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Verbs — Part of Speech | MaargX UPSC | Rules, Examples & Practice Questions

A MaargX UPSC Complete Grammar Guide | Rules, Examples & Practice Questions

A verb is a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being. It is the single most indispensable part of speech — a sentence cannot be grammatically complete without a finite verb. Verbs assert something about the subject of a sentence: what the subject does (action), what happens to it (occurrence), or what it is or feels like (state). Every verb belongs to at least one of three fundamental categories: Action Verbs, Linking Verbs, and Auxiliary (Helping) Verbs. These categories are not mutually exclusive — the same verb can function differently depending on context.

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📖 Complete Concept Explanation

1. Definition of a Verb

A verb is a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being. It is the single most indispensable part of speech — a sentence cannot be grammatically complete without a finite verb. Verbs assert something about the subject of a sentence: what the subject does (action), what happens to it (occurrence), or what it is or feels like (state).

Every verb belongs to at least one of three fundamental categories: Action Verbs, Linking Verbs, and Auxiliary (Helping) Verbs. These categories are not mutually exclusive — the same verb can function differently depending on context.

2. Classification of Verbs — Full Taxonomy

The complete classification of verbs is presented below. Study each category carefully, as grammatical rules apply differently to each type.

Primary ClassificationSub-typeCore CharacteristicQuick Example
Main VerbAction Verb (Transitive)Requires a direct object to complete meaningShe reads the newspaper.
Main VerbAction Verb (Intransitive)Does NOT take a direct objectThe baby cried.
Main VerbLinking VerbConnects subject to subject complement (noun/adjective)He seems tired.
Auxiliary VerbPrimary Auxiliarybe, do, have — form tenses, questions, negativesShe has left.
Auxiliary VerbModal Auxiliarycan, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must, ought toYou must go.
Auxiliary VerbSemi-modal (Marginal)used to, need, dare, had betterYou need not worry.
Special FormInfinitiveBase form, often with 'to' — acts as noun/adjective/adverbTo err is human.
Special FormGerund-ing form used as a nounSwimming is healthy.
Special FormParticiple (Present)-ing form used as adjective or in progressive tensesThe running water...
Special FormParticiple (Past)-ed/-en form used in passive or perfect constructionsThe broken vase...
VoiceActive VoiceSubject performs the actionThe chef cooked the meal.
VoicePassive VoiceSubject receives the actionThe meal was cooked.
MoodIndicativeStates facts or asks questionsShe works hard.
MoodImperativeGives commands or requestsClose the door.
MoodSubjunctiveExpresses hypothetical, wishes, demandsI wish I were taller.

3. Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs

A transitive verb must be followed by a direct object. An intransitive verb cannot take a direct object. Some verbs can be both — context determines their type.

4. Linking Verbs

Linking verbs do not show action. Instead, they connect the subject to a word (noun or adjective) that describes or renames it. The core linking verb is 'be' and its forms. Certain verbs of sense and change can also function as linking verbs.

CategoryLinking Verbs
Forms of 'be'am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been
Verbs of senselook, feel, smell, taste, sound, appear
Verbs of continuationremain, stay, keep, continue
Verbs of change/resultbecome, grow, turn, get, go, fall, come, run

5. Subject-Verb Agreement — Core Rules

Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match its subject in number (singular/plural) and person. This is one of the most error-prone areas of English grammar.

6. Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs)

Auxiliary verbs assist the main verb in expressing tense, mood, voice, and aspect. Without them, complex tenses and passive constructions cannot be formed.

AuxiliaryPrimary FunctionExample
be (is/am/are/was/were/been/being)Progressive tenses; passive voiceShe is reading. / It was done.
have (has/had)Perfect tensesHe has left. / They had gone.
do (does/did)Questions, negatives, emphasisDo you know? / I did not go.
can / couldAbility; polite requestShe can swim. / Could you help?
will / wouldFuture; conditional; habitual pastIt will rain. / He would cry.
shall / shouldFuture (1st person); obligation/adviceShall we go? / You should rest.
may / mightPermission; possibilityYou may enter. / It might snow.
mustNecessity; strong deductionYou must stop. / He must be tired.
ought toMoral obligation (weaker than must)You ought to apologise.
used toHabitual past action (no longer occurring)She used to sing.
need (semi-modal)Absence of necessity (negative)You need not worry.
dare (semi-modal)Challenge/boldnessHow dare he speak like that?

7. Tense and Aspect — Verb Form Usage

English has two primary tenses (present and past) and four aspects (simple, progressive/continuous, perfect, perfect progressive). The combination produces 12 standard tense-aspect forms.

Tense-AspectStructureExample
Simple PresentV1 / V1+sShe writes.
Present Continuousis/am/are + V-ingShe is writing.
Present Perfecthas/have + V3She has written.
Present Perfect Continuoushas/have + been + V-ingShe has been writing.
Simple PastV2She wrote.
Past Continuouswas/were + V-ingShe was writing.
Past Perfecthad + V3She had written.
Past Perfect Continuoushad + been + V-ingShe had been writing.
Simple Futurewill/shall + V1She will write.
Future Continuouswill + be + V-ingShe will be writing.
Future Perfectwill + have + V3She will have written.
Future Perfect Continuouswill + have + been + V-ingShe will have been writing.

8. Active and Passive Voice

Voice describes the relationship between the verb and its subject. In active voice, the subject acts. In passive voice, the subject is acted upon. Only transitive verbs can be made passive. The passive is formed with: appropriate form of 'be' + past participle (V3).

9. The Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive is one of the most misunderstood grammatical features in English. It is used to express wishes, hypothetical conditions, demands, suggestions, and formal requirements.

10. Verbals: Infinitives, Gerunds, and Participles

Verbals are verb forms that function as other parts of speech. They do not act as the main verb of a clause. The three verbals are infinitives, gerunds, and participles.

11. Participial Phrases and Dangling Modifiers

A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence must logically refer to the grammatical subject. If it does not, it is a dangling modifier — a critical error.

Memory Tricks and Mnemonics

  • SODA for verbs that take only gerunds: S-uggest, O-bject to, D-eny, A-dmit/Avoid — all followed by -ing.
  • WANT HOPE PLAN DECIDE AGREE REFUSE — these always take infinitives. Notice they all describe a future-oriented mental stance.
  • For subjunctive 'were': think of it as the 'wishful were' — any time you wish or imagine something that is NOT true right now, use 'were', not 'was'.
  • Proximity rule (or/nor): the verb agrees with the NEAREST subject — think 'the verb is closest friends with the nearest noun'.
  • Linking verb test: substitute 'is/was'. If the sentence still makes sense, the verb is linking and needs an adjective (predicate adjective), NOT an adverb.
  • Passive voice formula: BE + V3. Count the auxiliaries and remember: each tense simply wraps 'be' in the appropriate auxiliary structure.

