Top 8 Expert Tips to Identify Parts of Speech CDS/NDA Exam
How to Identify Parts of Speech for Your CDS/NDA Exam
Identifying parts of speech is a core skill in the English section of the CDS (Combined Defence Services) and NDA (National Defence Academy) exams. Mastery of this topic helps you answer direct grammar questions as well as tackle error spotting, sentence completion, and comprehension passages confidently.
Quick Guide: What Are the Parts of Speech?
The eight primary parts of speech are:
Noun: Names person, place, thing, or idea.
Example: “Cadet,” “Academy,” “strength”Pronoun: Replaces a noun.
Example: “He,” “they,” “it”Verb: Expresses action or state of being.
Example: “join,” “is,” “study”Adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun.
Example: “brave,” “Indian”Adverb: Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
Example: “quickly,” “really”Preposition: Shows relationship between nouns/pronouns and other words.
Example: “from,” “to,” “with”Conjunction: Connects words, phrases, or clauses.
Example: “and,” “but,” “because”Interjection: Expresses emotion.
Example: “Wow!”, “Hey!”
Tips to Identify Each Part of Speech
| Part of Speech | ID Tips and Tricks |
|---|---|
| Noun | Who/What is talked about? Look for names, places, things, or ideas. |
| Pronoun | Replaces a noun to avoid repetition. Usually stands in for someone/something already mentioned. |
| Verb | Indicates action/being. Ask “What is happening?” or “What is being?” |
| Adjective | Describes/modifies a noun/pronoun. Ask “What kind?” “Which one?” “How many?” |
| Adverb | Describes verbs/adjectives/other adverbs. Usually answers “how,” “when,” “where,” “to what extent.” Often ends in -ly. |
| Preposition | Shows relationship/location. Test by seeing if it fits “the ___ of the ____” (“on the table,” “at the academy”). |
| Conjunction | Joins words/phrases/clauses. Look for connectors in sentences (“and,” “but,” “or,” “because”). |
| Interjection | Abrupt expression of feeling (“Oh!”, “Oops!”, “Bravo!”). Standalone or set off by punctuation. |
Mnemonics
Create your own mnemonic to remember all eight:
“A Never-Practiced Violin Always Plays Crazy Intervals” (Adjective, Noun, Pronoun, Verb, Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction, Interjection).
Examples from Actual Exam Questions
“She wore a beautiful dress to the party.” (beautiful = Adjective)
“Place the books against the wall.” (against = Preposition)
“I will not be able to attend the game for I have not completed my homework.” (for = Conjunction)
“Wow! That was scary.” (Wow = Interjection)\
Step-by-Step Practice Method
Read the sentence carefully.
Spot the word in question.
Ask: What role does this word play? Use the tips above.
Check the context: Sometimes, the same word can act as different parts of speech.
Eliminate wrong options: If in MCQs, use elimination based on function.
FAQs – Parts of Speech for CDS/NDA
Q1: Can a word be more than one part of speech?
A1: Yes! For example, “run” is a verb (“He will run tomorrow”), but also a noun (“She went for a run”)
Q2: How do I identify pronouns vs. nouns?
A2: Pronouns replace nouns to avoid repetition. If the word is taking the place of a noun, it’s a pronoun (he, she, it, they).
Q3: What are the most common traps in exam questions?
A3: Words like “before,” “since,” and “after” which can act as conjunctions or prepositions depending on usage
Q4: Why is this topic important for CDS/NDA?
A4: Parts of speech are the foundation for nearly all grammar questions in your paper. Getting this right helps in error spotting, sentence correction, cloze tests, and reading comprehension.
Q5: Can you give a quick practice question?
A5: “‘He spoke loudly in the seminar.’ Identify the part of speech of ‘loudly’.”
Correct Answer: Adverb.
How New Careers Academy Gives You the Best Tips
New Careers Academy (NCA) is known for expert preparation for defence exams. They help aspirants identify and master parts of speech through:
Targeted Practice: Regular exercises mirroring the latest exam questions.
PYQs & Mock Tests: Previous Year Questions and repeated mock sessions on sentence analysis.
Easy Elimination Techniques: Tricks to spot the right options fast.
Feedback & Analysis: Individual doubt-clearing and error correction strategies.
Mnemonic Devices: Memory tricks for quick recall during the exam.
Exclusive Tips: On mastering verbs, tenses, and trick questions based on the latest CDS/NDA pattern.
Careers begin with grammar, and NCA makes sure you start strong!
Final Tips Before Your Exam
Practice daily with sample sentences, quiz yourself and analyze each word’s function.
Don’t just memorize definitions – apply knowledge through real exam-style questions.
Seek expert feedback if unsure. New Careers Academy provides personalized support for all doubts and tricky areas.
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