Thursday, 19 February 2026

Use of 'Either... or....' and 'neither .......... nor .........'.

EITHER…OR (50 Sentences)

  1. Either you or I am responsible for this task.

  2. Either you or I am ready for the presentation.

  3. Either you or I am going to lead the team.

  4. Either you or I am correct.

  5. Either you or I am wrong.

  6. Either you or I am going to call her.

  7. Either you or I am invited to the party.

  8. Either you or I am selected for the project.

  9. Either you or I am needed there.

  10. Either you or I am going to speak first.

  11. Either you or he is coming today.

  12. Either he or you are coming today.

  13. Either she or I am going to cook dinner.

  14. Either I or she is going to cook dinner.

  15. Either they or he is responsible.

  16. Either he or they are responsible.

  17. Either Rahul or I am attending the seminar.

  18. Either I or Rahul is attending the seminar.

  19. Either the teachers or the principal is coming.

  20. Either the principal or the teachers are coming.

  21. Either Aman or I am solving the problem.

  22. Either I or Aman is solving the problem.

  23. Either you or she is going to win.

  24. Either she or you are going to win.

  25. Either my brother or I am driving today.

  26. Either I or my brother is driving today.

  27. Either the students or the teacher is wrong.

  28. Either the teacher or the students are wrong.

  29. Either you or your friend is lying.

  30. Either your friend or you are lying.

  31. Either the manager or I am signing the papers.

  32. Either I or the manager is signing the papers.

  33. Either the boys or the girl is playing outside.

  34. Either the girl or the boys are playing outside.

  35. Either you or your sister is responsible.

  36. Either your sister or you are responsible.

  37. Either the dog or the cats are making noise.

  38. Either the cats or the dog is making noise.

  39. Either the staff or the director is present.

  40. Either the director or the staff members are present.

  41. Either you or I am going to explain this topic.

  42. Either I or you are going to explain this topic.

  43. Either the doctor or the nurses are available.

  44. Either the nurses or the doctor is available.

  45. Either he or I am answering the question.

  46. Either I or he is answering the question.

  47. Either you or your parents are attending the meeting.

  48. Either your parents or you are attending the meeting.

  49. Either the captain or the players are at fault.

  50. Either the players or the captain is at fault.

NEITHER…NOR (50 Sentences)

  1. Neither you nor I am ready for the test.

  2. Neither you nor I am responsible for this mistake.

  3. Neither you nor I am going there.

  4. Neither you nor I am interested in that job.

  5. Neither you nor I am aware of the truth.

  6. Neither you nor he is coming today.

  7. Neither he nor you are coming today.

  8. Neither she nor I am attending the party.

  9. Neither I nor she is attending the party.

  10. Neither they nor he is available.

  11. Neither he nor they are available.

  12. Neither Rahul nor I am selected.

  13. Neither I nor Rahul is selected.

  14. Neither the teachers nor the principal is present.

  15. Neither the principal nor the teachers are present.

  16. Neither Aman nor I am responsible.

  17. Neither I nor Aman is responsible.

  18. Neither you nor she is correct.

  19. Neither she nor you are correct.

  20. Neither my brother nor I am driving today.

  21. Neither I nor my brother is driving today.

  22. Neither the students nor the teacher is ready.

  23. Neither the teacher nor the students are ready.

  24. Neither you nor your friend is honest.

  25. Neither your friend nor you are honest.

  26. Neither the manager nor I am signing the papers.

  27. Neither I nor the manager is signing the papers.

  28. Neither the boys nor the girl is playing outside.

  29. Neither the girl nor the boys are playing outside.

  30. Neither you nor your sister is responsible.

  31. Neither your sister nor you are responsible.

  32. Neither the dog nor the cats are quiet.

  33. Neither the cats nor the dog is quiet.

  34. Neither the staff nor the director is available.

  35. Neither the director nor the staff members are available.

  36. Neither you nor I am going to complain.

  37. Neither I nor you are going to complain.

  38. Neither the doctor nor the nurses are free.

  39. Neither the nurses nor the doctor is free.

  40. Neither he nor I am prepared.

  41. Neither I nor he is prepared.

  42. Neither you nor your parents are coming.

  43. Neither your parents nor you are coming.

  44. Neither the captain nor the players are ready.

  45. Neither the players nor the captain is ready.

  46. Neither she nor I am wrong.

  47. Neither I nor she is wrong.

  48. Neither they nor you are invited.

  49. Neither you nor they are invited.

  50. Neither he nor the students are late.




 WORKSHEET

EITHER…OR / NEITHER…NOR

Name: ____________ Class: ____________ Date: ____________


Part A – Fill in the blanks with the correct verb (is / are / am)

