Identifying Correct Sentences
~12 min read
- What: Identifying Correct Sentences gives four sentences (a), (b), (c), (d) — usually three with subtle grammatical errors and one that is grammatically correct. Pick the correct one.
- Why it matters: This block tests the same twelve error categories as Spotting Errors but in a different format. NDA increasingly uses it from 2018 onward in place of dedicated Sentence Improvement blocks.
- Key habit: Don't read all four sentences in full first. Read each and eliminate as soon as you spot an error. Three quick eliminations leave one — your answer.
Identifying Correct Sentences is a format variant of grammar testing — same grammar, new packaging. Instead of one sentence with an underlined error, you get four whole sentences and must find the one that is error-free. The skill demanded is the same: a fast, methodical grammar scan.
The advantage of this format: process of elimination is decisive. Find one error in three of the options, and the fourth is your answer. The disadvantage: you must apply the grammar checklist four times per item — once per sentence. Speed of scan becomes the main bottleneck.
This page lays out the Comparison Method, the 30-second grammar checklist, and worked examples. Pair it with Spotting Errors (same grammar in different format) and Sentence Improvement (which tests substitution rather than identification).
What This Topic Covers
NDA Identifying Correct Sentences — Question Format
- Item type: Four sentences labelled (a), (b), (c), (d). Three contain a subtle grammatical error; one is correct.
- Instruction: "Select the option that contains the grammatically correct sentence."
- Number per paper: Variable — 3–10 items depending on the paper.
- Difficulty: Mixed. The errors used are from the same twelve categories as Spotting Errors.
The Comparison Method
- Read (a) and run the 30-second checklist. If you find a clear error in (a), move on.
- Read (b) and run the checklist. Same as above.
- Read (c) and run the checklist. Same as above.
- Read (d) — even if you found no error in (a), (b), or (c). Verify the last option carefully. If you find no error in (d) and you found errors in the others, (d) is your answer.
The "Eliminate-Don't-Confirm" Mindset
- Don't try to confirm one option is correct — try to kill the three that are wrong.
- Killing is faster than confirming. One found error per option → done.
- If you find no error in any of the four, run the checklist again on each — you missed something.
The 30-Second Grammar Checklist
The same five-pass scan from Spotting Errors, applied to each option in turn. Memorise it; run it on autopilot.
- Pass 1 — Subject-Verb Agreement. Find the subject, find the verb. Match number.
- Pass 2 — Tense Consistency. Are all verbs in compatible tenses?
- Pass 3 — Prepositions. Are all preposition pairings fixed correctly?
- Pass 4 — Articles / Determiners. A/an/the placement; countability; "each/every" with singular verb.
- Pass 5 — Idioms / Fixed Constructions. No sooner ... than (not "when"); Hardly ... when; Lest ... should.
If a sentence passes all five passes, it is the answer.
Worked Examples
Worked Example 1 — S-V Agreement Trap
Options:
(a) The quality of the apples were excellent.
(b) The qualities of the apples was excellent.
(c) The quality of the apples was excellent.
(d) The qualities of the apple were excellent.
Pass 1 on each:
(a) Subject = "quality" (singular). Verb "were" plural. Mismatch. KILL.
(b) Subject = "qualities" (plural). Verb "was" singular. Mismatch. KILL.
(c) Subject = "quality" (singular). Verb "was" singular. MATCH.
(d) Subject = "qualities" (plural). Verb "were" plural. MATCH. But "the apple" (singular) implies one apple has multiple qualities — grammatically OK, semantically odd. Both (c) and (d) pass S-V; both are technically correct. NDA prefers (c) as the cleaner answer.
Answer: (c).
Worked Example 2 — Preposition Trap
Options:
(a) She is married with him for ten years.
(b) She has been married to him for ten years.
(c) She has married with him since ten years.
(d) She is married to him since ten years.
Pass 3 (prep) + Pass 2 (tense):
(a) "Married with" — wrong preposition ("married to"). KILL.
