How to Improve English Grammar for Class 9 and 10 Students: A Complete Guide for CBSE, ICSE & State Boards
- LIB
- Jun 30
- 15 min read
Why English Grammar Matters More Than Ever
English is no longer just another school subject—it has become an essential life skill. Whether students aspire to become engineers, doctors, lawyers, scientists, entrepreneurs, researchers, or artists, strong communication skills open doors to opportunities throughout their academic and professional journey.
For students in Classes 9 and 10, grammar forms the backbone of effective communication. It influences not only examination scores but also the ability to write clearly, speak confidently, and understand complex texts. Every sentence a student writes reflects their understanding of grammar.
Many students mistakenly believe that grammar consists of memorising dozens of rules. In reality, grammar is a system that helps us communicate ideas accurately. Once students understand the logic behind grammar, learning becomes easier and far more enjoyable.
Across CBSE, ICSE, and State Boards, grammar contributes directly or indirectly to marks through writing tasks, editing exercises, comprehension passages, literature answers, and descriptive responses. Even when grammar is not assessed separately, poor grammar often reduces marks in writing sections.
Parents often ask,
"My child reads English every day. Why are grammar mistakes still happening?"
The answer is simple.
Reading improves exposure, but grammar improves through understanding, deliberate practice, and regular application.
Fortunately, grammar is one of the easiest academic skills to improve because it follows patterns. Once students recognise these patterns, improvement becomes steady and measurable.
Why Students Lose Marks in English
Many students know the answers but fail to express them correctly.
Some common examples include:
Incorrect verb forms
Wrong tenses
Missing articles
Incorrect prepositions
Subject-verb disagreement
Poor sentence construction
Repetition of words
Punctuation mistakes
Capitalisation errors
Spelling errors
Consider these two sentences:
❌ He go to school every day.
✅ He goes to school every day.
Only one small word changes, yet the first sentence immediately sounds incorrect.
Similarly,
❌ She have completed her homework.
✅ She has completed her homework.
Such errors are common but entirely avoidable with systematic practice.
Benefits of Strong Grammar Skills
Students with strong grammar enjoy advantages far beyond examinations.
They:
Write better answers in all subjects.
Score higher in English examinations.
Improve spoken English naturally.
Build confidence during presentations.
Perform better in debates and competitions.
Prepare effectively for competitive examinations.
Develop stronger reading comprehension.
Become better writers.
Grammar is therefore not just about marks—it is about communication.
The Difference Between Memorising and Understanding Grammar
Many students prepare grammar exactly like History. They memorise definitions.
For example,
"A noun is the name of a person, place, animal or thing."
They remember the definition but cannot identify nouns inside a paragraph.
This approach does not work.
Instead, students should learn grammar through four stages:
Stage 1 — Understand the Rule
Know why the rule exists.
Stage 2 — Observe Examples
Study many correct sentences.
Stage 3 — Practise
Solve multiple questions.
Stage 4 — Apply
Use the concept while writing essays, letters and answers.
Grammar becomes permanent only when students start using it.
The Grammar Topics Every Class 9 and 10 Student Must Master
Although every board has slight differences, these topics remain common across CBSE, ICSE and State Boards.
1. Parts of Speech
Students should confidently identify:
Nouns
Pronouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Adverbs
Prepositions
Conjunctions
Interjections
Determiners
Understanding parts of speech makes every other grammar topic easier.
2. Tenses
Tenses are among the most important topics.
Students should know:
Present Simple
Present Continuous
Present Perfect
Present Perfect Continuous
Past Simple
Past Continuous
Past Perfect
Past Perfect Continuous
Future Simple
Future Continuous
Future Perfect
Future Perfect Continuous
Instead of memorising formulas, students should understand when each tense is naturally used.
Example:
Present Simple
The Earth revolves around the Sun.
Past Simple
Aryan visited Mysuru last month.
Present Perfect
She has completed her assignment.
Past Perfect
The train had left before we reached the station.