  1. Either you or I ______ responsible for this work.

  2. Either the teacher or the students ______ ready.

  3. Neither Rahul nor I ______ coming today.

  4. Neither the boys nor the girl ______ present.

  5. Either she or you ______ correct.

  6. Neither you nor he ______ interested.

  7. Either the principal or the teachers ______ attending the meeting.

  8. Neither my brother nor I ______ at home.

  9. Either the dog or the cats ______ making noise.

  10. Neither the manager nor the staff ______ available.


Part B – Choose the correct option

  1. Either you or he (is / are) wrong.

  2. Neither she nor I (am / is) ready.

  3. Either the players or the captain (is / are) responsible.

  4. Neither the students nor the teacher (is / are) absent.

  5. Either Aman or I (am / is) going to speak.

  6. Neither you nor they (is / are) invited.

  7. Either my parents or my sister (is / are) coming.

  8. Neither the cats nor the dog (is / are) hungry.

  9. Either the doctor or the nurses (is / are) available.

  10. Neither he nor his friends (is / are) late.


Part C – Correct the mistakes

  1. Either you or I are ready.

  2. Neither he nor I is responsible.

  3. Either the teachers or the principal are coming.

  4. Neither the boys nor the girl are playing.

  5. Either she or her friends is wrong.


✏️ WORKSHEET

EITHER…OR / NEITHER…NOR

Fill in the blanks with the correct verb (is / are / am).

