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CAT Tips for Verbal Ability: Grammar: Cases
In this article, we explore two topics:
1. case forms for nouns
2. usage rules for nouns
Remember, case forms are the building blocks for nouns and will help you build a base in Grammar.
Case Forms:
Case forms are actually applicable for nouns as well as pronouns. A case is basically the relation of the noun with other words in a sentence. It tells us about the role or position of a particular noun in the sentence.
Nouns can be divided into three cases:
1. NOMINATIVE CASE
When a noun plays the role of subject in a sentence, it is said to be in nominative case.
For Example: Ken hit the ball.
Here, Ken is the subject of the verb hit. It is the answer to the question, 'who hit the ball?' So the noun Ken is in nominative case.
2. OBJECTIVE CASE
When the noun plays the role of an object in a sentence, it is said to be in objective case
For Example: Ken hit the ball.
Here, the action of verb hit passes on to the object ‘ball’. So, the noun ‘ball’ is said to be in objective case.
3. POSSESSIVE CASE
When the noun shows possession, ownership or belongingness it is said to be in possessive case.
For Example: This is Ram’s pen.
Here, Ram’s pen refers to the pen belonging to Ram.
Tips for Nouns:
We will now cover a few tips that you can keep in mind for the usage of nouns.
Tip 1: The possessive of compound noun or names consisting of several words, and of nouns in apposition is formed by adding (s) to the last word.
For Example:
• Governor-Generals' security
• Mother-in-law’s property
Tip 2: In case two or more nouns are joined by and, (s) is added to the last if joint possession is meant. In case, separate possession is meant, (s) is added to each noun.
For Example:
• Shahrukh and Kareena’s film (one film in which both have worked)
• Amitabh’s and Jaya's films, (two separate films - one by Amitabh and the other by Jaya)
Tip 3: Depending on the type, the plural forms for compound nouns vary. Some compound nouns form plurals in the following way:
• Step-son (singular), Step-sons (plural)
• Chief-minister (singular), Chief-ministers (plural)
Some compound nouns form plurals in the following way:
• Son-in-law (singular), Sons-in-law (plural)
• Brother-in-law (singular), Brothers-in-law (plural)
However, there are certain exceptions when the words man and woman are used to form compound nouns. In these cases, the compound nouns form plural in the following ways:
• Man-servant (singular), Men-servants (plural)
• Man-teacher (singular), Men-teachers (plural)
Also, keep the following in mind:
• Man-hater (singular), Man-haters (plural)
• Man-lover (singular), Man-lovers (plural)
• Woman-hater (singular), Woman-haters (plural)
• Woman-lover (singular), Woman-lovers (plural)
CAT Tips: Grammar: Case Forms
In this article, some rules regarding pronoun usage are covered. A lot of us are generally confused whether to use I or me, who or whom, he or him, etc. In this article, we will provide you an easy way to identify the correct pronoun usage.
Case forms for Pronouns:
We will first understand the case forms for pronouns. There are three case forms that pronouns follow:
Subjective Case: In this case, the pronoun acts as the subject of the sentence.
For example: I am playing cricket.
Objective Case: In this case, the pronoun acts as the object of the sentence.
For example: Cricket is being played by me.
Possessive Case: In this case, the pronoun is uses to show possession or ownership.
For example: That cricket bat is mine.
For the three case forms above, different pronouns are used. The following table highlights the three types of pronouns:
Subjective Pronouns Objective Pronouns Possessive Pronouns
I me my, mine
you you your, yours
he him his
she her her, hers
it it its
we us ours
you you your, yours
they them their, theirs
who whom whose
Let’s cover the rules for usage of pronouns now.
Rule 1: Use the subjective pronoun when the pronoun is the subject of the sentence.
Whenever the pronoun is the subject of the sentence, use the subjective form of pronoun.
• I did the job.
• He did the job.
Rule 2: Use the objective pronoun when the pronoun is the object of the sentence.
Whenever the pronoun is the object of the sentence, use the objective form of pronoun.
• Hitesh saw him.
• Hitesh saw them.
• Whom did you see?
In the last sentence, ‘you’ is the subject of the verb ‘see’. In this case, ‘whom’ is the object of the sentence.
Rule 3: Use the subjective pronoun when the verb of the form ‘to be’ is used.
If the pronoun follows verbs of the ‘to be’ form, then the pronoun has to be in the subjective case form. The ‘to be’ form of verbs are: is, am, are, was, were, has been, have been, could be, will be, should be, etc. Remember, these are all linking verbs, which essentially rename the subject and this is why the pronoun is the subjective case form.
• It is she.
• This is he speaking.
• It is we who are responsible for the attack.
Rule 4: Use the objective pronoun when the pronoun follows prepositions.
When a pronoun is attached to the sentence with the help of prepositions, use the objective case form.
• Between you and me, you are a hero.
• The work was completed by me.
