Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
English grammar forms a crucial component of the Civil Services Examination, particularly in the English Compulsory paper. Accurate and effective communication is paramount for officers, and a strong grasp of grammatical structures is essential. The question tests the candidate’s ability to manipulate sentence structure and demonstrate proficiency in the past perfect tense, which indicates an action completed before another action in the past. This skill is vital for precise report writing and clear articulation of ideas.
The given sentence is: "He had his speech before we arrived." The instruction is to begin the sentence with the phrase "begin." This requires restructuring the sentence while maintaining its original meaning, utilizing the past perfect tense appropriately.
Understanding the Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense is formed using "had" + past participle of the verb. It describes an action that was completed before another action in the past. In this case, the speech was completed before the arrival.
Restructuring the Sentence
To begin the sentence with "begin," we need to rephrase it to reflect the same meaning using the past perfect tense. Here's the transformed sentence:
Begin with: Beginning, he had delivered his speech before we arrived.
Explanation of the Transformation
- "Beginning" acts as a present participle initiating the sentence.
- "he had delivered" utilizes the past perfect tense, indicating the speech was completed before our arrival. "Delivered" is the past participle of "deliver".
- "before we arrived" maintains the original temporal relationship between the two actions.
Alternative Phrasings (Demonstrating Flexibility)
While the above is the most direct and grammatically sound answer, alternative phrasing can also be considered, though they might slightly alter the emphasis:
- Beginning his speech, he had finished it before we arrived.
- Beginning to speak, he had completed his speech before we arrived.
Importance of Correct Tense Usage
Incorrect tense usage can lead to ambiguity and miscommunication. In official reports and correspondence, precision is crucial. For example, using the simple past instead of the past perfect would change the meaning, suggesting the speech was in progress when we arrived, rather than being completed beforehand.
Example of Incorrect Usage
Incorrect: Beginning, he delivered his speech before we arrived. (This uses the simple past "delivered" and doesn't convey the completion of the speech before our arrival.)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the correct answer is "Beginning, he had delivered his speech before we arrived." This demonstrates a clear understanding of the past perfect tense and the ability to restructure a sentence while preserving its original meaning. Proficiency in such grammatical exercises is essential for effective communication, a vital skill for any civil servant. The ability to manipulate sentence structure and choose the correct tense ensures clarity and precision in written and spoken communication.
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.