  1. Either you or I ______ responsible.

  2. Neither you nor I ______ ready.

  3. Either the teacher or the students ______ present.

  4. Neither the students nor the teacher ______ absent.

  5. Either Rahul or I ______ going.

  6. Neither Aman nor his friends ______ coming.

  7. Either she or you ______ wrong.

  8. Neither you nor he ______ interested.

  9. Either the dog or the cats ______ barking.

  10. Neither the cats nor the dog ______ quiet.

  11. Either my parents or my brother ______ coming.

  12. Neither my brother nor my parents ______ coming.

  13. Either the manager or the staff ______ responsible.

  14. Neither the staff nor the manager ______ available.

  15. Either the players or the captain ______ ready.

  16. Neither the captain nor the players ______ late.

  17. Either you or your sister ______ selected.

  18. Neither your sister nor you ______ selected.

  19. Either the boys or the girl ______ absent.

  20. Neither the girl nor the boys ______ absent.

  21. Either he or I ______ correct.

  22. Neither I nor he ______ prepared.

  23. Either the doctor or the nurses ______ busy.

  24. Neither the nurses nor the doctor ______ free.

  25. Either the principal or the teachers ______ coming.

  1. Neither the teachers nor the principal ______ coming.

  2. Either you or they ______ invited.

  3. Neither they nor you ______ invited.

  4. Either the bus or the cars ______ late.

  5. Neither the cars nor the bus ______ late.

  6. Either Mohan or I ______ responsible.

  7. Neither I nor Mohan ______ ready.

  8. Either the books or the pen ______ missing.

  9. Neither the pen nor the books ______ on the table.

  10. Either the child or the parents ______ at fault.

  11. Neither the parents nor the child ______ at fault.

  12. Either the chairman or the members ______ attending.

  13. Neither the members nor the chairman ______ attending.

  14. Either the singer or the dancers ______ performing.

  15. Neither the dancers nor the singer ______ performing.

  16. Either you or your parents ______ attending the meeting.

  17. Neither your parents nor you ______ attending the meeting.

  18. Either the lion or the deer ______ running.

  19. Neither the deer nor the lion ______ visible.

  20. Either Sita or I ______ going to speak.

  21. Neither I nor Sita ______ selected.

  22. Either the machine or the workers ______ responsible.

  23. Neither the workers nor the machine ______ working.

  24. Either the boy or his sisters ______ wrong.

  25. Neither his sisters nor the boy ______ wrong.

  1. Either the pen or the pencils ______ on the desk.

  2. Neither the pencils nor the pen ______ on the desk.

  3. Either you or your friend ______ mistaken.

  4. Neither your friend nor you ______ mistaken.

  5. Either the mother or the daughters ______ cooking.

  6. Neither the daughters nor the mother ______ cooking.

  7. Either the judge or the lawyers ______ present.

  8. Neither the lawyers nor the judge ______ present.

  9. Either the train or the buses ______ delayed.

  10. Neither the buses nor the train ______ delayed.

  11. Either I or you ______ responsible.

  12. Neither you nor I ______ aware.

  13. Either the captain or the team ______ winning.

  14. Neither the team nor the captain ______ losing.

  15. Either the keys or the bag ______ missing.

  16. Neither the bag nor the keys ______ found.

  17. Either the writer or the editors ______ responsible.

  18. Neither the editors nor the writer ______ satisfied.

  19. Either the child or the teachers ______ ready.

  20. Neither the teachers nor the child ______ ready.

  21. Either he or his brothers ______ coming.

  22. Neither his brothers nor he ______ ready.

  23. Either the CEO or the employees ______ attending.

  24. Neither the employees nor the CEO ______ present.

  25. Either the bike or the cars ______ damaged.

  1. Neither the cars nor the bike ______ damaged.

  2. Either the phone or the chargers ______ missing.

  3. Neither the chargers nor the phone ______ working.

  4. Either the cook or the helpers ______ responsible.

  5. Neither the helpers nor the cook ______ present.

  6. Either you or your cousin ______ invited.

  7. Neither your cousin nor you ______ invited.

  8. Either the student or the teachers ______ wrong.

  9. Neither the teachers nor the student ______ absent.

  10. Either the ring or the necklaces ______ stolen.

  11. Neither the necklaces nor the ring ______ found.

  12. Either the guard or the visitors ______ waiting.

  13. Neither the visitors nor the guard ______ inside.

  14. Either the subject or the topics ______ difficult.

  15. Neither the topics nor the subject ______ easy.

  16. Either the cake or the cookies ______ ready.

  17. Neither the cookies nor the cake ______ ready.

  18. Either the hero or the actors ______ performing.

  19. Neither the actors nor the hero ______ absent.

  20. Either the box or the bottles ______ broken.

  21. Neither the bottles nor the box ______ heavy.

  22. Either the river or the lakes ______ polluted.

  23. Neither the lakes nor the river ______ clean.

  24. Either you or I ______ going to explain.

  25. Neither you nor I ______ aware of the result.


✏️ Practice – Hindi Sentences (100)

