TNPSC GROUP-II/IIA

PRELIMINARY EXAM (2025)

GENERAL ENGLISH
- BY B. ANITTA PRIYANKA, M.Sc., M.Ed., Physics
-

“TO SUCCEED IN YOUR MISSION,

YOU MUST HAVE SINGLE-MINDED DEVOTION TO YOUR GOAL."

- DR. A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM

UPDATED SYLLABUS

UNITS TOPICS NO. OF QUESTIONS

I GRAMMAR 25 QUESTIONS
II VOCABULARY 15 QUESTIONS
III WRITING SKILLS 10 QUESTIONS
IV TECHNICAL TERMS 10 QUESTIONS
V READING COMPREHENSION 20 QUESTIONS
VI TRANSLATION 5 QUESTIONS
VII LITERARY WORKS 15 QUESTIONS
(SSLC STANDARD)
 UNIT-I
GRAMMAR (25 QUESTIONS)
1) PARTS OF SPEECH
2) CONCORD
3) TENSE
4) ACTIVE VOICE AND PASSIVE VOICE
5) TYPES OF SENTENCES –
• STATEMENT
• INTERROGATIVE
• IMPERATIVE
• EXCLAMATORY
6) TRANSFORMATION OF SENTENCES –
• STATEMENTS INTO IMPERATIVES,
• INTERROGATIVES INTO STATEMENTS,
• ASSERTIVES INTO NEGATIVES,
• EXCLAMATORY SENTENCES INTO STATEMENT,
• IMPERATIVES INTO INQUISITIVE INTERROGATIVES,
• IMPERATIVES INTO APPRECIATIVE STATEMENTS
7) VERBS
• MAIN VERBS AND AUXILIARY VERBS
• REGULAR AND IRREGULAR VERBS
8) INFINITIVES, GERUNDS, PARTICIPLES
9) QUESTION TAGS
10) SENTENCE PATTERNS
11) TYPES OF SENTENCES -
• SIMPLE
• COMPOUND
• COMPLEX
12) PHRASES AND CLAUSES
13) DEGREES OF COMPARISON -
• POSITIVE,
• COMPARATIVE
• SUPERLATIVE
14) DIRECT INTO INDIRECT AND INDIRECT TO DIRECT
15) SYNTHESIS OF SENTENCES
16) PUNCTUATIONS
 17. SYNTHESIS OF SENTENCES

SYNTHESIS OF SENTENCE
➢ Sentence synthesis is the process of combining two or more sentences into a single sentence that
conveys the same meaning.
➢ EXAMPLE:
✓ He wanted to pass the examination. He studied hard.
✓ He studied hard to pass the examination.
TYPES OF SYNTHESIS OF SENTENCE
COMBINING INTO COMBINING INTO COMBINING INTO
SIMPLE SENTENCES COMPLEX SENTENCES COMPOUND SENTENCES
➢ This involves reducing ➢ This involves using sub- ➢ This involves using co-
multiple ideas into a single ordinating conjunctions ordinating conjunctions (and,
sentence using participles, (because, although, since) but, or, so) to link related ideas.
infinitives, or appositive to show relationships of
phrases. time, cause, or condition.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
➢ He finished his work. He ➢ He didn’t study. He failed ➢ She was tired. She continued
went home. → the test. → working. →
➢ Finishing his work, he ➢ Because he didn’t study, he ➢ She was tired, but she
went home. failed the test. continued working.

I. CHIEF WAYS OF COMBINING JOINING TWO OR MORE SIMPLE

SENTENCES INTO ONE SIMPLE SENTENCE
1. BY USING A PARTICIPLE
1. He jumped up. He ran away. 1. Jumping up, he ran away.
2. He was tired of play. He sat down to rest. 2. Tired of play, he sat down to rest.
3. He is well versed in English. He was appointed 3. For his knowledge of English, he was appointed
as the English teacher in the school. as English teacher in the school.

2. BY USING A NOUN OR A PHRASE IN APPOSITION

1. This is my friend. His name is Rama. 1. This is my friend Rama.
2. I spent two days in London. It is one of the most 2. I spent two days in London, one of the most
attractive places in England. attractive places in England.
3. Buddhism was founded in 2500 years ago. It is 3. Buddhism, one of the greatest religions, was
one of the greatest religions. founded in 2500 years ago.
3. BY USING A PREPOSITION WITH NOUN OR GERUND
1. The moon rose. Their journey was not ended. 1. Before their journey was ended, the moon rose.
2. He has failed many times. He still hopes to win. 2. Having failed for many times, he still hopes to
3. Her husband died. She heard the news. She win.
fainted. 3. On hearing the news of the death of her
 husband, she fainted.
4. BY USING, NOMINATIVE ABSOLUTE CONSTRUCTION
1. The soldiers arrived. The mob dispersed. 1. The soldiers having arrived, the mob dispersed.
2. The town was enclosed by strong wall. The 2. The town having been enclosed by strong wall,
enemy was unable to capture it. the enemy was unable to capture it.

