English LanguageICSE Class 10 · Functional Grammar

ICSE Class 10 Functional Grammar: Traps in Joining and Transformation Items

Updated 18 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Question 5 carries 20 marks: eight verb forms in a passage (4), eight one-word blanks, mostly prepositions (4), four joining items without and, but or so (4) and eight transformation items (8). The last two parts are multiple choice and their options carry typical errors such as "despite of", "no sooner ... when" and wrong tags, so apply the rule to each option.

Check each option for these traps: no 'despite of', pair 'no sooner' with 'than', never add 'not' after 'unless', and keep statement order in reported questions

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Board Grammar: Traps in Joining and Transformation Items (ICSE Class 10)

Pattern. The chapter page gives four parts, all compulsory. In the verb and preposition parts write only the number and the answer, in order; do not copy the passage.

Verb forms. Read the passage first. Most are past narratives, so the simple past is common. Use the past perfect (had + past participle) for an action completed before another past action, and the past continuous for an action in progress.

Prepositions. Learn fixed pairs and phrasal verbs: comply with, dispose of, prefer death to dishonour, quarrel over a price.

Joining. Pick the connector that shows the real relationship. Cause: because, since, having + past participle. Contrast: although, in spite of or despite + noun or -ing. Never write "despite of". Condition: if, unless. Relative: who, which, whose.

Reported speech. After a past reporting verb shift tenses back, change pronouns and time and place words. Questions become statements: "asked why she had not reached", not "why had she".

Passive. Keep the tense: "were discussing" becomes "were being discussed".

Degrees of comparison. Superlative, comparative and positive forms can be swapped: "the tallest in the class" = "taller than any other pupil" = "no other pupil is as tall as".

Special constructions. "Unless" means "if not" (do not add a second not). "No sooner ... than" and "hardly ... when". "Too ... to" equals "so ... that ... cannot". Question tags follow the main clause and reverse its polarity.

Method. Compare each MCQ option against the rule and the meaning of the original.

Board Grammar: Traps in Joining and Transformation Items (ICSE Class 10): key facts

Layout: Verb forms 4
Blanks 4
Joining 4
Transformation 8; All compulsory, 20 marks.
Reported question: asked
why
subject
past tense verb; Statement order, no question mark.
Pairs: no sooner had
than
hardly had
when; Matched pairs.
Degrees: Superlative
Comparative than any other
Positive no other as ... as; Same meaning.

How to answer Board Grammar: Traps in Joining and Transformation Items (ICSE Class 10) questions

Use this for a multiple-choice transformation.

1Read the original and note the instruction.
2Apply the rule in your head to form the correct answer.
3Compare with the options and cross out those with known errors.
4Check the meaning has not changed.
5Write only the letter or word asked for.

Board Grammar: Traps in Joining and Transformation Items (ICSE Class 10) in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Retelling what someone asked

Suppose a student tells her mother, later, that the librarian asked, "Why have you not returned the book?"

How is the question reported?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The reporting verb asked is in the past.
The question becomes a statement order.
Tenses shift back: have returned to had returned.

Answer: The librarian asked why she had not returned the book.

Memory hook: Question to statement.

Tricks to remember Board Grammar: Traps in Joining and Transformation Items (ICSE Class 10)

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

Of dies
Despite or in spite of, never despite of.
Use it when: Joining.
Sooner than, hardly when
Pair them correctly.
Use it when: Special constructions.
Flip the tag
Positive main clause, negative tag.
Use it when: Tags.

Board Grammar: Traps in Joining and Transformation Items (ICSE Class 10): solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Preposition · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

She complied ___ the rules of the contest.
(a) to (b) with (c) at (d) by

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Comply takes with (1).

Answer: (b) with.

Example 2: Verb form (2 marks) · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

Fill in: By the time we reached the stadium, the match (begin) ____ and the crowd (cheer) ____.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Earlier action: had begun (1)
Continuing: was cheering (1).

Answer: had begun; was cheering.