  1. या तो तुम या मैं जिम्मेदार हूँ।

  2. न तुम न मैं तैयार हूँ।

  3. या तो शिक्षक या छात्र उपस्थित हैं।

  4. न छात्र न शिक्षक अनुपस्थित हैं।

  5. या तो राहुल या मैं जा रहा हूँ।

  6. न अमन न उसके दोस्त आ रहे हैं।

  7. या तो वह या तुम सही हो।

  8. न तुम न वह रुचि रखता है।

  9. या तो कुत्ता या बिल्लियाँ भौंक रही हैं।

  10. न बिल्लियाँ न कुत्ता शांत है।

  11. या तो मेरे माता-पिता या मेरा भाई आ रहा है।

  12. न मेरा भाई न मेरे माता-पिता आ रहे हैं।

  13. या तो मैनेजर या स्टाफ जिम्मेदार है।

  14. न स्टाफ न मैनेजर उपलब्ध है।

  15. या तो खिलाड़ी या कप्तान तैयार है।

  16. न कप्तान न खिलाड़ी देर से हैं।

  17. या तो तुम या तुम्हारी बहन चुनी गई है।

  18. न तुम्हारी बहन न तुम चुने गए हो।

  19. या तो लड़के या लड़की अनुपस्थित है।

  20. न लड़की न लड़के अनुपस्थित हैं।

  21. या तो वह या मैं सही हूँ।

  22. न मैं न वह तैयार है।

  23. या तो डॉक्टर या नर्स व्यस्त हैं।

  24. न नर्स न डॉक्टर खाली है।

  25. या तो प्रधानाचार्य या शिक्षक आ रहे हैं।

  1. न शिक्षक न प्रधानाचार्य आ रहे हैं।

  2. या तो तुम या वे आमंत्रित हैं।

  3. न वे न तुम आमंत्रित हो।

  4. या तो बस या कारें देर से हैं।

  5. न कारें न बस देर से है।

  6. या तो मोहन या मैं जिम्मेदार हूँ।

  7. न मैं न मोहन तैयार है।

  8. या तो किताबें या पेन गायब है।

  9. न पेन न किताबें मेज पर हैं।

  10. या तो बच्चा या माता-पिता दोषी हैं।

  11. न माता-पिता न बच्चा दोषी है।

  12. या तो अध्यक्ष या सदस्य बैठक में हैं।

  13. न सदस्य न अध्यक्ष उपस्थित है।

  14. या तो गायक या नर्तक प्रस्तुति दे रहे हैं।

  15. न नर्तक न गायक प्रस्तुति दे रहा है।

  16. या तो तुम या तुम्हारे माता-पिता बैठक में आएंगे।

  17. न तुम्हारे माता-पिता न तुम बैठक में आओगे।

  18. या तो शेर या हिरन दौड़ रहा है।

  19. न हिरन न शेर दिखाई दे रहा है।

  20. या तो सीता या मैं बोलूँगा।

  21. न मैं न सीता चयनित हुई है।

  22. या तो मशीन या मजदूर जिम्मेदार हैं।

  23. न मजदूर न मशीन काम कर रही है।

  24. या तो लड़का या उसकी बहनें गलत हैं।

  25. न उसकी बहनें न लड़का गलत है।

  1. या तो पेन या पेंसिल मेज पर है।

  2. न पेंसिल न पेन मेज पर है।

  3. या तो तुम या तुम्हारा मित्र गलती पर है।

  4. न तुम्हारा मित्र न तुम गलत हो।

  5. या तो माँ या बेटियाँ खाना बना रही हैं।

  6. न बेटियाँ न माँ खाना बना रही है।

  7. या तो न्यायाधीश या वकील उपस्थित हैं।

  8. न वकील न न्यायाधीश मौजूद है।

  9. या तो ट्रेन या बसें देर से हैं।

  10. न बसें न ट्रेन देर से है।

  11. या तो मैं या तुम जिम्मेदार हो।

  12. न तुम न मैं सच जानते हैं।

  13. या तो कप्तान या टीम जीत रही है।

  14. न टीम न कप्तान हार रहा है।

  15. या तो चाबियाँ या बैग गायब है।

  16. न बैग न चाबियाँ मिली हैं।

  17. या तो लेखक या संपादक जिम्मेदार हैं।

  18. न संपादक न लेखक संतुष्ट है।

  19. या तो बच्चा या शिक्षक तैयार हैं।

  20. न शिक्षक न बच्चा तैयार है।

  21. या तो वह या उसके भाई आ रहे हैं।

  22. न उसके भाई न वह तैयार है।

  23. या तो सीईओ या कर्मचारी बैठक में हैं।

  24. न कर्मचारी न सीईओ उपस्थित है।

  25. या तो बाइक या कारें खराब हैं।

  1. न कारें न बाइक खराब है।

  2. या तो मोबाइल या चार्जर गायब हैं।

  3. न चार्जर न मोबाइल काम कर रहा है।

  4. या तो रसोइया या सहायक जिम्मेदार हैं।

  5. न सहायक न रसोइया मौजूद है।

  6. या तो तुम या तुम्हारा चचेरा भाई आमंत्रित है।

  7. न तुम्हारा चचेरा भाई न तुम आमंत्रित हो।

  8. या तो छात्र या शिक्षक गलत हैं।

  9. न शिक्षक न छात्र अनुपस्थित है।

  10. या तो अंगूठी या हार चोरी हुए हैं।

  11. न हार न अंगूठी मिली है।

  12. या तो गार्ड या आगंतुक इंतजार कर रहे हैं।

  13. न आगंतुक न गार्ड अंदर है।

  14. या तो विषय या अध्याय कठिन हैं।

  15. न अध्याय न विषय आसान है।

  16. या तो केक या बिस्कुट तैयार हैं।

  17. न बिस्कुट न केक तैयार है।

  18. या तो हीरो या अभिनेता प्रदर्शन कर रहे हैं।

  19. न अभिनेता न हीरो अनुपस्थित है।

  20. या तो डिब्बा या बोतलें टूटी हैं।

  21. न बोतलें न डिब्बा भारी है।

  22. या तो नदी या झीलें प्रदूषित हैं।

  23. न झीलें न नदी साफ है।

  24. या तो तुम या मैं समझाऊँगा।

  25. न तुम न मैं परिणाम जानते हैं।


Tuesday, 10 February 2026

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE

 Quiz: Use of Since and For

🔹 Part 1: Fill in the blanks (20 Marks)

Fill in the blanks with since or for.

  1. I have lived here ______ 2015.
  2. She has been waiting ______ two hours.
  3. They have known each other ______ childhood.
  4. We have been studying ______ morning.
  5. He has worked here ______ five years.
  6. I have not seen him ______ Monday.
  7. She has been sick ______ three days.
  8. They have been playing ______ 4 p.m.
  9. We have been friends ______ a long time.
  10. He has been sleeping ______ 10 o’clock.
  11. I have been teaching English ______ ten years.
  12. She has been absent ______ yesterday.
  13. They have lived in Delhi ______ 2020.
  14. We have been working ______ many months.
  15. He has been busy ______ last week.
  16. I have been preparing for this exam ______ January.
  17. She has been crying ______ half an hour.
  18. They have been married ______ 15 years.
  19. We have been waiting ______ noon.
  20. He has been practicing ______ childhood.

 

🔹 Part 2: Choose the correct option (20 Marks)

Choose the correct answer.

  1. I have known her (since/for) five years.
  2. She has been studying (since/for) morning.
  3. They have lived here (since/for) 2018.
  4. He has been sick (since/for) two days.
  5. We have been waiting (since/for) 6 p.m.
  6. I have worked here (since/for) 2010.
  7. She has been playing (since/for) three hours.
  8. They have not met (since/for) last year.
  9. He has been sleeping (since/for) midnight.
  10. We have been friends (since/for) a long time.

 

🔹 Part 3: Correct the sentences (20 Marks)

Find and correct the mistake.

  1. I have lived here for 2012.
  2. She has been waiting since two hours.
  3. They have known him for childhood.
  4. We have been working since five months.
  5. He has been sick since three days.
  6. I have been here for Monday.
  7. She has been studying for morning.
  8. They have lived here for 2019.
  9. We have been friends since ten years.
  10. He has been playing since three hours.

 

🔹 Part 4: Make your own sentences (20 Marks)

Write 5 sentences using since and 5 sentences using for.

 

🔹 Speaking Activity (Optional – 20 Marks

Speak 5 sentences about your life using:

  • since
  • for

Example:

  • I have been teaching English for 5 years.
  • I have been living in Samastipur since 2018.