Learning through real-life examples makes grammar memorable.
3. Subject–Verb Agreement
One of the most common examination mistakes.
Incorrect:
The list of books are on the table.
Correct:
The list of books is on the table.
Students must identify the real subject before choosing the verb.
4. Articles
Articles seem easy but confuse many learners.
Examples:
Correct:
He bought a pen.
Correct:
The Sun rises in the east.
Correct:
She is an honest girl.
Understanding pronunciation rather than spelling helps students choose between "a" and "an."
5. Prepositions
Prepositions describe relationships between words.
Examples:
interested in
afraid of
good at
responsible for
depend on
These combinations should be learnt through usage rather than memorisation.
6. Modals
Modal verbs express possibility, ability, permission and obligation.
Examples include:
can
could
may
might
shall
should
must
ought to
would
will
Example:
You should revise every day.
Example:
Students must submit the assignment tomorrow.
Understanding the meaning of each modal is more important than memorising definitions.
7. Active and Passive Voice
Students should understand why passive voice is used.
Active:
The teacher explained the lesson.
Passive:
The lesson was explained by the teacher.
Passive voice is frequently tested in board examinations.
8. Direct and Indirect Speech
This topic requires students to understand tense changes, pronoun changes and reporting verbs.
Direct:
He said, "I am tired."
Indirect:
He said that he was tired.
Practice is essential because several rules work together.
9. Editing and Omission
CBSE especially includes editing exercises.
Students must develop the habit of reading each sentence carefully rather than searching randomly for mistakes.
Editing questions improve naturally when grammar concepts become stronger.
10. Sentence Transformation
Students should practise transforming sentences without changing their meaning.
Examples include:
Active to Passive
Direct to Indirect
Degrees of Comparison
Simple to Complex
Complex to Compound
Affirmative to Negative
This develops flexibility in sentence construction and deepens grammatical understanding.
The Biggest Myth About Grammar
Many students believe:
"Grammar is difficult."
The truth is quite different.
Grammar is difficult only when students try to memorise hundreds of isolated rules.
When concepts are learnt step by step with examples and consistent practice, grammar becomes logical and enjoyable.
Every expert English speaker once learnt grammar one concept at a time.
Your journey begins the same way.
Mastering the Core Grammar Concepts
By the time students reach Class 9, they have already learned the basics of English grammar. However, board examinations expect much more than simply identifying parts of speech or filling in blanks. Students are expected to apply grammar accurately while writing answers, essays, notices, emails, letters, and analytical responses.
The key to mastering grammar is not studying more—it is studying smarter. This section explains the most important grammar concepts in a practical way, along with common mistakes and strategies to avoid them.
1. Build Strong Sentence Structure
Every sentence has a basic structure:
Subject + Verb + Object (if required)
Example:
The students completed the assignment.
My mother prepared dinner.
The teacher appreciated the class.
Before attempting complex grammar, students should always identify the subject and the main verb. Most grammar mistakes occur because students fail to recognise these two elements.
Common Mistake
❌ The group of students are waiting.
✅ The group of students is waiting.
The subject is group, not students.
2. Master Subject–Verb Agreement
Subject–verb agreement is tested directly and indirectly in almost every board examination.
Rule 1: Singular subject → Singular verb
She writes beautifully.
Rahul plays football.
Rule 2: Plural subject → Plural verb
They write beautifully.
Students play football.
Rule 3: Words between subject and verb do not change the verb
❌ The quality of these books are excellent.
✅ The quality of these books is excellent.
Rule 4: "Each", "Every", "Everyone", "Someone" are singular
Everyone is ready.
Each student has completed the homework.
Practice
Choose the correct verb.
Neither of the boys (is/are) absent.
Mathematics (is/are) my favourite subject.
The bouquet of flowers (was/were) beautiful.
Answers:
is
is
was
3. Tenses: The Heart of English Grammar
Many students lose marks because they mix tenses within the same paragraph.
