WBPSC Clerkship Correct Usage Notes PDF – Solved Error Spotting Questions with Bengali Explanation
Download free WBPSC Clerkship Part-I English Correct Usage notes with 89 solved questions. Error spotting, sentence correction, homonyms, confusing word pairs, redundancies & double negatives with English & Bengali explanations.
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89 solved questions • Error spotting + Confusing words • English + বাংলা
Module 1: Spotting Errors & Common Grammatical Fallacies
25 Questions • Part-I English
Identify syntax errors in subject-verb agreement, pronoun choice, preposition placement, modifier arrangement and tense continuity.
Q1
Neither the teacher nor the students (A) / were present in the laboratory (B) / when the fire alarm started ringing (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (D) No error
Rule: When two subjects are connected by neither...nor, the verb agrees with the subject closer to it (Proximity Rule). "Students" is plural, so "were" is correct.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Neither... nor দিয়ে দুটি Subject যুক্ত হলে Verb নিকটবর্তী Subject অনুযায়ী নির্ধারিত হয়। "Students" বহুবচন হওয়ায় "were" সঠিক।
Q2
The manager, along with his assistants, (A) / have completed the audit (B) / before the deadline (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (B) have completed → has completed
Rule: Expressions like along with, together with, as well as, accompanied by do not alter the number of the main subject. The primary subject "manager" is singular → "has".
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Along with, as well as, together with ইত্যাদি মূল Subject-এর Number পরিবর্তন করে না। "manager" একবচন, তাই "has" হবে।
Q3
One of my best friends (A) / are going to London (B) / for higher studies next month (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (B) are going → is going
Rule: "One of + Plural Noun" takes a singular verb because the subject is "One".
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: "One of + Plural Noun" কাঠামোর পর Singular Verb বসে, কারণ মূল Subject "One"।
Q4
Standing on the balcony, (A) / a beautiful rainbow (B) / was seen by Rahul (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (A) Dangling Modifier
Rule (Dangling Modifier): A participial phrase must clearly modify the noun performing the action. Correct: "Standing on the balcony, Rahul saw a beautiful rainbow."
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Participial phrase-টি যে Noun-কে নির্দেশ করে তা স্পষ্টভাবে উপস্থিত থাকতে হবে। সঠিক গঠন: "Standing on the balcony, Rahul saw..."
Q5
He reached the station (A) / after the train (B) / left (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (C) left → had left
Rule (Sequence of Tenses): Two past actions in sequence — earlier action takes Past Perfect (had + V3); later action Simple Past.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: অতীতে দুটি ঘটনা ঘটলে আগেরটিতে Past Perfect, পরেরটিতে Simple Past। ট্রেন আগে ছেড়েছিল, তাই "had left"।
Q6
The quality of these mangoes (A) / are not (B) / up to the standard (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (B) are not → is not
Rule: The verb agrees with the head noun ("quality"), not the object of the preposition ("mangoes").
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Verb সর্বদা মূল Noun ("quality") অনুযায়ী বসে, Prepositional Phrase-এর Noun অনুযায়ী নয়।
Q7
Between you and I, (A) / he is not trustworthy (B) / and should not be relied upon (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (A) Between you and I → Between you and me
Rule: A preposition (between) takes pronouns in the objective case (me, not I).