📐 Grammar Rules

RULE 1: A transitive verb must be followed by a direct object. An intransitive verb cannot take a direct object. Some verbs can be both — context determines their type.
Ex. 1 She posted the letter. [posted = transitive; 'the letter' = direct object]
Ex. 2 The sun rose. [rose = intransitive; no object possible]
Ex. 3 He runs a company. (transitive) │ He runs every morning. (intransitive)
RULE 2: Never ask 'what?' or 'whom?' after an intransitive verb. If the answer makes no sense, the verb is intransitive and takes no direct object.
Ex. 1 She arrived. → She arrived WHAT? (makes no sense → intransitive)
Ex. 2 They discussed. → They discussed WHAT? (makes sense → transitive; object is missing and must be supplied)
Ex. 3 He ran. (intransitive) / He ran the race. (transitive) — same verb, different use
RULE 3: A verb is a linking verb if you can substitute 'is/was' for it and the sentence still makes sense. If it makes sense, a predicate adjective follows; if not, the verb is an action verb.
Ex. 1 She looks beautiful. → She IS beautiful. (makes sense → 'looks' is linking)
Ex. 2 She looked at the painting. → She WAS at the painting. (awkward → 'looked' is action here)
Ex. 3 The milk turned sour. → The milk WAS sour. (makes sense → 'turned' is linking here)
RULE 4: A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb. When two subjects are joined by 'and', use a plural verb.
Ex. 1 The dog barks every night. / The dogs bark every night.
Ex. 2 Ravi and Priya are excellent dancers.
Ex. 3 Oil and water do not mix.
RULE 5: When two subjects are joined by 'or', 'nor', 'either...or', 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the subject CLOSER to it (the principle of proximity).
Ex. 1 Neither the students nor the teacher was present.
Ex. 2 Either the captain or the players are responsible.
Ex. 3 Neither he nor I am to blame.
RULE 6: Collective nouns (team, committee, jury, class, family) take a singular verb when the group acts as a unit, and a plural verb when members act individually.
Ex. 1 The jury has delivered its verdict. (acting as one unit)
Ex. 2 The jury were divided in their opinions. (acting as individuals)
Ex. 3 The committee meets every Monday. (singular — one body)
RULE 7: Indefinite pronouns such as 'everyone', 'nobody', 'each', 'either', 'neither', 'anyone', 'someone', 'no one' always take a SINGULAR verb.
Ex. 1 Everyone is expected to attend the meeting.
Ex. 2 Each of the students has submitted the assignment.
Ex. 3 Neither of the options seems acceptable to the panel.
RULE 8: Expressions of quantity (time, money, distance, weight treated as a whole) take a singular verb.
Ex. 1 Five kilometres is a long walk for a child.
Ex. 2 Two thousand rupees is the minimum fine for this offence.
Ex. 3 Three hours of waiting was more than she could endure.
RULE 9: Modal auxiliaries are NEVER inflected. They do not add '-s' for third person singular, '-ing', or '-ed'. They are ALWAYS followed by the bare infinitive (verb without 'to'), except 'ought to' which takes the full infinitive.
Ex. 1 She cans swim. ✗ → She can swim. ✓
Ex. 2 He musts go. ✗ → He must go. ✓
Ex. 3 You ought to apologise. ✓ (not 'You ought apologise')
RULE 10: 'Do/Does/Did' is used for emphasis, questions, and negatives with main verbs. When 'do' is used, the main verb returns to the base form — never add '-s' or '-ed' again.
Ex. 1 Does she goes to school? ✗ → Does she go to school? ✓
Ex. 2 He did not arrived on time. ✗ → He did not arrive on time. ✓
Ex. 3 I DO believe you. (emphatic — main verb 'believe' stays base form)
RULE 11: The simple present tense is used for habitual actions, universal truths, scheduled future events, and as the narrative present. It is NOT used for actions happening at the moment of speaking (use present continuous for that).
Ex. 1 The Earth revolves around the Sun. (universal truth)
Ex. 2 The train leaves at 6 a.m. tomorrow. (scheduled event)
Ex. 3 I am eating now — NOT I eat now. (current action)
RULE 12: The present perfect connects past action to present relevance. It is used with 'just', 'already', 'yet', 'ever', 'never', 'recently', and 'since/for'. Never use it with a specific past time expression.
Ex. 1 I have already finished the report.
Ex. 2 She has lived here for three years. (duration up to now)
Ex. 3 I have met him yesterday. ✗ → I met him yesterday. ✓ (specific past time)
RULE 13: The past perfect (had + V3) is used for an action completed BEFORE another past action. It signals the earlier of two past events.
Ex. 1 When I arrived, she had already left. (she left first)
Ex. 2 He had eaten dinner before the guests arrived.
Ex. 3 After they had finished, the lights went out.
RULE 14: Only transitive verbs can be made passive. The passive is formed with: appropriate form of 'be' + past participle (V3). The agent (doer) is expressed using 'by', but is often omitted.
Ex. 1 Active: The police arrested the thief. → Passive: The thief was arrested (by the police).
Ex. 2 Active: She is writing a novel. → Passive: A novel is being written by her.
Ex. 3 Active: They had stolen the car. → Passive: The car had been stolen.
RULE 15: Intransitive verbs and linking verbs CANNOT be passivised. A sentence like 'The race was run by him' is acceptable, but 'Tired was felt by her' is not — linking verbs do not form passives.
Ex. 1 He arrived late. ✗ → *Late was arrived by him. (intransitive — no passive possible)
Ex. 2 She seems happy. ✗ → *Happy is seemed by her. (linking — no passive)
Ex. 3 The letter was written by him. ✓ (transitive — passive correct)
RULE 16: After verbs of demand, suggestion, recommendation, and resolution (demand, suggest, recommend, insist, propose, request, require, urge, move, order), use the bare infinitive (present subjunctive) in the 'that' clause — regardless of subject or tense.
Ex. 1 The manager insisted that he be present at the meeting.
Ex. 2 I recommend that she apply immediately.
Ex. 3 The court ordered that the prisoner be released.
RULE 17: In hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions, use 'were' (not 'was') for all persons including 'I', 'he', 'she', 'it'. This is the past subjunctive.
Ex. 1 If I were the president, I would change this policy.
Ex. 2 I wish he were here right now.
Ex. 3 If she were taller, she could model professionally.
RULE 18: A gerund (-ing form used as a noun) is the subject of a possessive noun/pronoun. Use the possessive form before a gerund, not the objective form.
Ex. 1 I appreciate your helping me. ✓ (not 'you helping me')
Ex. 2 His singing impressed the judges. ✓ (not 'Him singing')
Ex. 3 The teacher objected to their cheating in the exam. ✓
RULE 19: Certain verbs are followed only by gerunds, others only by infinitives, and some by both (with different meanings). Memorise the key patterns.
Ex. 1 Gerund-only: avoid, admit, deny, enjoy, finish, suggest, risk, mind, consider, postpone.
Ex. 2 Infinitive-only: agree, decide, refuse, plan, hope, wish, expect, promise, manage, fail.
Ex. 3 Both (same meaning): begin, start, continue, like, love, hate, prefer.
RULE 20: Some verbs change meaning depending on whether a gerund or infinitive follows: 'remember', 'forget', 'stop', 'try', 'regret'. This distinction is critical.
Ex. 1 I remember locking the door. (I did it and recall it) / I remembered to lock the door. (I did not forget the task)
Ex. 2 She stopped smoking. (she quit) / She stopped to smoke. (she paused in order to smoke)
Ex. 3 He tried taking the medicine. (as an experiment) / He tried to take the medicine. (attempted but may have failed)
RULE 21: A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence must logically refer to the grammatical subject. If it does not, it is a dangling modifier — a critical error.
Ex. 1 Walking down the street, the trees looked beautiful. ✗ (trees cannot walk)
Ex. 2 Walking down the street, she noticed the beautiful trees. ✓
Ex. 3 Exhausted by the journey, the bed was very welcome. ✗ → Being exhausted by the journey, she found the bed very welcome. ✓

⚠️ Common Errors — Correct vs. Incorrect

✅ Correct❌ Incorrect
She has lived here since 2010.She is living here since 2010.
Each of the boys has a book.Each of the boys have a book.
If I were you, I would apologise.If I was you, I would apologise.
He did not attend the meeting.He did not attended the meeting.
I appreciate your helping me.I appreciate you helping me.
She suggested that he apply for the job.She suggested that he applies for the job.
Neither the men nor the woman was present.Neither the men nor the woman were present.
The team has won the championship.The team have won the championship. (when acting as a unit)
The news is shocking.The news are shocking.
He was made to wait for an hour.He was made wait for an hour.
I remember posting the letter.I remember to post the letter. (if meaning: recall having done it)
Two hours is a long time to wait.Two hours are a long time to wait.

