Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The English language, as a cornerstone of communication in the Indian administrative system, demands precision and clarity. A seemingly simple sentence like "He finished his exercise and put away his books" can be dissected to reveal underlying grammatical principles. This analysis is crucial for effective written communication, particularly in the context of the UPSC Mains examination where precise articulation of thoughts is paramount. This response will provide a detailed grammatical analysis of the given sentence, highlighting its structure and potential nuances.
Grammatical Analysis of the Sentence
The sentence "He finished his exercise and put away his books" is a compound sentence, meaning it consists of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction ("and"). Let's break down each clause:
Clause 1: "He finished his exercise"
- Subject: "He" (pronoun)
- Verb: "finished" (past simple tense, transitive verb)
- Object: "his exercise" (noun phrase, direct object of the verb "finished")
- Tense: Past Simple – indicates a completed action in the past.
Clause 2: "put away his books"
- Subject: "He" (pronoun – implied, as it's the same subject as the first clause)
- Verb: "put away" (phrasal verb, past simple tense, transitive verb)
- Object: "his books" (noun phrase, direct object of the phrasal verb "put away")
- Phrasal Verb: "put away" – meaning to return something to its proper place.
- Tense: Past Simple – indicates a completed action in the past.
Sentence Structure and Coordination
The coordinating conjunction "and" connects the two clauses, indicating that both actions happened sequentially or simultaneously. The sentence demonstrates a clear and logical flow of events. The use of the past simple tense consistently throughout the sentence maintains a uniform timeframe.
Potential Alternative Phrasing
While grammatically correct, the sentence could be slightly refined for stylistic purposes. For example:
- "After finishing his exercise, he put away his books." (using a subordinate clause)
- "He finished his exercise and then put away his books." (adding "then" for emphasis on sequence)
Parts of Speech Summary
| Part of Speech | Word(s) | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Pronoun | He | Subject |
| Verb (Past Simple) | finished, put | Action |
| Possessive Pronoun | his | Modifier |
| Noun | exercise, books | Object |
| Adverb (part of phrasal verb) | away | Modifier |
| Conjunction | and | Connects clauses |
Grammatical Correctness
The sentence is grammatically sound. There are no errors in subject-verb agreement, tense usage, or punctuation. The sentence adheres to standard English sentence structure rules.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the sentence "He finished his exercise and put away his books" is a well-constructed compound sentence demonstrating correct use of past simple tense, proper subject-verb agreement, and effective coordination. While minor stylistic adjustments are possible, the sentence is fundamentally grammatically correct and conveys its meaning clearly. A strong grasp of such basic grammatical principles is essential for effective communication in the UPSC Mains examination and beyond.
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.