English Notes

Article "THE" is used in the following ways:

Rule 1:

• Before the names of the historical  or public buildings:  the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, the Rashtrapathi Bhavan, etc
• Before the names of rivers:  the Krishna, the Ganga, the Yamuna etc.
• Before the names of seas:  the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea etc.
• Before the Oceans:  the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, etc.
• Before the names of certain chains of Mountains:  the Himalayas, the Alps, etc.
• Before the names of deserts:  the Sahara, the Thar, etc.
• Before the names of newspapers, magazines etc:  the Hindustan Times, , the Deccan Chronicle, etc.
• Before groups of islands:  the Andamans, the West Indies, etc.
• Before the names of certain countries (This is an exception):  the Yemen, the Sudan, the Hague, etc.

Examples:

Rule 2:  Before a noun denoting a hospital, temple, school, college, prison etc. If its purpose or use is not referred to or say if used not in its primary purpose.
Examples:  He has gone to the hospital to visit a friend, Where he is employed.
(Here he went to hospital to meet his friend not because of illness)

Rule 3:  Before an adjective in the superlative degree.
Examples:  
Michael is tallest boy in the class.  ✘
Michael is the tallest boy in the class  ✔

Rule 4:  Before an adjective in the comparative degree, when the selection of one out of only two persons.
Example:  
Nalini is more beautiful of the two girls in the class.  ✘
Nalini is the more beautiful of the two girls in the class.  ✔

Rule 5:  With nouns indicating what is unique. (there is no second one)
Examples:  the sun, the moon, the sky, the earth, the equator etc.

Rule 6:  Before an abstract noun or a material if it is used with an adjunct (a qualifying clause) (or when there is a particular  reference to the material noun)
Examples:   The gold you have brought from the U.S.A. is good quality.
Ornaments are made of The gold  ✘

Rule 7:  The is used before certain adjectives to give a plural meaning.  The rich, The poor, The dead, The sick, The healthy, The deaf, The blind etc.
 The rich = rich people
 The poor = poor people
Examples
Rich hate poor  ✘
The rich hate the poor  ✔

Wise think before they speak  ✘
The wise think before they speak  ✔

Rule 8: With certain adjectives indicating nationality.  The spanish means spanish people
Examples:  the English, the Dutch, the Spanish, the Chinese, the Burmese etc.

Rule 9:  Before ‘only’ and ordinal numbers, such first, second, millionth etc. and adjectives of number.
Examples:
All the students of  first year are invited.  ✘
All the students of the first year are invited  ✔

Second example is not correct  ✘
The second example is not correct.  ✔

He is only one in the class who got selected for Google.  ✘
He is the only one in the class who got selected for Google.  ✔

Today is sixth day of the month  ✘
Today is the sixth day of the month  ✔

Rule 10:  Before a noun when special emphasis is needed.
Example:
This is the novel I am talking about.  (not any novel, but a particular novel)

Rule 11:  Before a common noun to give it the meaning of an abstract noun
Examples:   At last the father in him prevailed and excused him.

Rule 12:  In special comparatives
Examples:
 1. The more you earn, the more you spend
 2. The more, the better
 3. The higher you go, the cooler you feel.


Rule 13:  Before musical instruments.
Examples:  
Rajani can play piano very well  ✘
Rajani can play the piano very well.  ✔ 

Rule 14:  Before the proper names of certain well-known or sacred books.
Examples:   the Mahabharat, the Ramayana, the Gita, the Bible, the Quran

Rule 15:  Before the names of certain countries each of which is a union of smaller units.
Examples:   the U.S.A., the U.A.E., and U.S.S.R etc.

Rule 16:  Before north, south etc when these are used as nouns.
Examples:   the north of India, the Middle East, the West Asia.

Rule 17:  Before some proper nouns consisting of adjectives and noun or noun + of + noun
Examples:   the State Bank of India, the National Museum

Rule 18:  The + singular noun + clause or phrase can be used to distinguish one person from another of the same name.
Example:
 Q. We have two Reddy’s, which Reddy you want?
 A. I want the Reddy who signed the letter.

Rule 19:  Before the names of political parties.
Example:  the BJP, the Congress

Rule 20:  When it is clear from the context that a particular person, place or thing is meant.
Examples:
 1. I talked to the Principal yesterday.  (Both speaker and listener knew who is principal)
 2. The students are playing in the garden.