5. BY USING AN INFINITIVE
1. I have some duties. I must perform them. 1. I have some duties to perform.
2. We must finish this exercise. There are still three 2. We have still three sentences in this
sentences. exercise to finish.
3. He wanted to educate his son. He sent him to London. 3. He sent his son to London to educate him.
4. He is very fat. He can not run. 4. He is very fat to run.
6. BY USING AN ADVERB OR AN ADVERBIAL PHRASE
1. He deserved to succeed. He failed. 1. He failed undeservedly.
2. The sun set. The boys had not finished the
2. The boys had not finished the game by sunset.
game.

II. JOINING TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO ONE COMPLEX

SENTENCE
➢ METHOD: Change one of the simple sentences into a principal clause and the others into
subordinate clauses
1. A NOUN CLAUSE: A noun clause does the work of a noun. It can act as the subject or the
object of the verb in the principal clause.
He is a hard-working boy. Everybody knows it. Everybody knows that he is a hard-working boy.
He may be at home. I do not know. I do not know whether he is at home.
He speaks fast. Otherwise he is a good teacher. Except that he speaks fast, he is a good teacher.
He would win the first prize. That was his hope. His hope, that he would win the first prize, was
His hope was not fulfilled. not fulfilled.
She may fail again. This is her great fear. Her great fear is that she may fail again.
Ashok is absent today. Do you know the reason? Do you know why Ashok is absent today?
2. AN ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
➢ An adjective clause does the work of an adjective. It can modify a noun or pronoun in the main
clause.
➢ Two or more Simple Sentences may be combined into one Complex Sentence by introducing an
Adjective Clause by the use of who, whom, whose or which, and the relative Adverb where or
why.
I met my old friend. He is now a Police Inspector. I met my old friend who is now a Police
Inspector.
The boy sits near me. His father is a philosopher.
The boy whose father is a philosopher sits near
me.
 This is a fine opportunity. It should not be lost. This is a fine opportunity which should not be
lost.
My mother will always be grateful to you. You My mother whom you helped will always be
helped her. grateful to you.
This is the garden. The finest roses grow here. This is the garden where the finest roses grow.
You did not come to school yesterday. can you Can you tell me the reason why you did not come
tell me the reason ? to school yesterday.

3. AN ADVERB CLAUSE.
➢ An adverb clause does the work of an adverb. It can modify a verb, an adjective or another adverb in
the main clause.
➢ Two or more Simple Sentences may be combined into one Complex Sentence by introducing an
Adverb Clause by the use of the Subordinating Conjunctions, if, since, because, unless, when, where,
while, though, as, until, before, than, that, etc.

1.You will pass. Your working hard is a condition. 1.You will pass if you work hard.
2.He will succeed. He has worked hard. 2.He will succeed, since he has worked hard.
3.He was fined. He had copied in the examination. 3.He was fined because he had copied in the
4.You must work harder. You will not pass. examination.
5.The sun set. We returned home. 4.Unless you work harder, you will not pass.
6.He worked hard. His object was to win a prize. 5.When the sun set, we returned home.
7.You are there. You can stay there. 6.He worked hard that he might win a prize.
8.The sun shines. Make hay now. 7.You can stay where you are.
9He is contented. He is poor. 8.Make hay while the sun shines.
10.He is ill. He cannot attend office. 9.He is contended though he is poor.
11.I will return. Do not go till then. 10.As he is ill, he cannot attend office.
12.I had left home. She came later. 11.Do not go until I return.
13.He is very old. He enjoys good health. 12.I had left home before she came.
14.Harry tiptoed into the room. He did not want 13.He enjoys good health, though he is very old.
to disturb the class. 14.Harry tiptoed into the room lest he should
15.He did not go out again. He had come back disturb the class.
home. 15.After he had come back home, he did not go
16.It is very simple. Even a child can understand out again.
it. 16.It is so simple that even a child can understand
17.They made a great deal of noise. I could not it.
sleep. 17.They made so much noise that I could not
18.Lila is more intelligent. I am less intelligent. sleep.
19.The bell rang. They all came up at once. 18.Lila is more intelligent than I am.
20.Tom is clever. Harry is equally clever. 19.As soon as the bell rang, they all came up.
20.Harry is as clever as Tom.
III. JOINING TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO ONE COMPOUND
SENTENCE
➢ A compound sentence is one having two or more co-ordinate clauses. Hence it can be formed only
with the help of coordinating conjunctions.
➢ By using and, as well as, both…and etc
NOTE THAT THESE CONJUNCTIONS MERELY ADD ONE STATEMENT TO
ANOTHER.
Alice wrote the letter. She posted it. Alice wrote the letter and posted it.
Tom passed the test. James also passed the test. Tom, as well as, James passed the test.
He has many admirers. He also has several Not only has he many admirers, but also several
detractors. detractors.
BY USING BUT, YET, WHEREAS, NEVERTHELESS
➢ These conjunctions are used when contrasting statements have to be joined together.
He is ill. He is cheerful. He is ill but cheerful.
He is rich. He is miserable He is rich, yet miserable.
Tom is ambitious. His brother is quite the Tom is ambitious whereas his brother is quite the
reverse. reverse.

