English grammar is an important part of the Class 9 and Class 10 English examinations. Regular practice and a clear understanding of grammar rules can help students improve their accuracy and prepare confidently for their exams.

In this guide, we explain important English grammar topics, including tenses, with simple explanations, practical examples, and practice questions. The content is designed to help students understand grammar concepts and apply them effectively in their school examinations.

Grammar vs. Writing Section – Know the Difference

Many students confuse the two sections:

The Grammar Section includes tenses, modals, determiners, subject-verb agreement, reported speech, error detection, gap filling, etc.
The Writing Section includes letter writing, notices, analytical paragraphs, etc.

In Class 10 CBSE, grammar carries 10 marks. These marks are highly scoring if concepts are clear.

Why Tenses Are the Most Important Topic

Most students fear three topics the most:
Reported Speech (Direct and Indirect)
Error Detection / Editing
Active and Passive Voice

The real reason behind this fear is weak understanding of tenses. Once you master tenses, the other topics become surprisingly easy.

Understanding the Basic Structure of a Sentence

Every English sentence is made of three basic parts:

Subject – The person, place, thing, or idea the sentence is about.
Verb – The action or state
Object—The receiver of the action (optional)

Example:
I study English.
Subject = The boy | Verb = kicks | Object = the ball

Why Do We Need Tenses?

In Hindi we can easily show time using words like “है,” “था,” and “होगा.”
In English, the same structure (subject + verb + object) does not clearly show whether the action is happening now, happened in the past, or will happen in the future.

Tense = Time

Tenses tell us when an action takes place and whether it is complete, ongoing, or habitual.

Three Main Types of Tenses

Present Tense
Past Tense
Future Tense

Each tense is further divided into four forms:

| Form | Meaning | Example |
| Indefinite (Simple) | Habit, routine, fact, universal truth | I play cricket. |
| Continuous | Action going on at the moment | I am playing cricket. |
| Perfect | Action already completed | I have played cricket. |
| Perfect Continuous | Action started earlier and is still continuing | I have been playing since morning. |

Essential Tenses for Class 9 and 10 English

1. Present Indefinite Tense (Simple Present)

Used for:
Daily habits and routines
Universal truths and scientific facts
Permanent situations

Structure:
Subject + Verb (1st form) + Object
Use verb + s/es with third-person singular subjects.

Examples:
I play cricket every day.
She likes music.
The sun rises in the east.

Common Mistake:
Wrong → She likes music.
Correct → She likes music.

2. Past Indefinite Tense (Simple Past)

Structure:
Subject + Verb (2nd form) + Object

Examples:
I played cricket yesterday.
She went to school.
They finished the work.

Golden Rule:
When you use “did,” the main verb returns to the first form.

Wrong → I did not go.
Correct → I did not go.

Subject-Verb Agreement Rules (Very Important for Error Detection)

Singular subject → Singular verb (is / was / has)
Plural subject → Plural verb (are / were / have)
Each, every, one of, either, neither → Singular verb
Mathematics, Physics, News → Singular
Neither…nor → The verb agrees with the nearest subject.

Determiners and Articles

A/An/The
Use A/An for non-specific nouns.
Use “the” for specific or unique nouns.

Sound Rule:
An honest man
A university
An MBA student

Many vs. Much
Countable nouns → Many / Few
Uncountable nouns → Much / Little

Modals – Quick Revision Table

Modal – Main Use

| Can | Ability / Permission |
Could express past possibility or make a polite request.
| May | Possibility / Permission |
| Might | Slight possibility |
| Must | Strong necessity / Obligation |
| Should | Advice |
| Would | Polite request / Hypothetical |

Reported Speech (Direct to Indirect)

When we report someone’s words later, the tense usually moves one step back into the past.

Key Changes:
Present → Past
Will → Would
Can → Could
Now → Then
Today → That day
Tomorrow → The next day

Exception: Universal truths remain in the present indefinite even if the reporting verb is in the past.

Example:
The teacher said that the Earth moves around the Sun.

Quick Tips for Writing a Section (Class 10)

Letter to the Editor Format:
Sender’s Address
Date
Receiver’s Address
Subject
Salutation (Dear Sir/Madam)
I am writing through the columns of your esteemed newspaper to express my views on…
Complimentary Close (Yours sincerely)

Analytical Paragraph:
Describe what the chart shows, mention the highest and lowest points, and give an overall conclusion.

Final Words

Tenses are the backbone of English grammar. If you master present indefinite and past indefinite thoroughly and practice error detection regularly, scoring full marks in the 10-mark grammar section becomes very achievable.

Also read: Official Book, First Flight