Rule 21:  Before the dates of months.
Examples:
 the 23 October, 1949, the 15th August, 1947, etc.,

Rule 22: "The" is used before the parts of the body which are used in place of possessive Adjectives
Don't strike her on head  ✘
Don't strike her on the head  ✔

She caught me by hand  ✘
She caught me by the hand  ✔

He pulled him by leg  ✘
He pulled him by the leg.  ✔

Read more:

English : - Rules Pertaining to Usage of Articles

In English there are two types of articles:

(i)   The Indefinite Articles
(ii)  The Definite Article

The Indefinite Articles : A and An (Please note that ‘An’ is a variant of ‘A’.)
'A' and 'An' are to be used with Nouns that are singular.  Singular Nouns are, To simply put, we can put one, two, ... in front of them.
The Definite Article     : The

Notes: 

1. The indefinite article ‘a’ is used before: 
 (a) a word beginning with a letter having a consonant sound. 
  Examples:  a book, a man, a dinner.

 (b) a word that begins with a letter (like O) with the sound like ‘wa’ 
 Examples: a one-rupee note, one-eyed man etc.

 (c) a word beginning with ‘u’ or ‘eu’ giving the consonant of ‘yu’.
 Examples: a university, a European.

2. The indefinite article ‘an’ is used before:
 (a) a word beginning with a letter like a, e, i, o, u having a vowel sound.
 Examples:  an apple, an egg,  an umbrella, an idiot, etc.

 (b) a word beginning with ‘h’ but the pronunciation starts with a vowel.
 Examples: an heir, an hour, an honest man, etc.

 (c) an abbreviation, the first letter of which is ‘M’ 
 Examples: an M.L.A., an M.P., an M.Com an S.D.O and F.R.C.S., an X-mas gift etc.


RULES REGARDING THE ARTICLES:
We use a or an:

Rule 1:  If noun is singular countable, article must be used. 
John is teacher (Incorrect))
John is a teacher (correct)

Man came to my house yesterday  (Incorrect)
A man came to my house yesterday  (Correct)

Rule 2:  a or an must be used for noun complement which includes professions. 
He was great man.  (Incorrect)
He was a great man  (Correct)

He is actor  (Incorrect)
He is an actor  (Correct)


Rule 2: If we want to say something about speed or price.
Eg:
I bought these onions Five rupees kilo.  (Incorrect)
I bought these onions Five rupees a kilo  (Correct)
The speed of the train is fifty miles hour  (Incorrect)
The speed of the train is fifty miles an hour  (Correct)

Rule 4:  In exclamatory sentence before singular and countable nouns
Eg:
What a fine sketch!  (Correct)
What a great shot!  (Correct)

Rule 5:  Before the word ‘most’ when it is used in the sense of very or much or exceedingly.
Examples:
Sreedhar is most intelligent student.  (Incorrect)
Sreedhar is a most intelligent student  (Correct)

This is most unfortunate event.  (Incorrect)
This is a most unfortunate event.  (Correct)


Rule 6:  Before a singular countable noun which is used as an example to represent a class.
Examples:
Cow is useful animal  (Incorrect)
 A cow is useful animal  (Correct)

Note : It must be borne in mind that ‘man’ or ‘woman’, when used in a general sense to represent ‘mankind’ as a whole, never takes are article.

Examples:
A man is mortal  (Incorrect)
Man is mortal  (Correct)

A woman is man's better half  (Incorrect)
Woman is man’s better half  (Correct)

Rule 11:  With the words a lot of, a couple, a great many, a good deal of, a good many, a great deal of, a few, a little etc. when they mean 'Some amount' and 'a small number'
Few books were in the library  (Incorrect)
A few books were in the library  (Correct)


Lot of people have attended the party  (Incorrect)

A lot of people have attended the party  (Correct)


Rule 5:  In certain phrases: a cold, a pain, on an average, make a noise, make an effort, make a mistake, a fever. etc.
I've got cold  (Incorrect)

I've got a cold  (Correct)

Rule 6:  With certain numbers : a hundred, a thousand, a million etc.

Rule 7:  ‘A’ can be used before Mr. / Miss / Mrs. + name
Examples:
 a Mr. Bose, a Mrs, Bose etc.
Note : A Mr. Bose denotes a person who is called Bose, and implies that he is a stranger to the speaker.
Mr. Bose, without ‘a’. implies that the speaker knows Mr. Bose, or knows of his existence.