CAT Tips: Grammar : Adjectives
Continuing with our series of Grammar Digests, we explore ‘adjectives’ in this article. Remember, we cover some of the most essential aspects for adjectives in this article and you can use these to build your grammar knowledge.
The three degrees of adjectives are:
1. Positive Degree: When one person or thing or case or a single entity is discussed, we use positive degree. For Example:
1. He is tall.
2. She is very beautiful.
2. Comparative Degree: When we compare two persons, things, set of things or groups, comparison degree is used. For Example:
1. Jen is stronger than his brother.
2. Pia is more intelligent than Sia.
3. Superlative Degree: When we compare one with more than one or talk about a supreme quality, we use superlative degree. For Example:
1. Jen is the most intelligent student in the class.
2. He is the strongest player in the team.
Let us now understand some rules related to the use of three adjective types above.
Rule 1: Comparative degree is used for comparing two things
Comparative degree is used for comparing two things or set of things and superlative degree is used for comparing more than two things or set of things or to express highest degree of quality. The use of superlative degree to compare 2 things or set of things is considered incorrect.
For Example:
a) She is tallest of the two sisters. (Incorrect)
b) She is taller of the two sisters. (Correct)
Rule 2: Only similar items can be compared
Comparison must be made between similar items and construction of the sentence should indicate correct comparison.
1. a) The speed of my car is better than your car. (Incorrect)
b) The speed of my car is better than that of your car. (Correct)
2. a) My dress is better than Riya. (Incorrect)
b) My dress is better than that of Riya. (Correct)
Note: In the first example, speed of one car must be compared with the speed of other car and not with the car. Similarly, in second example, my dress must be compared with Riya’s dress and not with Riya.
Rule 3: Absolute adjectives don’t have degrees
Certain adjectives such as square, parallel, round, complete etc. don’t have comparative or superlative degrees and don’t change form.
For Example:
1. a) The box that I have is more square than the box than you have. (Incorrect)
b) My box is square while your box is not. (correct)
2. a) My work is more complete than your work. (incorrect)
b) My work is complete while your work is not complete. (correct)
Rule 4: Double comparisons are prohibited
The use of double comparisons is considered incorrect and redundant. If a sentence has two comparison words, both indicating the same thing, it is a case of double comparison.
For Example:
1. a) Joining university is more better than joining a college (incorrect)
b) Joining university is better than joining a college (correct)
Note: The first sentence uses double comparatives, that is, more and better. The use of better itself indicates that comparison is being made in the sentence, so the use of more here is redundant.
2. a) Ram is more taller than Sham (Incorrect)
b) Ram is taller than Sham (correct)
Note: The use taller in first sentence indicates comparison, so the use of more with taller is incorrect.
CAT Tips: Grammar: Verbs
This is a tough one. Verbs are one of the most difficult topics to deal with in Grammar and in this article, we explain some simple aspects related to them. These will help you solidify your knowledge of Grammar.
Verbs are divided into two main types on the basis of their role in a sentence - Principal and Auxiliary.
Principal Verb: When a verb is used independently and indicates the main action in the sentence, it is called a Principal Verb. For example:
a. Mellisa cooked the meal
b. He helped me in preparing assignments for the class.
Auxiliary Verb: When a verb is used to support the main verb in a sentence to form voices, moods or tenses, it is called an Auxiliary Verb (Auxiliary means helping). For example:
a. I can go and meet him
b. You must complete this course in one year
We will now cover the correct uses for various auxiliary verbs, one at a time.
Use of Do
Rule 1: Do is used to form negative and interrogative sentences in simple present and past tense.
For Example:
a) They do not finish their work in time.
b) Do they finish their work in time?
Rule 2: When emphasis on any point is required, then ‘do’ and ‘did’ are used.
For Example:
a) I did not call you.
b) You understand this. Do you?
Rule 3: Do is sometimes used to avoid the repetition of verb.
For Example:
a) Employees work very hard. Yes, they do.
b) Do you remember when you saw him last? Yes I do.
Rule 4: Do is used in the beginning of imperative sentences to emphasise and extend invitation or a request.
For example:
a) Do let me know about your plans
b) Do tell him that I will reach there soon.
Use of May
Rule 1: ‘May’ is used for seeking permission.
For Example:
a) May I come in?
b) May I go and meet him for a while.
Rule 2: May indicates a possibility if it is used with present infinitive.
For Example:
a) He may join us for lunch today.
b) We may visit them next week.
Rule 3: May and might are used with perfect infinitives to suggest speculations about the actions in past.
For Example:
a) He may have been there.
b) She may have tried it again.
Use of Can:
Rule 1: Can is generally used to express a possibility.
For Example:
a) You can skip the first section of the test because it is not mandatory. (possibility of skipping the section)
b) You can take it along. (possibility of taking it along)
Rule 2: Can may indicate permission.
For Example:
a) You can touch this book. (means allowed to touch)
b) You can stand here. (means allowed to stand here)
Rule 3: Could can be used in the present tense to indicate a condition and can be used for referring to the past.
