Sentence Correction & Grammar Rules Short Notes for XAT: Concepts, Formulas, Worked Examples & Practice

Sentence Correction & Grammar Rules short notes for XAT: 1 study cards covering concepts, formulas, shortcuts and exam traps, plus solved practice questions.

Summary: Non-Negotiable Grammar Checklist

Fast revision points before attempting sentence correction.

Summary

Transitive verbs such as discuss and emphasize take a direct object. Avoid extra prepositions.

Use fixed phrases correctly: accuse of, good at, married to, superior to.

Use fewer with countable plural nouns and less with uncountable nouns.

Everybody, nobody, each, either, and neither take singular verbs.

Both, few, many, and several take plural verbs.

Use objective pronouns after verbs and prepositions: told him and me, between you and me.

Enter a physical place; enter into an agreement, discussion, or relationship.

Accustomed to and committed to are followed by a noun or gerund.

Had better is followed by a bare infinitive.

Since marks a point in time; for marks duration.

In formal usage, media is plural.

Do not use revert to mean reply in formal edited English.

Final tip: When two options seem close, choose the sentence that is grammatically clean, concise, and formally standard.

Sentence Correction & Grammar Rules: Solved Questions with Step-by-Step Explanations (2 Problems)

Question 1 · Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) MCQ

Select the sentence that uses the correct preposition with the given verb.

A.
The manager emphasized on the need for punctuality.
B.
The committee discussed about the budget deficit.
C.
The director ordered for new equipment immediately.
D.
The professor explained the theory clearly.

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: Redundant prepositions with transitive verbs. Many verbs commonly misused with prepositions are actually transitive and take a direct object.

Step 1: Check 'emphasize'. It is transitive. We say 'emphasize something', not 'emphasize on something'. Option A is incorrect.

Step 2: Check 'discuss'. It means 'to talk about'. Adding 'about' creates redundancy ('talk about about'). Option B is incorrect.

Step 3: Check 'order'. When meaning 'to command/request goods', it is transitive. 'Order new equipment' is correct; 'order for' is incorrect. Option C is incorrect.

Step 4: Check 'explain'. It is transitive. 'Explain the theory' is correct. Option D follows this rule perfectly.

Answer: D

Question 2 · Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) MCQ

When evaluating options in a sentence correction question, you notice that the original phrasing is grammatically flawless but slightly wordy. Another option is more concise but subtly changes the original meaning. Which principle should guide your choice?

A.
Always prefer the most concise option to improve readability.
B.
Select the concise option, as brevity is a core grammar rule.
C.
Rewrite the sentence mentally and look for an option that matches your version.
D.
Discard both options and look for a completely different grammatical structure.
E.
Retain the original meaning, even if it requires a wordier but grammatically correct structure.

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: Sentence Correction is a Filter, Not a Rewrite. This question tests the fundamental philosophy of attempting sentence correction questions in MBA exams.

Step 1: Understand the goal. The exam tests your ability to identify and fix grammatical errors, logical flaws, and structural ambiguities. It does not test your personal preference for style or extreme brevity.

Step 2: Evaluate the conflict. Option 1 is wordy but grammatically correct and preserves meaning. Option 2 is concise but alters the meaning.

Step 3: Apply the core rule. Meaning preservation is paramount. You must never select an option that changes the author's original logical intent, even if it sounds 'better' or 'shorter'.

Step 4: Conclusion. You must retain the original meaning, accepting the wordier but grammatically correct structure.

Answer: E

More short notes in this unit

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Sentence Correction & Grammar Rules Short Notes for XAT: Concepts, Formulas, Worked Examples & Practice

Sentence Correction & Grammar Rules short notes for XAT: 1 study cards covering concepts, formulas, shortcuts and exam traps, plus solved practice questions.

A question from this chapter

Question 1

Select the sentence that uses the correct preposition with the given verb.

Question 2

When evaluating options in a sentence correction question, you notice that the original phrasing is grammatically flawless but slightly wordy. Another option is more concise but subtly changes the original meaning. Which principle should guide your choice?

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