Comprehensive English Grammar Study Module for CLAT and Law Entrance Exams
Introduction
English grammar is a crucial component of the CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) and other law entrance exams. The exam tests candidates’ ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret legal language and everyday English. A strong foundation in grammar can enhance performance, especially in sections like English Language and Reading Comprehension. This study module focuses on key grammar concepts, rules, and usage, along with examples and applications, to aid preparation for law entrance exams.
1. Parts of Speech
Understanding the parts of speech is essential, as it forms the basis of sentence construction and comprehension.
1.1 Noun
- Definition: A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea.
- Types:
- Proper Noun: Names specific people or places (e.g., John, Delhi).
- Common Noun: General names (e.g., boy, city).
- Collective Noun: Names groups (e.g., team, jury).
Examples:
- The judge (common noun) passed a verdict (common noun).
- Justice (abstract noun) must be upheld.
1.2 Pronoun
- Definition: A pronoun is used in place of a noun to avoid repetition.
- Types:
- Personal Pronouns: I, you, he, she, it, we, they.
- Reflexive Pronouns: Myself, yourself, himself, herself.
- Relative Pronouns: Who, whom, whose, which, that.
Examples:
- She (personal pronoun) is a lawyer.
- This (demonstrative pronoun) is the case that (relative pronoun) we discussed.
1.3 Verb
- Definition: A verb expresses an action, state, or occurrence.
- Types:
- Action Verb: Describes an action (e.g., run, study).
- Linking Verb: Connects the subject with a subject complement (e.g., am, is, are, seems).
- Auxiliary Verb: Used with main verbs to express tense, mood, or voice (e.g., have, will, do).
Examples:
- She studied (action verb) law at university.
- He is (linking verb) a judge (subject complement).
1.4 Adjective
- Definition: An adjective describes or modifies a noun or pronoun.
- Types:
- Descriptive: Tall, quick, brilliant.
- Quantitative: Some, many, few.
- Demonstrative: This, that, these, those.
Examples:
- The brilliant (descriptive) lawyer won the case.
- I have many (quantitative) books (noun).
1.5 Adverb
- Definition: An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
- Types:
- Manner: Slowly, carefully.
- Time: Yesterday, soon.
- Place: Here, everywhere.
Examples:
- She speaks clearly (manner).
- The case will be heard tomorrow (time).
1.6 Preposition
- Definition: A preposition shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in the sentence.
- Examples: In, on, at, by, with, for.
Examples:
- The document is on the table.
- He is a lawyer for the firm.
1.7 Conjunction
- Definition: A conjunction connects words, phrases, or clauses.
- Types:
- Coordinating Conjunctions: And, but, or, nor.
- Subordinating Conjunctions: Although, because, if.
Examples:
- She is both intelligent and (coordinating) hardworking.
- Although (subordinating) the judge was strict, he was fair.
1.8 Interjection
- Definition: An interjection is a word or phrase that expresses strong emotion.
- Examples: Wow, Oops, Alas.
Examples:
- Wow, that’s an interesting argument!
- Oops, I made a mistake in the document.
2. Sentence Structure
Understanding sentence structure helps in constructing clear and grammatically correct sentences.
2.1 Simple Sentence
- Definition: A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb, and expresses a complete thought.
Examples:
- The lawyer (subject) argued (verb) the case successfully.
2.2 Compound Sentence
- Definition: A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a conjunction (e.g., and, but, or).
Examples:
- He is an excellent lawyer, and he handles complex cases.
2.3 Complex Sentence
- Definition: A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
Examples:
- Although he is a senior lawyer, he remains humble.
2.4 Compound-Complex Sentence
- Definition: A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Examples:
- Although he was tired, he continued to work, and he completed the case.
3. Tenses
Tense usage is critical in law exams as it defines the timing of an action.
3.1 Present Tense
- Simple Present: Describes habitual actions, general truths.
- Example: The judge delivers his judgment.
- Present Continuous: Ongoing actions happening right now.
- Example: The lawyer is presenting his argument.
3.2 Past Tense
- Simple Past: Actions completed in the past.
- Example: The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff.
- Past Continuous: Actions that were ongoing in the past.
- Example: The lawyer was arguing the case when the judge interrupted.
3.3 Future Tense
- Simple Future: Describes actions that will happen.
- Example: The court will issue its judgment tomorrow.
- Future Continuous: Actions that will be happening in the future.
- Example: The lawyer will be defending the case next week.
4. Active and Passive Voice
Understanding active and passive voice is crucial, especially in legal writing.
