English
What this domain tests
The English portion of the HEC Law Admission Test checks whether you can read a dense passage accurately and edit standard written English. Expect synonym and antonym items, one-blank and two-blank sentence completion, idiom and phrasal-verb meaning, sentence correction covering grammar and usage, and a short comprehension passage with inference questions. Legal-style sentences appear often, so long noun phrases and embedded clauses are deliberately used to hide the real subject.
Core rules worth memorising
- Quantity phrases and agreement. The number of + plural noun takes a singular verb (The number of petitions is rising), while a number of takes a plural verb (A number of petitions were filed).
- One of the + plural noun + singular verb: One of the witnesses was present.
- Each, every, either, neither take singular verbs even when joined by and: Each judge and each clerk has signed.
- Neither...nor / either...or: the verb agrees with the nearer subject - Neither the plaintiff nor the defendants were ready.
- Since vs for: since marks a starting point, for marks a duration.
- Idioms are fixed units (to take exception to = to object to); learn them inside a sentence.
Worked example
Choose the correct option: 'The number of students appearing in the LAT ______ every year.' (A) have increased (B) has increased (C) are increasing (D) increase Step 1: find the headword subject - the number, not students; of students is only a prepositional phrase. Step 2: the number is singular, so the verb must be singular. Step 3: eliminate A, C and D, all of which treat the phrase as plural. Answer: (B) has increased.
Traps that cost marks
- Picking the verb that sounds right beside a nearby plural noun instead of agreeing with the headword.
- Confusing affect/effect, principal/principle, complement/compliment - these pairs recur.
- In comprehension, choosing an option that is true in real life but not stated or implied in the passage.
- Ignoring the second blank in two-blank items; both words must fit, not just the first.