BY USING OR, EITHER…OR, NOR, NEITHER…NOR, OTHERWISE ETC

➢ These conjunctions are used when two alternative facts or statements have to be presented.
You can go by bus. You can go by train. You can go by bus or train.
He does not smoke. He does not drink. He neither smokes nor drinks. (OR)
Neither does he smoke nor does he drink.
You must work hard. You will not win. You must work hard otherwise you will not win.

DIFFERENT WAYS OF COMBINING A SENTENCE

1) Harry is smart. Harry is ✓ Harry 2) She was annoyed. She
handsome. is both smart and handsome. said nothing.
➢ several ways to combine ✓ Harry is smart as well ✓ She was annoyed but she
✓ Harry is as handsome. said nothing.
smart and handsome. ✓ Harry is not only smart but ✓ She was annoyed, yet she
also handsome. said nothing.

a) JOINING TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO ONE COMPLEX

SENTENCE BY USING A NOUN CLAUSE:
1) A good education is essential for success in life. He believes this.
2) Could he depend on the guide? The traveler did not know.
3) He is bent on mischief. It is known to everybody.
ANSWERS
1) He believes that a good education is essential for success in life.
2) The traveler did not know whether he could depend on the guide.
3) That he is bent on mischief is known to everybody.
b) JOINING TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO ONE COMPLEX
SENTENCE BY USING AN ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
4) The slave had to fight with a hungry lion. The lion was kept in a cage.
5) He is a prince. Trouble had driven him from home.
ANSWERS
4) The slave had to fight with a hungry lion which was kept in a cage.
5) He is a prince whom trouble had driven from home.
c) JOINING TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO ONE COMPLEX
SENTENCE BY USING AN ADVERB CLAUSE
6) He got the first prize. He was happy.
7) Jack fought very well. As a result of that the captain asked him to join his band of soldiers.
8) He worked hard. His goal was to gain promotion.
ANSWERS
6) He was happy when he got the first prize. / He was happy because he got the first prize.
7) Jack fought so well that the captain asked him to join his band of soldiers.
8) He worked hard that he might gain promotion.

COMBINE THE FOLLOWING SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO COMPLEX

SENTENCES.
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
1. Where does he live? That is a mystery. Where he lives is a mystery.
2. We will have a good monsoon this year. The The meteorologists expect that we will have a
meteorologists expect this. good monsoon this year.
3. The project will be abandoned. That is certain. It is certain that the project will be abandoned.
4. We visited the deer park. Buddha preached his We visited the deer park where Buddha preached
first sermon here. his first sermon.
5. His younger son is in the US. He is a professor His younger son, who is in the US, is a professor
at a prestigious university. at a prestigious university.

COMBINE THE FOLLOWING PAIRS OF SENTENCES INTO A COMPOUND

SENTENCE.
1) The way was long. The wind was cold. ANSWERS
2) The wind blew. The lightning splashed. The 1) The way was long and the wind was cold.
rain started falling. 2) The wind blew, the lightning splashed and
3) It was a cold night. We ventured out. the rain started falling.
4) He is foolish. He is obstinate. 3) It was a cold night but we ventured out.
5) Come in. Go out. 4) He is foolish and obstinate.
6) Do not be a borrower. Do not be a lender. 5) Come in or go out. / Either come in or go
out.
6) Do not be a borrower or a lender. / Be
neither a borrower nor a lender.
 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

COMBINATION OF TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO A SINGLE

SIMPLE SENTENCE USING A PARTICIPLE
1. Choose the correct combination of the given two simple ➢ Answer: b
sentences into a single sentence using a participle from the ➢ Explanation: The sentence,
options. “Explaining the tasks, he walked
He explained the tasks. He walked away from the
discussion. away from the discussion” is the
a) He walked away from the discussion by explaining the correct combination of the given
tasks. simple sentences. It combines the
b) Explaining the tasks, he walked away from the sentences into one by using a
discussion. participle ‘explaining’ that is
c) No sooner did he explain the tasks, did he walk away derived form the verb ‘explain’ and
from the discussion. tells what was done by the subject
d) He explained the tasks and then walked away from the (explaining the tasks).
discussion.
➢ Answer: a
➢ Explanation: The two individual
2. The correct combination of the given two simple simple sentences are changed into
sentences into a single sentence using a participle is one single simple sentence using a
______________ participle ‘buying’ which is a
Piyush bought some vegetables. He started cooking
lunch. modified form of the verb
a) Buying some vegetables, Piyush started cooking lunch ‘buy/bought’. The resulting
b) The vegetables which were bought by Piyush were sentence has one subject and
used by him for cooking conveys the same meaning as the
c) Cooking lunch, Piyush also bought some vegetables given sentences. Thus, the correct
d) Piyush bought some vegetables and started cooking combination of the sentences
lunch given is, “buying some vegetables,
Piyush started cooking lunch”.