📋 Rules Summary — Quick Revision Reference

  • 1A transitive verb requires a direct object; an intransitive verb cannot take one. She reads the book (T). / The baby cried (I).
  • 2Ask 'what/whom?' after the verb to test transitivity. 'They discussed' → discussed what? → object needed.
  • 3Test linking verbs by substituting 'is/was'. If it works, the verb is linking. 'She looks tired' → 'She is tired' ✓ → linking.
  • 4Singular subject → singular verb; plural subject → plural verb. He runs. / They run.
  • 5Or/nor: verb agrees with the nearer subject. Neither Raj nor his brothers were present.
  • 6Collective nouns: singular when acting as a unit; plural when divided. The jury has decided. / The jury were arguing.
  • 7Indefinite pronouns (everyone, each, neither) → singular verb. Nobody knows the answer.
  • 8Quantities as a whole unit take a singular verb. Five kilometres is far.
  • 9Modals never inflect; always followed by bare infinitive (except 'ought to'). She can swim. / You ought to go.
  • 10'Do/does/did' for emphasis/questions: main verb stays in base form. Does she go? ✓ / Does she goes? ✗
  • 11Simple present is for habits, truths, scheduled events — not current action. The train leaves at 6. / Water boils at 100°C.
  • 12Present perfect = past with present relevance; never with specific past time. I have seen it. ✓ / I have seen it yesterday. ✗
  • 13Past perfect (had + V3) marks the earlier of two past actions. She had left before he arrived.
  • 14Passive = be + V3; only transitive verbs can be passivised. The letter was written. ✓
  • 15Intransitive and linking verbs cannot be made passive. *Late was arrived. ✗ / *Tired was seemed. ✗
  • 16After demand/suggestion verbs in 'that' clauses, use bare infinitive (subjunctive). He insisted that she leave immediately.
  • 17Hypothetical/contrary-to-fact conditions use 'were' for all persons. If she were here, things would be different.
  • 18Use possessive (not objective) pronoun/noun before a gerund. His winning shocked everyone.
  • 19Gerund-only verbs: avoid, deny, enjoy, finish, suggest, postpone. I enjoy reading. ✓ / I enjoy to read. ✗
  • 20Stop/remember/try/forget/regret change meaning with gerund vs infinitive. 'Stopped smoking' = quit. 'Stopped to smoke' = paused.
  • 21Opening participial phrase must logically refer to the sentence's subject. Running to catch the bus, she tripped. ✓

🎯 Practice Questions — Part 1 (All 60 Questions)

This section contains 60 questions in four categories progressing from intermediate to expert level. Attempt all questions before consulting the answers in Part 2.