For Example:
a) Could I borrow your pen?
b) You could have attempted this question instead of leaving it blank
CAT Tips: Grammar: Verbs (Continued)
In this article, we continue with the topic of Verbs and cover some essential tips for the topic. These will help you solve Grammar questions with ease.
In this article, we cover some tips related to the usage of verbs.
Tip-1: The verbs discuss, describe, order and request are not followed by a preposition. These are transitive verbs that are followed by direct objects.
• Incorrect: We discussed about the tricky issue.
• Correct: We discussed the tricky issue.
• Incorrect: Hitesh described about the terrible situation.
• Correct: Hitesh described the terrible situation.
Tip-2: The verb suggest should be used with a gerund or a that-clause. It cannot be used with a to-infinitive.
• Incorrect: Rina suggested me to take a break.
• Correct: Rina suggested that I should take a break. OR Rina suggested taking a break.
Tip-3: The verb tell is followed by an indirect object without to.
• Incorrect: My grandmother told to me an exciting story.
• Correct: My grandmother me an exciting story.
Tip-4: We use tell with a personal object. We use said when there is no personal object.
When used with a that-clause tell takes an indirect object, while say does not.
• Incorrect: I said him to leave the country.
• Correct: I told him to leave the country.
• Incorrect: Suzy told that she would be joining us later.
• Correct: Suzy said that she would be joining us later.
Tip-5: To talk about ability we use can, not may.
• Incorrect: He is so frail that he may not talk.
• Correct: He is so frail that he cannot talk.
Tip-6: The verb want cannot be used with a that-clause. It is used with a to-infinitive.
• Incorrect: I want that you should be my lawyer.
• Correct: I want you to be my lawyer.
The above form some tips you can use for verbs. Along with the above errors, we have covered errors based on the usage of verbs in two more lessons: verb-tense and subject-verb agreement.
CAT Tips: Grammar: Adverbs
In this digest, we cover an important part of Grammar: Adverbs. Here, we cover the various rules pertaining to the correct use of adverbs.
Rule 1: Adverbs of time such as ever, always, sometimes, often, never, seldom, merely, etc. are placed before the verb they modify.
For example:
1. I go there never. (Incorrect)
I never go there. (Correct)
2. She speaks the truth always. (Incorrect)
She always speaks the truth. (Correct)
Rule 2: Only can be used as an adverb and as an adjective as well and should be placed before the word it intends to describe.
For example:
1. Only I helped him. (no one else did)
2. I only helped him. (only helped, did nothing else )
3. I helped him only. (helped no one else)
Rule 3: Use of Too
Adverb ‘too’ denotes comparison and means ‘more than required’. So ‘too’ must be followed by the point of comparison.
For example:
1. This matter is too sensitive. (Incorrect)
This matter is too sensitive to be discussed in open. (Correct)
2. It is too hot. (incorrect)
It is too hot to go out. (correct)
Too can also be used in following ways:
1. He, too, will come with us. ( means also)
2. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Rule 4: Use of Else
The adverb ‘else’ should be followed by ‘but’ and not by ‘than’.
For Example:
1. This is nothing else than stupidity. (incorrect)
This is nothing else but stupidity. (correct)
Rule 5: Use of ‘Much’ and ‘Very’
‘Much’ is used to describe adjectives and adverbs in the comparative degree whereas very is used in a positive degree.
For Example:
1. My lawn is much spacious than your lawn. (comparative degree)
2. He climbed the tree very easily. (positive degree)
3. She is very upset. (positive degree – describes the adjective ‘upset’)
CAT Tips: Grammar: Adverbs (Continued)
In this article, we continue with our Grammar journey and explore some handy rules related to the usage of Adverbs.
Rule 1: Use of Never and Ever
Never has a negative sense and it means ‘not even once’ but it cannot be used in place of ‘not’.
For Example:
1. I asked him but he never told me (incorrect)
I asked him but he did not tell me (correct)
2. Never tell a lie ( means never ever –not even once)
Do not tell a lie ( means for that moment)
Also it is wrong to use ‘never’ with ‘hardly’ as it creates double negatives.
For Example:
1. The tape recorder hardly never worked (incorrect)
2. The tape recorder never worked (correct)
3. The tape recorder hardly ever worked (correct)
Ever has a positive sense but is sometimes incorrectly used for ‘never’.
For example:
1. The machine seldom or ever worked (incorrect)
The machine seldom or never worked (correct)
Rule 2: ‘Of course’ is used to mean something that obvious or a natural consequence. It should not be used for certainly, undoubtedly etc.
For Example:
1. Of course, I like him (incorrect)
2. I certainly like him (correct)
Rule 3: Use of Hard and Hardly; Easy and Easily
Hard is an adjective and can modify nouns whereas hardly is an adverb. Easy is an adjective whereas easily is an adverb. There is difference in their usage.