Example 3: Joining MCQ (3 marks) · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Join: "He was very ill. He attended the function." Which is correct? (a) Despite of being ill, he attended. (b) Despite being ill, he attended. (c) Despite he was ill, he attended. Explain.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Correct option (1)
Why not a (1)
Why not c (1).

Answer: (b). "Despite" is not followed by "of", and it takes a noun or -ing form, not a clause.

Example 4: Transformation (3 marks) · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Rewrite with the same meaning: (i) "Unless you hurry, you will miss the bus." Begin: If ... (ii) "No sooner did he enter than the lights went out." Correct the error.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

If you do not hurry (1)
No sooner had he entered than (2).

Answer: (i) If you do not hurry, you will miss the bus. (ii) No sooner had he entered than the lights went out.

Example 5: Question tag and degrees (4 marks) · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

(i) Add a tag: "Nobody saw the accident,"... (ii) Rewrite the superlative "Tara is the most careful pupil in the class" in comparative and positive degrees.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Tag: did they (1)
Comparative (1)
Positive (1)
Same meaning (1).

Answer: (i) Nobody saw the accident, did they? (ii) Tara is more careful than any other pupil in the class. No other pupil in the class is as careful as Tara.

Where students lose marks in Board Grammar: Traps in Joining and Transformation Items (ICSE Class 10)

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Despite of
An extra preposition.
Wrong working
Despite of the rain
Right working
Despite the rain
Do this: Learn the form.
Usually costs: 1 mark
Mistake: Wrong pair
No sooner with when.
Wrong working
No sooner had he left when
Right working
No sooner had he left than
Do this: Match the pairs.
Usually costs: 1 mark
Mistake: Question order in reported speech
Question order kept.
Wrong working
asked why had she come
Right working
asked why she had come
Do this: Use statement order.
Usually costs: 1 mark

Exam tips

Write only numbers and answers in parts (i) and (ii).
Never write despite of.
Match no sooner with than and hardly with when.
Keep the tense in the passive.
Check the meaning has not changed.

Practice questions on Board Grammar: Traps in Joining and Transformation Items (ICSE Class 10)

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Which is correct?
(a) Hardly had he sat down when the phone rang. (b) Hardly he sat down than the phone rang. (c) Hardly had he sat down than the phone rang. (d) Hardly did he sat down when
Hint
Match the pair.
Answer
(a) Hardly had he sat down when the phone rang.
Q2 · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level
Fill in the preposition: prefer tea ___ coffee; quarrel ___ a price. (2 marks)
Hint
Fixed pairs.
Answer
prefer tea to coffee; quarrel over a price.
Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Change to reported speech: "How long have you been waiting?" asked the clerk. (3 marks)
Hint
Statement order.
Answer
The clerk asked how long I had been waiting.
Q4 · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Change to the passive: "The council was repairing the bridge." (2 marks)
Hint
Past continuous passive.
Answer
The bridge was being repaired by the council.
Q5 · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Join with a participle: "She finished her homework. She went out to play." (2 marks)
Hint
Having + past participle.
Answer
Having finished her homework, she went out to play.
Q6 · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency
A student writes: "Unless you do not work hard, you will fail." Identify the error, correct it, and give the equivalent with if. (4 marks)
Hint
Unless already negative.
Answer
Unless already means if not, so the extra not is wrong. Correct: Unless you work hard, you will fail. Equivalent: If you do not work hard, you will fail.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.Total marks?Show answer
20.
2.Marks for transformation?Show answer
8.
3.Unless means?Show answer
If not.
4.No sooner pairs with?Show answer
Than.
5.Hardly pairs with?Show answer
When.
6.Which parts are MCQ?Show answer
Joining and transformation.

Board Grammar: Traps in Joining and Transformation Items (ICSE Class 10): frequently asked questions

Must I copy the passage?

No; write numbers and answers only.

Are all items compulsory?

Yes.

Are options tricky?

Yes, they carry common errors.