📚 English Grammar Rules & Vocabulary Guide

Master English language skills with our comprehensive grammar and vocabulary guide specifically designed for IBPS banking exams. Learn essential rules, common error patterns, and vocabulary-building techniques to excel in the English section.

🎯 English Section Overview

IBPS Exam Pattern

English Language Section Breakdown:
- IBPS PO Prelims: 30 questions, 20 minutes
- IBPS PO Mains: 35 questions, 40 minutes
- IBPS Clerk: 30 questions, 20 minutes
- IBPS RRB: 30 questions, 20 minutes

Topic Distribution:
- Reading Comprehension: 8-10 questions
- Error Spotting: 5-7 questions
- Cloze Test: 5-8 questions
- Para Jumbles: 4-6 questions
- Fill in the Blanks: 3-5 questions
- Vocabulary/Synonyms: 2-4 questions

Success Strategy

• Grammar Foundation: Strong conceptual understanding
• Vocabulary Building: Regular word learning
• Pattern Recognition: Common error identification
• Time Management: Quick solving techniques
• Practice: Regular mock test practice

📖 Essential Grammar Rules

1. Subject-Verb Agreement

Basic Rules

Rule 1: Singular subject takes singular verb
Example: He plays cricket. (NOT He play cricket)

Rule 2: Plural subject takes plural verb
Example: They play cricket. (NOT They plays cricket)

Rule 3: Compound subject joined by 'and' takes plural verb
Example: Ram and Sita are going to the market.

Advanced Rules with Examples

Rule 4: Subjects joined by 'either...or' or 'neither...nor'
Verb agrees with the subject closer to it
Example: Neither the players nor the captain is responsible.
Example: Either the captain or the players are responsible.

Rule 5: Collective nouns
- Generally singular: team, family, committee, government
Example: The team is playing well.
- Plural when individuals act separately: The team are arguing.

Rule 6: Indefinite pronouns (everyone, somebody, nobody, each, either)
Always take singular verb
Example: Everyone has completed their work.
Example: Each of the students is brilliant.

Rule 7: Time, distance, money (as a single unit)
Take singular verb
Example: Ten kilometers is a long distance.
Example: Five thousand rupees is a good amount.

Rule 8: Titles of books, movies, etc.
Take singular verb even if title contains plural noun
Example: The Three Musketeers is a famous novel.

Common Error Patterns

❌ Incorrect: The quality of these mangoes are good.
✅ Correct: The quality of these mangoes is good.

❌ Incorrect: One of the boys have stolen the pen.
✅ Correct: One of the boys has stolen the pen.

❌ Incorrect: Neither he nor his friends was present.
✅ Correct: Neither he nor his friends were present.

2. Tense Rules

Present Tense Forms

Simple Present:
Form: Subject + V1/V5 (s/es)
Use: Habits, universal truths, scheduled events
Example: The sun rises in the east.
Example: She works in a bank.

Present Continuous:
Form: Subject + is/am/are + V1 + ing
Use: Actions happening now, temporary situations
Example: She is reading a book.
Example: They are working on a project.

Present Perfect:
Form: Subject + has/have + V3
Use: Completed actions with present relevance
Example: She has completed her work.
Example: They have lived here for five years.

Present Perfect Continuous:
Form: Subject + has/have + been + V1 + ing
Use: Actions started in past and continuing
Example: She has been working since morning.
Example: They have been waiting for two hours.

Past Tense Forms

Simple Past:
Form: Subject + V2
Use: Completed actions in past
Example: She went to Mumbai yesterday.
Example: They completed the project last week.

Past Continuous:
Form: Subject + was/were + V1 + ing
Use: Actions in progress at specific past time
Example: She was studying when I called.
Example: They were playing cricket at 5 PM.

Past Perfect:
Form: Subject + had + V3
Use: Earlier of two past actions
Example: She had left before I arrived.
Example: The train had already departed.

Past Perfect Continuous:
Form: Subject + had + been + V1 + ing
Use: Actions continuing up to specific past time
Example: She had been working for hours before she took a break.

Future Tense Forms

Simple Future:
Form: Subject + will/shall + V1
Use: Future actions, predictions, promises
Example: She will come tomorrow.
Example: I shall help you.

Future Continuous:
Form: Subject + will be + V1 + ing
Use: Actions in progress at specific future time
Example: She will be studying at 8 PM.

Future Perfect:
Form: Subject + will have + V3
Use: Actions to be completed by specific future time
Example: She will have completed her work by Friday.