COMBINATION OF TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO A SINGLE

SIMPLE SENTENCE USING A NOUN OR PHRASE IN APPOSITION
➢ Answer: a
1. Combine the following set of sentences into one ➢ Explanation: The following set of
simple sentence. sentences given in the question
My dog is sitting there. His name is Joe. statement is combined together into
a) My dog Joe is sitting there one simple sentence by using the
b) It is my dog Joe who is sitting there noun ‘Joe’. The name of the dog ‘Joe’
c) The dog sitting there is mine and his name is Joe is the noun in the sentence and also
d) My dog is sitting there and his name is Joe the subject hence it is used to combine
two sentences together.
 ➢ Answer: a
2. Combine the following set of sentences into one ➢ Explanation: In the given set of
simple sentence. sentences in this question, ‘delicate
I saw the sculpture. It is delicate and elegant. and elegant’ is the appositive noun
a) The sculpture I saw, is delicate and elegant phrase as it gives us additional
b) The sculpture which I saw is delicate and elegant information about the ‘sculpture’.
c) I saw the sculpture and it was delicate and elegant Hence it is used to combine the two
d) A delicate and elegant sculpture was seen by me sentences together.

COMBINATION OF TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO A SINGLE

SIMPLE SENTENCE USING A PREPOSITION WITH A NOUN OR GERUND
➢ Answer: b
1.
➢ Explanation: The two sentences
2. Combine the following set of sentences into one
mentioned in this question statement
simple sentence.
She opened the jar. She found the cookies. are joined together by the preposition
a) She opened the jar and found the cookies ‘after’ in the answer statement. A
b) She found the cookies after she opened the jar preposition is a word which shows
c) When she opened the jar, she found the cookies the relation of a noun or pronoun to
d) Cookies were found by her as she opened the jar another word in the sentence.

➢ Answer: c
3. Combine the following set of sentences into one ➢ Explanation: Using a preposition +
simple sentence. gerund, two different sentences are
He was hit by a bullet. He kept walking. joined together into one sentence.
a) He kept walking even though he was hit by a The preposition used in the correct
bullet option to do so is ‘In spite’ in the
b) He was hit by a bullet but he kept walking beginning of the answer statement.
c) In spite of being hit by a bullet, he kept walking We can use gerund+ preposition
d) He was hit by a bullet though he kept walking combination to turn a full sentence
into a phrase.
4. Combine the following set of sentences into one
➢ Answer: d
simple sentence.
He was lost. She knew it. She did not help. ➢ Explanation: The following set of
a) She did not help him when he was lost and she sentences given in this question
knew it statement is converted into a single
b) She knew that he was lost but she did not help sentence by the use of the preposition
c) Although she knew that he was lost, she did not ‘In site’ in the answer statement.
help Three simple sentences are joined
d) In spite of knowing that he was lost, she did not together into one simple sentence.
help
COMBINATION OF TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO A SINGLE
COMPOUND SENTENCE USING CUMULATIVE CONJUNCTION
1. Combine the following set of simple sentences ➢ Answer: c
into one compound sentence. ➢ Explanation: The following two simple
The crowd was outside. He was nervous. sentences given in this question statement are
a) The crowd being outside made him nervous converted into a compound sentence by using
b) He was nervous of the crowd outside the cumulative conjunction ‘and’ in the answer
c) The crowd was outside and he was nervous statement. This helps to simply add together
d) The crowd was nervous so he was nervous two different sentences.
2. Combine the following set of simple sentences ➢ Answer: a
into one compound sentence. ➢ Explanation: The two simple sentences
She is smart. She is attractive. mentioned in this question are combined
a) She is both smart and attractive together by the use of the cumulative
b) She is smart so she is attractive conjunction ‘both smart and attractive’ in the
c) She is either smart or attractive answer statement. Cumulative conjunction is
d) She is smart which makes her attractive a coordinating conjunction.