Use SINCE → for a starting point (time in the past)

  • since 2010

 

  • since Monday
  • since morning
  • since childhood
  • since 5 p.m.

Use FOR → for a period of time (duration)

  • for 5 years
  • for two hours
  • for many days
  • for a long time

Subject + has/have + been + V1 + ing
(हिन्दी पहचान: “रहा है / रही है / रहे हैं” और समय की अवधि)

 (Present Perfect Continuous)

  1. मैं दो घंटे से पढ़ रहा हूँ।
  2. वह सुबह से खाना बना रही है।
  3. वे चार बजे से क्रिकेट खेल रहे हैं।
  4. हम आधे घंटे से बस का इंतज़ार कर रहे हैं।
  5. वह 2020 से यहाँ काम कर रहा है।
  6. मैं पाँच साल से अंग्रेज़ी पढ़ा रहा हूँ।
  7. वह काफी समय से रो रही है।
  8. वे बचपन से दिल्ली में रह रहे हैं।
  9. हम पिछले हफ्ते से परीक्षा की तैयारी कर रहे हैं।
  10. वह तीन घंटे से सो रहा है।
  11. मैं सोमवार से यह किताब पढ़ रहा हूँ।
  12. वह छह महीने से फ्रेंच सीख रही है।
  13. वे दो घंटे से टीवी देख रहे हैं।
  14. हम सुबह से बोलने का अभ्यास कर रहे हैं।
  15. वह पाँच घंटे से गाड़ी चला रहा है।
  16. मैं एक महीने से नियमित व्यायाम कर रहा हूँ।
  17. वह दोपहर से अपनी दोस्त का इंतज़ार कर रही है।
  18. वे सफलता के लिए कड़ी मेहनत कर रहे हैं।
  19. हम सुबह 9 बजे से घर साफ कर रहे हैं।
  20. वह आधे घंटे से पत्र लिख रहा है।
  21. मैं कल से तुम्हें फोन करने की कोशिश कर रहा हूँ।
  22. वह कई सालों से नृत्य कर रही है।
  23. वे सुबह से समस्या पर चर्चा कर रहे हैं।
  24. हम दो हफ्तों से व्याकरण सीख रहे हैं।
  25. वह दोपहर से बाइक ठीक कर रहा है।
  26. मैं दस मिनट से अपनी चाबियाँ ढूँढ रहा हूँ।
  27. वह पाँच बजे से फोन पर बात कर रही है।
  28. वे छह महीनों से घर बना रहे हैं।
  29. हम जनवरी से इस यात्रा की योजना बना रहे हैं।
  30. वह प्रतियोगिता के लिए बहुत मेहनत कर रहा है।
  31. मैं दो दिनों से थकान महसूस कर रहा हूँ।
  32. वह शाम से रात का खाना बना रही है।
  33. वे एक घंटे से फुटबॉल खेल रहे हैं।
  34. हम सुबह 8 बजे से यहाँ इंतज़ार कर रहे हैं।
  35. वह एक साल से कंप्यूटर सीख रहा है।
  36. मैं कल रात से इस प्रोजेक्ट पर काम कर रहा हूँ।
  37. वह तीन घंटे से दीवार रंग रही है।
  38. वे सुबह से बहस कर रहे हैं।
  39. हम कई महीनों से पैसे बचा रहे हैं।
  40. वह बीस मिनट से दौड़ रहा है।
  41. मैं तुम्हारे कमरे में आने के बाद से तुम्हें देख रहा हूँ।
  42. वह काफी समय से अपने करियर के बारे में सोच रही है।
  43. वे पिछले हफ्ते से यात्रा कर रहे हैं।
  44. हम कई महीनों से अपनी अंग्रेज़ी सुधार रहे हैं।
  45. वह दोपहर से मशीन ठीक कर रहा है।
  46. मैं एक घंटे से अपने भाई की पढ़ाई में मदद कर रहा हूँ।
  47. वह जून से नियमित कक्षाएँ ले रही है।
  48. वे कई वर्षों से योग का अभ्यास कर रहे हैं।
  49. हम 2019 से साथ काम कर रहे हैं।
  50. वह तीस मिनट से बाहर इंतज़ार कर रहा है।

 

Monday, 9 February 2026

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

 Rule 1:

If two singular nouns are joined by ‘and’, and represent two different subjects, the verb used must be plural.

Example: Ravi and Aman were playing.

The principal and the secretary are coming.

The teachers and the principal have participated in the competition.

 

 

Rule 2:

If two singular nouns joined by and point out to the same thing or person, the verb used must be singular.

Examples:

  1. Rice and curry is the favourite food of the Punjabis.
  2. The collector and district magistrate is away.

In the first example, rice and curry refer to one thing, i.e. food. Similarly, the collector and district magistrate is one man. Hence the verb used is singular (i.e. is).

Note:
If the article the is used with both nouns, the reference will be to two persons or things and the verb used in such a case must be plural.