Future Perfect Continuous:
Form: Subject + will have been + V1 + ing
Use: Duration of actions up to future time
Example: She will have been working for five hours by noon.

Common Tense Errors

❌ Incorrect: I have seen him yesterday.
✅ Correct: I saw him yesterday.
(Specific past time → Simple Past)

❌ Incorrect: She is working here since 2010.
✅ Correct: She has been working here since 2010.
(Action continuing from past to present → Present Perfect Continuous)

❌ Incorrect: The train will leave before I will reach.
✅ Correct: The train will leave before I reach.
(Future time clauses use Simple Present)

3. Preposition Rules

Time Prepositions

AT - Specific times
Example: at 5 PM, at midnight, at noon

ON - Days and dates
Example: on Monday, on 15th August, on Christmas day

IN - Months, years, seasons, longer periods
Example: in January, in 2024, in summer, in the morning

FOR - Duration
Example: for two hours, for three days

SINCE - Point of time
Example: since 2010, since morning

Place Prepositions

AT - Specific points/locations
Example: at the bus stop, at the entrance, at home

ON - Surfaces
Example: on the table, on the wall, on the floor

IN - Enclosed spaces
Example: in the room, in the box, in the city

AT - For addresses
Example: at 123 Main Street

IN - For neighborhoods, cities, countries
Example: in Delhi, in India, in Asia

Movement Prepositions

TO - Direction toward
Example: going to school, moving to Delhi

FROM - Direction away from
Example: coming from school, arriving from Mumbai

INTO - Movement inside
Example: jump into the pool, go into the room

OUT OF - Movement outside
Example: get out of the car, come out of the room

THROUGH - Movement across something
Example: drive through the tunnel, walk through the park

ACROSS - Movement from one side to another
Example: swim across the river, walk across the street

Common Preposition Errors

❌ Incorrect: I am good in Mathematics.
✅ Correct: I am good at Mathematics.

❌ Incorrect: She is married with a doctor.
✅ Correct: She is married to a doctor.

❌ Incorrect: I prefer coffee than tea.
✅ Correct: I prefer coffee to tea.

❌ Incorrect: He is afraid from dogs.
✅ Correct: He is afraid of dogs.

4. Articles (A, An, The)

Indefinite Articles (A, An)

A - Used before words starting with consonant sound
Example: a book, a university, a one-day match

AN - Used before words starting with vowel sound
Example: an apple, an hour, an MBA

Rules:
1. First mention of singular countable noun
Example: I saw a dog yesterday.

2. Meaning 'one' or 'each'
Example: I earn a thousand dollars a month.

3. With certain expressions
Example: a few, a little, a lot of, a great deal of

Definite Article (The)

THE - Used for specific or particular nouns

Rules:
1. When noun is mentioned second time
Example: I saw a dog. The dog was barking.

2. With unique objects
Example: the sun, the moon, the earth, the sky

3. With superlatives
Example: the tallest building, the best student

4. With ordinal numbers
Example: the first chapter, the second time

5. With geographical features
Example: the Himalayas, the Pacific Ocean, the Ganga

6. With musical instruments
Example: play the guitar, play the piano

Common Article Errors

❌ Incorrect: He is M.A. student.
✅ Correct: He is an M.A. student.

❌ Incorrect: I love to play the volleyball.
✅ Correct: I love to play volleyball.

❌ Incorrect: She is best student in the class.
✅ Correct: She is the best student in the class.

❌ Incorrect: I have never seen such beautiful flower.
✅ Correct: I have never seen such a beautiful flower.

📝 Vocabulary Building

1. Banking & Finance Vocabulary

Essential Banking Terms

1. Assets (एसेट्स) - संपत्तियां
Definition: Resources owned by a company or person
Example: Land, buildings, cash are company assets.

2. Liabilities (दायित्व) - देनदारियां
Definition: Debts or obligations of a company
Example: Loans, bills payable are liabilities.

3. Revenue (राजस्व) - आय
Definition: Income generated from business operations
Example: The company's revenue increased by 20%.

4. Expenditure (व्यय) - खर्च
Definition: Money spent or costs incurred
Example: Government expenditure on education.

5. Inflation (मुद्रास्फीति) - महंगाई
Definition: Rate at which prices increase
Example: High inflation reduces purchasing power.

6. Recession (मंदी) - आर्थिक मंदी
Definition: Period of economic decline
Example: Many countries faced recession in 2008.

7. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) - सकल घरेलू उत्पाद
Definition: Total value of goods and services produced
Example: India's GDP grew by 7% last year.