CATEGORY 1 — Spot the Mistake Q1–Q15
Each sentence below contains one grammatical error involving verbs. Identify the error, state the corrected sentence, and give a brief reason.
1
The committee have decided to postpone the election until further notice.
2
She don't know where her brother has kept the keys to the car.
3
Neither the principal nor the teachers was informed about the sudden change.
4
Everyone of the candidates have submitted their application forms on time.
5
He insisted that she comes to the office early the next morning.
6
The news about the floods are extremely distressing to the local population.
7
If I was in your position, I would certainly have refused that offer.
8
She has been waiting here since two hours and is growing increasingly impatient.
9
The management, along with the board of directors, are planning a major restructuring.
10
They enjoyed to visit the heritage monuments during their stay in the capital.
11
Walking through the forest, the birdsong was beautiful to the hikers.
12
He did not attended the seminar despite being registered for it well in advance.
13
The thief, together with his two accomplices, were arrested by the police last night.
14
She stopped to talk during the exam, which cost her a significant amount of time.
15
I have met him at the conference that was held in Delhi three years ago.
CATEGORY 2 — Fill in the Right Word Q16–Q30
Choose the most grammatically precise option. More than one option may appear plausible — select the one that is unambiguously correct.
16
By the time she arrives, the presentation ________ for over an hour.
A will run
B will have been running
C would have run
D is running
17
The judge ordered that the accused ________ held in custody pending trial.
A is
B be
C was
D were
18
I remember ________ her at the annual dinner, though she may not recall it.
A to meet
B meeting
C to have met
D having to meet
19
She would rather you ________ that matter up at the board meeting.
A do not raise
B did not raise
C don't raise
D had not raised
20
________ he been more careful, the accident would never have occurred.
A If
B Had
C Were
D Should
21
Each of the submitted reports ________ carefully reviewed before the final decision.
A have been
B has been
C are
D were
22
The policy requires that every applicant ________ a copy of their identification.
A submits
B submit
C should submit
D has submitted
23
She ________ her keys somewhere in this room, but she cannot find them now.
A must have left
B should have left
C has left
D must leave
24
Neither the witnesses nor the suspect ________ willing to cooperate with the investigation.
A are
B were
C was
D is
25
He regrets ________ the opportunity when it was still available to him.
A to miss
B missing
C to have missed
D having to miss
26
The discovery of the artefacts ________ scientists to revise their earlier theories.
A have prompted
B has prompted
C prompted
D had prompted
27
It is essential that the data ________ verified before publication in the journal.
A is
B be
C has been
D was
28
You ________ submit the form by Friday if you want to be considered for the position.
A should
B must
C had better
D need to
29
By 2030, she ________ as the director of the institute for a full decade.
A will serve
B will be serving
C will have served
D would have served
30
The suspect denied ________ near the scene of the crime on that particular evening.
A to be
B being
C having been
D to have been
CATEGORY 3 — Choose the Correct Sentence Q31–Q45
Only one of the four options is fully correct. Identify it and explain why the other three are grammatically wrong.
31
Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
A Everyone of the employees have been asked to report by 9 a.m.
B Each of the employees has been asked to report by 9 a.m.
C All the employees has been asked to report by 9 a.m.
D Neither employee have been asked to report by 9 a.m.
32
Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
A She suggested him to apply for the scholarship immediately.
B She suggested that he should apply for the scholarship immediately.
C She suggested that he applies for the scholarship immediately.
D She suggested that he apply for the scholarship immediately.
33
Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
A Had he been more prepared, he would pass the interview.
B If he would have prepared more, he would have passed the interview.
C If he had prepared more, he would have passed the interview.
D Were he more prepared, he would have passed the interview.
34
Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
A The police has arrested three suspects in connection with the robbery.
B The police have arrested three suspects in connection with the robbery.
C The police is arresting three suspects in connection with the robbery.
D The police were arresting three suspects since last night.
35
Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
A She is a good cook and prepares wonderful meals for her guests.
B She is a good cook and is preparing wonderful meals always for her guests.
C She cooks good and prepares wonderful meals for her guests.
D She is a good cook and has been preparing wonderful meals always.
36
Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
A The committee are yet to reach a unanimous decision on the budget.
B The committee has yet to reach a unanimous decision on the budget.
C The committee have yet reached a unanimous decision on the budget.
D The committee is yet reaching a unanimous decision on the budget.
37
Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
A I remember to have locked the car before entering the building.
B I remember locking the car before entering the building.
C I remember to lock the car before entering the building.
D I remembered locking the car before I will enter the building.
38
Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
A He was too tired that he could not continue the march any further.
B He was too tired to continue the march any further.
C He was so tired that he was not able to continue the march no further.
D He was too tired for continuing the march any further.
39
Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
A She has been studying in this university since three years.
B She has been studying in this university for three years.
C She is studying in this university since three years.
D She studied in this university since three years.
40
Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
A The manager, as well as his staff, are responsible for the delay.
B The manager, as well as his staff, were responsible for the delay.
C The manager, as well as his staff, is responsible for the delay.
D The manager, as well as his staff, have been responsible for the delay.
41
Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
A Hearing the alarm, the building was evacuated at once.
B Having heard the alarm, the building was evacuated at once.
C Upon hearing the alarm, the occupants evacuated the building at once.
D Hearing the alarm, they had evacuated the building at once.
42
Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
A The accused insisted that he is innocent and has nothing to do with the crime.
B The accused insisted that he was innocent and had nothing to do with the crime.
C The accused insisted that he be innocent and had nothing to do with the crime.
D The accused insisted that he were innocent and has nothing to do with the crime.
43
Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
A She would have came if you had told her about the event earlier.
B She would have come if you had told her about the event earlier.
C She would come if you would have told her about the event earlier.
D She would have come if you would tell her about the event earlier.
44
Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
A He doesn't need to worry about the results; he has passed.
B He needn't to worry about the results; he has passed.
C He need not to worry about the results; he has passed.
D He don't need to worry about the results; he has passed.
45
Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
A The data clearly shows that the hypothesis is incorrect.
B The data clearly show that the hypothesis are incorrect.
C The data clearly shows that the hypothesis are incorrect.
D The datas clearly show that the hypothesis is incorrect.
CATEGORY 4 — Analyse, Rewrite & Explain Q46–Q60
Deep analytical tasks requiring clause identification, paragraph correction, rewriting for grammatical clarity, and evaluation of competing grammatical rules.
46
Identify ALL the verbs (main verbs and auxiliaries) in the following sentence and classify each as: finite/non-finite, main/auxiliary, transitive/intransitive (where applicable): 'She had been trying to convince them that the proposal, which had been drafted by the committee, should be accepted without further delay.'
47
The following paragraph contains five verb errors. Rewrite it correctly and identify each error by type (tense, agreement, mood, voice, form): 'The jury have delivered their verdict. They finds the defendant guilty on all counts. The judge, along with the prosecution, are satisfied with the outcome. It is recommended that the sentence should reflect the gravity of the crime. The prisoner was escorted from the court before the sentence is pronounced.'
48
Rewrite the following sentence in all twelve tense-aspect forms using the subject 'The scientist' and the main verb 'examine'. Label each form.
49
Explain, with corrected examples, why each of the following sentences is wrong: (a) She is here since morning. (b) I am knowing the answer. (c) He has gone to the market yesterday. (d) The manager suggested that he should apply. (e) If I was rich, I would buy a yacht.
50
Convert the following passage entirely into passive voice, restructuring where necessary: 'The team leader assigned challenging tasks to each member. The members completed the tasks diligently. The director praised the entire team. They are currently reviewing the results, and the management will publish the final report next month.'
51
The sentence 'I stopped to read the instructions' and 'I stopped reading the instructions' differ fundamentally in meaning. Write a detailed explanation of this difference, provide three additional such pairs using 'remember', 'forget', and 'regret', and construct a short dialogue (6–8 lines) that correctly uses at least one of each pair.
52
Identify and correct all dangling and misplaced modifiers in the following sentences, and rewrite each correctly: (a) Having finished the assignment, the television was turned on. (b) Running through the rain, the bag was completely soaked. (c) At the age of five, her father took her to school. (d) Disappointed by the results, the exam was retaken by the students. (e) To become a great writer, books must be read voraciously.
53
Analyse the use of modals in the following sentences and explain the precise nuance each modal conveys: (a) She could speak three languages by the age of ten. (b) You may leave once the form has been submitted. (c) He must have forgotten the appointment. (d) Would you mind closing the window? (e) She should have informed us before leaving.
54
Rewrite the following sentences, converting each from direct to reported speech, paying careful attention to tense shifts, pronoun changes, and modal changes: (a) She said, 'I have already finished the project.' (b) He asked, 'Are you coming to the meeting tomorrow?' (c) The teacher said, 'Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.' (d) She said, 'I will come if you invite me.' (e) He told me, 'Don't touch that switch.'
55
The following sentence uses multiple subordinate verb constructions. Map the full clause hierarchy and identify the grammatical role of each verb: 'Having been told that the ship which had been carrying the cargo had sunk, the company decided to suspend operations until the investigation was completed.'
56
A student writes: 'The government have been implementing new policies. Each minister have been given new responsibilities. Neither the opposition nor the ruling party are happy with the reforms.' Identify every verb error, state the rule violated, and rewrite all three sentences correctly.
57
Explain the difference between the following tense pairs and write an original sentence using each form correctly: (a) Simple past vs Present perfect (b) Past perfect vs Past simple (c) Future simple vs Future perfect (d) Present perfect vs Present perfect continuous
58
Read the following paragraph and: (i) identify every instance of incorrect voice, (ii) correct the passive constructions that are incorrectly formed, and (iii) rewrite any passive sentences that would be more natural in active voice: 'The report was wrote by the analyst. The data was collected and was being analysed carefully. The conclusions was drawn from three independent studies. The management will be taken a final decision next week. The staff was been informed of the changes yesterday.'
59
Distinguish between the indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods using the verb 'be'. Provide two sentences for each mood, one in present context and one in past context, and explain what grammatical signal indicates each mood.
60
Construct a grammatically flawless paragraph of 10–12 sentences on the topic 'The Importance of Critical Thinking' that deliberately includes: (i) at least two subjunctive constructions, (ii) one past perfect usage, (iii) one passive voice construction, (iv) a gerund as subject, (v) a participial phrase opening, (vi) a modal expressing deduction, and (vii) a verb + infinitive vs gerund distinction. After the paragraph, annotate each of these seven features by quoting the relevant sentence and labelling the feature used.

💡 Practice Q&A — Part 2 (Detailed Answers)

