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TNPSC English: Concord, Tense, Voice & Sentence Transformation

This guide covers fundamental English grammar topics essential for the TNPSC Group 2/2A General English paper. We will explore Subject-Verb Agreement (Concord), the 12 Tenses, Active & Passive Voice, and the newly added topic of Sentence Transformation, which are crucial for scoring high marks using systematic analytical approaches.

இந்த வழிகாட்டி, TNPSC குரூப் 2/2A பொது ஆங்கிலத் தேர்வுக்குத் தேவையான அடிப்படை இலக்கண விதிகளை விளக்குகிறது. இதில் Subject-Verb Agreement, 12 Tenses, Active/Passive Voice, மற்றும் புதிதாக சேர்க்கப்பட்ட Sentence Transformation போன்ற முக்கிய தலைப்புகளை நாம் பார்ப்போம்.

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Learning Patterns & Strategies​

To master these grammar topics, follow these simple strategies:

  • Master the Basics First: Concord (Subject-Verb Agreement) is the foundation for correct sentence structure. Build on grammar fundamentals before moving to other topics.
  • Identify Clue Words: In Tense-related questions, look for signal words like every day, yesterday, now, already. These words give hints about the correct tense to use. (இந்த வார்த்தைகள், வாக்கியத்தின் காலத்தை (tense) கண்டுபிடிக்க உதவும்).
  • Memorize Structures: Create charts for Tense structures (is + -ing verb, has + V3) and Active-Passive voice conversions. This makes recalling rules during the exam easier.
  • Practice Transformations: The "Transformation of Sentences" is a new, high-scoring section. Apply pattern recognition techniques and practice converting each type of sentence daily.
  • Daily Study Plan (தினசரி படிப்புத் திட்டம்):
    • Read English content for at least one page.
    • Solve 4-5 Reading Comprehension passages.
    • Study one prose and one poem from the syllabus.

Key Topics Explained​

1. Concord (Subject-Verb Agreement)​

Concord means the verb in a sentence must agree with its subject in number and person. (Concord என்பது, ஒரு வாக்கியத்தில் உள்ள வினைச்சொல் (verb), அதன் எழுவாயுடன் (subject) எண்ணிக்கையில் ஒத்துப்போக வேண்டும்).

Basic Rule: A singular subject takes a singular verb. A plural subject takes a plural verb. அடிப்படை விதி: ஒருமை எழுவாய் (singular subject) ஒருமை வினைச்சொல்லைப் (singular verb) பெறும். பன்மை எழுவாய் (plural subject) பன்மை வினைச்சொல்லைப் பெறும்.

  • Singular Verbs: is, am, was, has, does, writes
  • Plural Verbs: are, were, have, do, write

Example:

  • He (singular) plays football.
  • They (plural) play football.

Key Concord Rules:​

  1. Subjects Joined by 'and': When two singular subjects are joined by and, they become a plural subject and take a plural verb.

    • Rada and Ravi are coming home.

  2. Subjects with Designations: When two titles refer to the same person, use a singular verb. If they refer to two different people, use a plural verb.

    • The correspondent and principal has called for a meeting. (One person holds both posts).
    • The correspondent and the principal are attending a meeting. (Two different people).

  3. Subjects Joined by 'or' / 'nor': The verb agrees with the subject closest to it. (வினைச்சொல்லுக்கு அருகில் உள்ள எழுவாயைப் பொறுத்து verb அமையும்).

    • Neither the coach nor the players are happy. (Players is plural and closer to the verb).
    • Neither the players nor the coach is happy. (Coach is singular and closer to the verb).

  4. Subjects Joined by 'as well as', 'with', 'along with': The verb agrees with the first subject.

    • The captain, as well as his players, was present. (The first subject 'captain' is singular).

  5. Collective Nouns (team, jury, class, government):

    • Use a singular verb if the group acts as a single unit.
    • Use a plural verb if the members of the group are acting individually (e.g., have different opinions).
    • The jury has given its verdict. (Acting as one unit).
    • The jury are divided in their opinions. (Members disagree).

  6. Nouns that are Always Singular: Some nouns look plural but are singular.

    • Words: news, physics, mathematics, economics, luggage, information, scenery.
    • Example: The news is good. The scenery of Kashmir is enchanting.

