SSC CGL 2027 Sentence Improvement Questions: Rules, Examples and Practice MCQs

Sentence Improvement is an important English practice topic for candidates preparing for SSC CGL 2027 and other competitive examinations. These questions test your ability to identify grammatical errors, improve sentence structure and select the most appropriate expression without changing the original meaning.

To solve sentence improvement questions accurately, candidates should understand subject-verb agreement, tenses, articles, prepositions, pronouns, conjunctions and parallel structure. Regular practice with grammar rules and multiple-choice questions can help you recognise incorrect constructions and choose the best alternative.

In this article, Katara Academy covers essential sentence improvement rules, solved examples, common mistakes and practice MCQs with explanations to support your SSC CGL 2027 English preparation.

Table of Contents

1. What Is Sentence Improvement?
2. How to Solve Sentence Improvement Questions
3. Important Grammar Rules
4. Solved Sentence Improvement Examples
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
6. SSC CGL 2027 Practice MCQs
7. Answer Key with Explanations
8. Preparation Tips

1. What Is Sentence Improvement?

Sentence improvement is a type of English grammar exercise in which a part of a sentence is underlined or highlighted. Candidates must select the alternative that makes the sentence grammatically correct, clearer or more appropriate while preserving its intended meaning.

Depending on the question, the original phrase may contain an error in tense, subject-verb agreement, preposition, article, pronoun, word order or idiomatic usage.

Example: She do not like travelling by bus.

Incorrect phrase: do not

Correct phrase: does not

Improved sentence: She does not like travelling by bus.

The subject "she" is singular, so the sentence requires "does not" rather than "do not". The meaning remains unchanged.

2. How to Solve Sentence Improvement Questions

Use a systematic approach instead of choosing an option simply because it sounds natural.

Step 1: Read the Complete Sentence

Read the entire sentence to understand its meaning. The error may become clear only when you consider the relationship between different parts of the sentence.

Step 2: Identify the Grammatical Error

Check the subject and verb, tense, pronouns, articles, prepositions and sentence structure. Look for the specific part that needs correction.

Step 3: Apply the Relevant Rule

Once you identify the likely error, apply the appropriate grammar rule. For example, a singular subject generally requires a singular verb in the simple present tense.

Step 4: Compare All Options

Read each alternative carefully. Some options may correct one error but introduce another. Eliminate choices that are grammatically incorrect or change the intended meaning.

Step 5: Check the Complete Sentence Again

Insert the selected alternative into the sentence and read it again. Confirm that the final sentence is grammatically correct, clear and consistent with the original meaning.

3. Important Grammar Rules for Sentence Improvement

Rule 1: Subject-Verb Agreement

The verb must agree with its subject in number and person.

Incorrect: Each of the students have submitted the assignment.

Correct: Each of the students has submitted the assignment.

"Each" is singular in this construction, so it takes "has". Do not let a plural noun near the subject distract you from the actual grammatical subject.

Rule 2: Correct Use of Tenses

The tense should match the time and context of the action. Avoid unnecessary tense changes within a sentence.

Incorrect: She completed the work and goes home.

Correct: She completed the work and went home.

Both actions occurred in the past, so the past tense is appropriate for both verbs.

Rule 3: Articles

Use "a" before a singular countable noun beginning with a consonant sound, "an" before a singular countable noun beginning with a vowel sound, and "the" when referring to something specific or identifiable.

Incorrect: He is an university student.

Correct: He is a university student.

"University" begins with a /juː/ sound, so "a" is correct.

Rule 4: Prepositions

Some verbs, adjectives and expressions require particular prepositions. Learn these combinations through examples.

Incorrect: She is good in mathematics.

Correct: She is good at mathematics.

Other useful combinations include interested in, depend on, belong to, capable of and insist on.

Rule 5: Pronoun Agreement

A pronoun should clearly refer to the intended noun and fit the sentence grammatically.

