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Tips for Gujarati Speakers

ગુજરાતી

Gujarati and English differ in word order, articles and prepositions. Some sounds are also hard for Gujarati speakers. Focus on these areas for exam success.

Common Challenges

Articles

Gujarati has no articles.

Example: "I bought a pen" not "I bought pen".

Word Order

Gujarati is Subject-Object-Verb. English is Subject-Verb-Object.

Example: "She reads books" not "She books reads".

Prepositions

Gujarati uses postpositions after the noun. English uses prepositions before it.

Example: "At home", "on Monday", "in the morning".

For and Since

Gujarati uses the present tense for actions that started in the past. English uses the present perfect.

Example: "I have worked here for three years" not "I am working here for three years".

Z and J

Gujarati has no "z" sound, so it is often said as "j".

Example: Practice: zoo, zero, lazy, size.

V and W

Gujarati has one sound for both "v" and "w".

Example: Practice: vest/west, vine/wine, verse/worse.

Grammar Focus Areas

Articles

Singular countable nouns need a/an or the.

Prepositions

Learn prepositions with their common collocations.

Present Perfect

Use it for experience and with "for" and "since".

Questions

Use do/does/did and put the auxiliary before the subject: "What do you want?"

State Verbs

Do not use -ing with state verbs: "I have a car" not "I am having a car".

Question Tags

Match the tag to the verb: "You are coming, aren't you?" not "isn't it?"

Vocabulary Advice

  • Many English words are used in Gujarati. Check the English meaning and spelling
  • Learn word families and derivatives
  • Practice words with z, v, w, f and th sounds
  • Avoid Indian English phrases in exams, such as "prepone" or "do the needful"
  • Learn collocations and phrasal verbs
  • Read widely to build vocabulary in context

Exam Strategies

  • Double-check articles in every sentence
  • Practice Subject-Verb-Object word order
  • Check "for" and "since" with the present perfect
  • In speaking, do not add a vowel before words starting with s + consonant ("school" not "ischool")
  • In speaking, practice z/j and v/w
  • Use a range of tenses in writing

હિંમત રાખો! Your hard work will lead to success.

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English Exam Tips for Gujarati Speakers

Gujarati and English differ in word order, articles and prepositions. Some sounds are also hard for Gujarati speakers. Focus on these areas for exam success.

Common Challenges for Gujarati Speakers

  • Articles: Gujarati has no articles. Example: "I bought a pen" not "I bought pen".
  • Word Order: Gujarati is Subject-Object-Verb. English is Subject-Verb-Object. Example: "She reads books" not "She books reads".
  • Prepositions: Gujarati uses postpositions after the noun. English uses prepositions before it. Example: "At home", "on Monday", "in the morning".
  • For and Since: Gujarati uses the present tense for actions that started in the past. English uses the present perfect. Example: "I have worked here for three years" not "I am working here for three years".
  • Z and J: Gujarati has no "z" sound, so it is often said as "j". Example: Practice: zoo, zero, lazy, size.
  • V and W: Gujarati has one sound for both "v" and "w". Example: Practice: vest/west, vine/wine, verse/worse.

Grammar Tips for Gujarati Speakers

  • Articles: Singular countable nouns need a/an or the.
  • Prepositions: Learn prepositions with their common collocations.
  • Present Perfect: Use it for experience and with "for" and "since".
  • Questions: Use do/does/did and put the auxiliary before the subject: "What do you want?"
  • State Verbs: Do not use -ing with state verbs: "I have a car" not "I am having a car".
  • Question Tags: Match the tag to the verb: "You are coming, aren't you?" not "isn't it?"

Vocabulary Advice

  • Many English words are used in Gujarati. Check the English meaning and spelling
  • Learn word families and derivatives
  • Practice words with z, v, w, f and th sounds
  • Avoid Indian English phrases in exams, such as "prepone" or "do the needful"
  • Learn collocations and phrasal verbs
  • Read widely to build vocabulary in context

Exam Strategies

  • Double-check articles in every sentence
  • Practice Subject-Verb-Object word order
  • Check "for" and "since" with the present perfect
  • In speaking, do not add a vowel before words starting with s + consonant ("school" not "ischool")
  • In speaking, practice z/j and v/w
  • Use a range of tenses in writing

હિંમત રાખો! Your hard work will lead to success.