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Preposition-এর পর Pronoun-এর Objective case (I-এর জায়গায় me) ব্যবহৃত হয়।
Q8
He is superior than (A) / all his colleagues (B) / in terms of intelligence (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (A) superior than → superior to
Rule: Latin comparative adjectives (superior, inferior, senior, junior, prior, prefer) take to, not than.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Latin Comparative adjective-গুলির পর than-এর বদলে to বসে।
Q9
Scarcely had the teacher entered the classroom (A) / then the students (B) / stood up to greet him (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (B) then → when
Rule: Scarcely / Hardly is followed by when or before, never than or then.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Scarcely বা Hardly-র সঙ্গে Conjunction হিসেবে when বা before ব্যবহৃত হয় (then বা than নয়)।
Q10
Each of the boys (A) / have brought their (B) / own water bottle (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (B) have brought their → has brought his
Rule: Each is a distributive pronoun and takes a singular verb and singular pronoun.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Each একটি Distributive Pronoun, তাই Singular Verb এবং Singular Pronoun গ্রহণ করে।
Q11
The cattle is grazing (A) / in the green field (B) / near the village pond (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (A) is grazing → are grazing
Rule: "Cattle" is a collective noun that is plural in form and function — takes a plural verb.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: "Cattle" সর্বদা Plural হিসেবে গণ্য হয় এবং Plural Verb গ্রহণ করে।
Q12
Unless you do not work hard, (A) / you will not (B) / pass the examination (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (A) remove not → Unless you work hard
Rule: Unless inherently means "if not" and cannot be combined with an additional negative word like not.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Unless শব্দের মধ্যেই না-বোধক অর্থ লুকিয়ে আছে, তাই এর সঙ্গে অন্য না-বোধক শব্দ (not) বসে না।
Q13
He discussed about the matter (A) / with his seniors (B) / yesterday afternoon (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (A) remove about
Rule: The transitive verb discuss means "talk about" and takes a direct object without the preposition about.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Transitive verb discuss-এর অর্থই "talk about", তাই এর পর about বসানো ভুল।
Q14
The news of his sudden illness (A) / were broadcasted (B) / over the radio (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (B) were broadcasted → was broadcast
Rule: "News" is uncountable and singular. The past participle of broadcast is broadcast (not broadcasted).
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: "News" একটি Uncountable Singular Noun। broadcast-এর Past Participle রূপ broadcast-ই থাকে।
Q15
If I was you, (A) / I would not commit (B) / such a blunder (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (A) If I was you → If I were you
Rule (Subjunctive Mood): Hypothetical or unreal conditional clauses require the subjunctive form were for all subjects.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: কাল্পনিক অবস্থা প্রকাশে Subjunctive Mood-এ সব Subject-এর পর were ব্যবহৃত হয়।
Q16
He is one of those men (A) / who does not lose (B) / temper easily (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (B) does not lose → do not lose
Rule: When a relative pronoun (who) relates to a plural antecedent (men), the verb in the relative clause must be plural.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Relative Pronoun (who)-এর Antecedent Plural হলে Relative Clause-এর Verb-ও Plural হয়।
Q17
The population of Kolkata (A) / is greater than (B) / Siliguri (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (C) Siliguri → that of Siliguri
Rule (Illogical Comparison): Comparisons must be between equivalent entities (population to population, not population to city).
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: তুলনা সর্বদা সমজাতীয় বিষয়ের মধ্যে হতে হবে (জনসংখ্যার সঙ্গে জনসংখ্যার তুলনা)।
Q18
Supposing if it rains, (A) / what shall we do (B) / regarding the picnic? (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (A) remove if or Supposing
Rule: Supposing and if have identical conditional meanings; using both creates a redundancy.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Supposing এবং if দুটি শব্দই শর্ত বোঝায়, দুটিকে একসঙ্গে ব্যবহার করা redundant।
Q19
The teacher asked the student (A) / why was he absent (B) / the previous day (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (B) why was he absent → why he was absent
Rule: In indirect speech, interrogative structures change into assertive word order (Subject + Verb).
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Indirect Speech-এ প্রশ্নবোধক বাক্য সাধারণ বর্ণনামূলক বাক্যে (Subject + Verb) রূপান্তরিত হয়।
Q20
Hardly had he left (A) / the hall than the (B) / audience cheered loudly (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (B) than → when
Rule: Hardly pairs with when, never than.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Hardly-এর সঙ্গে কো-রিলেটিভ সংযোগকারী হিসেবে when বসে (than নয়)।
Q21
She is senior than (A) / me by two years (B) / in service (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (A) senior than → senior to
Rule: Comparative adjective senior is followed by preposition to.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Senior শব্দটির পরে than বসে না, to বসে।
Q22
Neither of the two plans (A) / submit by the team (B) / seem practical (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (C) seem → seems
Rule: Neither takes a singular verb.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Neither শব্দটি Singular Verb গ্রহণ করে।
Q23
The news are (A) / too good (B) / to be true (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (A) The news are → The news is
Rule: "News" is a singular uncountable noun.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: "News" একটি Uncountable Singular Noun।
Q24
Many a student (A) / have failed in (B) / the preliminary examination (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (B) have failed → has failed
Rule: "Many a + Singular Noun" takes a singular verb.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: "Many a"-এর পর Singular Noun এবং Singular Verb বসে।
Q25
He lacks of confidence (A) / when addressing (B) / a large gathering (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (A) remove of → He lacks confidence
Rule: When lack is used as a verb, it is transitive and takes a direct object without of. (Note: lack of is correct only when lack is a noun.)