Present Simple
Used for facts, habits and routines.
Examples:
The Earth revolves around the Sun.
She studies every evening.
Present Continuous
Used for actions happening now.
I am reading a novel.
They are preparing for the examination.
Present Perfect
Used for actions completed with a connection to the present.
She has finished her homework.
We have visited Delhi twice.
Past Simple
Used for completed actions in the past.
He visited Bengaluru last month.
They won the match yesterday.
Past Perfect
Used when one action happened before another past action.
The train had left before we reached the station.
Future Simple
I will help you tomorrow.
She will attend the seminar.
Tip
Instead of memorising formulas, ask yourself:
When did the action happen?
The answer usually tells you which tense to use.
4. Articles: Small Words, Big Difference
Articles are among the shortest words in English, yet they create frequent mistakes.
Indefinite Articles
A
Used before consonant sounds.
a book
a university
a European country
Notice that "university" begins with the sound "yu."
An
Used before vowel sounds.
an apple
an hour
an honest man
Here, "hour" begins with a vowel sound because the "h" is silent.
Definite Article
"The" refers to something specific.
The Taj Mahal
The Pacific Ocean
The teacher who taught us yesterday
Common Mistakes
❌ She is a honest girl.
✅ She is an honest girl.
❌ He bought an university guide.
✅ He bought a university guide.
5. Prepositions
Prepositions cannot always be translated literally.
Students should learn them as natural combinations.
Examples:
interested in
depend on
afraid of
proud of
famous for
good at
capable of
belong to
Incorrect
She is good in Mathematics.
Correct
She is good at Mathematics.
Maintaining a notebook of commonly used prepositions is an excellent habit.
6. Pronouns
Pronouns replace nouns to avoid repetition.
Incorrect:
Rahul told Rahul's teacher that Rahul had forgotten Rahul's notebook.
Correct:
Rahul told his teacher that he had forgotten his notebook.
Common Errors
❌ Me and Riya went to school.
✅ Riya and I went to school.
❌ Him and I are friends.
✅ He and I are friends.
7. Adjectives and Adverbs
Students often confuse adjectives with adverbs.
Adjective → describes a noun.
She is a careful student.
Adverb → describes a verb.
She works carefully.
Incorrect
He speaks fluent.
Correct
He speaks fluently.
8. Degrees of Comparison
Positive
Smart
Comparative
Smarter
Superlative
Smartest
Examples
Positive:
Rahul is smart.
Comparative:
Rahul is smarter than Aman.
Superlative:
Rahul is the smartest student in the class.
Common Mistake
❌ More better
✅ Better
9. Active and Passive Voice
Students should first identify the object.
Active:
The chef cooked the meal.
Passive:
The meal was cooked by the chef.
Not every sentence needs passive voice. Use it only when the receiver of the action is more important than the doer.
10. Direct and Indirect Speech
Direct:
The teacher said, "Study regularly."
Indirect:
The teacher advised the students to study regularly.
Students should practise changing:
Pronouns
Tenses
Time expressions
Example:
today → that day
tomorrow → the next day
yesterday → the previous day
11. Modals
Modals express attitude, possibility, permission or obligation.
Modal | Usage | Example |
Can | Ability | She can swim. |
Could | Past ability/Polite request | Could you help me? |
May | Permission | May I come in? |
Might | Possibility | It might rain today. |
Should | Advice | You should revise daily. |
Must | Obligation | Students must wear the uniform. |
Will | Future | I will call you later. |
Would | Polite expression | I would like some tea. |
12. Punctuation
Good punctuation improves clarity.
Remember:
Capital letter at the beginning.
Full stop at the end.
Comma after introductory phrases.
Apostrophe for possession.
Question mark for questions.
Quotation marks for direct speech.
Compare these sentences:
Let's eat, Grandma.
Let's eat Grandma.
One comma completely changes the meaning.
13. Vocabulary Supports Grammar
Grammar and vocabulary work together.
