Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Proficiency in English is crucial for effective communication and is a fundamental requirement for success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. This question assesses a candidate’s ability to identify and rectify common grammatical errors, a skill essential for writing clear, concise, and grammatically correct answers in the Mains examination. Correct sentence construction demonstrates attention to detail and a strong command of the language, qualities highly valued by UPSC examiners. The following provides corrected versions of the given sentences, adhering to the instructions of minimal alteration.
Corrected Sentences
Here are the corrected sentences, with explanations provided where necessary:
- He enjoyed himself during the holidays. (The reflexive pronoun 'himself' is required after 'enjoyed' when it refers back to the subject.)
- Whoever works hard will win. (The conjunction 'will' should follow 'whoever' to form a complete conditional sentence. Removing 'he' avoids redundancy.)
- The man who knocked at the door was a stranger. (The indefinite article 'a' is needed before 'stranger' as it's not a specific, known stranger.)
- I asked my colleague when he was going to his hometown. (Indirect speech requires changing the word order to 'he was' instead of 'was he'.)
- Besides clothes, the shopkeeper also deals with cosmetics. ('Too' is often used at the end of a sentence, 'also' is more appropriate in this context.)
- He is desirous of joining the army. (The correct preposition to use with 'desirous' is 'of'.)
- The judge said that truth always triumphs. (‘Triumphs’ is the correct present tense form, and ‘the truth’ is generally used.)
- One should help his friend in times of difficulty. (‘In difficulty’ is less common and less natural than ‘in times of difficulty’.)
- Sachin Tendulkar is the best batsman India has produced, isn't he? (The tag question should agree with the subject 'Sachin Tendulkar', hence 'he'.)
- The more you read, the less you understand. (The correct correlative conjunction is 'the more...the less'.)
Key Grammatical Concepts Illustrated
- Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensuring the verb form matches the subject in number and person.
- Pronoun Usage: Using reflexive pronouns correctly to indicate the subject is also the object of the action.
- Indirect Speech: Correctly transforming direct speech into indirect speech, including changes in word order and tense.
- Prepositions: Using the appropriate prepositions to convey the correct relationship between words.
- Conjunctions: Employing the correct conjunctions to connect clauses and phrases logically.
Common Errors to Avoid
Many candidates struggle with basic grammatical errors. Paying attention to these common mistakes can significantly improve writing quality:
- Misuse of prepositions (e.g., 'in' vs. 'on', 'at').
- Incorrect subject-verb agreement.
- Improper use of articles (a, an, the).
- Confusion between similar words (e.g., 'affect' vs. 'effect').
- Errors in tense consistency.
Conclusion
Correcting these sentences demonstrates a fundamental understanding of English grammar. While seemingly simple, such exercises are crucial for developing the precision and clarity required for effective written communication in the UPSC Mains examination. A strong command of grammar not only improves the quality of answers but also saves valuable time by avoiding errors that could lead to deductions in marks. Consistent practice and attention to detail are key to mastering these skills.
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.