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Lack যখন Verb, তখন এর পর of বসে না। (Noun হিসেবে ব্যবহৃত হলে lack of সঠিক)।
Module 2: Sentence Correction & Correct Word Usage in Context
25 Questions • Part-I English
Sentence correction items where a highlighted phrase must be improved according to syntax and context rules.
Q26
The boy drowned his eyes in tears when he heard the tragic news.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) burst into
Rule: The standard English idiomatic collocation for crying suddenly is "burst into tears".
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: হঠাৎ কেঁদে ফেলার সঠিক Idiomatic collocation হলো "burst into tears"।
Q27
Hardly had he reached the hall than the show began.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) when the show began
Rule: Hardly takes when in inverse clause constructions.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Hardly-এর সঙ্গে সবসময় when বসে।
Q28
The magistrate conducted an inquiry into the corruption charges against the official.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) inquiry
Rule: Inquiry = formal/official investigation; Enquiry = asking a general question. Corruption charges require a formal investigation.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: সরকারি বা আনুষ্ঠানিক তদন্তে inquiry, সাধারণ জিজ্ঞাসাবাদে enquiry।
Q29
I am working in this office for the last ten years.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) have been working
Rule: An action that began in the past and continues into the present requires Present Perfect Continuous (have/has been + V-ing) with duration markers (for/since).
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: অতীতে শুরু হয়ে চলছে + for/since থাকলে Present Perfect Continuous Tense হয়।
Q30
The meeting was put off due to lack of quorum.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) put off — no improvement needed
Rule: Phrasal verb put off means to postpone. (Put out = extinguish; put down = suppress/write.)
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Put off-এর অর্থ স্থগিত করা।
Q31
He is suffering from fever since last Monday.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) He has been suffering from fever since last Monday.
Rule: Time marker since with an ongoing state necessitates Present Perfect Continuous.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: since-এর সঙ্গে চলমান অবস্থা বোঝালে Present Perfect Continuous Tense হয়।
Q32
The climate of Darjeeling is more pleasant than Kolkata.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) than that of Kolkata
Rule: Compare climate with climate — use the demonstrative pronoun that of.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: আবহাওয়াকে আবহাওয়ার সঙ্গে তুলনা করতে that of ব্যবহার করতে হয়।
Q33
The doctor prescribed an effective medicine for his cough.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) effective — no improvement needed
Rule: Effective = producing a desired result; Affective = relating to emotions.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Effective-এর অর্থ কার্যকরী; Affective আবেগ সংক্রান্ত।
Q34
Choose the correct sentence.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) The thief was caught red-handed by the police.
Rule: Passive voice structure: Subject + was/were + V3 + by + Agent.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Passive voice-এর সঠিক রূপ: Subject + was/were + V3 + by + Agent।
Q35
Neither the headmaster nor the assistant teachers was present at the sports event.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) were present
Rule: Proximity agreement — plural subject "teachers" is closest to the verb, so the verb is plural.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: নিকটবর্তী Subject "teachers" Plural হওয়ায় Verb-ও Plural হবে।
Q36
He was accused for stealing a watch.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) accused of
Rule: Accused takes the fixed preposition of.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Accused শব্দটির পর নির্দিষ্ট Preposition হিসেবে of বসে।
Q37
The criminal was hanged yesterday morning.
