If there’s one section in SSC CGL where most people lose marks without even realizing it, it’s grammar.
The mistake? Chasing every rule in Wren & Martin or watching endless YouTube lectures, hoping something sticks. But SSC doesn’t test every grammar rule out there. It tests the same high-frequency, pattern-based questions, over and over again.
So instead of wasting time on obscure grammar, here’s a no-fluff cheat sheet with just what you need. These are the exact SSC CGL Grammar rules that toppers revise again and again—and the same ones that cost you 10–15 marks if ignored.
Let’s get into it.
1. Each, Every, Everyone – Always Singular
✅ “Each of the players was ready.”
❌ “Each of the players were ready.”
Sounds wrong? It’s not. “Each” always takes a singular verb. SSC loves using this to trap those rushing through questions. The sentence may feel plural, but grammar says otherwise.
SSC CGL Grammar papers sneak this in especially under Error Spotting and Sentence Correction.
2. Prepositions That Stick to Adjectives
✅ “She is afraid of dogs.”
✅ “I’m interested in politics.”
These pairs are like glue. You can’t just plug in random prepositions with adjectives. Here are a few you must know cold:
- Angry with someone
- Angry about something
- Good at something
- Similar to
- Famous for
They show up every year. Don’t overthink. Just revise flashcards or create a visual cue.
3. Tense Traps: Past Perfect vs Simple Past
✅ “He had finished the test before the bell rang.”
Whenever two past actions happen, the earlier one uses Past Perfect (“had + verb3”) and the later one stays in Simple Past.
In SSC CGL Grammar, this often appears in sentence improvement or sequencing questions. Make your own 3–4 examples and repeat them till they stick.
4. Articles: It’s About Sound, Not Just Letters
✅ “An honest man.”
✅ “A university.”
This rule tricks even the best students. It’s not about vowels and consonants—it’s about sound.
- “An” before a vowel sound (an hour, an MLA)
- “A” before consonant sound (a European city, a university)
SSC CGL Grammar often gives you seemingly correct sentences that miss this nuance.
5. Parallelism in Comparisons
✅ “She is smarter than he (is).”
✅ “My marks are better than his (marks).”
When comparing, the sentence should balance. Don’t compare apples with oranges. Also, avoid object pronouns like “me” in place of subjects.
This rule appears in at least one SSC paper every year. Once you notice it, you can’t unsee it.
Final Thoughts!
What most students do wrong? They try to memorize 500 rules. That’s like trying to memorize an entire dictionary for an essay.
Instead, go deep on the 40–50 grammar rules SSC CGL keeps repeating. These five above are from that list.
Revise smart. Practice daily. And don’t waste time chasing the grammar rulebook cover to cover.
If you want targeted grammar practice (not 300-page PDFs), the NetPractice App gives you 20 daily grammar MCQs based on real SSC CGL patterns—with detailed explanations and error tags. You’ll know exactly which rule you’re messing up and how to fix it. Just 15 minutes a day can plug your grammar gaps.