COMBINATION OF TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO A SINGLE

COMPLEX SENTENCE USING SUBORDINATE CLAUSE A NOUN CLAUSE
1. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one ➢ Answer: a; Explanation: The
complexsentence. following two simple sentences
I might have some money. I am not sure. are converted into a single
a) I am not sure whether I have money complex sentence by expanding
b) I might have some money but I am not sure the word or phrase given in the
c) I am not sure of having money question into the noun clause ‘I
d) I might have some money still I am not sure have money’.
➢ Answer: a
2. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one ➢ Explanation: The noun clause
complex sentence. used in the given correct option is
The decoration was done. Only the flowers were left.
‘Except for the flowers’. This noun
a) Except for the flowers, the decoration was done
clause joins the two simple phrases
b) The decoration was done but only the flowers were left
given in the question statement
c) The decoration was done without the flowers
and converts them into a single
d)The decoration was done and only the flowers were left
complex sentence.
3. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one Answer: d; Explanation: The two
complex sentence. simple sentences are joined together
He was lost in the forest. They knew it.
by expanding them into a subordinate
a) He being lost in the forest was known by them
clause ‘that he was lost’ in the answer
b) He was lost in the forest and they knew it
statement. This subordinate clause is a
c) He was lost in the forest, however they knew it
noun clause as it deals with the subject
d) They knew it that he was lost in the forest
of the sentence ‘he’.
 TNPSC GROUP 4,2025

SYNTHESIS OF SENTENCES Explanation

Which of the following sentences is a correct *A conjunctive adverb such as
synthesis using an appropriate conjunctive "consequently" connects two
adverb? independent clauses and shows a
Sentence 1: The assignment was due last week. relationship between them. In this case,
Sentence 2: We did not submit it on time. "consequently" indicates a cause-and-
effect relationship: the assignment
(a) The assignment was due last week; being due last week (cause) led to it not
consequently, we did not submit it on time being submitted on time (effect).
(b) The assignment was due last week, so we did When a conjunctive adverb joins two
1. not submit it on time independent clauses, it is typically
(c) The assignment was due last week, because preceded by a semicolon (;) and
we did not submit it on time followed by a comma (,). This
(d) The assignment was due last week and we did punctuation separates the clauses while
not submit it on time. still showing their logical connection.

(A) (a)
(B) (b)
(C) (c)
(D) (d)
(E) Answer not known
 18. PUNCTUATIONS

PUNCTUATION IS A SET OF SYMBOLS THAT SEPARATES AND GIVES

MEANING TO WORDS.
➢ It tells readers where to pause, what words are quotations, and more.
➢ When you use correct punctuation, you convey your intended message clearly to your audience.

SPEAKING AND WRITING

➢ While speaking, we use intonation, pauses and voice modulation to help the listener grasp
exactly what we try to communicate.
➢ In writing, this is achieved with the help of punctuation.
➢ Punctuation is the system of symbols that we use in order to communicate efficiently and effectively
what we actually wish to convey.
➢ Punctuation marks are tools that have set functions. They are not just an optional frill, but are
indispensable to exchange written information accurately.
➢ The correct usage of punctuation marks expresses the intended meaning of the sentence.
➢ At times, wrong punctuation marks can present just the opposite of what you try to say.
➢ At times, serious sentences without proper punctuation become jokes, leading to confusion and
misunderstanding.
DIFFERENTIATING TYPE OF SENTENCES WITH PUNCTUATIONS
➢ A sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop or a question mark or an exclamation
mark.
1. When a sentence is a statement, it gives a fact or an opinion Ducks swim in water.
and we end it with a full stop.
2. When a sentence asks a question, we end it with a question What do you want?
mark.
3. When a sentence makes a request or gives an instruction Take this road.
or a command, we end it with a full stop.
4. When a sentence expresses surprise, wonder or some strong How good these flowers smell!
emotion, we end it with an exclamation mark.

CAPITAL LETTER
To begin a sentence. Ex: They are playing cricket.
To begin each line of poetry. Ex: If you can dream and not make
dreams your master.
For all proper nouns and adjectives ➢ Bharathi is a Tamil poet.
Ex: India, Indian. We live in India. ➢ I met Kumar at the market.
➢ He completed his MBBS last year.
To begin the names and surnames of persons, rivers, Ex: Raj, Cauvery, India, Trichy, Everest,
countries, cities, mountains, roads, buildings, days Grand trunk road, The Hindu, Sunday.
of the week, months, books, newspapers,
magazines, communities, political parties.

14 STANDARD PUNCUATION MARKS & ITS USES

1. Full stop / period .

2. Comma ,
3. Semicolon ;
4. Colon :
5. Question mark ?
6. Exclamatory mark !
7. Apostrophe ‘
8. Quotation marks “…..”
9. Hyphen -
10. Dash _
11. Parentheses ()
12. ellipsis …
13. slash /
14. asterisk *
1) USES OF FULL STOP
To mark the end of a sentence, primarily Ex: Time is Gold. (Statement)
To mark the end of commands, Get me a glass of water. (Imperative)
instructions, orders and requests
After an initial (first Letter of a person ‘s name) Ex: S. Raman, M. Renu

After short forms and abbreviations Ex: "Dr.", "Mrs.", "a.m.", and "e.g.".
"U.S." and "F.B.I."
At the end of a sentence containing an Direct question: Are you going to the movie?
indirect question Indirect question: I wonder if you are going to
the movie.
In website URLs and email addresses Ex: https://www.aimtnyoutubechannel.com/
[email protected]