For example:
The philosopher and the teacher are dead.

The above sentence refers to two persons, i.e. the philosopher (one man) and the teacher (the other man).

 

Rule 3:

In case two subjects are joined by as well as, the verb agrees with the first subject.

Examples:

  1. Kanta as well as her children is playing.
  2. The children as well as their mother are playing.

In the case of the first sentence, the verb (is) agrees with Kanta and in the case of the second sentence, the verb (are) agrees with children.

 

Rule 4:

Neither, either, every, each, everyone and many a are followed by a singular verb.

Examples:

  1. Either of the plans is to be adopted.
  2. Neither of the two brothers is sure to pass.
  3. Every student is expected to be obedient.
  4. Each of them is capacitated to do the work.
  5. Everyone of them desires this.
  6. Many a person was drowned in the sea.

 

Rule 5:

If two subjects are joined by either…or, neither…nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it.

Note:
You need not waste your time in understanding the meaning of ‘near to’. You should simply keep in mind that in such cases the verb agrees with the second subject.

Examples:

  1. Either my brother or I am to do this work.
  2. Neither he nor they are prepared to do this work.

In the first example, the verb (i.e. am) agrees with I because I is immediately before the verb. Similarly, in the second sentence, the verb (i.e. are) agrees with they, because they is immediately before it.

 

Rule 6:

A noun singular in form and collective in sense takes a singular verb.

Examples:

  1. The committee is unanimous in its opinion.
  2. The council has chosen its president.
  3. Parliament has elected its speaker.

 

Rule 7:

A great many is always followed by a plural noun and plural verb.

Examples:

  1. A great many students have been declared successful.
  2. A great many men have come.

 

Rule 8:

Similarly, if two subjects are joined by with, together with, no less than, in addition to, and no, etc., the verb agrees with the first subject.

Examples:

  1. The boy with his parents has arrived.
  2. The officer together with his subordinates was present in the function.
  3. He no less than I is to blame.
  4. Hard labour in addition to intelligence is needed for success in life.

 

Rule 9:

Nouns, plural in form but singular in meaning, take a singular verb.

Examples:
These news were broadcast from All India Radio yesterday. (Incorrect)
This news was broadcast from All India Radio yesterday. (Correct)

 

Rule 10:

When two subjects are joined by not only … but also, the verb must agree with the second subject.

Examples:

  1. Not only India but also Pakistan is poor.
    (The second subject Pakistan is singular)
  2. Not only the principal but also the students were laughing.
    (The second subject students is plural)
  3. Not only the children but also their mother was playing.
    (The second subject their mother is singular)

 

Rule 11:

When two subjects are joined by or, the verb must agree with the second subject.

Note:
In the application of the above rule, it is necessary to keep in mind that the plural subject, if any, should be placed near the verb.

Examples:

  1. Krishna or her sisters were there.
    (The second subject sisters is plural)
  2. Mohan or Sohan is responsible for all this.
    (The second subject Sohan is singular)

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES (From the page on VERB):

There are three popular kinds of verbs:

  1. Ordinary Verb
  2. Verb of incomplete predication
  3. Transitive and Intransitive verbs
Agreement of the Verb with the Subject:
The ve

Thursday, 5 February 2026

Our Fundamental Rights

Fundamental Rights (India)


Fundamental Rights are the basic rights given to every citizen of India. These rights are written in the Indian Constitution and protect our freedom, equality, and dignity. They help people live a respectful and secure life.

Fundamental Rights are mentioned in Articles 12 to 35 of the Indian Constitution.

1. Right to Equality (Articles 14–18)

This right says that all people are equal before the law.

It includes:

  • Equality before law

  • No discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, gender, or place of birth

  • Equal opportunity in government jobs

  • Abolition of untouchability

  • Abolition of titles

Everyone is treated the same by the government.

2. Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22)

This right gives us important freedoms.

It includes:

  • Freedom of speech and expression

  • Freedom to assemble peacefully

  • Freedom to form associations

  • Freedom to move freely in India

  • Freedom to live and work anywhere in India

  • Protection of life and personal liberty

  • Protection against illegal arrest

We can speak, move, and live freely, but within the law.

3. Right Against Exploitation (Articles 23–24)

This right protects people from exploitation.

It includes:

  • Ban on human trafficking

  • Ban on forced labour (begar)

  • Ban on child labour in dangerous jobs

No one can be forced to work against their will.

4. Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28)

This right gives religious freedom to everyone.

It includes:

  • Freedom to follow any religion

  • Freedom to practice and preach any religion

  • Freedom to manage religious affairs

India respects all religions equally.

5. Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29–30)

This right protects the culture of minorities.

It includes:

  • Right to protect language, script, and culture

  • Right to establish and manage educational institutions

Every community can preserve its culture.

6. Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)

This right allows citizens to approach the court if their Fundamental Rights are violated.

  • Courts can issue writs to protect rights

This right is called the “Heart and Soul of the Constitution.”

