Mastering English Grammar for the 2024 Postgraduate Entrance Exam: Expert Insights and Common Queries Addressed

As English proficiency is a critical component of the postgraduate entrance exam, understanding grammar is essential for achieving a high score. The 2024 edition of Liu Xiaoyan's grammar guide offers comprehensive insights, but students often encounter specific challenges. This article addresses three common questions to help you refine your grammar skills and boost your exam confidence. Whether you're struggling with complex tenses or punctuation, these expert explanations will provide clear, actionable guidance.

Common Questions and Detailed Answers

1. How Should I Use the Past Perfect Tense in Narrative Writing?

The past perfect tense (had + past participle) is often misunderstood, but it plays a vital role in storytelling. For example, "She had finished her homework before the movie started" emphasizes that her action occurred before another past event. A key point is to recognize its use in sequences of events: when describing what happened before something else in the past. Misusing it can lead to confusion, such as saying "She had eaten dinner when she went to the party," which incorrectly implies the dinner happened after the party. To master this, practice placing it in context: "He had studied for years before he passed the exam," highlights perseverance. Remember, it’s about chronological order in the past.

2. What Are the Rules for Using Commas in Complex Sentences?

Commas can be tricky, especially with dependent clauses. For instance, "Although it rained, we played outside" needs a comma after "Although" because it’s a dependent clause. However, if the clause comes first, no comma is needed: "Although we played outside, it rained." Another common error is overusing commas in lists—only one is needed before "and" in a three-item list: "I bought apples, oranges, and bananas." Overuse can make sentences messy, like "The dog, which is big, barks loudly, and it’s very friendly." Here, commas separate non-essential details but should not disrupt clarity. Practice by identifying clauses and list items to ensure accuracy.

3. When Should I Use "Whose" vs. "Who's"?

This is a frequent mix-up! "Whose" is possessive (e.g., "The girl whose dress is blue won the award"), while "who's" is a contraction of "who is" (e.g., "Who’s late will miss the bus"). A helpful trick is to replace them with "whose is" or "who is"—if it sounds wrong, use "whose." For example, "The book who’s on the table is mine" is incorrect; instead, say "The book whose cover is red is mine." Another tip: if you’re talking about a person, "who" is correct (e.g., "The teacher who taught us is kind"), but for things, use "which" (e.g., "The book which is on the shelf is hers"). Clarity comes from consistency in these distinctions.