8. Fiscal Policy (राजकोषीय नीति) - वित्तीय नीति
Definition: Government policy on taxation and spending
Example: The government announced changes in fiscal policy.

Financial Market Terms

1. Bull Market (तेजी बाजार) - बढ़ता हुआ बाजार
Definition: Market where prices are rising
Example: Investors are optimistic in bull market.

2. Bear Market (मंदी बाजार) - गिरता हुआ बाजार
Definition: Market where prices are falling
Example: Many stocks declined in bear market.

3. Dividend (लाभांश) - लाभांश
Definition: Share of company profit paid to shareholders
Example: The company declared 10% dividend.

4. Portfolio (पोर्टफोलियो) - निवेश संग्रह
Definition: Collection of investments owned by person
Example: His portfolio includes stocks and bonds.

5. Cryptocurrency (क्रिप्टोकरेंसी) - डिजिटल मुद्रा
Definition: Digital or virtual currency
Example: Bitcoin is a popular cryptocurrency.

2. Synonyms & Antonyms

Common Synonyms for Exams

1. Abundant (प्रचुर) - plentiful, ample, sufficient
2. Alleviate (दूर करना) - reduce, relieve, mitigate
3. Ambiguous (अस्पष्ट) - unclear, vague, uncertain
4. Benevolent (दयालु) - kind, generous, charitable
5. Cautious (सावधान) - careful, alert, watchful
6. Diligent (परिश्रमी) - hardworking, industrious, assiduous
7. Ephemeral (क्षणिक) - temporary, transient, short-lived
8. Fortunate (भाग्यशाली) - lucky, privileged, blessed
9. Gregarious (सामाजिक) - sociable, outgoing, friendly
10. Harmonious (सामंजस्यपूर्ण) - balanced, coordinated, peaceful

Common Antonyms for Exams

1. Ancient (प्राचीन) ↔ Modern (आधुनिक)
2. Ascend (चढ़ना) ↔ Descend (उतरना)
3. Brave (बहादुर) ↔ Cowardly (कायर)
4. Complex (जटिल) ↔ Simple (सरल)
5. Defeat (हार) ↔ Victory (जीत)
6. Expand (फैलाना) ↔ Contract (सिकोड़ना)
7. Generous (उदार) ↔ Stingy (कंजूस)
8. Honest (ईमानदार) ↔ Dishonest (बेईमान)
9. Innocent (मासूम) ↔ Guilty (दोषी)
10. Optimistic (आशावादी) ↔ Pessimistic (निराशावादी)

3. One Word Substitutions

Important One Word Substitutions

1. A study of man - Anthropology (मानव विज्ञान)
2. A study of birds - Ornithology (पक्षी विज्ञान)
3. A study of ancient things - Archaeology (पुरातत्व विज्ञान)
4. Fear of closed spaces - Claustrophobia (बंद जगह का डर)
5. Fear of heights - Acrophobia (ऊंचाई का डर)
6. Fear of water - Hydrophobia (जल का डर)
7. Killing of a human being - Homicide (मनुष्य हत्या)
8. Killing of a newborn - Infanticide (नवजात शिशु हत्या)
9. Murder of a brother - Fratricide (भ्रातृ हत्या)
10. Murder of a sister - Sororicide (भगिनी हत्या)
11. One who believes in fate - Fatalist (नियतिवादी)
12. One who knows many languages - Polyglot (बहुभाषी)
13. One who hates mankind - Misanthropist (मनुष्य द्वेषी)
14. One who loves mankind - Philanthropist (मानववादी)
15. One who can speak well - Eloquent (मधुर वक्ता)

4. Idioms and Phrases

Banking & Business Idioms

1. Break the bank - बहुत अधिक खर्च करना
Meaning: Spend all your money
Example: Buying this luxury car will break the bank.

2. Cook the books - बहीखाते में हेरफेर करना
Meaning: To change financial records dishonestly
Example: The accountant was fired for cooking the books.

3. Golden handshake - सेवानिवृत्ति पर बड़ी राशि
Meaning: Large sum of money given to someone when they leave job
Example: He received a golden handshake after 20 years of service.

4. Tighten your belt - खर्च कम करना
Meaning: Spend less money than before
Example: We need to tighten our belts during this recession.

5. Cash cow - लाभदायक व्यवसाय
Meaning: Product or business that always makes profit
Example: The mobile division is the company's cash cow.

General Idioms for Exams

1. Bite the bullet - कठिनाई सामना करना
Meaning: Face a difficult situation bravely
Example: She decided to bite the bullet and confront her boss.