2) USES OF COMMA: (‘COMMA’ INDICATES A BRIEF PAUSE)

To indicate a pause while reading. Ex: God willing, we will meet again.
To separate words in a list. (The last two items Ex: Health, wealth and peace to together.
are separated by and) He visited Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Kashmir.
To separate the actual words spoken, from the Ex: Mala said, “I am writing a letter.”
rest of the sentences.
To mark off certain words like No, Yes prefixed Ex: Yes, I come. No, I don’t come.
to a sentence.
To break up group of numbers into tens, Ex: 1,25,500
hundreds, thousands and lakhs.
After salutation in letters. Ex: Dear Sir, Dear Kannan,
To separate the date and month from the year. Ex: 1st January, 2005 22nd June, 1969
Before the question tags at the end of the Ex: It's a beautiful day, isn't it?
statements or imperatives they are attached to
After an introductory phrase or clause. After the rain stopped, we went for a walk.
Before coordinating conjunctions (and, yet/but, I like to read, but my brother prefers watching
or/otherwise, so/otherwise, nor) in compound movies.
sentences.
3) USE OF SEMI-COLON
The semicolon represents a pause greater than Ex: Uma came quickly; she ate in a hurry she
that indicated by the comma. went out.
The comma separates individual items. A Ex: In the children’s room were toys, books, balls
semicolon separates groups of items. and colour pencils; in the kitchen were pots, pans,
vegetables, and fruits; and the library had books,
charts and maps.
Links two independent clauses without a "I studied for hours; I felt well-prepared for the
coordinating conjunction exam".
4) USES OF COLON
The colon shows a shorter pause than a full Ex: The three great books are: the Ramayana, the
stop, but a longer pause than a semicolon. Mahabharata and the Gita.
To introduce a list The days of the week are: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Used to separate two independent clauses, "The reason for the delay is simple: we ran into
when the second explains, illustrates or unexpected traffic."
follows from the first.
Before a quotation, and sometimes before "He said: \"I'm going to the store.\""
direct speech
Never use a colon after a sentence "My favorite colors: blue and green." (Incorrect)
fragment. "My favorite colors, blue and green"(Correct)
5) QUESTION MARK
To mark off questions. To mark off question tag.
Ex: What is your name? Ex: Pass the salt, will you?
How old are you? I am not angry, am I?
Are you interested in Maths?

6) EXCLAMATORY MARK
➢ After interjections. ➢ After exclamatory sentences.
✓ Ex: Ah! Hurrah! Alas! Oh! Hush! ✓ Ex: What a useful tree the coconut is!
➢ After exclamatory phrases. ✓ How cunning the fox is!
✓ Ex: Well done! Miserable man!

7) USES OF APOSTROPHE
➢ To indicate the omission of a letter or letters ✓ In contracted forms, in place of the letter
when two words are joined. that is left out. Ex: can’t
✓ Ex: I’ve → I have I’m → I am Don’t → Do ✓ To indicate the plural of figures and
not won’t → will not letters.
➢ Apostrophe is used with s– to give the ✓ Ex: 5’s Your 3’s and 8’s look alike.
meaning belongs to. (Possessiveness)
✓ Ex: Ramu’s book → The book belongs to
Ramu.

8) USES OF QUOTATION MARK OR INVERTED COMMAS

➢ Single quotation marks or inverted commas ➢ To mark the exact words of a speaker
are generally used in British English. without any change / to use a word or phrase
✓ Ex: ‘Help! I’m drowning!’ in a specific way to highlight it
➢ In American English, double quotation marks ✓ Ex: Rama said to Rahim, “Where are you
are used. going?”
✓ Ex: “Help! I’m drowning!”
9) USES OF HYPHEN & EXAMPLES
➢ in numbers between twenty-one and ninety- ➢ in compound adjectives using high and low
nine, when they are written in words. (e.g. high-level, low-tide)
➢ in compound adjectives with fractions (e.g. ➢ To link pairs of words used as single words or
one-third / quarter-million / half-boiled) group of words, or join up words or syllables.
➢ with prefixes ex-, self-, all- (e.g. ex-minister / Ex: Re-search , father–in–law, co–operative,
self-satisfied / all-over) two–third
10) USES OF DASH & EXAMPLES (THE DASH IS LONGER THAN HYPHEN)
1. Specify time ranges World War II (1939–1945) triggered significant changes in the
balance of power worldwide.
2. Join two-word adjective phrases to a single noun. Eg: Academy Award–winning actor
3. Introduce (and emphasize) more The speaker forced members of the audience to confront
detail at the end of a sentence without something that they never wanted to acknowledge—their own
using a colon or semicolon. prejudices.
4. Introduce (and emphasize) a detail Julius Caesar—the first Roman Emperor—ruled until his
in the middle of a sentence. untimely death in 44 BCE.
5. Emphasize a list already separated Multiple languages are spoken in Canada—English, French,
by commas. and Native languages.
6. Mark a sudden change in a The Assyrian Empire’s brutality allowed for the rapid growth
sentence’s tone. of their realm—but it ultimately brought their downfall.