✅ Correct Answer: (D) No improvement
Rule: Hanged = execution by hanging; Hung = suspending an object (picture, coat).
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: ফাঁসি দেওয়া বোঝাতে hanged; বস্তু ঝোলানো বোঝাতে hung।
Q38
No sooner did the bell ring, the children ran out of the class.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) than the children ran out of the class
Rule: No sooner requires than to introduce the subsequent clause.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: No sooner-এর সঙ্গে সর্বদা than যুক্ত হয়।
Q39
He returned back the book to the library.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) He returned the book to the library.
Rule: Return already means "give back"; adding back is redundant.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Return মানেই ফিরিয়ে দেওয়া, তাই back বসানো redundant।
Q40
The storm caused extensive damage to the coastal villages.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) extensive — no improvement needed
Rule: Extensive means widespread in area/degree.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: ব্যাপক ক্ষতি বোঝাতে extensive ব্যবহৃত হয়।
Q41
He is confident of winning the scholarship.
✅ Correct Answer: (C) of — no improvement needed
Rule: Confident takes the preposition of followed by a gerund.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Confident-এর পর Preposition হিসেবে of বসে।
Q42
I prefer coffee than tea.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) to
Rule: Verb prefer takes preposition to when comparing two items.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: দুটি জিনিসের পছন্দ বোঝাতে prefer-এর পর to বসে।
Q43
He spoke as if he knew everything.
✅ Correct Answer: (D) No improvement
Rule: Clauses following as if / as though expressing hypothetical scenarios use past subjunctive (knew/were).
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: As if-এর পর কাল্পনিক অর্থে Past Subjunctive (knew) বসে।
Q44
Neither of the two books is useful.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) is — no improvement needed
Rule: Distributive subject Neither takes singular verb is.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Neither শব্দটি সবসময় Singular Verb গ্রহণ করে।
Q45
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
✅ Correct Answer: (D) No improvement
Rule: Universal truths and scientific facts are expressed in Simple Present tense.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: চিরন্তন সত্য প্রকাশে Simple Present Tense ব্যবহৃত হয়।
Q46
He lacks in courage.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) lacks courage
Rule: Transitive verb lacks directly takes object courage — no preposition.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Verb হিসেবে lacks-এর পর সরাসরি Object বসে, কোনো Preposition নয়।
Q47
The house was completely destroyed by fire.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) completely — no improvement needed
Rule: Completely destroyed is the standard adverbial collocation for property damage.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: সম্পূর্ণ ধ্বংস বোঝাতে completely destroyed প্রচলিত Collocation।
Q48
She is senior to me in age.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) to — no improvement needed
Rule: Comparative senior requires preposition to.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Senior-এর পর সর্বদা Preposition to বসে।
Q49
He was prevented from doing the work.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) from doing — no improvement needed
Rule: Verb prevent requires preposition from + gerund (V-ing).
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Prevent-এর পর from + Gerund বসে।
Q50
The scenery of North Bengal is breathtaking.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) is — no improvement needed
Rule: "Scenery" is an uncountable singular noun with no plural form.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Scenery একটি Uncountable Singular Noun, Plural হয় না।
Module 3: Homonyms, Homophones & Confusing Word Pairs
22 Questions • Part-I English
Frequently confused word pairs that WBBSE Madhyamik and WBPSC Clerkship repeatedly test.
Q51
The bad weather will severely __________ the outdoor sports schedule.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) affect
Rule: Affect (Verb) = to influence. Effect (Noun) = a result. The slot needs a verb after "will".
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Affect (Verb) = প্রভাবিত করা; Effect (Noun) = ফলাফল। "Will"-এর পর Verb প্রয়োজন।
Q52
All the members were present at the meeting __________ the treasurer.
