English Language and Comprehension
This section tests English grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, idioms and comprehension. HP Patwari questions are typically short, so subject-verb agreement, prepositions and word choice decide many marks.
Core rules
- A singular subject takes a singular verb; 'one of + plural noun' takes a singular verb. With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
- Use 'since' with a point of time and 'for' with a duration. Use 'affect' as a verb and 'effect' as a noun.
- Passive voice: object becomes subject and the verb becomes be + past participle. In indirect speech, change tense and pronouns according to the reporting verb.
- Vocabulary questions ask synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitutions and idioms; learn words in context.
- Comprehension answers must be supported by the passage, not by outside knowledge.
Worked example
Choose the correct verb: 'One of the boys ___ absent.' The answer is 'is'. Reason: the subject is 'one', which is singular; 'of the boys' is a prepositional phrase and does not change the verb.
Traps that cost marks
Do not use a plural verb after 'one of'. 'Neither of' is singular in formal usage. Do not confuse 'infer' (the listener concludes) with 'imply' (the speaker suggests). In comprehension, avoid options that are true generally but not stated in the passage.