Grammar and Writing Skills
This Class 9 English unit covers the core grammar and writing skills tested in exams — tenses, agreement, modals, reported speech, prepositions and articles — plus the main writing formats. The page gives clear rules and a grammar quiz.
Learning objectives
- Use tenses and subject-verb agreement correctly.
- Apply modals, prepositions and articles.
- Change sentences into reported speech and the passive.
- Know the main writing formats.
Key concepts
Tenses and subject-verb agreement
Tenses show the time of an action — present, past or future — each with simple, continuous, perfect and perfect-continuous forms (for example, 'she writes', 'she is writing', 'she has written'). Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match its subject in number: a singular subject takes a singular verb ('the boy runs') and a plural subject takes a plural verb ('the boys run'). Care is needed with tricky subjects such as 'everyone', 'each' and 'neither', which take singular verbs.
Modals and prepositions
Modal verbs — can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, ought to — are used before main verbs to express ability, permission, possibility, advice or obligation (for example, 'You should rest', 'She can swim'). Prepositions (in, on, at, by, for, with, etc.) show the relationship of a noun to other words, often of place or time, as in 'at noon', 'in the box', 'on Monday'.
Reported speech and the passive voice
In reported (indirect) speech, we report what someone said without quoting their exact words, usually changing the tense, pronouns and time words (for example, He said, "I am tired" becomes 'He said that he was tired'). In the passive voice, the object of the action becomes the subject and the doer becomes less important (for example, 'Rama wrote a letter' becomes 'A letter was written by Rama').
Articles, determiners and writing skills
Articles ('a', 'an', 'the') and other determiners point to nouns: 'a/an' are used for non-specific singular nouns and 'the' for specific ones. For writing, Class 9 covers formats such as paragraphs, descriptive and narrative pieces, diary entries, formal and informal letters, and notices, each with its own structure, tone and layout that should be followed neatly.
Important formulas
Passive voice (simple)
Object + correct form of 'be' + past participle (+ by + subject)
Reported speech
reporting verb (said/told) + that + reported clause (tense, pronouns & time words shifted)
Key definitions
- Tense
- The form of a verb showing the time of an action.
- Modal verb
- A helping verb like can, must or should that adds meaning to a main verb.
- Reported speech
- Reporting what someone said without using their exact words.
- Preposition
- A word showing the relation of a noun to other words, often of place or time.
Solved examples
Q1. Make passive: 'The teacher praised the student.'
Solution: 'The student was praised by the teacher.'
Q2. Report: She said, "I will come tomorrow."
Solution: She said that she would come the next day.
Q3. Choose the correct verb: 'Each of the boys (has/have) a pen.'
Solution: 'has' — 'each' takes a singular verb.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a plural verb after singular words like 'each', 'every' or 'everyone'.
- Forgetting to change the tense and pronouns in reported speech.
- Confusing 'a/an' (non-specific) with 'the' (specific).
- Mixing up prepositions of time, e.g. 'in', 'on', 'at'.
Grammar and Writing Skills — MCQ Quiz
10 questions with instant feedback. Use number keys 1–4 to answer.
Choose the correct verb: 'She ___ to school every day.'
Practice questions
Short answer
What is subject-verb agreement?
The rule that a verb must match its subject in number (singular or plural).
What is reported speech?
Reporting what someone said without using their exact words.
When do we use 'an'?
Before a word beginning with a vowel sound, e.g. 'an apple', 'an hour'.
Long answer
Explain reported speech and the main changes made when converting direct to indirect speech.
Reported, or indirect, speech is a way of telling what someone said without quoting their exact words, and it usually requires several changes. First, the tense of the reported words generally shifts 'one step back' when the reporting verb is in the past: present simple becomes past simple ('I am' becomes 'he was'), present perfect becomes past perfect, and 'will' becomes 'would'. Second, pronouns change to match the new speaker's point of view (for example, 'I' may become 'he' or 'she', and 'you' may become 'me' or 'them'). Third, words referring to time and place are adjusted — 'today' becomes 'that day', 'tomorrow' becomes 'the next day', 'here' becomes 'there', and so on. The punctuation also changes: quotation marks are removed and, for statements, the word 'that' is often used. For questions, the reported clause takes the form of a statement, and reporting verbs like 'asked' are used. Applying these changes carefully turns direct speech into correct reported speech.
Describe the main writing formats studied in Class 9 and what each requires.
Class 9 English develops several writing formats, each with its own structure and tone. A paragraph is a short, focused piece on a single topic, with a clear opening sentence, supporting details and a closing line. Descriptive writing paints a vivid picture of a person, place or thing using sensory details, while narrative writing tells a story with a beginning, middle and end. A diary entry is personal and informal, written in the first person with the date, expressing one's thoughts and feelings about an event. Letters are of two main kinds: formal letters (such as applications or complaints) follow a fixed layout with sender's and receiver's addresses, date, salutation, a clear subject, body and formal closing, and use polite, businesslike language; informal letters (to friends or family) are warmer and more relaxed in tone. Notices are short, factual announcements written in a box with a heading, date and clear details. Following the correct format, layout and tone for each type is essential for scoring well and communicating clearly.
HOTS (Higher Order Thinking)
Why does the verb change with subjects like 'each' and 'neither' even though they may refer to more than one thing?
Because grammatically these words are treated as singular — they focus on individuals one at a time — so they take a singular verb, regardless of how many people or things are involved.
Why do time words like 'tomorrow' change in reported speech?
Because the report is usually made at a different time from the original speech, so 'tomorrow' must become 'the next day' to keep the meaning accurate from the reporter's point of view.
Quick revision
Revision notes
- Tenses show time; verbs must agree with subjects in number ('each/neither' = singular).
- Modals (can, should, must…) add meaning; prepositions show place/time (in, on, at).
- Reported speech: shift tense, pronouns and time words; passive: object + 'be' + past participle (+ by + doer).
- Articles: a/an (non-specific), the (specific). Writing: paragraph, descriptive/narrative, diary, formal/informal letters, notices.
Key takeaways
- Match verbs to their subjects.
- Shift tense, pronouns and time words in reported speech.
- Follow the correct layout for each writing format.
Frequently asked questions
What does this unit cover?
Core grammar (tenses, agreement, modals, reported speech, prepositions, articles) and writing formats.
How is the passive formed?
Object + correct form of 'be' + past participle (+ by + doer).
When do we use 'the'?
Before a specific noun already known to the reader or listener.