For Example:
1. He works hard.(does hard work)
He hardly works. (does not work)
Rule 4: Use of Perhaps and Probably
Perhaps indicates possibility and probably means ‘most likely’.
For Example:
1. Perhaps he is not there. (possibility)
Probably he is not there. (most likely)
Rule 5: ‘No sooner’ indicates comparison and is always followed by ‘ than’.
1. No sooner had we left, he arrived. (incorrect)
No sooner had we left than he arrived. (correct)
Rule 6: Adverbs ‘scarcely’ and ‘hardly’ are followed by ‘when’.
For Example:
1. Scarcely had I reached there that I saw him. (incorrect)
Scarcely had I reached there when I saw him. (correct)
Rule 7: ‘Fast’ remains the same in both forms adjective and adverb.
For Example:
1. He runs fast. (adverb)
2. He is a fast runner. (adjective )
CAT Tips: Grammar: Conjunctions
In this article, tips for the correct use of conjunctions are explored. Keep these tips in mind while solving grammar questions and be on the lookout for the errors explained in this section.
Rule 1: Correlative conjunctions should be always used in pairs
What does this rule mean? After 'not only"... 'but also' is used. Similarly, after 'either'... 'or'; after 'neither'... 'nor'; and after 'both'... 'and' is used. These conjunctions are always in pairs.
For example:
• The hullabaloo not only damages our reputation but also decreases investor confidence. (correct)
• The hullabaloo not only damages our reputation and also decreases investor confidence. (incorrect)
Rule 2: Make sure you maintain parallel structure when using correlative conjunctions.
Go through the following sentence:
• He is going not only to open a school but also a fully air conditioned hostel.
In this case, the two parts joined by the conjunctions do not maintain parallel structure. The first part uses the infinitive form (to open a school) in the verb phrase and the second part is simply a noun phrases (a fully air conditioned hostel).
The correct sentence is this case is:
• He is going to open not only a school but also a fully air conditioned hostel.
In this case, the two parts of the sentence joined by the conjunction not only-but also use two noun phrases and maintain parallel structure.
Rule 3: After 'both', always use ‘and’. Do not use as well as / or / else, etc.
For example:
• Both Sachin and Dravid failed in the match today. (correct)
• Both Sachin as well as Dravid failed in the match today. (incorrect)
Rule 4: ‘Such as’ indicates result. ‘So as’ indicates purpose.
For example:
• He went to the court so as to get a good view of the proceedings. (correct)
• He went to the court such as to get a good view of the proceedings. (incorrect)
Rule 5: Unless means if…not. Therefore it is wrong to use another not in a sentence with unless.
For example:
• Unless you strive, you will never do well. (correct)
• Unless you do not strive, you will never do well. (incorrect)
CAT Tips: Grammar: Conjunctions (Continued)
In this digest, we explore another set of rules for the correct usage of Conjunctions. This handy set will help you solve grammar questions with ease.
Rule 1: Lest means 'that…not'. Therefore, it should not be used with not.
For example:
• Do it carefully lest you may slip up. (correct)
• Do it carefully lest you may not slip-up. (incorrect)
Rule 2: After ‘hardly’ and ‘scarcely’, ‘when’ is used and not ‘than’.
For example:
• Scarcely had Mahesh gone, when the police knocked at his door. (correct)
• Scarcely had Mahesh gone, than the police knocked at his door. (incorrect)
Rule 3: Neither is followed by ‘nor’, not by ‘or’.
For example:
• Neither Hitesh nor Mayank are going to the concert. (correct)
• Neither Hitesh or Mayank are going to the concert. (incorrect)
Rule 4: Use just one conjunction to connect two clauses.
• Because he is clever he gets good marks. (correct)
• Because he is clever so he gets good marks. (incorrect)
Rule 5: After 'rather' and 'other', use 'than'. Do not use other conjunctions such as ‘but’.
For example:
• I have no other objective than to get through the final year exam. (correct)
• I have no other objective but to get through the final year exam. (incorrect)
• I would rather have the pastry than the croissant. (correct )
• I would rather have the pastry not the croissant. (incorrect)
Rule 6: Do not use ‘not' after unless, until, etc., because the meaning of 'not' is already hidden in them.
• Until she finishes her meal, I will sit with her at the dining table. (correct)
• Until she does not finish her meal, I will sit with her at the dining table. (incorrect)
CAT Tips: Grammar
This mini-article consists of 3 rules that will help you solve Grammar questions. Presented in the form of a digest, you can quickly browse through these rules and revise them at your own leisure time. Here is the first set of rules:
Rule 1: If two singular nouns are joined with ‘and’, then the verb is plural.
For example: Tom and Timothy are going to get married. In this case, we are referring to two people and since the reference is plural in nature, the verb used is plural.
Rule 2: If two singular nouns are joined with ‘and’ but refer to single person or item, then the singular verb is used.