4.1 Active Voice
- Definition: The subject of the sentence performs the action.
Examples:
- The lawyer argued the case.
4.2 Passive Voice
- Definition: The subject of the sentence receives the action.
Examples:
- The case was argued by the lawyer.
5. Direct and Indirect Speech
Understanding how to report statements, questions, and requests is essential in legal contexts.
5.1 Direct Speech
- Definition: Quoting the exact words of a speaker.
Examples:
- He said, “I will submit the documents tomorrow.”
5.2 Indirect Speech
- Definition: Reporting what someone said without quoting their exact words.
Examples:
- He said that he would submit the documents the next day.
6. Common Errors in Grammar
6.1 Subject-Verb Agreement
- Ensure the subject and verb agree in number.
Examples:
- The lawyers (plural subject) are (plural verb) meeting.
- The judge (singular subject) is (singular verb) impartial.
6.2 Misplaced Modifiers
- Modifiers should be placed next to the word they modify.
Examples:
- Incorrect: She almost drove the entire route. (incorrect modifier placement)
- Correct: She drove almost the entire route.
6.3 Double Negatives
- Avoid using two negatives that cancel each other out.
Examples:
- Incorrect: I don’t know nothing about the case.
- Correct: I don’t know anything about the case.
7. Conclusion
Mastering English grammar is essential for success in the CLAT and other law entrance exams. This module covers key areas of grammar that will help candidates improve their language skills and perform better in the examination. Regular practice with real-life examples, as well as applying these rules, will lead to enhanced clarity, accuracy, and effectiveness in written and spoken communication.
20 English Grammar MCQs for CLAT and Law Entrance Exams
1. Choose the correct sentence:
a) The lawyer explained the case to us clearly.
b) The lawyer explained clearly the case to us.
c) The lawyer explained to us clearly the case.
d) The lawyer explained to us the case clearly.
Answer: a) The lawyer explained the case to us clearly.
Explanation:
In this sentence, the adverb “clearly” correctly modifies the verb “explained,” placed at the end of the sentence for clarity. The word order is natural and grammatically correct.
2. Identify the error in the sentence: “She runs fastly to catch the train.”
a) She runs fastly to catch the train.
b) She runs fast to catch the train.
c) She fastly runs to catch the train.
d) No error.
Answer: b) She runs fast to catch the train.
Explanation:
“Fastly” is not a proper adverb form. The correct form is “fast,” which functions as both an adjective and an adverb.
3. Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement:
a) The jury are still deliberating the case.
b) The jury is still deliberating the case.
c) The jury were still deliberating the case.
d) The jury have still deliberated the case.
Answer: b) The jury is still deliberating the case.
Explanation:
“Jury” is a collective noun, and it takes a singular verb. Therefore, “is” is the correct choice.
4. Which of the following is an example of a complex sentence?
a) The judge ruled, and the lawyer appealed.
b) The lawyer argued, but the judge rejected the plea.
c) Although he was tired, he continued working.
d) She is a lawyer, and she is very knowledgeable.
Answer: c) Although he was tired, he continued working.
Explanation:
A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. “Although he was tired” is the dependent clause, and “he continued working” is the independent clause.
5. Choose the correct sentence:
a) Neither the lawyers nor the judge were ready for the hearing.
b) Neither the lawyer nor the judges was ready for the hearing.
c) Neither the lawyer nor the judge were ready for the hearing.
d) Neither the lawyer nor the judge was ready for the hearing.
Answer: d) Neither the lawyer nor the judge was ready for the hearing.
Explanation:
When “neither…nor” is used, the verb agrees with the noun closest to it. Here, “judge” is singular, so the correct verb is “was.”
6. Choose the sentence with correct punctuation:
a) I like reading law books, however, I don’t have much time.
b) I like reading law books however, I don’t have much time.
c) I like reading law books; however I don’t have much time.
d) I like reading law books; however, I don’t have much time.
Answer: d) I like reading law books; however, I don’t have much time.
Explanation:
The word “however” is used as a conjunction, so it should be preceded by a semicolon, and followed by a comma to separate the clauses properly.
7. Identify the error in the sentence: “Each of the lawyers have their own cases.”
a) Each of the lawyers have their own cases.
b) Each of the lawyers has their own cases.
c) Each of the lawyers have its own case.
d) No error.
Answer: a) Each of the lawyers have their own cases.
Explanation:
“Each” is singular, so it should be followed by “has” instead of “have.” The sentence should be: “Each of the lawyers has his or her own case.”
