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Prepared by Arun Kumar, NDA/NA English educator and author · Updated 15 October 2026
Open lessons • Original examples • Answers explained
01
Grammar lesson

Subject–Verb Agreement: find the real subject

Learn how the verb agrees with its subject even when extra words come between them.

The idea

A sentence’s verb agrees with its subject, not with a nearby noun. To check agreement, first find who or what performs the action. Then ignore phrases that only add information about that subject.

Quick method: remove the phrase between the subject and verb. The remaining subject should still match the verb.
Worked example

The quality of the answers in the final section ___ the examiner.

Step 1: Find the head subject: quality.
Step 2: “of the answers in the final section” only describes quality.
Step 3: Quality is singular, so the verb is impresses.

Correct sentence: The quality of the answers in the final section impresses the examiner.

Two patterns worth remembering

Each / every / everyone usually takes a singular verb: “Each candidate has a turn.”

With either…or and neither…nor, the verb normally agrees with the nearer subject: “Neither the instructor nor the cadets were late.” In formal exam questions, check the subject closest to the verb.

Common trap: Don’t let a plural noun inside an “of” phrase pull the verb into the plural. In “The list of names is ready,” the subject is list, not names.

Try these questions

1. The captain, along with two senior cadets, ___ the briefing.
  1. conduct
  2. conducts
  3. have conducted
  4. are conducting
Answer: (b) conducts. The subject is singular: the captain. “Along with two senior cadets” is additional information and does not change the subject.
2. Neither the instructor nor the cadets ___ ready for inspection.
  1. was
  2. is
  3. were
  4. has been
Answer: (c) were. In the usual proximity pattern with “neither…nor,” the verb agrees with the nearer subject, cadets, which is plural.
02
Grammar lesson

Conditionals: connect the time of the condition to its result

Choose the verb pattern by asking whether the condition is real, imagined, or already impossible to change.

Four useful patterns

Zero conditional: general facts — If + present, present.
First conditional: a possible future — If + present, will + base verb.
Second conditional: an unreal or unlikely present/future — If + past, would + base verb.
Third conditional: an unreal past — If + past perfect, would/could/might have + past participle.

Exam check: Identify when the condition happened before selecting the tense. In a standard conditional, do not put will in the if-clause just because the meaning is future.
Worked example

If the team had received the warning earlier, it ___ the route before nightfall.

Step 1: “Had received” places the unreal condition in the past.
Step 2: The result is also an unreal past result.
Step 3: Use could have + past participle.

Correct completion: could have changed.

Common trap: “If the team would have received the warning…” is usually incorrect in a standard third conditional. Use had received in the if-clause.

Try these questions

1. If the rescue team had arrived earlier, more families ___ before dark.
  1. will evacuate
  2. would be evacuating
  3. could have been evacuated
  4. had been evacuating
Answer: (c) could have been evacuated. The condition is an unreal past (“had arrived”), and the families receive the action, so the result needs a modal perfect passive: could have been + past participle.
2. If the weather ___ clear tomorrow, the flight will depart on schedule.
  1. will remain
  2. remains
  3. remained
  4. would remain
Answer: (b) remains. This is a possible future condition. Use the simple present in the if-clause and will in the result clause.
03
Grammar lesson

Prepositional collocations: learn the whole expression

Many verbs pair with a particular preposition. Learn the combination as one unit rather than translating the preposition word by word.

Build a small, useful set

congratulate someone on an achievement
insist on a plan or action
adapt to a change or situation
comply with a rule or request
prevent someone from doing something

Study tip: Write the verb and its preposition together, then make a short sentence. Review the pair in context; this helps you remember both meaning and grammar.
Worked example

The coach insisted ___ a short safety briefing before the trek.

Step 1: The intended meaning is “demanded that it happen.”
Step 2: The standard collocation is insist on something.
Step 3: Since “a short safety briefing” is a noun phrase, the sentence is complete.

Correct sentence: The coach insisted on a short safety briefing before the trek.

Common trap: If a verb is followed by another action after a preposition, use the -ing form: “They insisted on checking the equipment.”

Try these questions

1. The new cadets adapted ___ the daily routine within a week.
  1. with
  2. for
  3. to
  4. at
Answer: (c) to. The established collocation is adapt to a new condition, routine, or environment.
2. The panel congratulated Meera ___ her selection.
  1. for
  2. on
  3. at
  4. with
Answer: (b) on. We congratulate someone on an achievement: “congratulated Meera on her selection.”
Quick revision

What to do in a grammar question

1. Read for meaning.
2. Find the exact grammar relationship.
3. Check the subject, time, or fixed word pair.
4. Eliminate options that break that relationship.
5. Read the completed sentence once more.

Understand the ruleWork through an examplePractise with feedback

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