Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Proficiency in English is a vital skill for civil servants, enabling effective communication in reports, policy documents, and international interactions. This question assesses the candidate’s ability to identify and rectify common grammatical errors, demonstrating a strong command of the language. Correct sentence construction is not merely about adhering to rules, but about ensuring clarity and precision in conveying information. The following corrections address common mistakes in English usage, aiming for grammatical accuracy and stylistic fluency.
Corrected Sentences with Explanations
1. Original: Saints desire nothing the society.
Corrected: Saints desire nothing for the society.
Explanation: The preposition 'for' indicates the beneficiary of the desire. 'To' would imply direction, which isn't the intended meaning here.
2. Original: I regret at the delay in doing this.
Corrected: I regret the delay in doing this.
Explanation: The verb 'regret' is directly followed by the object of regret. The preposition 'at' is redundant and incorrect in this context.
3. Original: I congratulate you for your success.
Corrected: I congratulate you on your success.
Explanation: The correct preposition to use with 'congratulate' is 'on'. 'For' is used to indicate the reason for congratulation, not the event itself.
4. Original: Ram as well as Mohan have gone.
Corrected: Ram as well as Mohan has gone.
Explanation: When 'as well as' connects two subjects, the verb agrees with the first subject. Therefore, since 'Ram' is singular, the verb should be 'has'.
5. Original: He has passed order on my application.
Corrected: He has passed an order on my application.
Explanation: 'Order' begins with a vowel sound, so the indefinite article 'an' should be used. Also, 'passed an order' is the correct idiomatic expression.
6. Original: He is more intelligent than any boy.
Corrected: He is more intelligent than any other boy.
Explanation: When comparing one person with all members of a group, 'any other' is required for correct comparison. 'Any' implies a comparison with just one unspecified boy.
7. Original: What will be ensued on this?
Corrected: What will ensue from this?
Explanation: 'Ensue' means to follow as a consequence. The correct preposition to use with 'ensue' is 'from'. The passive voice construction "will be ensued" is also incorrect; the active voice "will ensue" is preferred.
8. Original: This is high time that we should change the bike.
Corrected: This is high time that we changed the bike.
Explanation: In 'high time' clauses, the past tense is used to express urgency. The subjunctive mood ('should change') is less common and less natural in modern English.
9. Original: I did nothing but laughed.
Corrected: I did nothing but laugh.
Explanation: After 'but', the base form of the verb is used. 'Laughed' is the past tense and is grammatically incorrect in this construction.
10. Original: I informed him, "Leave the room."
Corrected: I informed him to leave the room.
Explanation: After 'inform', we use 'to + infinitive' to indicate the content of the information. Using direct speech within the sentence is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect.
Conclusion
Correcting these sentences demonstrates a solid grasp of English grammar and syntax. Attention to detail, particularly regarding prepositions, verb forms, and subject-verb agreement, is crucial for effective communication. A strong command of English is not just about avoiding errors, but about expressing ideas clearly and concisely, a skill essential for success in the civil services. Continuous practice and a focus on common grammatical pitfalls will further enhance linguistic proficiency.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.