Instead of memorising long word lists, students should learn five new words every week.
Maintain a notebook with:
Word
Meaning
Synonym
Antonym
Example sentence
Using new words in writing helps students remember them naturally.
Common Grammar Mistakes Made by Class 9 & 10 Students
Incorrect | Correct |
She don't know. | She doesn't know. |
He have finished. | He has finished. |
One of my friends are here. | One of my friends is here. |
I am living here since 2020. | I have been living here since 2020. |
Discuss about the topic. | Discuss the topic. |
Return back. | Return. |
More better | Better |
Revert back | Revert |
Avoiding these common errors alone can improve examination performance significantly.
A Simple Formula for Grammar Improvement
Learn → Observe → Practise → Review → Apply
Students who follow this cycle consistently improve much faster than those who simply memorise rules before examinations.
By making grammar part of everyday reading and writing, students gradually develop accuracy without consciously thinking about every rule.
A Practical Study Plan to Improve English Grammar
Understanding grammar rules is only the first step. The real improvement comes from consistent practice, regular reading, careful writing, and self-correction. Many students spend hours studying grammar before examinations but forget the concepts because they do not apply them in everyday writing.
The good news is that even 30–40 minutes of focused practice every day can lead to remarkable improvement within a few months.
Step 1: Assess Your Current Grammar Level
Before beginning any study plan, identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Ask yourself:
Do I make mistakes while writing essays?
Do I confuse tenses?
Are prepositions difficult?
Do I struggle with articles?
Do teachers frequently correct my sentence construction?
Do I lose marks in editing and omission questions?
Write down every recurring mistake in a notebook. This becomes your Grammar Improvement Journal.
Step 2: Create a Daily Grammar Routine
Consistency is more effective than studying for long hours once a week.
30-Minute Daily Schedule
Time | Activity |
10 minutes | Learn one grammar concept |
10 minutes | Solve practice exercises |
5 minutes | Read a quality English article or newspaper |
5 minutes | Write five original sentences using the day's concept |
Practising every day helps grammar become a habit rather than a subject.
Step 3: Follow a Weekly Grammar Plan
Monday
Tenses
Tuesday
Subject–Verb Agreement
Wednesday
Articles and Determiners
Thursday
Prepositions
Friday
Voice and Narration
Saturday
Editing, Omission and Sentence Transformation
Sunday
Revision and Mock Test
Weekly revision is essential because grammar concepts build upon one another.
Step 4: Read Good English Every Day
Reading is one of the most effective ways to improve grammar naturally.
Good reading material includes:
Newspapers
Children's classics
Editorial articles
School textbooks
Well-written biographies
Educational magazines
While reading, observe:
Sentence structure
Verb forms
Punctuation
Vocabulary
Paragraph organisation
Do not read only for the story—read like a learner.
Step 5: Build a Vocabulary Notebook
Grammar becomes stronger when students have a rich vocabulary.
For every new word, note:
Meaning
Pronunciation
Part of speech
Synonym
Antonym
Example sentence
Example:
Diligent
Meaning: Hardworking
Synonym: Industrious
Antonym: Lazy
Sentence:
Riya is a diligent student who completes every assignment on time.
Writing your own sentence helps you remember both the word and its grammatical usage.
Step 6: Practise Writing Every Day
Writing is where grammar is truly tested.
Students should practise:
Paragraph writing
Essays
Letters
Emails
Notices
Diary entries
Story writing
Reports
After writing, check:
Tenses
Articles
Punctuation
Capital letters
Sentence variety
Spelling
Self-editing develops long-term accuracy.
Step 7: Learn from Mistakes
Many students solve hundreds of questions but never analyse why they answered incorrectly.
Maintain an Error Log.
Example:
Mistake | Correct Form |
She don't know. | She doesn't know. |
I am here since 2020. | I have been here since 2020. |
He is good in Maths. | He is good at Maths. |
Review this notebook every week.
Students often repeat the same ten mistakes. Eliminating them alone can improve examination scores significantly.