(b) "Married to ... for ten years" — correct preposition and "for" + duration. PASS.
(c) "Married with" — wrong preposition. KILL.
(d) "Since ten years" — "since" needs a point in time, not duration. KILL.
Answer: (b).
Worked Example 3 — Fixed Conjunction Pair
Options:
(a) Hardly had I reached the station than the train left.
(b) No sooner had I reached the station when the train left.
(c) Hardly had I reached the station when the train left.
(d) No sooner I reached the station than the train left.
Pass 5 (fixed pairs):
(a) "Hardly ... than" — wrong (should be "Hardly ... when"). KILL.
(b) "No sooner ... when" — wrong (should be "No sooner ... than"). KILL.
(c) "Hardly ... when" — correct pair. PASS.
(d) "No sooner ... than" pair is right, but missing inversion ("No sooner had I" should be the form). KILL.
Answer: (c).
Worked Example 4 — Tense + Article
Options:
(a) He is studying in the university since 2020.
(b) He is studying at the university from 2020.
(c) He has been studying at university since 2020.
(d) He has studying at the university since 2020.
Passes:
(a) "Is studying ... since" → tense should be present perfect continuous with "since". KILL.
(b) "From 2020" → "from" used with end-points (from 9 to 5); for a continuous since-date, use "since". Also tense wrong. KILL.
(c) "Has been studying at university since 2020" — all correct. PASS.
(d) "Has studying" — auxiliary "has" + base "studying" is wrong; needs "has been studying". KILL.
Answer: (c).
Worked Example 5 — Mixed Errors
Options:
(a) Each of the students have submitted their projects.
(b) Each of the student has submitted his projects.
(c) Each of the students has submitted his project.
(d) Each of the students have submitted his project.
Passes:
(a) "Each" → singular verb; "have" wrong. KILL.
(b) "Each of the student" → should be "students" (plural after "of"). KILL.
(c) "Each of the students has submitted his project" — "students" plural after "of", "has" singular for "each", "his project" singular. All correct.
(d) "Each ... have" wrong. KILL.
Answer: (c).
Three Traps NDA Exploits
- The "two-pass-it" trap. Two options pass the first pass; the wrong one fails a later pass. Always run all five passes before marking.
- The "sounds-right" trap. An option uses an Indianism that sounds normal. Discuss about, return back, isn't it, since ten years. All wrong in NDA grammar.
- The "subtle-correct" trap. The correct option uses a construction that looks unusual (inverted conditional, complex subordination) and you reject it because it sounds odd. "Had I known, I would have helped" is correct.
Preparation Strategy
3-Week Identifying Correct Sentences Plan
- Week 1: Run the 5-pass checklist on 5 items / day. Build speed.
- Week 2: Mixed practice combining this block with Spotting Errors. Confirm consistency of grammar knowledge across formats.
- Week 3: Timed practice — 5 items in 3 minutes. Target ≥4/5.
Drill Identifying Correct Sentences
NDA-pattern items with the 5-pass grammar checklist applied in every explanation.
Start Free Mock TestFrequently Asked Questions
How is this block different from Spotting Errors?
Same grammar, different format. Spotting Errors has one sentence with three labelled parts; find the error part. Identifying Correct Sentences has four whole sentences; find the correct one.
How many items per NDA paper?
Variable — 3–10 items in different years. The block sometimes replaces Sentence Improvement; sometimes appears as a sub-block within a broader grammar section.
Should I read all four options first or eliminate as I go?
Eliminate as you go. The moment an option fails any pass, kill it. By the time you reach (d), you have at most one option left.
What if I cannot find an error in any of the four?
Run the checklist again. The most commonly missed error type is subject-verb agreement after a long subject phrase. Re-scan with that in mind.
Which NDA English topics connect to Identifying Correct Sentences?
Spotting Errors (same grammar, different format), Sentence Improvement, Parts of Speech, Prepositions, Direct and Indirect Speech.