2. Burn the midnight oil - रातभर जागकर पढ़ाई करना
Meaning: Work late into the night
Example: Students often burn the midnight oil before exams.

3. Cry over spilt milk - बेकार के लिए रोना
Meaning: Worry about past events that cannot be changed
Example: Don't cry over spilt milk; learn from your mistakes.

4. Hit the nail on the head - सटीक बात कहना
Meaning: Be exactly right about something
Example: You hit the nail on the head with that analysis.

5. Let the cat out of the bag - राज खोल देना
Meaning: Reveal a secret accidentally
Example: Who let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party?

🔍 Common Error Patterns

1. Noun Errors

Countable vs Uncountable Nouns

❌ Incorrect: She gave me some advices.
✅ Correct: She gave me some advice.

❌ Incorrect: I need some informations.
✅ Correct: I need some information.

❌ Incorrect: The sceneries were beautiful.
✅ Correct: The scenery was beautiful.

❌ Incorrect: He bought many furnitures.
✅ Correct: He bought much furniture/a lot of furniture.

Collective Nouns

❌ Incorrect: The committee have made their decision.
✅ Correct: The committee has made its decision.

❌ Incorrect: The team are playing well.
✅ Correct: The team is playing well.

2. Pronoun Errors

Case Errors

❌ Incorrect: Him and me are going to market.
✅ Correct: He and I are going to market.

❌ Incorrect: The gift is for you and I.
✅ Correct: The gift is for you and me.

❌ Incorrect: It is me who helped you.
✅ Correct: It is I who helped you.

Agreement Errors

❌ Incorrect: Everyone should do their duty.
✅ Correct: Everyone should do his/her duty.

❌ Incorrect: Each of the boys have brought their book.
✅ Correct: Each of the boys has brought his book.

3. Adjective/Adverb Errors

❌ Incorrect: She sings beautiful.
✅ Correct: She sings beautifully.

❌ Incorrect: He did the work good.
✅ Correct: He did the work well.

❌ Incorrect: I feel badly today.
✅ Correct: I feel bad today.

4. Conjunction Errors

❌ Incorrect: Although he is rich but he is unhappy.
✅ Correct: Although he is rich, he is unhappy.

❌ Incorrect: He not only plays football but also cricket.
✅ Correct: He plays not only football but also cricket.

❌ Incorrect: Neither he came nor he called.
✅ Correct: Neither did he come nor did he call.

📱 Quick Reference Sheets

Grammar Cheat Sheet

Subject-Verb Agreement:
- Singular subject → Singular verb
- Plural subject → Plural verb
- Either/Or, Neither/Nor → Verb agrees with nearer subject

Tense Rules:
- Specific past time → Simple Past
- Present relevance → Present Perfect
- Future time clauses → Simple Present

Prepositions:
- Time: at (specific), on (days), in (periods)
- Place: at (point), on (surface), in (space)
- Movement: to (toward), from (away), through (across)

Vocabulary Builder

Daily Word Learning Strategy:
1. Learn 5 new words daily
2. Understand meaning with example
3. Learn synonyms and antonyms
4. Use in sentences
5. Review weekly

🎯 Practice Exercises

Grammar Exercise 1: Error Spotting

Directions: Find the error in each sentence:

1. One of the students have not submitted the assignment.
2. She is more intelligent than any girl in the class.
3. The quality of these mangoes are excellent.
4. Neither he nor his friends was present at the meeting.
5. Each of the boys were given a prize.

Answers:
1. have → has
2. any girl → any other girl
3. are → is
4. was → were
5. were → was

Vocabulary Exercise 1: Synonyms

Directions: Choose the synonym:

1. Alleviate
   (a) Increase (b) Reduce (c) Destroy (d) Create

2. Abundant
   (a) Scarce (b) Plentiful (c) Small (d) Heavy

3. Diligent
   (a) Lazy (b) Hardworking (c) Smart (d) Quick

4. Ephemeral
   (a) Permanent (b) Temporary (c) Heavy (d) Light

5. Cautious
   (a) Careless (b) Careful (c) Brave (d) Afraid

Answers: 1(b), 2(b), 3(b), 4(b), 5(b)

🔗 Related Resources

• English Mock Tests
• Reading Comprehension Practice
• Vocabulary Flashcards
• Grammar Video Tutorials

📚 Download Resources

📄 Complete English Grammar Rules PDF 📱 Vocabulary Builder App 🎝 Error Spotting Practice Sheets 📖 Idioms and Phrases Dictionary

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Practice grammar rules and vocabulary daily to build confidence and improve your English language skills for banking exams!