Grammar and Language Usage (Vyakarana): Rules Applied to Nepali Forms
Grammar and Language Usage (Vyakarana) tests prescribed Nepali grammar applied to given words and sentences. Typical areas are स्वर/व्यञ्जन संधि, समास, कारक र विभक्ति, लिङ्ग–वचन–पुरुष, काल, वाच्य, वाक्य परिवर्तन, र शब्दज्ञान (पर्यायवाची, विलोम, अनेकार्थी). The paper rewards rule recognition plus correct Nepali forms, not Hindi analogies.
Core rules
- Sandhi: join and apply the sound rule. विद्या + आलय → विद्यालय (आ + आ = आ, दीर्घ स्वर संधि). नर + इन्द्र → नरेन्द्र (अ + इ = ए, गुण संधि).
- Samas: classify by relationship. तत्पुरुष = latter member governs; कर्मधारय = adjective + noun; द्वन्द्व = coordinate items; बहुव्रीहि = the compound denotes a third thing; अव्ययीभाव = indeclinable first member.
- Karak: identify the verb’s relation; vibhakti markers follow meaning and construction, not a fixed translation.
- Voice: कर्तृवाच्य focuses the doer; कर्मवाच्य the object; भाववाच्य the action/state.
- Tense: keep aspect and time consistent when transforming sentences.
Worked example
“विद्यार्थीले पुस्तक पढ्यो।” Change to कर्मवाच्य. Reasoning: object पुस्तक becomes subject; doer takes instrumental; verb agrees with new subject. Result: “विद्यार्थीद्वारा पुस्तक पढियो।” Check: past tense retained, singular agreement, कर्मवाच्य marker -इयो.
Traps
Splitting a sandhi at the wrong point; labelling every compound तत्पुरुष; forcing Hindi case rules; changing tense during voice change; ignoring exceptions; and writing a correct form without the required label.
Exam habit
For each item, name the rule silently, apply it, then reread the whole sentence for agreement.