CATEGORY 1 — Spot the Mistake: Answers Q1–Q15
✔ Answer The committee has decided to postpone the election until further notice.
📌 ExplanationError: 'have decided' → 'has decided'. 'Committee' is a collective noun acting as a single decision-making unit here. When a collective noun acts in unison, it takes a singular verb (Rule 6). Use 'has' not 'have'.
✔ Answer She doesn't know where her brother has kept the keys to the car.
📌 ExplanationError: 'don't know' → 'doesn't know'. The subject is third person singular ('She'). The auxiliary 'do' must be inflected as 'does' for third person singular subjects in the present tense. (Rule 4 + Rule 10)
✔ Answer Neither the principal nor the teachers were informed about the sudden change.
📌 ExplanationError: 'was' → 'were'. When two subjects are joined by 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the subject closer to it — here 'the teachers' (plural). So the verb must be 'were'. (Rule 5)
✔ Answer Everyone of the candidates has submitted their application forms on time.
📌 ExplanationError: 'have submitted' → 'has submitted'. 'Everyone' is an indefinite pronoun that always takes a singular verb, regardless of any modifying phrase that follows. (Rule 7)
✔ Answer He insisted that she come to the office early the next morning.
📌 ExplanationError: 'comes' → 'come'. After 'insist that', the verb in the 'that' clause must be in the bare infinitive (present subjunctive), not in the indicative. 'comes' is indicative; 'come' is the required subjunctive form. (Rule 16)
✔ Answer The news about the floods is extremely distressing to the local population.
📌 ExplanationError: 'are' → 'is'. 'News' is an uncountable noun that is always singular in English, even though it ends in 's'. It always takes a singular verb.
✔ Answer If I were in your position, I would certainly have refused that offer.
📌 ExplanationError: 'was' → 'were'. This is a hypothetical/contrary-to-fact condition. In such constructions, 'were' is required for all persons — including 'I' — in formal and grammatically accurate English. (Rule 17)
✔ Answer She has been waiting here for two hours and is growing increasingly impatient.
📌 ExplanationError: 'since two hours' → 'for two hours'. 'Since' is used with a specific point in time (e.g., since 10 a.m., since Monday). 'For' is used with a duration (e.g., for two hours, for three days). (Rule 12)
✔ Answer The management, along with the board of directors, is planning a major restructuring.
📌 ExplanationError: 'are planning' → 'is planning'. When a subject is followed by a parenthetical phrase introduced by 'along with', 'together with', 'as well as', etc., the verb agrees with the main subject — 'the management' (singular), not with the parenthetical addition. (Rule 4)
✔ Answer They enjoyed visiting the heritage monuments during their stay in the capital.
📌 ExplanationError: 'enjoyed to visit' → 'enjoyed visiting'. 'Enjoy' is one of the verbs that can only be followed by a gerund (-ing form), never an infinitive. (Rule 19)
✔ Answer Walking through the forest, the hikers found the birdsong beautiful.
📌 ExplanationError: Dangling modifier. As originally written, 'the birdsong' was the grammatical subject, but it cannot be 'walking through the forest'. The participial phrase must logically refer to the subject. The sentence must be rewritten so that 'the hikers' (the ones walking) is the subject. (Rule 21)
✔ Answer He did not attend the seminar despite being registered for it well in advance.
📌 ExplanationError: 'did not attended' → 'did not attend'. When the auxiliary 'did' (past tense of 'do') is used, the main verb must revert to the base form. Adding '-ed' to the main verb as well double-marks the past tense — a serious grammatical error. (Rule 10)
✔ Answer The thief, together with his two accomplices, was arrested by the police last night.
📌 ExplanationError: 'were arrested' → 'was arrested'. 'Together with' is a parenthetical addition, not a conjunction. The main subject 'The thief' is singular, so the verb must be singular 'was'. (Rule 4)
✔ Answer She stopped talking during the exam, which cost her a significant amount of time.
📌 ExplanationError: 'stopped to talk' → 'stopped talking'. 'Stopped to talk' means she paused in order to talk — the opposite of what is intended. 'Stopped talking' means she ceased the activity of talking. Context demands the gerund form. (Rule 20)
✔ Answer I met him at the conference that was held in Delhi three years ago.
📌 ExplanationError: 'have met' → 'met'. The phrase 'three years ago' is a specific past time expression. The present perfect cannot be used with specific past time references; the simple past must be used. (Rule 12)
CATEGORY 2 — Fill in the Right Word: Answers Q16–Q30
✔ (B) will have been running
📌 ExplanationThe sentence describes an action that will be ongoing up to a point in future time ('by the time she arrives'). This requires the future perfect continuous (will + have + been + V-ing). (A) 'will run' ignores duration. (C) 'would have run' is for conditionals, not time clauses. (D) 'is running' is present, not future.
✔ (B) be
📌 ExplanationAfter 'ordered that', the verb in the 'that' clause must be in the bare infinitive (mandative subjunctive). The form is 'be', not 'is', 'was', or 'were'. This is a formal legal/judicial context — the subjunctive is unambiguous here. (Rule 16)
✔ (B) meeting
📌 Explanation'Remember' + gerund = recall a past event (I did it and I recall it). 'Remember' + infinitive = remember to do something in the future. Since the speaker is recalling having seen her previously, the gerund is correct. (C) 'to have met' implies the speaker is unsure if the meeting occurred.
✔ (B) did not raise
📌 ExplanationAfter 'would rather', when expressing a preference about someone else's action, use a past tense form (not present). 'Would rather you did not raise' is the standard construction. (A) present tense is informal and slightly less precise. (C) 'don't raise' is present tense. (D) past perfect is too remote.
✔ (B) Had
📌 ExplanationThis is an inverted conditional: 'Had he been more careful' = 'If he had been more careful'. Inversion of 'had' is used in formal hypothetical perfect conditionals. (A) 'If' cannot begin after inversion has been chosen. (C) 'Were' is for present hypotheticals. (D) 'Should' is for future open conditions.
✔ (B) has been
📌 Explanation'Each of the submitted reports' — 'each' is an indefinite pronoun that takes a singular verb. (A) 'have been' is plural. (C) 'are' is present simple plural. (D) 'were' is simple past plural. (Rule 7)
✔ (B) submit
📌 ExplanationAfter 'requires that', the verb in the 'that' clause takes the bare infinitive (mandative subjunctive). 'Submit' (not 'submits', not 'should submit') is the required form. (A) 'submits' is indicative; (C) 'should submit' adds an unnecessary modal; (D) 'has submitted' is perfect tense — wrong in a policy statement. (Rule 16)
✔ (A) must have left
📌 ExplanationThis expresses a logical deduction about the past. 'Must have + V3' is the structure for strong deduction about a completed action. (B) 'should have left' implies obligation/criticism, not deduction. (C) 'has left' states fact, not deduction. (D) 'must leave' is present obligation.
✔ (C) was
📌 ExplanationTwo singular subjects joined by 'neither...nor'. The subject closer to the verb is 'the suspect' (singular), so the verb must be singular 'was'. (A) 'are' and (B) 'were' are plural. (D) 'is' would be present tense, but the context requires past. (Rule 5)
✔ (B) missing
📌 Explanation'Regret' + gerund = feel sorry about a past action. 'Regret' + infinitive = feel sorry to announce something (formal). The sentence describes regret about a past missed opportunity, so the gerund is required. (A) 'to miss' would mean: 'He regrets to announce that he misses...' — wrong sense. (Rule 20)
✔ (B) has prompted
📌 Explanation'The discovery' is the subject — singular. 'Has prompted' is the correct present perfect singular form. (A) 'have prompted' is plural. (C) 'prompted' (simple past) may work if a time adverb is given, but without one, present perfect is more precise here. (D) 'had prompted' is past perfect — no prior past event is referenced.
✔ (B) be
📌 ExplanationAfter 'it is essential that', the verb takes the mandative subjunctive bare infinitive. 'Be' is required, not 'is', 'has been', or 'was'. (Rule 16)
✔ (C) had better
📌 ExplanationWhile all four options could function here, 'had better' conveys the strongest sense of urgent obligation with implicit warning of consequences — precisely what the context requires for a deadline situation. 'Should' is advisory; 'must' is strong necessity; 'need to' is milder. Context distinguishes them.
✔ (C) will have served
📌 ExplanationThe phrase 'by 2030' marks a future reference point by which an action will be completed. Future perfect (will + have + V3) is the required form. (A) 'will serve' ignores completion. (B) 'will be serving' shows ongoing action without indicating completion. (D) 'would have served' is conditional.
✔ (C) having been
📌 Explanation'Deny' must be followed by a gerund, not an infinitive. Additionally, the action of 'being near' happened before the denial (past reference), so the perfect gerund 'having been' is more precise than plain 'being'. (A) 'to be' — infinitive after 'deny' is wrong. (B) 'being' is acceptable but imprecise about timeframe. (D) 'to have been' — infinitive form, not acceptable after 'deny'.
CATEGORY 3 — Choose the Correct Sentence: Answers Q31–Q45
✔ (B) Each of the employees has been asked to report by 9 a.m.
📌 Explanation(A) 'Everyone of' — 'everyone' cannot be followed by 'of'; use 'each of'. (C) 'All the employees has' — plural subject 'all the employees' requires plural 'have'. (D) 'Neither employee have' — 'neither' takes a singular verb 'has'. (B) is correct: 'each of' + singular verb 'has been'. (Rule 7)
✔ (D) She suggested that he apply for the scholarship immediately.
📌 Explanation(A) 'suggested him to apply' — 'suggest' cannot be followed by object + infinitive. (B) 'should apply' — adding 'should' after 'suggested that' is redundant; bare infinitive is standard. (C) 'applies' — indicative, not subjunctive. (D) is correct: 'suggested that' + bare infinitive (mandative subjunctive). (Rule 16)
✔ (C) If he had prepared more, he would have passed the interview.
📌 Explanation(A) 'Had he been more prepared... he would pass' — mixing inverted conditional (past perfect) with simple conditional ('would pass') is incorrect; should be 'would have passed'. (B) 'If he would have prepared' — 'would have' cannot appear in the 'if' clause. (D) 'Were he more prepared' is a present hypothetical; 'would have passed' signals past hypothetical — the moods are mixed. (C) is the standard third conditional. (Rule 17)
✔ (B) The police have arrested three suspects in connection with the robbery.
📌 Explanation(A) 'The police has' — 'police' is a plural noun (referring to multiple officers) and always takes a plural verb. (C) 'is arresting' — singular, wrong. (D) 'were arresting... since last night' — 'since' requires perfect aspect (had been arresting). (B) is correct.
✔ (A) She is a good cook and prepares wonderful meals for her guests.
📌 Explanation(B) 'is preparing wonderful meals always' — present continuous is wrong for habitual actions; also, adverb placement is awkward. (C) 'cooks good' — 'good' is an adjective; the adverb 'well' should modify the verb 'cooks'. (D) 'has been preparing wonderful meals always' — present perfect continuous with 'always' implies an ongoing complaint or observation, not a simple habitual action. (A) uses simple present for both habitual facts — correct.
✔ (B) The committee has yet to reach a unanimous decision on the budget.
📌 Explanation(A) 'are yet to reach' — treating committee as plural while it acts as a single body is wrong here. (C) 'have yet reached' — 'yet to reach' is the fixed construction; 'have yet reached' is ungrammatical. (D) 'is yet reaching' — progressive with 'yet to' is not a standard construction. (B) correctly uses singular 'has yet to reach' for the committee acting as a unit. (Rule 6)
✔ (B) I remember locking the car before entering the building.
📌 Explanation(A) 'remember to have locked' — infinitive after 'remember' means a future/intended action; perfect infinitive here is non-standard and awkward. (C) 'remember to lock' means 'do not forget to lock' — future-oriented; the context indicates a past memory. (D) 'I remembered locking... before I will enter' — mixing past tense with future 'will' is a tense inconsistency. (B) correctly uses gerund to mean recalling a past completed action. (Rule 20)
✔ (B) He was too tired to continue the march any further.
📌 Explanation(A) 'too tired that he could not' — the standard structure is 'too + adjective + to + infinitive', not 'too... that'. (C) 'so tired... could not... no further' — double negative 'not... no further' is incorrect. (D) 'too tired for continuing' — 'too + adjective' is followed by 'to + infinitive', not 'for + gerund'. (B) uses the correct 'too...to' construction.
✔ (B) She has been studying in this university for three years.
📌 Explanation(A) 'since three years' — 'since' requires a point in time, not a duration; use 'for'. (C) 'is studying... since three years' — present continuous cannot be used with 'since/for' duration clauses in standard grammar. (D) 'studied... since three years' — simple past with 'since' implies the action has stopped; context requires present perfect continuous (still ongoing). (Rule 12)
✔ (C) The manager, as well as his staff, is responsible for the delay.
📌 Explanation(A) and (B) use 'are/were' — 'as well as' is a parenthetical connector, not a conjunction. The verb agrees with 'the manager' (singular). Past tense is not justified by context. (D) 'have been' — present perfect without cause in context. (C) correctly uses singular 'is'. (Rule 4)
✔ (C) Upon hearing the alarm, the occupants evacuated the building at once.
📌 Explanation(A) 'Hearing the alarm, the building was evacuated' — dangling modifier; the building cannot hear the alarm. (B) 'Having heard the alarm, the building was evacuated' — same dangling modifier error. (D) 'Hearing the alarm, they had evacuated' — past perfect suggests a prior completed event, but context requires simple past narration. (C) avoids the dangling modifier by making 'the occupants' the subject. (Rule 21)
✔ (B) The accused insisted that he was innocent and had nothing to do with the crime.
📌 Explanation(A) 'insisted that he is innocent' — present tense after a past reporting verb violates the sequence of tenses (backshift required in reported thought). (C) 'insisted that he be innocent' — 'be' is subjunctive used for demands/commands, not for reports of assertions of fact. (D) 'insisted that he were innocent' — 'were' is hypothetical subjunctive, not correct for reporting a factual assertion. (B) correctly backshifts 'is' to 'was' and 'has' to 'had' in reported thought.
✔ (B) She would have come if you had told her about the event earlier.
📌 Explanation(A) 'would have came' — 'came' is simple past; past participle of 'come' is 'come'. (C) 'if you would have told' — 'would have' cannot appear in the 'if' clause of a conditional. (D) 'if you would tell' — 'would tell' in the 'if' clause is incorrect; past perfect is required in a third conditional. (B) is the correct third conditional: would have + come / if + had told.
✔ (A) He doesn't need to worry about the results; he has passed.
📌 Explanation(B) 'needn't to worry' — semi-modal 'needn't' is never followed by 'to'. The structure is 'needn't + bare infinitive' OR 'doesn't need to + bare infinitive'. (C) 'need not to worry' — same error; 'need not' takes bare infinitive without 'to'. (D) 'don't need to' — 'he' is third person singular; requires 'doesn't'. (A) correctly uses 'doesn't need to'.
✔ (A) The data clearly shows that the hypothesis is incorrect.
📌 Explanation(B) 'The data clearly show... the hypothesis are' — 'data' can be singular (in common usage) or plural, but 'hypothesis' is singular and must take 'is'. Mixing plural 'show' with 'are incorrect' is internally inconsistent. (C) 'The data... shows... the hypothesis are' — singular 'shows' but plural 'are' for hypothesis is inconsistent. (D) 'datas' — 'data' has no plural form in English (it is already a Latin plural). (A) treats 'data' as singular (standard in non-technical contemporary English) and uses 'is' consistently.
CATEGORY 4 — Analyse, Rewrite & Explain: Answers Q46–Q60
✔ Answer Verb analysis of the sentence: 'She had been trying to convince them that the proposal, which had been drafted by the committee, should be accepted without further delay.'