✅ Correct Answer: (C) except
Rule: Except (Prep) = excluding. Accept (Verb) = receive. Expect (Verb) = anticipate.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Except = ব্যতীত; Accept = গ্রহণ করা; Expect = আশা করা।
Q53
The __________ of our school delivered an inspiring speech on Independence Day.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) principal
Rule: Principal (Noun) = head of an educational institution. Principle (Noun) = a fundamental rule/truth.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Principal = অধ্যক্ষ; Principle = নীতি/আদর্শ।
Q54
Her graceful dress was a perfect __________ to her elegant jewelry.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) complement
Rule: Complement = something that completes / brings to perfection. Compliment = expression of praise.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Complement = পরিপূরক; Compliment = প্রশংসা।
Q55
Please buy some writing paper and pens from the __________ shop.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) stationery
Rule: Stationery (with 'e') = writing materials. Stationary (with 'a') = standing still.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Stationery (e) = লেখার সামগ্রী; Stationary (a) = স্থির।
Q56
Be careful not to __________ your entry ticket before getting into the auditorium.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) lose
Rule: Lose (verb, single 'o') = misplace. Loose (adjective, double 'o') = not tight.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Lose = হারানো; Loose = আলগা।
Q57
The ship sailed smoothly past the rocky __________.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) altar
Rule: Altar = raised platform/rock ledge. Alter (verb) = to change.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Altar = উঁচু মঞ্চ/শিলাখণ্ড; Alter = পরিবর্তন করা।
Q58
The lawyer gave him sound legal __________ regarding the property dispute.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) advice
Rule: Advice (c) = noun. Advise (s) = verb.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Advice (Noun) = পরামর্শ; Advise (Verb) = পরামর্শ দেওয়া।
Q59
His handwriting is so poor that it is practically __________.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) illegible
Rule: Illegible = impossible/difficult to read. Eligible = qualified.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Illegible = অপাঠ্য; Eligible = যোগ্য।
Q60
He was so __________ that he believed every lie told by his friend.
✅ Correct Answer: (C) credulous
Rule: Credulous = gullible/ready to believe. Credible = believable. Creditable = praiseworthy.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Credulous = অতিবিশ্বাসী; Credible = বিশ্বাসযোগ্য; Creditable = প্রশংসনীয়।
Q61
The old man lived in a __________ cottage near the hill.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) quiet
Rule: Quiet (adj) = peaceful. Quite (adv) = completely/fairly. Quit (verb) = stop/leave.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Quiet = শান্ত; Quite = সম্পূর্ণ; Quit = ত্যাগ করা।
Q62
The continuous rain had a damaging __________ on the standing crops.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) effect
Rule: After article "a" + adjective "damaging", a noun is required — effect.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Article "a" ও Adjective-এর পর Noun হিসেবে effect বসে।
Q63
She walked down the __________ to reach her seat in the aircraft.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) aisle
Rule: Aisle = passage between rows of seats. Isle = an island.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Aisle = মধ্যবর্তী যাতায়াতের পথ; Isle = দ্বীপ।
Q64
The prisoner was granted __________ after serving five years of his sentence.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) parole
Rule: Parole = conditional release of a prisoner. Patrol = guarding an area.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Parole = শর্তাধীন সাময়িক মুক্তি; Patrol = টহল দেওয়া।
Q65
The country's __________ system needs urgent economic reform.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) monetary
Rule: Monetary = relating to money or currency.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Monetary = মুদ্রা বা আর্থিক ব্যবস্থা সংক্রান্ত।
Q66
His __________ to the top of the mountain was delayed by heavy snow.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) ascent
Rule: Ascent = climbing up. Assent = official agreement.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Ascent = আরোহণ; Assent = সম্মতি।
Q67
The government gave its formal __________ to the proposed bill.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) assent
Rule: Assent = approval / sanction.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Assent = অনুমোদন বা সম্মতি।
Q68
The factory was relocated to avoid causing a __________ to nearby residents.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) nuisance
Rule: Nuisance = annoyance or harm to the public. Nuance = subtle distinction.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Nuisance = উপদ্রব; Nuance = সূক্ষ্ম পার্থক্য।
Q69
The judge decided to __________ the accused person on bail.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) release
Rule: Legal setting: setting a prisoner free on bail uses release.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: জামিনে মুক্তি দেওয়া বোঝাতে release ব্যবহৃত হয়।
Q70
He showed great __________ in handling the delicate situation.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) tact
Rule: Tact = skill in dealing with difficult situations.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Tact = বিচক্ষণতা বা কৌশলশীলতা।
Q71
The disease spread throughout the __________ valley.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) whole
Rule: Whole (adj) = entire. Hole (noun) = opening.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Whole = সমগ্র; Hole = গর্ত।
Q72
The __________ of light from the lighthouse guided the ships.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) beam
Rule: A ray/stream of light is collocated with beam.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: আলোর রশ্মি বোঝাতে beam শব্দটি প্রচলিত।
Module 4: Redundancies, Double Negatives & Un-English Expressions
17 Questions • Part-I English
Tautology, redundant modifiers, double negative fallacies, and erroneous English collocations derived from direct mother-tongue translation.