➢ “A Dash is a mark of separation stronger than a comma, less formal than a colon, and more relaxed
than parentheses.” -William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White
11) USES OF PARENTHESES OR ROUND BRACKETS & EXAMPLES
➢ within a sentence to provide ➢ to enclose time zones following the time (e.g. 6 a.m.
supplementary or additional (IST)
information, not essential to the main ➢ to enclose abbreviations/acronyms or their
point expansions upon their first use for the readers’
➢ to enclose numbers or letters used in understanding.
numbered or lettered lists (e.g. (1) (2) "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
......../ (a) (b).......) (CDC) issued a new report".
12)USES OF ELLIPSIS (DOT-DOT-DOT)
➢ to denote omission of a word, phrase, line, EXAMPLES:
paragraph, or any missing piece of a text "The cat sat on the mat. ... and then jumped
passage off." (Omission within a sentence)
➢ to shorten the quote without changing the
meaning "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. ...
➢ to avoid unnecessary repetition of words etc." (Omission of a longer section of text)
➢ to show a pause in a thought or to create
suspense.
13) USES OF SLASH OR OBLIQUE STROKE & EXAMPLES
➢ to signify alternatives (and/or) For example:
➢ to denote division and separate parts of a "In the passage, the poet writes, 'This is the
fraction first line / And this is the second line, / And
➢ to mark line divisions in poetry quoted with this one is the third.'" scribbr says
running text.
14) USES OF ASTERISK & EXAMPLES
➢ to show that a footnote like reference or ➢ * (Footnote at the bottom of the page: "...a
comment has been added at the bottom of a season" is an overestimation.)
page (in case of many footnotes, use one star * ➢ "The meeting is tomorrow.* It's on Tuesday."
for the first one, two stars ** for the second
and so on).
➢ in advertisements to indicate that there is ➢ "All new models now on sale!* (See bottom
extra information. of page for details)"