Conclusion

Fundamental Rights are very important because they:

  • Protect citizens from injustice

  • Ensure freedom and equality

  • Strengthen democracy

Without Fundamental Rights, a democracy cannot function properly.

Sunday, 1 February 2026

Voice (Grammar)

 

VOICES (ACTIVE AND PASSIVE)

Voice is that branch of grammar which studies the form that the verb takes in a sentence to determine the status of the subject and the object.

Voice can be studied under the following headings:

(1) Active Voice

A verb is said to be in the Active Voice when its subject acts or when the emphasis is on the doer or the subject. The active voice is so called because the person or thing denoted by the subject acts.

Example :
Mohan sang a song.

Here, the subject Mohan is acting.

 

(2) Passive Voice

A verb is in the Passive Voice when the subject is being acted upon or when the emphasis is on the object or the work done. The passive voice is so called because the person or thing denoted by the subject is not active but passive, and suffers or receives some action.

Example :
A song was sung by Mohan.

Here, the subject is being acted upon.

Note :

(i) Voice changes occur only in transitive verbs.
(ii) The perfect continuous form of all the three tenses and future continuous cannot be changed into passive voice.

Examples :

Present :
He has been doing the work.
(No change of voice)

Past :
He had been doing the work.
(No change of voice)

Future :
He will have been doing the work.
(No change of voice)

Future Continuous :
He will be doing the work.
(No change of voice)

The reason is that if the change of voice is done in these tenses, then the verb is to be used twice which is wrong.

Example :
He has been doing the work. (Active)
The work has been being done by him. (Passive)

This is a wrong sentence as the verb is used twice. Similar is the case with the other sentences.

Let us look at some more examples of active and passive voice.

 

Active / Passive Examples Table

Active
Mohan has burnt the shop.
People speak English all over the world.
They built the bridge last year.
The boy beat the child.

Passive
The shop has been burnt by Mohan.
English is spoken all over the world.
The bridge was built last year.
The child was beaten by the boy.

 

From the above examples, it is clear that we use active voice when we are more interested in the doer or agent.
And we use passive voice when we are more interested in the object of the action.

As you will notice above, most passive voice sentences drop the agent or the doer either because it is not known or because it is understood and hence not needed or also because it is not important.

 

Rules for converting Active Voice into Passive Voice

(1) First of all, the arrangement of the words in a sentence in the active voice is changed.

Active Voice :
Subject + Verb + Object
Mohan read a book.

Passive Voice :
Object + helping verb + main verb + by + subject
A book was read by Mohan.

Thus, the subject of the active voice becomes the object of the passive voice.

 

(2) Change of Pronoun

When he as subject of active voice becomes object of the passive voice, it changes into him. Similarly,

She her
We
us
They
them
I
me

 

(3) Changes required under each tense

I. Present Tense

(a) Present Indefinite (Simple present tense) : Assertive sentence

Here, we need to change the first form of the verb into the third form and add is/am/are before it, depending on the number and person of the subject in the active voice.

The point becomes more clear from the following structure :

Active – S + V₁ (s, es) + O
Passive – O + is/am/are + V₃ + by + S

Examples:

1.     The boy makes toys. — Active
Toys are made by the boy. — Passive

2.     You vex me. — Active
I am vexed by you. — Passive

3.     She annoys him. — Active
He is annoyed by her. — Passive

Thus, you will notice that apart from following the first two rules, we have changed the verb from the first to the third form. We have also added is/am/are according to the nature of the object in the active voice which has become the subject of the passive voice.

Interrogative sentences (Present Indefinite)

For transforming interrogative sentences under this tense, all you need to do is, put is/am/are before the subject (which was object in the active voice) in the passive voice.

Formula :

Active – Do/Does + S + V₁ + O
Passive – Is/Am/Are + O + V₃ + by + S

Example :
Does she want a book? — Active
Is a book wanted by her? — Passive

Note :
For interrogative sentences of the active voice beginning with who, the passive voice will be formed by changing who into by whom.

Example :
Who teaches you English?
By whom are you taught English?

 

(b) Present Continuous : Assertive sentences

To get the passive voice, the verb is used in its third form and being is inserted between is/am/are and the verb.

Formula :

Active – S + is/am/are + V₁ + ing + O
Passive – O + is/am/are + being + V₃ + by + S

Example :
I am eating an egg. — Active
An egg is being eaten by me. — Passive

Interrogative :

Active – Is/Am/Are + S + V₁ + ing + O
Passive – Is/Am/Are + O + being + V₃ + by + S

Example :
Am I eating an egg? — Active
Is an egg being eaten by me? — Passive

 

(c) Present Perfect

Here, been is put between has/have and verb (third form) in a passive voice sentence.

Formula :

Active – S + has/have + V₃ + O
Passive – O + has/have + been + V₃ + by + S

Example :
Sita has eaten the fruit. — Active
The fruit has been eaten by Sita. — Passive

 

Present Perfect Interrogative

Active – Has/Have + S + V₃ + O?
Passive – Has/Have + O + been + V₃ + by + S?

