Tips to Avoid Most Common Grammar Mistakes in CLAT
- himanshilawprep
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Grammar plays a crucial role in the CLAT exam, especially in the English section. A lot of students underestimate its importance, thinking that it’s just a minor part of the exam. But trust me, grammar can make a big difference between a good score and a great score!
We all have our habits when it comes to language, but in exams like CLAT, small grammar mistakes can cost us valuable marks. Let's take a look at some of the most common grammar mistakes students make and, more importantly, how you can avoid them. After all, it’s all about those little details that can make a big impact. So, let's dive in without stressing over it too much, alright?
1. Subject-Verb Agreement Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes in grammar is a mismatch between the subject and verb. It happens when we don’t adjust the verb form correctly to match the subject, leading to errors like:
Incorrect: She go to school every day.
Correct: She goes to school every day.
Why does this matter? Well, it’s one of the first things your examiner notices. The key here is to remember that singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. For example, "He reads books" vs. "They read books." If you're preparing seriously, you must know what is CLAT and how such small details matter in the English section.
How to avoid: Always check if your subject and verb match in number (singular or plural). If you’re unsure, go through the sentence again to confirm it makes sense.
2. Confusing Tenses
Mixing up tenses can confuse your reader, especially when you're trying to describe actions happening in different time frames. For example:
Incorrect: I am going to the store yesterday.
Correct: I went to the store yesterday.
While it might seem trivial, confusing tenses can confuse your ideas, too! Keeping track of whether something is happening in the present, past, or future is crucial for clarity.
How to avoid: Pay attention to the time markers in a sentence (like yesterday, tomorrow, now, etc.). Match the verb tense to the timeline you are referring to.
3. Misplaced Modifiers
Modifiers describe or give more detail about something in a sentence. But when placed incorrectly, they can make your sentence confusing or downright funny. For example:
Incorrect: He almost drove the car for an hour.
Correct: He drove the car for almost an hour.
In the first sentence, it sounds like he didn’t drive at all for an hour, but that's not what was meant!
How to avoid: Ensure that modifiers are placed next to the words they are describing. This will make your sentences clearer and more logical.
4. Using the Wrong Prepositions
Prepositions are tricky. Using "in" instead of "on," or "at" instead of "by," might sound like a small mistake, but it can lead to awkward or incorrect sentences. For example:
Incorrect: He is interested for science.
Correct: He is interested in science.
Another example would be: “I am good in playing football” vs. “I am good at playing football.”
How to avoid: While there's no quick fix for prepositions, the best way to avoid mistakes is to learn the most common collocations. For example, we say “interested in,” “good at,” “married to,” and so on.
5. Run-On Sentences
A run-on sentence happens when two independent clauses are joined without the proper punctuation or conjunctions. You end up with a long, confusing sentence that feels like it's going on forever. Here’s an example:
Incorrect: I went to the market I bought vegetables.
Correct: I went to the market, and I bought vegetables.
See the difference? It’s like writing a paragraph without full stops-your thoughts won’t flow properly. This is especially important when answering comprehension or grammar questions, so stay updated on all details about the CLAT 2026 exam to know what’s expected.
How to avoid: Use commas, semicolons, or conjunctions (and, but, so, because) to connect two independent clauses correctly. If a sentence feels too long, break it into smaller, simpler sentences.
6. Incorrect Use of Apostrophes
Apostrophes can be tricky because they’re used in two situations: showing possession and creating contractions. A common mistake is using an apostrophe for plural nouns, which is totally unnecessary.
Incorrect: The dog's are barking loudly.
Correct: The dogs are barking loudly.
How to avoid: Use an apostrophe only when showing possession (e.g., “Sarah’s book”) or in contractions (e.g., “It’s raining”). For plural nouns, leave the apostrophe out.
7. Using Double Negatives
Double negatives occur when two negative words are used together, resulting in a positive meaning. For example:
Incorrect: I don’t need no help.
Correct: I don’t need any help.
In this case, "don’t" and "no" cancel each other out, which is not the intended meaning.
How to avoid: Avoid using two negative words together. Just use one negative word to express your thought clearly.
8. Incorrect Word Forms
Sometimes, using the wrong form of a word can affect the meaning of your sentence. For example:
Incorrect: She is very interest in the topic.
Correct: She is very interested in the topic.
How to avoid: Be sure to use the correct form of a word. Adjective forms often end in "-ed," while nouns end in "-ion," "-ment," etc. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these patterns.
9. Confusing "Who" and "Whom"
We’ve all been there, and it's easy to get confused between "who" and "whom." Here’s a quick rule:
Who is used for subjects (the person doing the action).
Whom is used for objects (the person receiving the action).
For example:
Incorrect: Whom is coming to the party?
Correct: Who is coming to the party?
How to avoid: Remember, if the word is the subject of the sentence, use "who." If it’s the object, use "whom."
Do checkout Important Topics for CLAT English Section
10. Overuse of Passive Voice
While passive voice isn’t wrong, overusing it can make your writing less direct and harder to follow. Passive voice often makes sentences unnecessarily long and complex.
Incorrect: The book was read by him in one sitting.
Correct: He read the book in one sitting.
How to avoid: Use active voice when possible, especially for shorter, clearer sentences. Active voice helps make your writing more direct and engaging.
Conclusion: It's All About Practice!
Grammar might seem overwhelming at first, but trust me, with a little bit of practice, you’ll get the hang of it. Remember, the key is consistency. Don’t stress over the small stuff; focus on improving day by day. Every time you catch yourself making a mistake, correct it, and move forward. It’s that simple!
So, don’t let grammar hold you back in your exam preparation. Keep learning from your mistakes, stay confident, and soon you’ll see how much better you’ve become at it. Whether it’s the CLAT or any other exam, grammar plays a huge role, and with practice, you’ll be ready to tackle any challenge that comes your way. Keep at it, and you’ll get the marks you deserve!
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