For example: Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast item. In this case, even though ‘and’ is used, the reference in the sentence is for one item and one dish.
Other such combinations which actually have a singular reference are: rice and curry, horse and carriage, hammer and sickle, ham and eggs, etc.
Also keep in mind that a sentence might refer to a single person in certain cases even when ‘and’ is used. In such cases, we use a singular verb. For example: The coach and captain of the team has made the decision.
In this case, the coach and captain of the team refer to the same person; they are not two individuals. How do we come to know this? Carefully observe the usage of a single article ‘the’ in this case. This helps us identify that the reference made here is to a single person.
If the author wants to imply that the coach and the captain are two separate people, he needs to use the definite article ‘the’ twice. The apt sentence with a plural verb will be: The coach and the captain of the team have made the decision. This finishes the rule associated with ‘the’.
Additive phrases: There are a number of phrases that are used to add meaning to the main subject of the sentence. These words and phrases are called additive phrases. Some additive phrases are: as well, in addition to, along with, together with, accompanied by, etc. Now that you know what additive phrases are, let’s take up the rule for these.
Rule 3: If a singular or plural subject is joined with an additive phrase, the verb is decided on the basis of the first subject.
For example: Tom, as well as his sisters, is going to the market.
English, in addition to history and science, is a required subject.
In our two examples, even though the second subject is plural, the verb is decided on the basis of the first subject (which is singular in nature). Effectively, you do not consider the subjects joined by additive phrases and focus only on the first subject.
CAT Tips: Grammar
Continuing with our awesome series of articles on Grammar rules, we provide you a set of 5 rules that you can use to crack Grammar questions. Go through rules, memorize and learn them and when you feel the need, revise them.
Rule 1: If the subjects are both singular and are connected by the words or, nor, neither/nor, either/or, and not only/but also the verb is singular.
Let’s take an example to digest this rule.
Example: Jack or Jill is to blame for the accident.
Rule 2: If two subjects are joined by either-or, neither-nor or not only-but also, then, the verb always follows the subject nearest to it.
Let’s take up a couple of examples to digest this rule.
1. Neither the father nor the children are going to the beach.
The plural subject ‘children’ takes the plural verb ‘are’.
2. Neither the children nor the father is going to the beach.
The singular subject ‘father’ takes the singular verb ‘is’.
The two examples showcase how the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. But as with every rule, there is a word of caution here as well. What is it? Read the next rule.
Rule 3: The pronouns neither and either are singular and require singular verbs even though they seem to be referring, in a sense, to two things.
For example:
1. Neither of the two calculators is working.
2. Either shirt is fine with me.
Rule 4: After each of/either of/neither of/everyone of/one of, etc., the noun or pronoun (subject) is always plural but the verb remains singular.
For example:
1. Each of the students is naughty.
2. Either shirt is fine with me.
Rule 5: Indefinite pronouns, in general, are considered singular and require singular verb forms.
An indefinite pronoun is not specific about the thing to which it refers. For example, anybody is an indefinite pronoun. The list of indefinite pronouns is: anyone, anybody, anything, No one, nobody, nothing, someone, somebody, something, everyone, everybody, everything, whatever and whoever.
Note that all the pronouns that end in -one, -body, or -thing fall belong to this category.
Two examples for the indefinite pronoun rule are:
1: Everybody knows that his films are lopsided and devoid of logic.
This sentence uses the singular verb ‘knows’ for the subject ‘everybody’.
2: Someone is responsible for the mess created at the party.
This sentence uses the singular verb ‘is’ for the subject ‘someone’.
CAT Tips: Grammar
In this digest, we cover 6 rules that will help you master subject-verb agreement. These rules will come in handy for solving questions as well improving your English language skills.
Rule 1: There are five indefinite pronouns that can be either singular or plural, depending on the context of the sentence.
These pronouns are: Some, Any, None, All, More / Most. You can remember them from the acronym SANAM.
How can you tell if these pronouns are singular or plural? You need to carefully look at the noun that follows these phrases and keep in mind:
• If the noun is a countable noun (for which the plural form exists), then the verb is plural.
• If the noun is an uncountable noun (for which only the singular forms exists), then the verb is singular.
Rule 2: If the subject of the sentence is many /both/few/a few, etc., the verb is always plural.
For example: Both are charming and brilliant.
Here, ‘both’ is the subject and ‘are’ is the plural verb.
Another example: Many were invited for the play but very few turned up.
Here, ‘many’ is the subject and ‘were’ is the plural verb.
Rule 3: After many/a great may/a good many, etc., the noun is always plural, which is followed by a plural verb.
For example: A great many boys are playing in the football field.
Here, ‘boys’ is a plural noun and is followed by the plural verb ‘are’.
Rule 4: After ‘many a’, the noun and verb in the sentence are always singular.
Make sure you remember this exception.
For example: Many a life has been lost in war.
Here, ‘life’ is a singular noun and ‘has been’ is a singular verb.