Q73
Identify the redundant expression: They decided to revert back to the original plan after discussing the options.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) revert back → revert
Rule (Redundancy): Revert already means "turn back"; adding back creates tautology.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Revert-এর অর্থই পূর্বের অবস্থায় ফিরে যাওয়া; back যোগ করা redundant।
Q74
Identify the incorrect segment: She could not hardly (A) / lift the heavy bag (B) / without any assistance (C) / No error (D).
✅ Correct Answer: (A) remove not → She could hardly
Rule (Double Negative): Hardly is negative in sense and cannot be accompanied by not.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Hardly নিজেই না-বোধক; এর সঙ্গে not বসিয়ে double negative তৈরি করা ভুল।
Q75
Correct the un-English expression: What is the time in your watch?
✅ Correct Answer: (A) What is the time by your watch?
Rule (Collocation): Time by a clock/watch is expressed with the preposition by, not in or on.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: ঘড়িতে কটা বাজে জিজ্ঞাসা করতে Preposition হিসেবে by ব্যবহৃত হয়।
Q76
Identify the redundant phrase: In my opinion, I think that the project will succeed.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) In my opinion, I think
Rule: Both phrases convey identical subjective meaning — using both is redundant.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: "In my opinion" এবং "I think" দুটিই ব্যক্তিগত মত প্রকাশ করে — একসঙ্গে ব্যবহার বাহুল্য।
Q77
Select the correct sentence free of redundancy.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) He repeated the statement for clarity.
Rule: Repeat means to say again; adding again is redundant.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Repeat মানেই পুনরায় বলা; again ব্যবহার করা ভুল।
Q78
Correct the double negative: He doesn't know nothing about the missing documents.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) He doesn't know anything about the missing documents.
Rule: Combining negative auxiliary doesn't with negative pronoun nothing creates a double negative. Replace with anything.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Doesn't + nothing = double negative। "anything" ব্যবহার করতে হবে।
Q79
Identify the un-English collocation: He gave a speech on the stage.
✅ Correct Answer: (D) Both (A) and (B) are correct choices.
Rule: Standard English pairs speech with deliver or make.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: ভাষণ দেওয়ার ক্ষেত্রে deliver a speech বা make a speech ব্যাকরণগতভাবে সঠিক।
Q80
Identify the redundant word: The two rivals mutually agreed with each other to settle the dispute.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) mutually
Rule: "Agreeing with each other" already implies mutuality; mutually is redundant.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Agree with each other-এর মধ্যেই পারস্পরিকতা আছে, তাই mutually অতিরিক্ত।
Q81
Select the correct sentence: Scarcely had I stepped out than it began to rain heavily.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) Scarcely had I stepped out when it began to rain heavily.
Rule: Inverse adverbial clause Scarcely had + S + V3 pairs with when.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Scarcely had + Subject + V3-এর পর when দিয়ে পরবর্তী Clause শুরু হয়।
Q82
Fix the un-English expression: He is taking tea every morning.
✅ Correct Answer: (D) Both (A) and (B) are correct standard forms.
Rule: Habitual daily activities use Simple Present tense (drinks/has). Continuous tense for routine habits is improper.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: নিত্যদিনের অভ্যাসে Simple Present Tense ব্যবহৃত হয়।
Q83
Identify the error: The reason why he failed is because he was careless.