2. Tenses​

Tenses indicate the time of an action. There are three main tenses (Present, Past, Future), each with four forms.

Tense TypeStructure ExampleUse Case
Simple PresentHe writesHabits, general truths (சூரியன் கிழக்கே உதிக்கிறது)
Present ContinuousHe is writingAction happening now (இப்போது நடக்கும் செயல்)
Present PerfectHe has writtenAction just completed (சற்றுமுன் முடிந்த செயல்)
Present Perfect ContinuousHe has been writingAction started in the past and is still continuing
Simple PastHe wroteCompleted action in the past (நேற்று நடந்தது)
Past ContinuousHe was writingAn ongoing action in the past
Past PerfectHe had writtenAn action that happened before another past action
Past Perfect ContinuousHe had been writingAn ongoing past action that ended before another past action
Simple FutureHe will writeAction that will happen in the future (நாளை நடக்கும்)
Future ContinuousHe will be writingAn ongoing action in the future
Future PerfectHe will have writtenAn action that will be completed by a certain time in the future
Future Perfect ContinuousHe will have been writingAn action that will have been ongoing for a duration in the future
Signal Words for Tenses
  • Simple Present: every day, always, often, usually
  • Simple Past: yesterday, last week, ago, in 1990
  • Present Continuous: now, at the moment, right now

3. Active and Passive Voice​

  • Active Voice (செய்வினை): The subject performs the action. (எழுவாய் செயலைச் செய்கிறது).
    • Example: My mom has made a cake. (Subject: My mom, Action: made)
  • Passive Voice (செயப்பாட்டு வினை): The subject receives the action. (செயல் எழுவாய் மீது செய்யப்படுகிறது).
    • Example: A cake has been made by my mom. (Subject: A cake, Action: received the making)

Rules for Changing Active to Passive Voice:​

  1. The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.
  2. The subject of the active sentence becomes the object (preceded by 'by').
  3. The main verb is changed to its Past Participle (V3) form.
  4. An auxiliary verb (be, being, been) is used according to the tense.
TenseActive Voice StructurePassive Voice Structure
Simple Presentmakesis/am/are + made
Simple Pastmadewas/were + made
Present Continuousis makingis/am/are + being + made
Present Perfecthas madehas/have + been + made
Simple Futurewill makewill be + made

Special Cases in Passive Voice:​

  • Imperative Sentences (Commands/Requests):

    • Active: Open the window.
    • Passive: Let the window be opened.
    • Active: Help me.
    • Passive: You are requested to help me.

  • Interrogative Sentences (Questions):

    • Active: Who wrote this letter?
    • Passive: By whom was this letter written?

4. Transformation of Sentences​

This is a new and important section. It involves changing a sentence from one form to another without changing its meaning.

  1. Assertive (Statement) to Negative:

    • Assertive: He is always on time.
    • Negative: He is never late.
    • Assertive: Everybody likes flowers.
    • Negative: Nobody dislikes flowers.

  2. Imperative to Inquisitive Interrogative (Polite Question): Add Will you...? or Could you...?.

    • Imperative: Stop talking.
    • Interrogative: Will you stop talking?
    • Imperative: Please get me a glass of water.
    • Interrogative: Could you please get me a glass of water?

  3. Exclamatory to Assertive (Statement):

    • Exclamatory: What a spectacular goal!
    • Assertive: It was a spectacular goal.
    • Exclamatory: If only I were a king!
    • Assertive: I wish I were a king.

  4. Imperative to Appreciative Statement: Express gratitude or value for the action.

    • Imperative: Take time to review your work.
    • Appreciative: I value the effort you put into reviewing your work.
    • Imperative: Please turn off the lights.
    • Appreciative: Thank you for turning off the lights. It's very helpful.
Key Transformation Rules
  • As soon as → No sooner had... than...
    • As soon as he came, the students stood up.
    • No sooner had he come than the students stood up.
  • too... to... → so... that... cannot...
    • He is too weak to walk.
    • He is so weak that he cannot walk.

By understanding these core rules and practicing regularly, you can confidently answer questions from these grammar sections in your TNPSC exam.

Grammar Foundation Building​

Language Structure and Composition​

Practical Applications​

Mathematical Logic in Grammar​

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