Rule 5: After ‘a number of/a large number’, the noun and verb in the sentence are always plural.
For example: A number of boys have been misbehaving.
Here, ‘boys’ is a plural noun and ‘have been’ is a plural verb.
Rule 6: After ‘the number’, the noun is plural but the verb is singular.
For example: The number of boys misbehaving is small.
Here, ‘boys’ is a plural noun and ‘is’ is a singular verb.
CAT Tips: Grammar
Another article and another set of rules!
In this digest, we have 4 rules that you can use for the Grammar topic, Subject-Verb Agreement. Use this rules to crack Grammar question and polish your English Language skills.
Rule 1: As the subject of a sentence, ‘each' or ‘every’ requires a singular verb form. This is true for any subject preceded by the word each or every.
For example: Every shark has sharp teeth.
Here, ‘Every shark’ is the subject and ‘has’ is a singular verb.
Another Example: Each of these caps is elegant.
Here, ‘Each of these caps’ is the subject and ‘has’ is a singular verb.
In this sentence, you might be tempted to think that the subject of the sentence is plural (caps) but this is not the case. As the subject is preceded by each, the subject is considered to be singular and not plural.
With the use of ‘each’, there is one thing that you should keep in mind. ‘Each’ following a subject does not have impact on the verb.
Rule 2: Collective nouns, such as family, couple, staff, audience, etc., may take either a singular or a plural verb, depending on their use in the sentence. If collective nouns are acting as a unit, use a singular verb.
For example: The team is heading for practice this evening.
In this case, the collective noun is acting as one and all the members of the group are performing the same action. Collective nouns take plural verbs when the members of the collective body act as individuals.
Let’s take a couple more examples to understand this further:
Example 1: The committee is in a meeting.
Example 2: The couple disagree about disciplining their son.
In example 1, the committee is acting as a unit.
In example 2, the couple refers to two people who are acting as individuals and therefore, the plural verb 'disagree' is used.
Rule 3: Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of money, etc., when considered as a unit.
For example: Fifteen miles is too far to job.
Ten years is the maximum sentence for negligent driving.
Thirty dollars is a heavy price to pay for a parking ticket.
There is an exception that you should remember for the last rule. If the reference is individual units, then use a plural verb.
For example: Hundred dollars (i.e., dollar bills) were scattered on the floor.
Rule 4: The words there and here are never subjects.
With these constructions, the subject follows the verb but still determines the number of the verb.
For example: There are two grounds for this.
In this case, the subject is plural (grounds) and therefore, the plural verb ‘are’ is used.
CAT Tips: Grammar
Want to learn some rules that will help you solve Grammar questions? This is the right place for it. This digest of 7 rules will help you solve Grammar questions with ease.
Rule 1: Words such as glasses, pants, pliers, and scissors are regarded as plural (and require plural verbs) unless they are preceded by the phrase pair of (in which case the word pair becomes the subject and a singular verb is required).
For example: My glasses were on the table.
My pants were ripped apart.
A pair of striped trousers is in the closet.
Rule 2: Words such as glasses, pants, pliers, and scissors are regarded as plural (and require plural verbs) unless they're preceded by the phrase pair of (in which case the word pair becomes the subject and a singular verb is required).
For example: My glasses were on the table.
My pants were ripped apart.
A pair of striped trousers is in the closet.
Rule 3: Some words (news, measles, mumps,physics, etc.) that end in -s and appear to be pluralbut are really singular and require singular verbs.
For example:
1. The news from the border state is bad.
2. Measles is a dangerous disease.
Rule 4: Some words ending in –s (assets, earnings, thanks, etc.) refer to a single thing but are nonetheless plural and require a plural verb.
For example:
1. My assets were wiped out in the stock market crash.
2. The average employee's earnings have gone up by 10%.
3. Our thanks go to the workers who supported the union.
Rule 5: The names of sports teams are treated as plurals, regardless of the form of that name.
For example:
1.The Yankees have won their fifth consecutive title.
2. England have won the world cup.
Rule 6: The titles of single entities (books, organizations, countries, etc.) are always singular.
For example: War and Peace takes a long time to read.
Rule 7: The plural verb 'were' replaces 'was' in sentences that express an unfulfilled wish, desire or condition. These sentences are build using if, as if, as though, I wish, etc.
For example:
1. If Jiten were here, you'd be sorry.
2. I wish I were a ghost.
VERBAL ABILITY | GRAMMAR TIPS BELOW
CAT Tips: Basics of Averages
Averages is a topic that appears quite often in many important examinations.
So, what do you understand by the term Average? For any list (or set) of numbers, its average is simply the central value of that list (i.e., the mean value).
The simple formula:
Average = Total value / No. of values
Total value = Average * No. of values
Do note that the average would always be greater than the lowest value and smaller than the highest value among all numbers in a list. An average is simply the central value of a list. Thus, the average would always lie between the extreme values in a list.
