Language Proficiency
"DLSUCET English? Correct grammar leads to correct vibes. Animo La Salle! This section tests your grammar, vocabulary, and language proficiency skills."
1. Subject-Verb Agreement ✍️
One of the most commonly tested grammar concepts. The verb must agree with its subject in number!
Basic Rules
| Rule | Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|---|
| Singular subject = singular verb | The dog runs fast. | The dog run fast. |
| Plural subject = plural verb | The dogs run fast. | The dogs runs fast. |
| Ignore words between subject and verb | The box of apples IS heavy. | The box of apples ARE heavy. |
| Compound subjects with "and" = plural | Juan and Maria ARE friends. | Juan and Maria IS friends. |
Tricky Subject-Verb Agreement Cases
Always Singular
- Each, Every, Either, Neither
- Anyone, Everyone, Someone, Nobody
- News, Mathematics, Physics
- The number of...
Always Plural
- Both, Few, Many, Several
- Scissors, Pants, Glasses
- A number of...
Either...Or / Neither...Nor Rule
Verb agrees with the subject CLOSEST to it.
- Either the students or the teacher IS coming. (teacher is closer)
- Neither the teacher nor the students ARE coming. (students is closer)
2. Verb Tenses ⏰
Using the correct tense is crucial. Know when to use each one!
Tense Overview
| Tense | When to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | Habits, facts, general truths | She studies every day. |
| Present Progressive | Happening right now | She is studying now. |
| Simple Past | Completed past actions | She studied yesterday. |
| Past Progressive | Ongoing past action | She was studying when I called. |
| Present Perfect | Past action with present relevance | She has studied for 3 hours. |
| Past Perfect | Action before another past action | She had studied before she slept. |
| Future | Actions that will happen | She will study tomorrow. |
Tense Consistency
Important Rule!
Keep the same tense within a sentence or paragraph unless there's a logical reason to shift.
Wrong: She went to the store and buys milk.
Right: She went to the store and bought milk.
3. Prepositions 📍
Small words, big impact! Prepositions show relationships between words.
Common Preposition Rules
Time
- AT: specific time (at 3pm)
- ON: days/dates (on Monday)
- IN: months/years (in June)
Place
- AT: specific point (at the door)
- ON: surfaces (on the table)
- IN: enclosed spaces (in the box)
Movement
- TO: direction (go to school)
- INTO: entering (walk into room)
- FROM: origin (come from Manila)
Commonly Confused Prepositions
- Arrive AT a place / Arrive IN a city/country
- Different FROM (not "different than")
- Interested IN (not "interested on")
- Consists OF (not "consists with")
- Depends ON (not "depends to")
4. Sentence Completion & Vocabulary 📝
Choose the best word to complete sentences. Context clues are your friends!
Strategy for Sentence Completion
- Read the entire sentence first
- Look for context clues (words that hint at meaning)
- Predict what word should fit before looking at choices
- Check if the word has positive or negative connotation
- Eliminate obviously wrong choices
Signal Words
Same Direction (Support)
and, also, moreover, furthermore, similarly, likewise, in addition
These indicate the blank should match the tone/meaning nearby
Opposite Direction (Contrast)
but, however, although, despite, yet, nevertheless, on the other hand
These indicate the blank should be opposite to something nearby
Commonly Confused Words
| Word 1 | Word 2 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| affect (verb) | effect (noun) | affect = influence; effect = result |
| their | there / they're | their = possessive; there = place; they're = they are |
| its | it's | its = possessive; it's = it is |
| than | then | than = comparison; then = time/sequence |
| principal | principle | principal = head/main; principle = belief/rule |
5. Idioms & Expressions 💬
Common English phrases that don't mean what they literally say.
Common Idioms
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Break the ice | Start a conversation in an uncomfortable situation |
| Hit the nail on the head | Describe exactly what is causing a situation |
| Under the weather | Feeling sick |
| Piece of cake | Very easy |
| Cost an arm and a leg | Very expensive |
| Once in a blue moon | Very rarely |
| Bite off more than you can chew | Take on too much responsibility |
6. DLSUCET English Tips & Practice 🎯
Exam Strategies
- Read Regularly: Build vocabulary naturally through reading
- Practice Grammar Drills: Focus on SVA and tenses
- Use Context Clues: Let surrounding words guide you
- Trust Your Ear: If it sounds wrong, it probably is
- Eliminate Wrong Answers: Narrow down before guessing
Practice Questions
Q1: "The team of players (is/are) ready for the game."
Answer: is - "team" is singular (ignore "of players")
Q2: "By the time she arrived, the movie already (started/had started)."
Answer: had started - past perfect (action before another past action)
Q3: "She is very interested (in/on/at) learning new languages."
Answer: in - "interested in" is the correct preposition
Q4: "Neither the students nor the teacher (was/were) aware of the schedule change."
Answer: was - verb agrees with closest subject "teacher" (singular)
Test Your Knowledge! 🧠
Ready ka na ba? Take the practice quiz for Language Proficiency to reinforce what you just learned.
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