1. HAD BEEN TRYING — Auxiliary: 'had' (primary) + 'been' (primary) + Main verb: 'trying' (present participle/non-finite). Combined: past perfect continuous. The entire phrase is the finite main verb of the principal clause. Transitive (object: 'to convince them...', an infinitive phrase).

2. TO CONVINCE — Non-finite infinitive. Functions as the object of 'trying'. Transitive (object: 'them', indirect; content clause 'that...' = direct object).

3. HAD BEEN DRAFTED — Auxiliary: 'had' + 'been' + past participle 'drafted'. Passive voice; past perfect. Finite verb of the relative clause 'which had been drafted by the committee'. Intransitive in passive construction.

4. SHOULD BE ACCEPTED — Modal auxiliary 'should' + primary auxiliary 'be' + past participle 'accepted'. Passive voice with modal. Finite verb of the noun clause 'that the proposal... should be accepted'. Intransitive in passive construction.

Summary: The sentence has 4 verb groups — 1 active finite (had been trying), 1 non-finite infinitive (to convince), 1 passive finite in relative clause (had been drafted), 1 passive modal finite in noun clause (should be accepted).
📌 Rule ReferenceRules 13, 14, 16
✔ Answer 1. 'The jury have delivered their verdict.' → ERROR: Agreement. 'Jury' acting as a single unit takes a singular verb. CORRECTED: 'The jury has delivered its verdict.'

2. 'They finds the defendant guilty on all counts.' → ERROR: Agreement/inflection. 'They' is third person plural; 'finds' is singular. CORRECTED: 'They find the defendant guilty on all counts.'

3. 'The judge, along with the prosecution, are satisfied...' → ERROR: Agreement. 'Along with' is parenthetical; verb agrees with 'the judge' (singular). CORRECTED: 'The judge, along with the prosecution, is satisfied with the outcome.'

4. 'It is recommended that the sentence should reflect...' → ERROR: Mood. After 'recommended that', the mandative subjunctive requires the bare infinitive, not 'should + verb'. CORRECTED: 'It is recommended that the sentence reflect the gravity of the crime.'

