Grammar is one of the most practical and rewarding sections of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) English examination. It is tested in English Paper Two as question four, carrying 15 marks. While it may look straightforward, many candidates lose marks here due to carelessness, poor mastery of rules or lack of consistent practice.
The advantage of grammar is that it is rule-based, meaning that with adequate revision and an eye for detail, candidates can secure almost all the marks. To succeed in this section, one must understand the different areas tested and develop a systematic way of answering each type of question.
One common area involves rewriting sentences according to the instructions given without changing the meaning. This demands precision because a careless alteration may lead to distortion of meaning. For example, if the instruction is to begin with “Hardly…”, and the sentence is “She had finished eating when the guests arrived,” the correct answer would be: “Hardly had she finished eating when the guests arrived.” Many students lose marks by omitting words, misplacing auxiliaries, or changing tenses. The key here is to maintain the original meaning while strictly following the new structure. Regular practice of sentence transformation is the best preparation.
Another important aspect is the correct form of words in brackets. This question tests knowledge of tense, agreement, and parts of speech. A sentence like “She (go) to the market every Saturday” requires the candidate to supply “goes.” The danger lies in overthinking simple cases or in ignoring context. If the sentence were “By the time I arrived, she (go) to the market,” then the correct form would be “had gone.” Candidates must therefore read the entire sentence carefully before filling in the blank. Context always determines the correct form.
Prepositions are another tricky area. They appear simple but can be deceptive because English prepositional usage is idiomatic. A question may read: “He is married ___ a doctor.” The correct answer is “to” not “with.” Similarly, “angry with a person” is correct, while “angry at a person” is not. The best way to master prepositions is wide reading and careful attention to usage rather than memorizing rules. Candidates should also revise common collocations, such as “interested in,” “capable of,” “discrimonated against,” “congratulated on,” or “accused of.”
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KNEC has increasingly included questions that test the two possible meanings of sentences. This is to examine a candidate’s awareness of ambiguity in language. For instance, the sentence “Flying planes can be dangerous” can mean either “The act of flying planes is dangerous” or “Planes that are flying can be dangerous.” Here, the candidate must identify and clearly explain both meanings. Such questions test critical thinking and the ability to appreciate how structure affects meaning. Candidates must learn to pay attention to modifiers and placement of words.
Phrasal verbs are another favorite area. Candidates are expected to know that phrasal verbs are not always literal. For example, “bring up” may mean to raise a child or to introduce a topic. “Look up” can mean to search for information or to show admiration. A question may ask: “Use the following phrasal verb in two different sentences to bring out different meanings: ‘break down.’” One correct response would be: “The car broke down on the way to school” and “The girl broke down in tears after hearing the news.” Exposure to varied contexts and practice in constructing sentences is the surest way to master phrasal verbs.
Clauses are also tested. Candidates may be asked to identify types of clauses, join sentences using relative pronouns, or change direct speech into reported speech. A typical question could be: “Combine the following sentences into one using a relative pronoun: The boy is hardworking. He won the scholarship.” The correct answer is: “The boy who won the scholarship is hardworking.” Here, candidates must avoid redundancy or leaving out crucial information. Understanding the difference between main clauses, subordinate clauses and coordinate clauses is essential for accuracy.
Punctuation, though often ignored, is another common test. Candidates may be asked to punctuate a given passage. Marks are awarded for correct use of full stops, commas, quotation marks, colons, semicolons and question marks. For example, the sentence: “John said Peter is coming tomorrow” is ambiguous without punctuation. Correctly punctuated, it should be: “John said, ‘Peter is coming tomorrow.’” This shows that punctuation is not merely mechanical but helps convey meaning accurately. Students must remember that in examination settings, every misplaced or omitted punctuation mark can cost them marks.
To succeed in grammar, candidates must cultivate a habit of careful reading. Many errors occur not because the candidate lacks knowledge but because of rushing through the questions. Reading the instructions twice before answering helps to avoid careless mistakes. Additionally, grammar cannot be crammed at the last minute. It requires consistent exposure through reading newspapers, storybooks, and practicing past papers. A good student should also revise grammar rules, especially those that are commonly tested, such as subject-verb agreement, reported speech, conditional sentences and the passive voice.
Examiners reward clarity and precision. Answers should be neat, without cancellations or unnecessary words. When rewriting sentences, candidates must reproduce the entire sentence, not just the transformed part. This shows completeness and avoids ambiguity. Similarly, when asked for two meanings of a sentence, both must be distinctly stated. Half answers don’t earn half marks. Answers are either right or wrong.
In conclusion, grammar in KCSE is a section that can guarantee candidates easy marks if they are disciplined and meticulous. It is about applying rules correctly, reading carefully, and expressing oneself accurately. Every mark in grammar counts because it can make the difference between a grade and another. Candidates should approach it with seriousness, practice widely, and build confidence through mastery of rules. Grammar, unlike literature or comprehension, is less subjective; it is rule-governed. Therefore, those who prepare thoroughly have a high chance of scoring full marks.
By Ashford Kimani
Ashford teaches English and Literature in Gatundu North and serves as Dean of Studies.
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