✅ Correct Answer: (B) is because → is that
Rule: "The reason why..." must be completed with a predicate clause introduced by that, not because.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: The reason why... দিয়ে শুরু হলে পরে that বসে (because বসানো ভুল)।
Q84
Choose the correct expression: I have a cousin brother who lives in Asansol.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) I have a cousin who lives in Asansol.
Rule (Un-English Expression): Standard English uses cousin without appending brother or sister (gender is derived from pronouns).
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: ইংরেজিতে শুধু cousin বলা হয়; cousin brother/sister বলা ভুল।
Q85
Identify the redundant part: The final outcome of the election was announced late at night.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) final outcome → outcome
Rule: Outcome is by definition the final result; final outcome is tautological.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Outcome মানেই চূড়ান্ত ফলাফল, তাই final বসানো redundant।
Q86
Select the correct collocation: He committed a big mistake in the calculation.
✅ Correct Answer: (D) He committed a blunder in the calculation.
Rule: English collocations pair make with mistake ("made a mistake") and commit with crime/blunder/suicide.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Mistake-এর সঙ্গে make; commit ব্যবহৃত হয় blunder/crime/suicide-এর সঙ্গে।
Q87
Identify the redundancy: He collected all the facts and figures together for the survey.
✅ Correct Answer: (C) together
Rule: Collect means to gather together; adding together is redundant.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Collect-এর মধ্যেই একত্রিত করার অর্থ নিহিত; together যোগ করা অতিরিক্ত।
Q88
Fix the double negative: Without no doubt, he is the best candidate.
✅ Correct Answer: (D) All of the above are correct.
Rule: Without is negative; combining it with no creates a double negative. Fix with any doubt / doubt / undoubtedly.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Without-এর সঙ্গে no বসানো ভুল; any doubt / doubt / undoubtedly ব্যবহার করলে সংশোধন হয়।
Q89
Correct the expression: She gave a brief summary of the report.
✅ Correct Answer: (A) She gave a summary of the report.
Rule: A summary or précis is concise by definition; adding brief or short is a redundancy.
বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা: Summary স্বভাবতই সংক্ষিপ্ত, তাই brief বা short বসানো বাহুল্য দোষ।
Download Complete Correct Usage Notes PDF
89 solved questions • Error spotting + Confusing words • English + বাংলা
Frequently Asked Questions
WBPSC Clerkship English Correct Usage
Are these WBPSC Clerkship Correct Usage notes free?
Yes — all 89 solved questions, rules and explanations on this page are completely free. No registration or payment required.
Which topics are covered in these notes?
Four modules: (1) Spotting Errors & Common Grammatical Fallacies, (2) Sentence Correction & Correct Word Usage in Context, (3) Homonyms, Homophones & Confusing Word Pairs, and (4) Redundancies, Double Negatives & Un-English Expressions.
How many marks does Correct Usage carry in Part-I?
Part-I English carries 30 marks out of 100. The official syllabus lists "Fundamentals of the English language, including vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms, and its correct usage." Correct usage and error spotting form a large share of the grammar questions asked.
Are these questions from actual WBPSC Clerkship papers?
The questions are designed in strict accordance with the WBBSE Madhyamik standard and WBPSC Clerkship syllabus pattern. Several are extracted from previous year question papers and sentence correction exercises typical of the exam.
How should I revise this page efficiently?
Focus first on the "Rule" box in each explanation — it names the exact grammar rule (Proximity Agreement, Dangling Modifier, Sequence of Tenses, Fixed Preposition, etc.). Then read the Bengali explanation to lock in the correct form. Revise all "Redundancy" and "Double Negative" questions one day before the exam — those are the highest-yield patterns.
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Last Updated: October 2026 • Source: WBPSC Clerkship Official Scheme & Syllabus (Advt. No. 12/2024)
These notes are compiled for study and revision purposes. For the official notification and syllabus, refer to the WBPSC portal.
These notes are compiled for study and revision purposes. For the official notification and syllabus, refer to the WBPSC portal.
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