5. 'before the sentence is pronounced' → ERROR: Tense. The action of being escorted happened before the sentence was pronounced — both past. The 'is pronounced' should be past. CORRECTED: '...before the sentence was pronounced.'

FULLY CORRECTED PARAGRAPH: 'The jury has delivered its verdict. They find the defendant guilty on all counts. The judge, along with the prosecution, is satisfied with the outcome. It is recommended that the sentence reflect the gravity of the crime. The prisoner was escorted from the court before the sentence was pronounced.'
✔ Answer 1. Simple Present: The scientist examines the data.
2. Present Continuous: The scientist is examining the data.
3. Present Perfect: The scientist has examined the data.
4. Present Perfect Continuous: The scientist has been examining the data.
5. Simple Past: The scientist examined the data.
6. Past Continuous: The scientist was examining the data.
7. Past Perfect: The scientist had examined the data.
8. Past Perfect Continuous: The scientist had been examining the data.
9. Simple Future: The scientist will examine the data.
10. Future Continuous: The scientist will be examining the data.
11. Future Perfect: The scientist will have examined the data.
12. Future Perfect Continuous: The scientist will have been examining the data.
✔ Answer (a) 'She is here since morning.' — ERROR: Stative continuity with 'since' requires present perfect continuous or present perfect, NOT simple present. The rule: 'since' signals duration from a past point up to now, which requires perfect aspect. CORRECTED: 'She has been here since morning.'

(b) 'I am knowing the answer.' — ERROR: 'Know' is a stative verb (mental state), and stative verbs are NOT used in continuous tenses. Progressive aspect implies an ongoing dynamic activity, which stative verbs cannot express. CORRECTED: 'I know the answer.'

(c) 'He has gone to the market yesterday.' — ERROR: 'Yesterday' is a definite past time expression. The present perfect cannot be used with definite past time references; simple past must be used. CORRECTED: 'He went to the market yesterday.' (Rule 12)

(d) 'The manager suggested that he should apply.' — ERROR: After 'suggested that', the mandative subjunctive requires the bare infinitive. Adding 'should' is redundant and non-standard in formal grammar. CORRECTED: 'The manager suggested that he apply.' (Rule 16)

(e) 'If I was rich, I would buy a yacht.' — ERROR: This is a hypothetical/contrary-to-fact present condition (he is not actually rich). All persons, including 'I', require 'were' in the past subjunctive for such conditions. CORRECTED: 'If I were rich, I would buy a yacht.' (Rule 17)
✔ Answer ORIGINAL: 'The team leader assigned challenging tasks to each member. The members completed the tasks diligently. The director praised the entire team. They are currently reviewing the results, and the management will publish the final report next month.'

PASSIVE CONVERSION: 'Challenging tasks were assigned to each member by the team leader. The tasks were completed diligently by the members. The entire team was praised by the director. The results are currently being reviewed, and the final report will be published (by the management) next month.'

Note on conversion logic: (1) Simple past active → 'was/were + V3'. (2) Present continuous active → 'is/are being + V3'. (3) Future simple active → 'will be + V3'. The agent ('by...') can be omitted when the focus is on the action rather than the doer — particularly natural for the last sentence where 'by the management' is understood.
✔ Answer STOP: 'I stopped reading the instructions.' = I ceased the activity of reading. / 'I stopped to read the instructions.' = I paused what I was doing in order to read.

REMEMBER: 'I remember posting the letter.' = I recall having done it in the past. / 'I remembered to post the letter.' = I did not forget to do it.

FORGET: 'I forgot meeting her.' = I have no memory of the past event of meeting her. / 'I forgot to meet her.' = I failed to meet her because it slipped my mind.

REGRET: 'I regret saying that.' = I feel sorry about something I already said. / 'I regret to say that the application has been rejected.' = Formal announcement of bad news.

SAMPLE DIALOGUE: A: Did you remember locking the office? We left in such a hurry. B: Yes, I clearly remember locking it — I even checked twice. A: Good. I also regret telling the client we'd deliver by Friday. That was too optimistic. B: I know. We stopped working on the design to attend that unexpected meeting. A: Exactly. We should have stopped attending unplanned meetings altogether. B: Agreed. I'll remember to block Friday afternoons from now on.
✔ Answer (a) 'Having finished the assignment, the television was turned on.' — ERROR: The television did not finish the assignment. CORRECTED: 'Having finished the assignment, she turned on the television.'

(b) 'Running through the rain, the bag was completely soaked.' — ERROR: The bag cannot run. CORRECTED: 'Running through the rain, he got his bag completely soaked.' OR 'As she ran through the rain, her bag became completely soaked.'

(c) 'At the age of five, her father took her to school.' — ERROR: 'At the age of five' modifies 'her father', implying the father was five years old. CORRECTED: 'At the age of five, she was taken to school by her father.' OR 'When she was five, her father took her to school.'

(d) 'Disappointed by the results, the exam was retaken by the students.' — ERROR: The exam was not disappointed. CORRECTED: 'Disappointed by the results, the students retook the exam.'

(e) 'To become a great writer, books must be read voraciously.' — ERROR: Books cannot aspire to become great writers. CORRECTED: 'To become a great writer, one must read books voraciously.'
✔ Answer (a) 'She could speak three languages by the age of ten.' — COULD = Past ability. 'Could' is the past tense of 'can' and here expresses a general ability that existed in the past. It is not about a single successful occasion (that would use 'was able to').

(b) 'You may leave once the form has been submitted.' — MAY = Formal permission granted by a person in authority. 'May' is used here in a formal register. 'Can' would suggest mere ability; 'may' specifically conveys authoritative permission.

(c) 'He must have forgotten the appointment.' — MUST HAVE + V3 = Strong logical deduction about a past event. The speaker is concluding from available evidence that forgetting is the most likely explanation. This is epistemic modality (about knowledge/certainty).

(d) 'Would you mind closing the window?' — WOULD = Politeness/hypothetical. 'Would' softens a request by framing it as a conditional/hypothetical, making it more courteous. It is not expressing willingness but seeking permission politely.

(e) 'She should have informed us before leaving.' — SHOULD HAVE + V3 = Unfulfilled obligation in the past. The speaker is criticising a past action (or inaction). It combines moral obligation ('should') with the perfect construction to indicate the obligation was not met.
✔ Answer (a) Direct: 'I have already finished the project.' → Reported: She said that she had already finished the project. Changes: 'I' → 'she'; present perfect 'have finished' → past perfect 'had finished' (backshift); 'already' retained.

(b) Direct: 'Are you coming to the meeting tomorrow?' → Reported: He asked whether/if she was coming to the meeting the next day/the following day. Changes: Yes/no question → 'whether/if' clause; 'are coming' → 'was coming' (backshift); 'tomorrow' → 'the next day'; subject pronoun adjusted.

(c) Direct: 'Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.' → Reported: The teacher said that water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. Changes: NO backshift because this is a universal/scientific truth. Tense remains present simple.

(d) Direct: 'I will come if you invite me.' → Reported: She said that she would come if he invited her. Changes: 'I' → 'she'; 'will' → 'would' (modal backshift); 'invite' → 'invited' (backshift in conditional clause); pronouns adjusted.

(e) Direct: 'Don't touch that switch.' → Reported: He told me not to touch that switch. Changes: Negative imperative → 'told + object + not + to-infinitive'. 'That' retained (same switch being referred to).
✔ Answer Sentence: 'Having been told that the ship which had been carrying the cargo had sunk, the company decided to suspend operations until the investigation was completed.'

LEVEL 1 — MAIN CLAUSE: 'the company decided to suspend operations until the investigation was completed' — Main verb: DECIDED (finite, past simple, transitive — object: 'to suspend operations...')

