	Accused of	The suspect was accused of armed robbery. Accused + of (not 'for').
135	Guilty of	The prisoner was found guilty of treason. Guilty + of (not 'for').
136	Prefer to	I prefer reading books to watching television. Prefer + to (not 'than').
137	Preferable to	A simple life is preferable to a stressful one. Not 'than'.
138	Inured to	The soldiers are inured to the cold weather. Inured + to (accustomed to hardship).
139	Omission: Reach	When did you reach the office this morning? No 'to' or 'at' after reach.
140	Omission: Resemble	Does she resemble her father or her mother? No 'to' or 'with' after resemble.
141	Part with/from	He refused to part with his old collection of coins / She cried when she parted from her family. With (Thing) / From (Person).
142	Indebted to	I am deeply indebted to my teachers for my success. To (Person) / For (Reason).
143	Married to	My cousin is married to a famous scientist. Always 'to' (not 'with').
144	Consist of/in	The jury consists of twelve members / Virtue consists in doing good. Of (Made of) / In (Lies in).
145	Benefit from	Local businesses will benefit from the new tourism policy. Benefit + from (to receive advantage).
146	Key to	Hard work and discipline are the keys to success. Not 'of'.
147	Invitation to	Did you get an invitation to the party? Invitation + to (not 'for').
148	Request for	The students submitted a request for a longer break. Request (noun) + for.
149	Omission: Request	I requested the assistant for some help. Request (verb) takes no preposition before the direct object.
150	Abstain from	You should abstain from junk food for a healthier life. Abstain/Refrain + from.