Rule 8:  Before a proper noun to make it a common noun.
Examples:
Mohan is a Newton of our class  (Incorrect)
Mohan is the Newton of our class  (Correct)

Rule 9:  Before certain uncountable nouns preceded by nouns + of
Examples:
 a piece of advice, a bit of news, a drop of water etc.

Rule 10:
After the words many, rather, such, quite etc in certain structures.
Examples:
 1. Many a friend of mine is attending the party.
 2. Such a show cannot be arranged now.
 3. He is rather a fool to take such decisions.

A or An is not used before: 

(a) Plural nouns: a books, a universities etc. (Incorrect)

(b) Uncountable nouns: an advices, an information etc. (Incorrect)

(c) Names of meals:
Examples:
 Let us have a dinner (Incorrect)
 Let us have dinner  (Correct)

Note: An indefinite article can be used before names of meals when these are preceded by an adjective.
Example:
 She gave me a good breakfast at 8 p.m.  (Correct)

Subject and Verb Agreement For SBI PO: 2014

General rule:  In English, the verb must agree with its subject in number and person. In other words, the verb must be of the same number and person as the subject.

Note:  In the correction of sentences part of many competitive examinations the S - V concord is usually tested.

Rule 1:  Two or more singular nouns when they are joined by ‘and’, require a Verb in the Plural
Examples:  
A man and his wife has come here asking for work  ✘
A man and his wife have come here asking for work  ✔

Exceptions: 
(a)  When two singular nouns joined by and refer to the same person or thing, the verb is singular.
Examples:
The great scholar and poet are dead  ✘
The great scholar and poet is dead  ✔

The District Magistrate and Collector are on leave today.  ✘
The District Magistrate and Collector is on leave today  ✔

Notes:
 i.  Article ‘The’ article is used only once when the two nouns refer to the same person or thing.
ii.  If the nouns refer to different persons or things, article ‘The’ is used before each noun. In such cases, the verb will be in the plural form.
Examples:
The Secretary and the president has been giving warm welcome  ✘
The Secretary and the president have been giving warm welcome  ✔

(b)  If two different singular nouns express one idea, the verb should be in the singular form.
Examples:
Slow and Steady win the race  ✘
Slow and Steady wins the race  ✔

Rice and curry are my favourite dish  ✘
Rice and curry is my favourite dish  ✔

(c)  When two singular subjects are practically synonymous the verb should be in the singular form.  Power and position, Peace and Prosperity, Law and order etc.
Examples:
The law and order situation in the state are under control  ✘
The law and order situation in the state is under control  ✔

His power and influence are on the decline  ✘
His power and influence is on the decline  ✔

Rule 2:  When two or more Singular Subjects are connected by or, nor, either ... or, neither ... nor, the Verb is Singular:
Examples:
Either james or John are to be promoted  ✘
Either james or John is to be promoted  ✔

Neither the man nor his wife have done much work  ✘
Neither the man nor his wife has done much work  ✔

No boy or girl are allowed to play in school  ✘
No boy or girl is allowed to play in school  ✔

Exceptions: 
When the subjects joined by ‘either - or’ neither - nor’ are of different persons, the verb will agree in person and number with the nearest one to it. Also, the plural subject must be placed nearest to the verb. (This is very important)
Neither you nor he are to take up this task  ✘
Neither you nor he is to take up this task  ✔

Either the Chief Minister or the Cabinet Ministers is responsible for this problem.  ✘
Either the Chief Minister or the Cabinet Ministers are responsible for this problem.  ✔

Either you or I are responsible for this mistake. ✘
Either you or I am responsible for this mistake.  ✔


Rule 3:  If two singular subjects (combined by and) are preceded by each or every, the verb should be in the singular.
Examples:
Every boy and girl were present in the class yesterday.  ✘
Every boy and girl was present in the class yesterday. ✔

Rule4:  If with, together with, as well as, accompanied by etc are used to combine two subjects the verb agrees with the subject mentioned first.
Examples:
The President of India together with his personal secretaries are invited to this function  ✘
The President of India together with his personal secretaries is invited to this function  ✔

The actress, along with her manager and some friends, are invited to the function  ✘
The actress, along with her manager and some friends, is invited to the function  ✔

Mr. Micheal, accompanied by wife and children are arriving tonight by train  ✘
Mr. Micheal, accompanied by wife and children is arriving tonight by train  ✔

Note:  If the conjunction "and" is used instead, the verb would then be plural.
Compare
(i) Sushma and Rajitha are our professor’s daughters  ✔
(ii) The study of languages and sciences is very important for your study.  ✔
Here study is singular so singular verb "is" is used.