LEVEL 2 — Subordinate clause (time/conditional): 'until the investigation was completed' — Verb: WAS COMPLETED (finite, past simple passive, intransitive in passive)

LEVEL 2 — Infinitive phrase (object of 'decided'): 'to suspend operations' — TO SUSPEND: non-finite infinitive, transitive (object: 'operations')

LEVEL 1 — Opening Participial Phrase (non-finite adverbial): 'Having been told that...' — HAVING BEEN TOLD: non-finite, past perfect passive participle; no finite tense; modifies 'the company'

LEVEL 3 — Noun clause (object of 'told'): 'that the ship... had sunk' — HAD SUNK: finite, past perfect, intransitive

LEVEL 4 — Relative clause modifying 'the ship': 'which had been carrying the cargo' — HAD BEEN CARRYING: finite, past perfect continuous, transitive (object: 'the cargo')

Summary: 5 verb groups — 1 main finite (decided), 1 finite in adverbial clause (was completed), 1 non-finite infinitive (to suspend), 1 non-finite participial (having been told), 1 finite past perfect (had sunk), 1 finite past perfect continuous in relative clause (had been carrying).
✔ Answer SENTENCE 1: 'The government have been implementing new policies.' — ERROR: 'Government' is a collective noun functioning as a single entity. When the collective acts as a unified body, it takes a singular verb. CORRECTED: 'The government has been implementing new policies.' (Rule 6)

SENTENCE 2: 'Each minister have been given new responsibilities.' — ERROR: 'Each' is an indefinite pronoun and always takes a singular verb. 'Have been given' is plural. CORRECTED: 'Each minister has been given new responsibilities.' (Rule 7)

SENTENCE 3: 'Neither the opposition nor the ruling party are happy with the reforms.' — ERROR: Two singular subjects joined by 'neither...nor'. The verb must agree with the nearer subject — 'the ruling party' (singular). Use 'is', not 'are'. CORRECTED: 'Neither the opposition nor the ruling party is happy with the reforms.' (Rule 5)
✔ Answer (a) Simple Past vs Present Perfect: Simple past = completed action at a specific (stated or implied) past time. Present perfect = past action with present relevance; no specific time given. Simple past: 'She graduated in 2019.' (specific year given). Present perfect: 'She has graduated.' (relevance to present — she is a graduate now)

(b) Past Perfect vs Past Simple: Past perfect = earlier of two past events (the more remote past). Past simple = the later, more immediate past event. Past perfect: 'By the time the ambulance arrived, the patient had already died.' Past simple: 'She left the building, locked the door, and walked home.'

(c) Future Simple vs Future Perfect: Future simple = an action that will happen at some point in the future. Future perfect = an action that will be completed before a specified future point. Future simple: 'She will write the report tomorrow.' Future perfect: 'She will have written the report by tomorrow afternoon.'

(d) Present Perfect vs Present Perfect Continuous: Present perfect = completed past action; focus on result. Present perfect continuous = ongoing activity that started in the past and continues or recently stopped; focus on duration/process. Present perfect: 'She has read the entire novel.' (finished — result focused). Present perfect continuous: 'She has been reading all morning.' (process/duration focused)
✔ Answer SENTENCE 1: 'The report was wrote by the analyst.' — ERROR: 'Wrote' is simple past, not past participle. Passive requires V3 (past participle). CORRECTED: 'The report was written by the analyst.'

SENTENCE 2: 'The data was collected and was being analysed carefully.' — ASSESSMENT: Grammatically correct. 'Was collected' (past simple passive) and 'was being analysed' (past continuous passive) are both properly formed. No correction needed.

SENTENCE 3: 'The conclusions was drawn from three independent studies.' — ERROR: 'Conclusions' is plural; requires plural auxiliary 'were', not singular 'was'. CORRECTED: 'The conclusions were drawn from three independent studies.'

SENTENCE 4: 'The management will be taken a final decision next week.' — ERROR: 'Take a decision' is transitive — 'the management' is the agent (doer), not the recipient. The passive is wrongly applied here. CORRECTED (active): 'The management will take a final decision next week.'

SENTENCE 5: 'The staff was been informed of the changes yesterday.' — ERROR: 'Was been' is not a valid passive construction. Past simple passive = 'was/were + V3'. CORRECTED: 'The staff was informed of the changes yesterday.'
✔ Answer INDICATIVE MOOD — states facts, asks questions. Verb is inflected for tense, number, person.
Present: 'She is the most qualified candidate for the position.' ('is' = third person singular, present indicative)
Past: 'He was completely exhausted after the long journey.' ('was' = third person singular, past indicative)

IMPERATIVE MOOD — gives commands, requests, instructions. No subject stated; second person implied. Verb is base form.
Present: 'Be punctual; the interview begins at nine sharp.' ('Be' = base form, command)
Past context (instruction for a past scenario): 'Be ready by six the following morning.' ('Be' = base form imperative; refers to future time from a past point)
Note: The imperative has no true past form — all imperative constructions use the base form 'be'.

SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD — expresses hypothetical, conditional, wished, demanded, or contrary-to-fact situations.
Present subjunctive (mandative): 'The board requires that every member be present at the annual general meeting.' Signal: 'requires that' + bare infinitive 'be' (not 'is' — that would be indicative).
Past subjunctive (hypothetical/contrary-to-fact): 'If she were to receive the award, it would transform her career.' Signal: 'If + were' construction signals unreality or hypothesis — distinguishable from 'was' (indicative past).
✔ Answer PARAGRAPH: 'Developing the ability to think critically is not a luxury but a fundamental necessity for anyone who wishes to navigate the modern world with confidence and clarity. It is essential that every educated person examine assumptions before accepting them as truth. Having encountered countless problems that defy simple solutions, a thoughtful individual recognises that uncritical acceptance of information can be deeply misleading. The capacity for rigorous analysis must have been cultivated over years of disciplined reading and reflection, not acquired in a single course. Those who begin questioning their own conclusions find that intellectual humility — not certainty — is the foundation of genuine understanding. I suggest that every student dedicate time each week to analysing arguments from multiple perspectives. Critical thinking means stopping to interrogate a claim, not stopping interrogating it altogether. A society that values critical thought will have built stronger institutions and more equitable systems by the time the next generation assumes leadership.'

ANNOTATIONS:
(i) SUBJUNCTIVE CONSTRUCTION 1: 'It is essential that every educated person examine assumptions' — 'examine' is the mandative subjunctive (not 'examines'). Triggered by 'it is essential that'. (Rule 16)
(ii) SUBJUNCTIVE CONSTRUCTION 2: 'I suggest that every student dedicate time each week' — 'dedicate' is the mandative subjunctive. Triggered by 'suggest that'. (Rule 16)
(iii) PAST PERFECT: 'Having encountered countless problems that defy simple solutions' — implicit past perfect through the perfect participle 'Having encountered', indicating prior experience before the present recognition.
(iv) PASSIVE VOICE: 'must have been cultivated over years of disciplined reading' — past passive with modal: 'must have been + V3'. The agent is omitted as it is irrelevant.
(v) GERUND AS SUBJECT: 'Developing the ability to think critically is not a luxury' — 'Developing' is a gerund functioning as the subject of the sentence.
(vi) PARTICIPIAL PHRASE OPENING: 'Having encountered countless problems that defy simple solutions, a thoughtful individual recognises...' — the participial phrase opens the sentence and correctly refers to the subject 'a thoughtful individual'. (Rule 21)
(vii) MODAL EXPRESSING DEDUCTION: 'must have been cultivated' — 'must have been' expresses a strong logical deduction about a past state.
(viii) GERUND vs INFINITIVE DISTINCTION: 'Critical thinking means stopping to interrogate a claim, not stopping interrogating it altogether.' — 'stopping to interrogate' = pausing in order to interrogate (infinitive of purpose); 'stopping interrogating' = ceasing the act of interrogation. (Rule 20)
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