Incorrect: Every candidate must bring their admit card, according to a traditional singular-pronoun exercise.

Improved formal alternative: Every candidate must bring his or her admit card.

In modern English, singular "they" is also widely accepted. In an examination question, follow the context and the grammar convention being tested rather than assuming every use of singular "they" is incorrect.

Rule 6: Comparisons

Make comparisons between logically equivalent people, things or qualities. Avoid incomplete or misleading comparisons.

Incorrect: The population of Pune is greater than Mumbai.

Correct: The population of Pune is greater than that of Mumbai.

"That" refers to the population, making the comparison logically complete.

Rule 7: Parallel Structure

When items appear in a series or are connected by a conjunction, maintain a consistent grammatical structure.

Incorrect: She enjoys reading, writing and to paint.

Correct: She enjoys reading, writing and painting.

All three activities use the same grammatical form.

Rule 8: Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences express a condition and its result. The verb forms should match the type of condition being described.

Incorrect: If I will have time, I will help you.

Correct: If I have time, I will help you.

In a standard first conditional sentence, the present simple is generally used in the "if" clause and "will" in the main clause.

Rule 9: Double Negatives

In standard formal English, avoid using two negative forms when only one is intended.

Incorrect: I do not know nothing about the matter.

Correct: I do not know anything about the matter.

Rule 10: Redundancy

Avoid unnecessary words that repeat the same meaning.

Incorrect: We must return back before sunset.

Correct: We must return before sunset.

"Return" already conveys the idea of going back, so "back" is unnecessary in this sentence.

4. Solved Sentence Improvement Examples

The following examples demonstrate how grammar rules can be applied to examination-style questions.

Example 1: Neither of the two answers are correct.

Improved sentence: Neither of the two answers is correct.

Explanation: In traditional competitive-exam grammar, "neither" is treated as singular in this construction and takes "is".

Example 2: He has been working here since five years.

Improved sentence: He has been working here for five years.

Explanation: Use "for" with a duration and "since" with a starting point.

Example 3: The teacher explained me the answer.

Improved sentence: The teacher explained the answer to me.

Explanation: The standard construction is "explain something to someone".

Example 4: She is senior than me.

Improved sentence: She is senior to me.

Explanation: "Senior" is generally followed by "to", not "than".

Example 5: Hardly had I reached the station than the train arrived.

Improved sentence: Hardly had I reached the station when the train arrived.

Explanation: The standard paired construction is "hardly ... when".

Example 6: He prefers tea than coffee.

Improved sentence: He prefers tea to coffee.

Explanation: The verb "prefer" commonly uses the construction "prefer one thing to another".

Example 7: The furniture in these rooms are expensive.

Improved sentence: The furniture in these rooms is expensive.

Explanation: "Furniture" is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb in standard English.

Example 8: No sooner did the bell ring when the students left.

Improved sentence: No sooner did the bell ring than the students left.

Explanation: The standard paired construction is "no sooner ... than".

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Correcting without understanding the meaning: A grammatically correct alternative may still be unsuitable if it changes the original meaning.
• Ignoring the complete sentence: The correct form may depend on words outside the highlighted phrase.
• Confusing similar grammar rules: Review differences between "since" and "for", "fewer" and "less", and "prefer to" and "rather than".
• Choosing unnecessarily complicated options: Prefer the clearest grammatically correct alternative.
• Overlooking parallel structure: Check whether items in a list follow the same grammatical pattern.
• Memorising rules without practice: Apply each rule to example sentences and MCQs.
• Ignoring explanations: Understanding why an option is incorrect helps prevent repeated mistakes.

6. SSC CGL 2027 Sentence Improvement Practice MCQs

Choose the most appropriate replacement for the bold part of each sentence. If the sentence is already correct, select the option that indicates no improvement is needed.

Q1. Each of the players have received a certificate.

