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English Grammar Rules for the CUET Language Test 2025

Author : Paakhi Jain

December 9, 2024

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Overview: In the CUET English exam 2024, more than 10 questions from 50 were asked from the Grammar section. As NTA keeps experimenting with the exam, you must thoroughly know the English grammar rules for CUET Language Test to answer all the questions correctly. 

In the CUET English exam in 2023, while around 15-16 questions were from the grammar section, in 2024, it was only 10-11 questions. This tells us that in 2025, the grammar portion may again see more questions than vocabulary or reading comprehension. 

Read below to learn the top English grammar rules for CUET language test and be a 100%iler. 

Note: The video is for 2024, but the content mentioned is relevant for 2025 English exam also.

7 Best Grammar Rules for CUET 2025

The English language exam is an important test paper mapped with many courses at top universities like DU, JNU, BHU, etc. that participate in the CUET exam. One of the most important parts of the test is English grammar, which assesses how well you understand and use the language. 

Here’s a simple guide to some important English grammar rules for CUET Language Test you need to know for: 

1- Important Grammar Rules for CUET English for Figures of Speech

Figures of speech are ways to express ideas creatively. These make writing more interesting. Here are some of the most common figures of speech mentioned in the English grammar rules for CUET Language Test:

Figures of Speech Definition Example
Simile A simile compares two different things using "like" or "as." She is as busy as a bee.
Metaphor  A metaphor is a direct comparison without using "like" or "as." Time is a thief.
Personification Personification gives human qualities to non-human things. The wind whispered through the trees.
Alliteration  The repetition of the same letter or sound at the beginning of closely put words. She sells sea shells on the seashore.
Hyperbole Hyperbole is an exaggeration for emphasis or effect. I have a million things to do today!
Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates a sound. The clock ticked loudly.
Oxymoron  An oxymoron is when two opposite words are used together. Jumbo shrimp
Irony Irony is when something happens that’s the opposite of what you expect. The police station gets robbed.

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CUET coaching

2- CUET English Grammar Rules: Active and Passive Voice

In English, sentences are written in either active or passive voice. 

  • Active Voice: The subject of the sentence does the action. Example: The dog bit the man.
  • Passive Voice: The subject of the sentence is one acted upon by the action or verb in the sentence. Example: The man was bitten by the dog.

3- English grammar rules for CUET Language Test: Conditionals

Conditionals are sentences that show a cause-and-effect relationship, often beginning with "if."

  • 1st Conditional: For real and possible situations in the future. Example: If it rains, we will stay indoors.
  • 2nd Conditional: For unreal or hypothetical situations. Example: If I were rich, I would travel the world.
  • 3rd Conditional: For situations that didn’t happen in the past. Example: If I had studied harder, I would have passed the test.

4- CUET English Grammar Rules: Parts of Speech 

The foundation of English grammar is built on parts of speech. There are 8 main parts according to the best grammar rules for CUET: 

  • Nouns: These are words that name things, people, places, or ideas. Example: dog, school, happiness.
  • Pronouns: These are the words that replace nouns. Example: he, she, they, it.
  • Verbs: These are action words. Example: run, jump, read, write.
  • Adjectives: These are words that describe nouns. Example: beautiful, tall, exciting.
  • Adverbs: These are words that describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Example: quickly, very, easily.
  • Prepositions: These words show a relationship between a noun and other words. Example: on, in, under.
  • Conjunctions: These are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses. Example: and, but, because.
  • Interjections: These words or phrases show strong feelings. Example: wow, ouch, hey.

CUET resources

CUET resources

5- Using "Few" vs "A Few" and "Little" vs "A Little" and "Since” vs “For”

The English grammar rules for CUET Language Test for similar words like for, since, few etc are: 

Few Few means a small number, but it often has a negative tone (not many). For example, There are few people in the room.
A Few A few means some, with a positive tone. For example, I have a few friends in the city.
Little Little means not much, often with a negative tone. Example: I have little time to study.
A little A Little means some, with a positive tone. Example: I have a little time to study.
Since It is used when referring to a specific point in time (a starting point). For example, I’ve lived here since 2010.
For It refers to the length of time (how long something has happened). For example, I’ve lived here for 10 years.

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CUET Mocks

6- English Grammar for CUET: Articles: A, An, and The

Another topic in important grammar rules for CUET is articles. These are small words like a, an, and the, that help define nouns in a sentence. Here’s how to use them:

  • A: Used before words that begin with a consonant sound. Example: a cat, a book.
  • An: Used before words that begin with a vowel sound (a,e,i,o,u). Example: an apple, an umbrella.
  • The: Used when referring to something specific or already mentioned. Example: The car is parked outside.

7- Subject-Verb Agreement

One of the most important English Grammar rules for CUET Language Test is Subject-Verb agreement. 

This means that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. If the subject is singular (one), the verb should also be singular. If the subject is plural (more than one), the verb should be plural too.

Examples:

  • Correct: She runs fast. (Singular subject "she" and singular verb "runs")
  • Correct: They run fast. (Plural subject "they" and plural verb "run")
  • Incorrect: She run fast. (The verb "run" should be "runs" to agree with the singular subject)

Check the list of best books for CUET English 

CUET English Grammar Tips 2025

While preparing English Grammar for CUET, you must remember these common errors to avoid in the exam: 

  • Don’t use two negative words in a sentence. Example: I don’t need no help. (Incorrect) Correct: I don’t need any help.
  • Make sure descriptive words are next to what they describe. Example: She almost drove the car for an hour. (Incorrect) Correct: She drove the car for almost an hour.
  • Make sure to use the correct form of a pronoun depending on its role in a sentence.
  • Avoid using two comparative forms together (double comparisons). Example: She is more smarter than her sister.

Key Takeaways

According to the best English grammar rules for CUET language test, remember: 

  • There are more than 50 rules in English grammar. Don't rush to learn them in a single day. 
  • Understand the subtle differences between commonly confused words through practices tests and questions. 
  • Make sure to review the rules regularly to improve accuracy and confidence.
  • Take regular CUET mock tests and sample papers to balance your preparation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are idioms and phrases included in CUET English question paper?

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Are CUET english previous years' papers a good resource for preparation?

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What topics are covered in the CUET English Language syllabus?

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What are the best books to prepare for CUET English Language?

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Is it helpful to practice with past CUET exam papers?

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How many English rules are there in Grammar?

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How many questions from grammar are asked in CUET English exam?

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