Examples :
Have you seen the play? — Active
Has the play been seen by you? — Passive

Who has written this letter? — Active
By whom has this letter been written? — Passive

 

II. Past Tense

The rules for transforming the past tense active voice sentences are the same as that for the present tense with necessary modifications.

(a) Past Indefinite

Active – S + V₂ + O
Passive – O + was/were + V₃ + by + S

Interrogative :
Active – Did + S + V₁ + O?
Passive – Was/Were + O + V₃ + by + S?

Examples :
I read the book. — Active
The book was read by me. — Passive

Did you write a letter? — Active
Was a letter written by you? — Passive

 

(b) Past Continuous

Active – S + was/were + V₁ + ing + O
Passive – O + was/were + being + V₃ + by + S

Interrogative :

Active – Was/Were + S + V₁ + ing + O?
Passive – Was/Were + O + being + V₃ + by + S?

Examples :
They were playing football. — Active
Football was being played by them. — Passive

Was he reading the newspaper? — Active
Was the newspaper being read by him? — Passive
(c) Past Perfect

Active – S + had + V₃ + O
Passive – O + had + been + V₃ + by + S

Interrogative :

Active – Had + S + V₃ + O?
Passive – Had + O + been + V₃ + by + S?

Examples :
I had read the book. — Active
The book had been read by me. — Passive

Had she bought a new book? — Active
Had a new book been bought by her? — Passive

 

III. Future Tense

(a) Future Indefinite : Assertive sentence

Formula :

Active – S + will/shall + V₁ + O
Passive – O + will/shall + be + V₃ + by + S

Interrogative :

Active – Will/Shall + S + V₁ + O?
Passive – Will/Shall + O + be + V₃ + by + S?

Examples :
I will write a book. — Active
A book will be written by me. — Passive

Will they wash clothes in the evening? — Active
Will clothes be washed by them in the evening? — Passive

 

(b) Future Perfect

Active – S + will/shall + have + V₃ + O
Passive – O + will/shall + have + been + V₃ + by + S

Example :
I will have written a book. — Active
A book will have been written by me. — Passive

 

Other Conditions for transforming Active into Passive

(a) The preposition after a verb in the active voice does not change its place in the passive voice.

Examples :
She laughed at the child. — Active
The child was laughed at by her. — Passive

We have not heard of this play. — Active
This play has not been heard of (us). — Passive

They will object to your seeing this film. — Active
our seeing this film will be objected to (by them). — Passive

They do not approve of this plan. — Active
This plan is not approved of by them. — Passive

 

(b) Modal Auxiliaries

Can, could, should, must, ought to, might, etc. do not change when transformed from active to passive.

Formula :

Active – S + can/could/may/might/would/should + V₁ + O
Passive – O + can/could/may/might/would/should + be + V₃ + by + S

Examples :
They should help the child. — Active
The child should be helped by them. — Passive

The child can throw the book. — Active
The book can be thrown by the child. — Passive

 

(c) Infinitive in Passive construction

Examples :
I want them to help you. — Active
I want you to be helped. — Passive

The child expected his mother to praise him. — Active
The child expected to be praised by his mother. — Passive

 

(d) Participles in Passive construction

Examples :
I saw him turning the key. — Active
I saw the key being turned by him. — Passive

I heard her shouting at the child. — Active
I heard the child being shouted at by her. — Passive

 

 

Imperatives in Passive construction

Examples :

Switch off the fan. — Active
Let the fan be switched off. — Passive

Bring the child. — Active
Let the child be brought. — Passive

Please forgive him. — Active
You are requested to forgive him. — Passive

Open the gate. — Active
Let the gate be opened. — Passive

 

Special Notes

• All imperatives except requests use let in passive constructions.
• Please becomes you are requested to in passive.
• For non-living things, let is used.
• For human beings, should is more appropriate.

Examples :
Help the poor. — Active
The poor should be helped. — Passive

Don’t laugh at the lame. — Active
The lame should not be laughed at. — Passive

Take care of the old man. — Active
The old man should be taken care of. — Passive

 

Some other passive constructions

People say that she is a liar. — Active
It is said that she is a liar. — Passive

Everyone knows that he is a rich man. — Active
He is known to be a rich man. — Passive

 

Verbs denoting a state

This cup contains tea. — Active
Tea is contained in this cup. — Passive

Novels interest me. — Active
I am interested in novels. — Passive

 

‘It is time’ construction

Active – It is/was time + infinitive + O
Passive – It is/was time + for + O + to be + V₃

Examples :
It is time to close the shops. — Active
It is time for shops to be closed. — Passive

It was time to take action. — Active
It was time for action to be taken. — Passive

 

EITHER…OR (50 Sentences) Either you or I am responsible for this task. Either you or I am ready for the presentation. Either you or I am goi...