UPSC MainsENGLISH-COMPULSORY20161 Marks10 Words
Q17.

We shall go on a tour as soon as the schools will close.

How to Approach

This question tests basic English grammar and sentence construction. The core issue is the incorrect tense usage. The answer requires correcting the sentence to reflect proper future tense agreement. The approach involves identifying the error, explaining the grammatical rule, and providing the corrected sentence. The response should be concise and accurate, adhering to the 10-word limit.

Model Answer

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Introduction

Correct grammar is fundamental to effective communication. This question presents a sentence with a common error in future tense construction. The use of 'will' after 'as soon as' is redundant and grammatically incorrect. The sentence aims to express a future action contingent upon another future event – the closing of schools. Therefore, a simple present tense after 'as soon as' is the correct form.

The sentence contains a grammatical error. The correct sentence is: "We shall go on a tour as soon as the schools close."

Explanation of the Error

The original sentence incorrectly uses 'will' after 'as soon as'. 'As soon as' introduces a time clause that requires the present simple tense to indicate a future action. Using 'will' creates a redundant future tense construction.

Grammatical Rule

When using 'as soon as' to express a future event dependent on another, the clause following 'as soon as' uses the present simple tense, not the future tense ('will'). This is because 'as soon as' already implies a future time reference.

Illustrative Examples

  • "I will call you as soon as I arrive." (Incorrect)
  • "I will call you as soon as I arrive." (Correct)
  • "She will start working as soon as she finishes her studies." (Incorrect)
  • "She will start working as soon as she finishes her studies." (Correct)

Comparison Table: Correct vs. Incorrect Usage

Incorrect Usage Correct Usage
As soon as I will finish… As soon as I finish…
We shall go as soon as they will arrive. We shall go as soon as they arrive.

Conclusion

The corrected sentence, "We shall go on a tour as soon as the schools close," demonstrates proper grammatical construction. Understanding the correct tense usage with 'as soon as' is crucial for clear and accurate English communication. This simple correction highlights the importance of precise language 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.

Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Tense
Tense refers to the form of a verb that indicates the time of an action or state of being. English has three main tenses: past, present, and future.
Time Clause
A time clause is a subordinate clause that begins with a time conjunction (like 'as soon as', 'when', 'before', 'after') and indicates when an action takes place.

Key Statistics

Approximately 88% of Indian students study English as a second language (as of 2022-23, NCERT data).

Source: NCERT Report on School Education, 2022-23

The English language learning market in India is projected to reach $2.3 billion by 2025 (RedSeer Consulting, 2021).

Source: RedSeer Consulting Report, 2021

Examples

Conditional Sentences

The use of 'as soon as' is similar to other conditional structures like 'if' clauses, where the present simple is used to describe a future outcome. For example: "If it rains, we will stay inside."

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the action after 'as soon as' is already happening?

If the action is already happening or is a continuous process, the present continuous tense can be used: "As soon as she is ready, we will leave."

Topics Covered

Language SkillsGeneral StudiesGrammarTenseFuture in the Past