You naturally score higher in English with a solid foundation in grammar. Once you master the essential grammar rules, you can easily get full marks in the exam paper's MCQ section.
This SMART Sheet aims to give a quick look of the frequently encountered grammar questions. It'll help you acquire a systematic understanding of the English grammar rules underlying these topics. Its content focuses on the MCQ section of the PSLE English exam paper but also benefits other levels. Why you should study your grammar
Grammar constitutes about 55% percent of most English exam papers. Mastering grammar rules is the easiest way to score higher in your examination. Besides, it directly enhances your writing arsenal.
How this SMART Sheet can help you with your study
This SMART Sheet from The Learning Board English Centre can help you memorize 12 common grammar rules with ease. These rules help to answer questions that often appear in exam papers, especially PSLE.
To have a better idea of how those exam questions look like, you can further read this post of 12 common grammar questions and how to solve them. Over there, you will find real PSLE exam questions and the thought process involved in answering them. The illustration comes with annotation and step-by-step explanation. We recommend that you attempt the questions first before looking at the guided answers (in yellow). Now let's have a preview of the SMART Sheet. You can find out how to download the high resolution version in the following section. How to download this SMART Sheet
Simply fill in the form below. An email containing the download link will be sent to your inbox.
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Get into the details
1. The quantifiers either, neither and each stand before a singular countable noun. Hence, you use a singular verb following them. They can act as pronouns too.
2. When two words are linked by the conjunction or, the verb agrees to the word closest to it. The same rule applies to either .. or and neither .. nor.
3. You use the relative pronoun who to refer to people. When the relative pronoun is an object of the verb in the relative clause, you use whom. Whose refers to possession. Which modifies a thing. It can take the role of either a subject or an object of the relative clause.
4. If two words are linked by the expression together with, as well as, with or including, the verb agrees to the first word.
5. A number of is a quantifier, meaning a lot. You follow it with a plural verb. The number of is itself the main subject of the sentence. Since the number is singular, you use a singular verb after it.
6. A singular collective noun can be followed by a singular verb (when it refers to a unit) or a plural verb (when it refers to individuals in a unit).
7. You always use a singular verb after an uncountable noun.
8. You use the bare infinitive after sensing verbs (see, hear, feel, watch, etc.) and their objects. However, if the sentence emphasizes on the continuous action, you can use a present participle (ing form) instead of bare infinitive.
9. You use a singular verb after these indefinite pronouns: everybody, everyone, everything and somebody.
10. You use the bare form of the verb after modal verbs such as would, could, should, may, must and certain words like to, do.
11. You transform an active sentence to its passive voice by swapping the performer and receiver of the action and change the verb to the form be + past participle.
12. You add a negative tag (verb + pronoun) to a positive sentence to form a question tag and vice versa.
Build a solid foundation in English grammar
12 Comments
Jimmy Lu
5/7/2019 12:58:50 pm
Hi, can give PSLE grammar samples to prepare for 2019 PSLE exams.
Reply
10/7/2019 09:00:46 pm
Hi Jimmy. Thank you for your suggestion. Here is the link to our examples (with answers): https://www.thelearningboard.com.sg/blog/visual-learning-12-common-grammar-questions-and-how-to-solve-them
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Bell
9/7/2019 10:35:18 pm
Hi, I am interested in psle grammar to prepare for 2019 psle. Thanks.
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The Learning Board
10/7/2019 09:17:48 pm
Hi Bell.
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Jimmy
10/7/2019 06:13:18 pm
Hi, can give a copy of your 12 Techniques to tackle the common questions.
Reply
The Learning Board
10/7/2019 09:03:51 pm
Hi Jimmy. Thanks for your request. It is already available to download. You can download this Smart Sheet by right-clicking on the image and selecting "Save image as...". Hope it helps.
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Lilly
5/5/2020 12:52:14 pm
Hi i am intrested to improve my grammar, however i do not want to call you guys is it possible to do it another way?
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The Learning Board
5/5/2020 01:28:16 pm
Hi Lilly, yes, you may drop us your enquiry email at info@thelearningboard.com.sg. Looking forward to receiving your email.
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jeff
21/9/2020 03:42:19 pm
From the above grammar tips, 6, 11 & 12 are not clear to me. Could you provide detailed explanation for them?
Reply
22/9/2020 11:52:29 pm
Hi Jeff. The tips you mentioned are "the infinitive", "active to passive voice" and "question tag" respectively. You can look into the updated section "Get into the details" for more information. Thank you.
Reply
elizabeth
21/9/2020 06:37:06 pm
can i have some more tips on grammar and some papers to revise for 2020 psle
Reply
The Learning Board
21/9/2020 11:48:15 pm
Hi Elizabeth. We prepared this pack of 30 exam papers. You can download for free and practice. Here is the link https://www.thelearningboard.com.sg/free-english-exam-papers
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