Grammar Review: Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, Punctuation & Sentence Structure

Core Grammar Concepts

Grammar is the backbone of clear communication. This unit ensures you master tenses, articles, prepositions, punctuation, and sentence structure—key areas tested in PU exams.

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1. Tenses: Time in Action

Tenses show when actions happen. Mastering them is critical for writing and speaking accurately.

Key Tenses & Their Uses

Worked Example: Real-World Tense Usage

Scenario: Pathao’s driver app

• Present Continuous: "The driver is delivering your order right now."
• Present Perfect: "You have ordered 5 meals this month."
• Future Perfect: "By 2025, Pathao will have expanded to all 77 districts."

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2. Articles: A, An, The

Articles define nouns. Misuse can change meaning entirely.

Rules

Common Mistakes

• ❌ "I saw a Eiffel Tower." → ✅ "I saw the Eiffel Tower." (unique)
• ❌ "She is a honest girl." → ✅ "She is an honest girl." (vowel sound)

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3. Prepositions: Position & Relationship

Prepositions show relationships between words (time, place, direction).

Common Prepositions by Category

Worked Example: NTC’s Service Announcement

"The train to Butwal leaves at 6 AM from New Bus Park due to heavy rain."

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4. Punctuation: Clarity in Writing

Punctuation marks separate ideas and avoid ambiguity.

Key Punctuation Marks

Common Errors

• ❌ "She said I am tired." → ✅ "She said, ‘I am tired.’" (direct speech)
• ❌ "I have a cat a dog." → ✅ "I have a cat and a dog." (comma + conjunction)

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5. Sentence Structure: Building Blocks

Sentences must have a subject + predicate (verb + object).

Types of Sentences

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In the Real World

1. Khalti & eSewa (Digital Payments)

   • Grammar in Action: Transaction confirmations use past perfect ("Your payment had been processed by 10 AM") and future continuous ("Your money will be credited shortly").
   • Prepositions: "Transfer to [recipient’s account] by [deadline]."

2. Daraz Order System

   • Articles: "Select a product, add the item to your cart."
   • Tenses: "Your order was shipped yesterday; it will arrive tomorrow."

3. Nepal Rastra Bank (Loan Agreements)

   • Complex Sentences: "Although interest rates are high, we offer flexible repayment plans if you qualify."
   • Punctuation: Proper use of colons in loan terms ("Requirements: ID proof, salary slips, guarantor").

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Exam Tip

1. Tenses: Always check if the action is completed, ongoing, or habitual. Use past perfect for sequences ("She had left before I arrived").
2. Articles: Watch for unique nouns (the Himalayas) vs. general nouns (a mountain).
3. Prepositions: Memorize time/place pairs ("on Monday," "in 2023," "at night").
4. Punctuation: Commas save lives—separate long clauses to avoid ambiguity.
5. Sentence Types: PU exams test compound/complex sentences—practice joining clauses with FANBOYS and subordinators.

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Practice Exercise

Rewrite these sentences correctly:

1. She go to market yesterday and buy vegetables.
2. The honesty is the best policy.
3. I saw a beautiful scenery in the mountain.
4. Because it rained we didn’t go outside.

Answers:

1. She went to the market yesterday and bought vegetables.
2. Honesty is the best policy. (No article for abstract nouns.)
3. I saw a beautiful scenery in the mountains. (Plural for general reference.)
4. Because it rained, we didn’t go outside. (Comma + independent clause.)

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Final Checklist Before Submission

✅ Tenses: All verbs match the time frame. ✅ Articles: No missing/unnecessary a/an/the. ✅ Prepositions: Time/place/direction correct. ✅ Punctuation: Commas, periods, and quotation marks placed accurately. ✅ Sentence Structure: Every sentence has a subject + predicate.

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Remember: Grammar is not about memorization—it’s about precision. Practice by writing emails to your professor, order confirmations (like Daraz), or bank statements to reinforce real-world application.