Grammar Rules You Cannot Miss for IBPS PO Exam

The English Language section holds significant weight in both the Prelims and Mains stages of the IBPS PO exam. A solid grasp of grammar fundamentals is crucial for tackling questions on error detection, sentence improvement, fill-in-the-blanks, and reading comprehension. Strong grammar skills not only boost accuracy but also enhance speed two key factors for success in a competitive exam. For aspirants aiming for a high score, mastering essential grammar rules is a must.

Grammar Rules You Cannot Miss for IBPS PO Exam

With the IBPS PO exam lined up in the coming months, mastering grammar has become more important than ever. It’s not just about knowing the rules it’s about applying them consistently through regular practice. A strong grip on grammar can be the game-changer between an average attempt and a top-tier score in the English section. Aspirants should now focus on frequently tested topics, build accuracy through daily practice, and take full-length mock tests to stay exam-ready. Below are some must-know grammar rules every IBPS PO candidate should revise.

Subject-Verb Agreement

One of the most important grammar rules tested in the IBPS PO exam is subject-verb agreement. The verb must agree with its subject in number and person. For example, singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. Candidates must pay attention to tricky cases where the subject and verb are separated by phrases or clauses. Common traps include collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and complex subject phrases.

Example:

Incorrect: The list of items are on the table.

Correct: The list of items is on the table.

Tenses

Questions involving incorrect usage of tenses are very common in the IBPS PO exam. Candidates must be able to maintain the correct tense based on the context of the sentence. Mixing present, past, and future tenses incorrectly can change the meaning of the sentence and lead to grammatical errors. Consistency in tense usage is key to solving such questions accurately.

Example:

Incorrect: He has completed his graduation last year.

Correct: He completed his graduation last year.

Prepositions

Prepositions may seem small, but they play a big role in forming meaningful and grammatically correct sentences. Questions often test the correct use of prepositions with specific verbs, adjectives, and nouns. Knowing commonly used prepositional phrases and their correct usage can save time during the exam.

Example:

Incorrect: She is married with a doctor.

Correct: She is married to a doctor.

Articles

Correct usage of articles (a, an, the) is a basic but crucial grammar rule for the IBPS PO exam. Candidates must be familiar with when to use definite and indefinite articles. Common errors occur when articles are omitted where necessary or inserted where they are not needed.

Example:

Incorrect: He is a honest man.

Correct: He is an honest man.

Pronouns and Antecedents

Pronouns must clearly refer to a specific noun (antecedent) and must agree with it in number and gender. Mistakes often happen when the pronoun reference is unclear or when there is a mismatch in agreement. A proper understanding of pronoun-antecedent rules ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Example:

Incorrect: Every student must submit their assignment.

Correct: Every student must submit his or her assignment.

Conjunctions and Parallelism

Conjunctions are used to link words, phrases, and clauses, and they must be used correctly to maintain sentence structure. Parallelism means that components joined by conjunctions must be in the same grammatical form. Failure to maintain parallelism can make sentences awkward and grammatically wrong.

Example:

Incorrect: She likes dancing, to sing, and playing the guitar.

Correct: She likes dancing, singing, and playing the guitar.

Syntax

In IBPS PO and banking exams, syntax rules cover subject-verb agreement (singular subjects take singular verbs), correct tense usage (maintain consistency), article usage (a/an/the), proper pronoun agreement, placement of modifiers, use of correct conjunctions, accurate comparisons (better/best), correct prepositions (e.g., good at), conditionals (if clauses), no double negatives, distinction between “too” and “very,” and proper use of either/or and neither/nor based on subject proximity.

Top 10 Grammar Topics to Revise Before IBPS PO Exam

1. Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure the verb correctly matches the subject in number and person, especially in tricky sentences with phrases between the subject and verb.

2. Tenses: Revise the correct usage of present, past, and future tenses. Focus on the consistency of tense throughout a sentence or paragraph.

3. Prepositions: Practice correct preposition usage with common verbs, adjectives, and nouns, as this is a frequent area of confusion.

4. Articles (a, an, the): Understand when to use definite and indefinite articles, and revise cases where articles are omitted in standard usage.

5. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement: Check that pronouns clearly refer to the correct noun and match it in number and gender.

6. Conjunctions and Parallelism: Learn how to properly connect ideas using conjunctions and maintain parallel structure in lists and comparisons.

7. Active and Passive Voice: Revise how to correctly transform sentences from active to passive voice and vice versa without changing the meaning.

8. Direct and Indirect Speech (Narration): Practice changing direct speech into indirect speech, paying attention to changes in pronouns, tenses, and adverbs of time.

9. Modifiers: Learn how to correctly place modifiers to avoid ambiguity and confusion in sentences.

10. Error Spotting Techniques: Develop an eye for common grammatical mistakes such as wrong prepositions, incorrect tense usage, faulty comparisons, and misplaced modifiers.

Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid

• Misplaced modifiers: Always place modifiers close to the word they describe.
• Double negatives: Avoid using two negative words in a sentence.
• Redundancy: Do not use unnecessary words that repeat the same idea.
• Wrong comparisons: Ensure comparisons are logical and correct.