For example, if the highest amount is Rs. 170 and the smallest amount is Rs. 120.
The average amount would be Rs. 150, which falls between Rs. 120 and Rs. 170.
Let us now look at example on averages.
A smuggler illegally transports drugs from Surat to Baroda in his car every day. While travelling to Baroda, his car is heavier due to all of the drugs. Hence, he is only able to drive at 20 kph and so takes 6 hours for this part of the journey (Surat to Baroda). While returning, he is able to drive at 30 kph and so takes only 4 hours. Can you figure out his average speed over the entire journey, i.e. the journey from Surat to Baroda and back to Surat?
20 + 30 = 50 kph and 50 kph/2 = 25 kph
Actually, 25 kph is not the right answer!
The right answer is 24 kph.
Let us see how we get this answer.
Distance from Surat to Baroda = 20 kph * 6 hours = 30 kph * 4 hours = 120 kms.
Hence, total distance covered while travelling from Surat to Baroda and back = 120 kms * 2 = 240 kms and Total time taken = 6 + 4 hrs = 10 hrs.
Thus, total distance covered = 240 kms and total time taken = 10 hrs
Hence, average speed = 240/10 = 24 kph
Weighted Averages:
Weighted average can be calculated in 2 steps:
Step 1: Total value = sum of (each value * number of times the value appears)
Step 2: Average = Total value / Total number of values
Example:
In a group of four top order batsmen, two scored 20 runs each in a certain match while the other two scored 60 and 40 runs respectively. What is the average runs scored by these four batsmen in this match?
Total runs scored = 1* 60 + 1*40 + 2*20 = 140
Total number of batsmen = 4
Thus, average runs = 140/4 = 35
CAT Tips: Basics of Profit and Loss
Suppose you go to a shop and try to buy a laptop. The label on the laptop says Rs 38,000. This is called the Marked Price.
You start bargaining with the shopkeeper and he agrees to sell it to you for Rs 35,000. This is the Selling Price.
Let’s suppose that he bought it for Rs. 30,000 from the manufacturer. This will be the shopkeeper’s Cost Price.
If you subtract the cost price from the selling price, he earned Rs 35,000 – 30,000 = Rs 5,000 from the transaction. This means that he earned a profit of Rs. 5000.
Thus,
Profit/Loss = Selling price – Cost price.
Now, the shopkeeper wants to know his profit in percentage terms. So what is his profit percent?
The formula to find percentage Profit / Loss is:
Profit / Loss% = (Profit or Loss/C.P.) * 100 %
Thus, in this case Profit % = (5,000 / 30,000) * 100 %
= 16.67%
Similarly to find Cost Price and Selling Price we have:
C.P. = (S.P. × 100) ÷ (100 +/- profit %) [the negative sign would be used in case of a loss]
S.P. = (100 +/- profit %) × C.P ÷ 100
Now, suppose a friend of yours bought a movie DVD for Rs. 625 and you found out that the store owner made a profit of 25% from this sale. So, what was the cost price of the D.V.D for the store owner?
C.P. = (S.P. × 100) ÷ (100 + profit %)
= (625 * 100) / (100 + 25) = (62500 / 125) = Rs. 500
The formula to find Discount and Discount percentage on a product:
Discount = Marked Price – Selling Price
Discount % = (Discount/ Marked Price) × 100%
Example: The marked price of a shirt was Rs 400 and its selling price was Rs 350. Find the discount and Discount percent.
Discount = 400 ― 350 = Rs 50
Now, by using the percentage formula, we can calculate the discount percent.
Discount % = (Discount/ Marked Price) × 100%
D% = (50/400) × 100% = 12.5%
Faulty Wieghts:
Profit % = [(Weight claimed – Actual weight given)/Actual weight given] * 100%
or Profit % = (Extra weight retained by seller/Actual weight given) * 100%
Example: A very smart trader cheats both his supplier and his customer by using faulty weights. When he buys from the supplier, he takes 10 percent more than the indicated weight and when he sells to the customer, he gives 10 percent less than the indicated weight. Can you calculate the overall profit percentage of the trader?
Explanation:
While buying from the supplier, suppose the indicated weight is 1 kg (i.e. 1000 grams).
Now, the trader has cheated the supplier by using faulty measures and takes 10 percent more than the indicated weight.
So, the total weight comes to 1000 + [(10/100)*1000] = 1100 grams (1.1 kg)
Thus, the trader bought 1100 grams from the supplier and paid for only 1000 grams.
Now, the trader cheated the customer and sold 10 percent less than the indicated weight.
So, while selling to the customer, if the indicated weight is 1000 grams (1 kg), the actual weight given to the customer is 1000 - [(10/100)*1000] = 900 grams
So, when the trader sells 1 kg, he actually gives only 900 grams and retains 200 grams (note that he has cheated the supplier too and so, he acquired 1100 grams).