Rule 5:  When ‘not only ....... but also’ is used to combine two subject, the verb agrees with the subject close to it.
Examples:
Not only silver, but also gold are mined in this country  ✘
Not only silver, but also gold is mined in this country  ✔

Rule 6:  None / No.  None can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the noun which follows it
Structure:  none + of the + non-count noun + singular verb
Examples:
None of the counterfeit money have been found  ✘
None of the counterfeit money has been found  ✔

Structure: none + of the + plural count noun + plural verb
Examples:
None of the students has finished the exam yet  ✘
None of the students have finished the exam yet  ✔

No can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the noun which follows it.

Structure:  No + singular noun + singular verb
No example is relevant to this case  ✔

Structure: no + plural noun + plural verb
No examples are relevant to this case  ✔

Rule 7:  Many words indicating a number of people or animals are singular. The following nouns are usually singular. In some cases they are plural if the sentence indicates that the individual members are acting separately.
congress, family, group, committee, class, organisation, team, army, club, crowd, government, jury, minority, public

Examples of collective nouns:

The committee have met and accepted the proposal  ✘
The committee has met and accepted the proposal ✔

The family were happy at the news  ✘
The family was happy at the news  ✔

The crowd was wild with excitement  ✔
Congress has initiated a new plan to combat inflation  ✔
Our team is certain to win the match ✔
The family living next door often quarrel among themselves ✔

Rule 8:  Majority can be singular or plural. If it is alone it is usually singular, if it is followed by a plural noun, it is usually plural.

The majority believe that the country can progress  ✘
The majority believes that the country can progress  ✔
The majority of the lecturers believes that the student has not copied in the examination  ✘
The majority of the lecturers believe that the student has not copied in the examination  ✔
          

Rule 9:  A number of / the number
Observe the two structures:
(i)  a number of + plural noun + plural verb.
(ii)  the number of + plural noun + singular verb.
Examples:
 A number of students is going to the class picnic  ✘
A number of students are going to the class picnic ✔

The number of days in a week are seven  ✘
The number of days in a week is seven  ✔

The number of residents who have been residing in this colony is quite small  ✔
A number of the applicants have already been interviewed  ✔

Rule 10:  Collective nouns indicating time, money, and measurements used as a whole are singular and take a singular verb.
Examples:
Twenty-five rupees are not such big amount for him ✘
Twenty-five rupees is not such big amount for him ✔

Two miles are too much for this man to run ✘
Two miles is too much for this man to run ✔

Rule 11:  When a lot of, a great deal of, plenty of, most of, and some of refer to number, a plural verb is used.
Examples:
A lot of people was present in the gallery some of the students were absent  ✘
A lot of people were present in the gallery some of the students were absent  ✔

Note : If these expressions refer to an amount, the verb is in the singular number.
A lot of work has to be completed before we go  ✔
A great deal of work has been finished  ✔

Rule 12:  When the percentage or a part of something is mentioned with plural meaning the plural verb is used.
Examples:
30% of Indian women is literate  ✘
30% of Indian women are literate  ✔

Rule 13:  ‘Barracks’, headquarters, ‘whereabouts’ ‘alms’ etc. take a singular verb, as well as the plural verb.
Examples:
The headquarters of the UNO is / are New York ✔

Rule 14:  In sports, while referring to the players, the name of the country is followed by plural verb.
Examples:
England has won the World Cup  ✘
England have won the World Cup.  ✔

Rule 15:  When the ‘enemy’ is used in the sense “armed forces” of a nation with which one’s country is at war, we have to use the plural verb.
Examples:
 The enemy were forced to retreat.  ✔

Rule 16:   Whenever a number of adjectives qualify the same person or thing, then these may be placed after the noun and the verb must quality immediately preceding subject.  who, which, that are relative pronouns. You simply substitute the noun in this place and read the question.
It is I who has to learn a lesson. ✘
It is I who am  to learn a lesson.  ✔
It is they who has to leave this place.  ✘
It is they who have to leave this place.  ✔
One of the songs that has been broadcast is really marvelous.  ✘
One of the songs that have been broadcast is really marvelous.  ✔
A girl or a boy who do not strive to gain their objectives, is bound to fail.  ✘
A girl or a boy who doesn't strive to gain his or her objectives, is bound to fail.  ✔
There is not a single book out of the lot that are not interesting. ✘
There is not a single book out of the lot that is not interesting.  ✔