1. has received
2. have been receive
3. are receiving
4. No improvement

Q2. She has been preparing for the examination since three months.

1. from three months
2. for three months
3. during three months ago
4. No improvement

Q3. He is good in solving mathematical problems.

1. good at solving
2. good for solve
3. good on solved
4. No improvement

Q4. The teacher asked the students to complete the assignment and submitting it by Monday.

1. to complete the assignment and submit it
2. completing the assignment and to submit it
3. to completing the assignment and submitting it
4. No improvement

Q5. If he will study regularly, he will improve his performance.

1. studies regularly
2. studied regularly tomorrow
3. will be study regularly
4. No improvement

Q6. She prefers reading novels than watching television.

1. rather watching television
2. to watching television
3. over than watching television
4. No improvement

Q7. The information provided by the officer were useful.

1. was useful
2. are useful
3. have been useful
4. No improvement

Q8. He is one of the best students which have participated in the competition.

1. who have participated
2. who has participated
3. which has participating
4. No improvement

Q9. No sooner had the meeting started when the power went out.

1. than the power went out
2. then the power went out
3. that the power went out
4. No improvement

Q10. The new policy will effect the performance of the organisation.

1. affect the performance
2. effects the performance
3. affected to the performance
4. No improvement

Q11. She is senior than her colleague.

1. senior to her colleague
2. senior from her colleague
3. more senior than to her colleague
4. No improvement

Q12. The committee have taken its decision.

1. has taken its decision
2. have took their decision
3. has take its decision
4. No improvement

7. Answer Key with Explanations

1. Answer: A — has received. "Each" is singular in this sentence and takes the singular verb "has".
2. Answer: B — for three months. Use "for" to indicate a duration. Use "since" with a starting point, such as "since June".
3. Answer: A — good at solving. The correct expression is "good at" followed by a noun or an -ing form.
4. Answer: A — to complete the assignment and submit it. The verbs "complete" and "submit" should follow a parallel structure after "to".
5. Answer: A — studies regularly. In a standard first conditional sentence, the "if" clause uses the present simple and the main clause uses "will" plus the base verb.
6. Answer: B — to watching television. The correct construction is "prefer X to Y".
7. Answer: A — was useful. "Information" is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb.
8. Answer: A — who have participated. "Who" is appropriate for people. The plural verb "have" refers to the students who participated.
9. Answer: A — than the power went out. The standard paired construction is "no sooner ... than".
10. Answer: A — affect the performance. "Affect" is the verb meaning to influence. "Effect" is usually a noun meaning a result.
11. Answer: A — senior to her colleague. "Senior" is followed by "to" in standard usage.
12. Answer: A — has taken its decision. In this sentence, "committee" is treated as a single unit, so the singular verb "has" is appropriate. Collective-noun agreement can vary with context and variety of English.

8. Preparation Tips for SSC CGL 2027

• Revise grammar rules daily: Focus on one or two topics in each study session.
• Maintain an error notebook: Record incorrect questions and the grammar rule behind each mistake.
• Practise topic-wise MCQs: Start with subject-verb agreement, tenses and prepositions before attempting mixed exercises.
• Read the complete sentence: Context often determines whether a phrase is correct.
• Review every option: Learn why the correct alternative works and why the other choices fail.
• Take timed practice tests: Build speed gradually while maintaining accuracy.
• Use the latest official syllabus and pattern: Keep your preparation aligned with the examination requirements.

Conclusion

Sentence improvement questions become easier when you understand grammar rules and apply them systematically. Focus on subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, prepositions, articles, pronouns, comparisons and parallel structure. Practise with examples, review your errors and check whether the improved sentence preserves the original meaning.

Consistent practice can help you build grammatical accuracy and confidence for SSC CGL 2027. Combine sentence improvement exercises with vocabulary, comprehension and other English topics for balanced preparation.

Keep learning with Katara Academy and strengthen your English grammar for SSC CGL 2027.