Now, applying the formula:
Profit % = (Extra weight retained by seller/Actual weight given) * 100%
Profit % = (200/900) * 100%
Hence, Profit % = 22.22%
CAT Tips: Basics of Percentages
Percentages are a good way of comparing things. Percentages simply mean “per 100”.
So, if we say, ‘in future, 80% of engineers will be women’ it means that in the future, out of every 100 engineers, 80 will be women.
To convert a fraction into a per cent we have the following:
To convert any fraction l/m to rate per cent, multiply it by 100 and put % sign, i.e., (l/m) x 100 %
Similarly to convert a percentage into fraction, drop the per cent sign and divide the number by 100.
The given table can be used for quick calculations:
Fraction %age Fraction %age
1/2 50% 1/9 11.11%
1/3 33.33% 1/10 10%
1/4 25% 1/11 9.09%
1/5 20% 1/12 8.33%
1/6 16.66% 1/13 7.69%
1/7 14.28% 1/14 7.14%
1/8 2.5% 1/15 6.66%
To find the percentage change:
Percentage Change = [(Final Value – Initial Value) / Initial Value] x 100
Example: 2 employees were added in a company of 18 employees. So, how many employees would be added to a company of 100 employees?
The addition would be = (2 * 100) / 18 = 200/18 = 100/9 = 11.11
Additional Formulae for Percentages:
Successive Percentage:
Final value = x(1 + (A/100)) (x + (b/100)) (1 + (c/100)) …….
If A x% more than that of B, then B is less than that of A by:
[ x/ (100 + x) * 100]%
If A is x% less than that of B, then B is more than that of A by :
[ x/ (100 - x) * 100]%
CAT Tips: Basics of Ratio and Proportion
Ratio and Proportion is simple to understand (despite the long and confusing name).
For example, Suppose that the salaries of your friends Dante and Nero are in the ratio of 5:9. The sum of their salaries is Rs 35,000. Find out their individual salaries.
The answer to this question is quite simple.
Ratios essentially compare two quantities and give us the relation between them.
As we know that the ratio of their salaries is 5:9.
So, let us assume that Dante’s salary is 5x and Nero’s salary is 9x.
Now, this means that 5x + 9x = 35,000
14x = 35,000
or x = 2,500
Therefore, Dante’s salary = 5x = 5 * 2,500 = Rs 12,500
and, Nero’s salary = 9x = 9 * 2,500 = Rs 22,500
Thus, ratios are used to compare values. So, a ratio is a quantity which expresses the relationship between two similar quantities or two numbers of the same kind (e.g., objects, persons, students, number of books, units of identical dimension, etc.)
Note: Using ratios, we can only compare two similar quantities.
If the ratio of two quantities A and B is expressed as x: y, it means that A/B = x/y.
Types of Ratio:
Compounded Ratio of two ratios a/b and c/d is ac/bd,
Duplicate ratio of a : b is a2 : b2
Triplicate ratio of a : b is a3 : b3
Sub-duplicate ratio of a : b is √a : √b
Sub-triplicate ratio of a : b is ∛a : ∛b
Reciprocal ratio of a : b is b : a
Proportion:
Proportions are related to ratios.
When two ratios are equal, then the four quantities involved in the two ratios are said to be proportional.
Thus, if a/b = c/d, then a, b, c and d are said to be proportional.
This is represented as a: b :: c:d and is read as “a is to b as c is to d”.
For example: 2/3 is equal to 8/12. So, we write it as 2/3 = 8/12. Thus, we say that 2, 3, 8, 12 are proportional and write it as 2 : 3 :: 8 : 12.
When 2, 3, 8, 12 are in proportion, then 2 and 12 are known as ‘Extremes’ and 3 and 8 are known as ‘Means’.
Remember this interesting formula always:
Product of Extremes = Product of Means
i.e. A * D = B * C
For example, in this case:
2 * 12 = 3 * 8
Fourth proportional:
If a:b :: c:x, x is called the fourth proportional of a, b, c.
We have a/b = c/x or, x = (b x c)/ a.
Thus, fourth proportional of a, b, c is (b x c)/ a.
Third Proportional:
If a:b:: b:x, x is called the third proportional of a, b.
We have a/b = b/x or, x = (b2)/ a.
Thus, third proportional of a, b is (b2)/ a.
Mean Proportional:
If a:x:: x:b, x is called the mean or second proportional of a, b.
We have a/x = x/b or x2 = ab or x = (ab)^ (1/2)
Mean proportional of a and b is (ab)^ (1/2) .
We also say that a, x, b are in continued proportion.
Componendo and Dividendo :
If a/b = c/d, then
(i) (a + b)/b = (c + d)/d (Componendo)
(ii) (a-b)/b = (c – d)/d (Dividendo)
(iii) (a + b)/ (a-b) = (c + d) / (c -d) (Componendo and Dividendo)
(iv) a/b = (a+c)/ (b + d) = (a – c) / (b -d) .