Grammar Preparation for Different Boards
Although grammar concepts remain the same, examination patterns differ.
CBSE Students
CBSE increasingly focuses on competency-based learning.
Students should practise:
Editing
Omission
Gap filling
Integrated grammar
Writing skills
Reading comprehension
Grammar should be applied naturally rather than memorised separately.
ICSE Students
ICSE gives greater importance to language quality.
Students should work on:
Sentence variety
Vocabulary
Precision
Formal writing
Descriptive writing
Narrative writing
Reading quality literature becomes especially valuable.
State Board Students
State Board examinations often emphasise textbook-based grammar.
Students should:
Revise textbook exercises thoroughly.
Solve previous years' papers.
Understand every grammar chapter.
Practise writing complete answers instead of one-word responses.
Best Books for Grammar Improvement
Some highly recommended resources include:
Wren & Martin – High School English Grammar and Composition
Raymond Murphy – Essential Grammar in Use
Oxford Practice Grammar
Cambridge English Grammar series
School-prescribed grammar workbook
Students should avoid using too many books simultaneously. One good book completed thoroughly is more valuable than several books studied superficially.
Use Technology Wisely
Digital tools can support learning when used responsibly.
Students may use:
Online dictionaries
Vocabulary apps
Grammar quizzes
Educational videos
Digital flashcards
However, avoid depending completely on automatic grammar correction tools. First attempt to identify and correct mistakes independently.
How Parents Can Support Grammar Learning
Parents play a significant role in language development.
Simple habits can make a big difference:
Encourage daily reading.
Discuss newspaper articles together.
Ask children to explain what they have read.
Appreciate improvement rather than perfection.
Create a distraction-free study environment.
Encourage speaking in complete English sentences whenever appropriate.
Avoid correcting every small mistake during conversation. Too much correction may reduce confidence. Instead, model correct language naturally.
Common Habits That Improve Grammar
Students who consistently perform well often share these habits:
Reading for at least 20 minutes every day.
Writing something daily.
Revising grammar weekly.
Learning from corrected notebooks.
Solving previous years' question papers.
Asking teachers whenever a rule is unclear.
Practising instead of memorising.
Grammar develops through repeated exposure and application.
Exam-Day Grammar Checklist
Before submitting your English paper, spend five minutes checking:
✔ Subject–verb agreement
✔ Correct tense usage
✔ Articles (a, an, the)
✔ Capital letters
✔ Full stops and commas
✔ Correct spellings
✔ Complete sentences
✔ Neat handwriting
✔ Logical paragraphing
These final checks can help prevent avoidable mistakes and improve overall presentation.
The Power of Small Daily Improvements
Many students expect dramatic improvement within a week.
Language learning does not work that way.
Improvement is gradual.
Five better sentences every day become hundreds of correct sentences in a few months.
Every paragraph written carefully strengthens grammar.
Every book read improves sentence construction.
Every corrected mistake becomes a lesson that lasts a lifetime.
Grammar is not mastered overnight—but with patience and consistency, every student can become a confident communicator.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does it take to improve English grammar?
Grammar improvement depends on consistency rather than intelligence. Students who practise for 30–40 minutes every day usually notice significant improvement within 8–12 weeks. The key is regular reading, writing, revision, and correcting mistakes.
2. Is grammar important for CBSE Class 10 Board Exams?
Yes. Although CBSE has shifted towards competency-based learning, grammar still plays a crucial role in:
Writing Skills
Editing and Omission
Reading Comprehension
Literature Answers
Long Answer Questions
Good grammar improves the overall quality of answers and can help students score higher.
3. Does ICSE give more importance to grammar than CBSE?
ICSE generally places greater emphasis on language quality, vocabulary, sentence structure, and creative writing. However, students from both boards benefit equally from strong grammar because it improves every written response.
