English Grammar & Vocabulary for FPSC & PPSC: Rules, Prepositions & Analogies
Master the high-scoring English section in screening examinations. Core preposition rules, subject-verb agreement pitfalls, active/passive nuances, and screening vocabulary list.
Nasreen Akhtar, M.Phil Linguistics
Educational Content
Why Candidates Lose Marks in Competitive English
In FPSC and PPSC screening examinations, the English component (20 marks) is frequently the deciding factor between passing and failing. Most candidates rely on intuition (“it sounds right”) rather than strict grammatical rules. In competitive exams, intuition is often a trap set by examiners.
Top 7 Grammatical Rules Tested Repeatedly
Rule 1: Subject-Verb Agreement with Intervening Phrases
Phrases like along with, as well as, accompanied by, together with, in addition to do not alter the number of the subject.
- Incorrect: The Prime Minister, along with his cabinet members, were present.
- Correct: The Prime Minister, along with his cabinet members, was present.
Rule 2: Either/Neither & Proximity
When subjects are joined by either…or or neither…nor, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
- Correct: Neither the manager nor the employees are satisfied.
- Correct: Neither the employees nor the manager is satisfied.
Rule 3: Fixed Prepositions Demanded by Specific Words
- Abstain / Refrain take from (He abstained from voting).
- Congruent / Compatible take with (Your action is compatible with the rules).
- Bereft / Devoid take of (The speech was bereft of substance).
- Accused takes of; but Charged takes with (He was accused of theft; charged with murder).
Rule 4: Subjunctive Mood for Hypotheticals
In hypothetical conditional clauses, use were regardless of whether the subject is singular.
- Incorrect: If I was the president, I would reform the taxation system.
- Correct: If I were the president, I would reform the taxation system.
Rule 5: Parallel Structure in Comparisons
Elements compared must share parallel grammatical forms.
- Incorrect: She prefers swimming to run.
- Correct: She prefers swimming to running.
Essential Vocabulary Roots
Mastering Latin and Greek prefixes helps deduce meanings under exam pressure:
- Bene- (Good, well): Beneficent, Benevolent, Benediction
- Mal- (Bad, evil): Malevolent, Malicious, Malediction
- Bell- (War): Bellicose, Belligerent, Rebellion
- Loqu / Loc- (Speak): Eloquent, Loquacious, Circumlocution
Last updated: October 10, 2026 | This content is regularly reviewed and updated to maintain accuracy and relevance.