TNPSC GROUP 4,2025

PUNCTUATIONS Explanation:
Choose the suitable answer: Quotation marks are used to indicate
If a writer uses a word or phrase in a special way, that a word or phrase is being used in a
he/she can write it in specific way, often to highlight irony or
(a) Parentheses to signal that the writer is distancing
1. (b) Quotation marks
themselves from the phrase's usual
(c) Square brackets
meaning.
(d) Dash
(A) (a) (B) (b)
(C) (c) (D) (d)
(E) Answer not known
COMMONLY USED PUNCTUATION MARKS
Comma (,) ➢ The comma is used to indicate a short pause. It is used:
a. for words, phrases and clauses in a series.
➢ For example,
✓ Gandhiji, the Father of the Nation, died on 30th January, 1948.
b. when you address a person.
➢ For example,
✓ "Yes, Sir."
c. to separate numbers, dates and address.
➢ For example,
✓ I was born on 9th August, 1990 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Semicolon ➢ The semicolon represents a stronger pause than a comma.
(;) ➢ It is used to stress the close relationship between one sentence and another.
➢ For example,
✓ Today we love what tomorrow we hate; today we seek what tomorrow we shun;
today we desire what tomorrow we fear.
Colon (:) ➢ The colon is used to show that something is to follow.
➢ For example,
✓ The principle parts of a verb in English are: the present tense, the past tense,
and the past participle.
Full Stop (•) ➢ The full stop is used to mark the end of a declarative or an imperative sentence. It
represents the greatest pause.
➢ For example,
✓ Abirami, Suganya and Sudha are best friends
Exclamation ➢ The exclamation mark is used after interjections and after phrases and sentences
Mark (!) expressing sudden emotion or wish.
➢ For example,
✓ Alas! Oh dear!
Question ➢ Question Mark is used, instead of the Full Stop, after a direct question.
Mark (?) ➢ For example,
✓ Have you finished writing?
Dash (_) ➢ The dash is used to make an abrupt stop or change of thought.
➢ For example,
✓ He has-you may not believe it-failed.
Inverted ➢ Inverted Commas are used to enclose the exact words of a speaker, or a quotation.
Commas ➢ For example,
(“ ”) ✓ "I would rather die," he exclaimed, "than join the oppressors of my country."
Apostrophe ➢ Used to indicate either possession (e.g. Harry's book; boys' coats) or the omission of
(’) letters or numbers (e.g. can't; he's; 1Jan.'99)
Brackets ( ) ➢ Each of a pair of marks ( ) [ ] { } used to enclose words or figures so as to separate
them from the context.
➢ For example, MS Dhoni (the former Cricket captain) resigned from cricket.
 EXERCISES
PUNCTUATE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES.
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
1. i like playing with my friends sandy sunny 1. I like playing with my friends: Sandy, Sunny,
sameer Sameer.
2. we went through the smoky mountains, near 2. We went through the Smoky Mountains, near
shimla on our way to leh Shimla, on our way to Leh.
3. my favourite soap is pears and my favourite 3. My favourite soap is Pears, and my favourite
toothpaste is pepsodent toothpaste is Pepsodent.
4. my friend priya speaks german and she is 4. My friend Priya speaks German, and she is
teaching me some words teaching me some words.
5. he was honest sincere hard working 5. He was honest, sincere, and hard-working.
6. hindus muslims sikhs christians live together 6. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians live
in india together in India.
7. long ago in a town in Switzerland there lived 7. Long ago, in a town in Switzerland, there lived
a famous man called william a famous man called William.
8. akbar the greatest of the mughal emperors 8. Akbar, the greatest of the Mughal emperors,
ruled wisely ruled wisely.
9. tanya said to rahul is a nice guy 9. Tanya said to Rahul, “He is a nice guy.”
10. when is your birthday 10. When is your birthday?
USE THE APPROPRIATE PUNCTUATION MARK THAT COMPLETES THE
SENTENCES.
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
1. Where is the park _____________ 1. Where is the park?
2. Make sure to complete all your homework on 2. Make sure to complete all your homework on
time _____ time.
3. Priya asked when are we going on a vacation_ 3. Priya asked, "When are we going on a
4. Terry Sam and Jeremy went to the movies vacation?"
together ______ 4. Terry, Sam, and Jeremy went to the movies
5. Wow ___What a wonderful event __ together.
6. I am so excited to see my family on Christmas_ 5. Wow! What a wonderful event!
7. What day of the week is your favourite__ 6. I am so excited to see my family on Christmas!
8. You need to do your homework right after 7. What day of the week is your favourite?
dinner _____ 8. You need to do your homework right after
9. Please take out the trash when you get home_ dinner.
10. My favourite team won the game _____ 9. Please take out the trash when you get home.
11. What do you want to eat for lunch ____ 10. My favourite team won the game!
12. I had a great time at your party _____ 11. What do you want to eat for lunch?
13. Do you know what time it is ______ 12. I had a great time at your party!
14. How do we get to the amusement park ______ 13. Do you know what time it is?
15. I can't wait to go on summer vacation _____ 14. How do we get to the amusement park?
15. I can't wait to go on summer vacation!
REWRITE THE SENTENCES WITH PUNCTUATION MARKS.
1. where is my cat - Where is my cat?
2. jain ate an apple - Jain ate an apple.
3. the book is on the table - The book is on the table.
4. ravi wants book pen and pencil - Ravi wants book, pen and pencil.
5. do you play football - Do you play football?
6. my favourite colour is blue - My favourite colour is blue.
7. leema is a good singer - Leema is a good singer.
8. do you like pet animals - Do you like pet animals?
9. he likes shirt pants and shorts - He likes shirt, pants and shorts.
10. how are you - How are you?
PUNCTUATE THE FOLLOWING.
1. the woman said to the student please help me ANSWERS
cross the street 1. The woman said to the students, “please help
2. sarathy said oh how thrilling it was me cross the street,”
3. the teacher said to the students where do you 2. Sarathy said, “Oh, how thrilling it was!”
want to go 3. The teacher said to the students, “Where do
4. i am tired mohana said to her aunt you want to go?”
5. shankar said to his teacher madam i had 4. I am Ham tired, “Mohana said to her aunt.
prepared my project assignment but I forgot to 5. Shankar said to his teacher, “Madam, I had
bring it. prepared my project assignment, but I forgot
to bring it.
PUNCTUATE THE FOLLOWING.
1) On the drive, he would tell me dont waste ANSWERS
your time playing insane games with these 1) On the drive he would tell me, “Don’t waste
kids your time playing insane games with these
2) “Bow, wow, wow!” wagging his tail violently. kids.
3) Steady old pal weve been through bad things 2) “Bow, wow, wow!” wagging his tail violently.
before and come out safely. 3) Steady, old pal! We‘ve been through bad
4) do you want to buy it things before and come out safely.
5) only three years she smiled 4) ‘Do you want to buy it?’
6) I used to climb the jackfruit tree he said 5) ‘Only three years,’ she smiled.
opening his eyes 6) ‘I used to climb the jackfruit tree,’ he said,
7) She said where did you find it opening his eyes.
8) A human how could a human be a teacher 7) She said, “Where did you find it?”
9) Oh Jim i’m scared 8) “A human? How could a human be a teacher?”
10) she is alive someone said 9) Oh, Jim, I’m scared!
11) Hey wait a minute, ’ pongo shouted. 10) “She is alive!” someone said.
12) tom what on earth ails that cat 11) ‘Hey! Wait a minute,’ Pongo shouted.
13) Im a grizzly from alaska and Ive come to stay. 12) ‘Tom, what on earth ails that cat?’
“I’m a grizzly from Alaska and I‘ve come to stay.