8. Choose the correct sentence:
a) The advocate’s argument was more powerful than his opponent.
b) The advocate argument was more powerful than his opponent.
c) The advocate’s argument was more powerful than his opponent’s.
d) The advocate argument was more powerful than his opponent’s.
Answer: c) The advocate’s argument was more powerful than his opponent’s.
Explanation:
Possessive nouns must be used to indicate ownership. “Advocate’s” and “opponent’s” correctly show possession.
9. Identify the type of the underlined clause: “The lawyer, who is renowned for his expertise, won the case.”
a) Independent clause
b) Dependent clause
c) Coordinating clause
d) Subordinate clause
Answer: b) Dependent clause
Explanation:
The clause “who is renowned for his expertise” is a dependent clause because it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
10. Choose the correct option: “The court asked the defendant if he ____ the crime.”
a) has committed
b) had committed
c) committed
d) committing
Answer: b) had committed
Explanation:
The sentence is in the past perfect tense, as it refers to an action completed before another past action (“asked”).
11. Which of the following is a correct example of indirect speech?
a) He says, “I will attend the hearing tomorrow.”
b) He said that he would attend the hearing tomorrow.
c) He said that he will attend the hearing tomorrow.
d) He says that he will attend the hearing tomorrow.
Answer: b) He said that he would attend the hearing tomorrow.
Explanation:
In indirect speech, we need to shift the tense back. “Will” changes to “would.”
12. Identify the type of noun in the sentence: “Justice should always prevail.”
a) Abstract noun
b) Collective noun
c) Proper noun
d) Common noun
Answer: a) Abstract noun
Explanation:
“Justice” refers to an idea or concept that cannot be physically touched, making it an abstract noun.
13. Choose the correct preposition: “The judge ruled ____ the case after several hours of deliberation.”
a) in
b) on
c) at
d) over
Answer: b) on
Explanation:
The correct preposition with “ruled” is “on,” as in “ruled on the case.”
14. Identify the error in the sentence: “Neither the defendant nor his lawyers was guilty.”
a) Neither the defendant nor his lawyers was guilty.
b) Neither the defendant nor his lawyers were guilty.
c) Neither the defendant nor his lawyers has been guilty.
d) No error.
Answer: b) Neither the defendant nor his lawyers were guilty.
Explanation:
“Neither…nor” takes a plural verb when the second noun is plural (“his lawyers”). Therefore, “were” is correct.
15. Choose the correct form of the verb: “If I ____ the lawyer, I would have won the case.”
a) am
b) was
c) were
d) be
Answer: c) were
Explanation:
In conditional sentences, “were” is used with “I” in unreal conditions, as in this hypothetical situation.
16. Which of the following is a grammatically correct sentence?
a) The lawyer is more smarter than his opponent.
b) The lawyer is more smart than his opponent.
c) The lawyer is smarter than his opponent.
d) The lawyer smarter than his opponent.
Answer: c) The lawyer is smarter than his opponent.
Explanation:
“Smarter” is the correct comparative form of the adjective “smart,” and it does not need “more.”
17. Choose the correct sentence:
a) She went to the court because she has an important case.
b) She went to the court because she had an important case.
c) She went to the court because she has had an important case.
d) No error.
Answer: b) She went to the court because she had an important case.
Explanation:
The past perfect “had” is correct because it refers to an action completed before another past action (“went”).
18. Choose the sentence with correct word order:
a) The verdict was delivered the judge immediately after.
b) The verdict was immediately delivered after the judge.
c) Immediately the judge delivered the verdict after.
d) The verdict was delivered immediately after the judge.
Answer: d) The verdict was delivered immediately after the judge.
Explanation:
The correct word order places the adverb “immediately” before the verb “delivered,” and “after the judge” at the end.
19. Identify the incorrect sentence:
a) She borrowed a book from the library.
b) She borrowed a book at the library.
c) She borrowed a book in the library.
d) She borrowed a book to the library.
Answer: b) She borrowed a book at the library.
Explanation:
The correct preposition is “from,” as “borrowed from” indicates the origin of the book.
20. Which of the following sentences contains an error?
a) The lawyers worked diligently on the case.
b) The lawyers worked diligent on the case.
c) The lawyers were diligent in working on the case.
d) The lawyers were working diligently on the case.
Answer: b) The lawyers worked diligent on the case.
Explanation:
“Diligent” is an adjective, but in this context, it needs to be used as an adverb (“diligently”) to modify the verb “worked.”
These MCQs cover a range of English grammar topics that are important for CLAT and law entrance exams, focusing on key areas such as subject-verb agreement, sentence structure, tenses, and parts of speech.