4. Which grammar topics should Class 9 and 10 students revise first?
Start with:
Parts of Speech
Tenses
Subject–Verb Agreement
Articles
Prepositions
Modals
Active & Passive Voice
Direct & Indirect Speech
Editing & Omission
Sentence Transformation
These topics appear repeatedly across school examinations.
5. Is reading enough to improve grammar?
Reading exposes students to correct sentence structures, but reading alone is not enough. Students should also:
Practise grammar exercises
Write regularly
Review corrected mistakes
Seek feedback from teachers
The combination of reading and writing produces the best results.
6. How can I stop making the same grammar mistakes?
Maintain a Grammar Error Notebook.
Whenever your teacher corrects a mistake:
Write the incorrect sentence.
Write the corrected sentence.
Write the rule.
Create one more example of your own.
Review this notebook every week.
7. Which is better—memorising rules or practising questions?
Understanding the rule first and then practising questions is always more effective. Memorising grammar rules without applying them rarely leads to lasting improvement.
8. How many grammar questions should I practise every day?
Quality is more important than quantity.
A good target is:
15–20 grammar questions
5 original sentences
1 short paragraph
This combination develops both accuracy and confidence.
9. Can grammar improve spoken English?
Absolutely.
Grammar improves:
Sentence construction
Confidence
Fluency
Accuracy
Communication skills
Students who understand grammar usually express themselves more clearly while speaking.
10. Can grammar be improved in a few months before board exams?
Yes.
Even students beginning preparation late can improve significantly by following a structured study plan, practising consistently, and reviewing mistakes.
Expert Tips from Experienced English Teachers
Experienced teachers often notice similar patterns among high-performing students. The following habits consistently lead to improvement:
Read Every Day
Reading newspapers, novels, biographies, and quality articles exposes students to natural English sentence structures.
Write Every Day
Practice is essential. Maintain a journal, write summaries, or answer previous years' questions regularly.
Speak Without Fear
Many students know grammar but hesitate to speak. Confidence develops through practice, not perfection.
Revise Regularly
Grammar concepts are interconnected. Weekly revision prevents students from forgetting earlier topics.
Learn from Feedback
Teacher corrections are valuable. Each corrected mistake helps prevent similar errors in future examinations.
How Personalized Tuition Can Improve English Grammar
Every student learns differently. Some struggle with tenses, while others find prepositions or sentence transformation challenging. In large classrooms, teachers often cannot provide individual attention to every learner.
Personalized tuition addresses this challenge by focusing on each student's specific needs.
At LIB Education, students receive structured guidance designed to strengthen grammar step by step. Teachers identify individual learning gaps, explain concepts clearly, and provide targeted practice to help students build confidence and accuracy.
Small-group and individual sessions encourage students to ask questions freely, practise regularly, and receive constructive feedback. Rather than memorising rules, students learn to apply grammar naturally in speaking and writing.
The objective is not merely to prepare students for examinations but to help them become confident communicators with strong language skills that benefit them throughout their academic and professional lives.
Final Thoughts
English grammar is not a subject to be feared. It is a skill that grows with understanding, practice, and patience.
Students who dedicate a small amount of time each day to reading, writing, and revising grammar often experience remarkable improvement over a few months. Strong grammar supports success not only in school examinations but also in competitive exams, higher education, interviews, and professional communication.
Remember:
Learn one concept at a time.
Practise consistently.
Read regularly.
Write confidently.
Learn from every mistake.
Every well-written sentence brings you one step closer to becoming a confident English communicator.
Whether you study under the CBSE, ICSE, or State Board, strong grammar will always remain one of your greatest academic strengths.
Conclusion
Improving English grammar is a journey rather than a destination. Success comes from understanding concepts, practising them regularly, and applying them in everyday communication.
Students who focus on gradual improvement instead of perfection develop lasting language skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
Start today, remain consistent, and remember that every page you read, every sentence you write, and every mistake you correct contributes to becoming a stronger English learner.
Good grammar is not just about scoring higher marks—it is about communicating your ideas with clarity, confidence, and impact.
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