Phrase Replacement Questions for Bank Exams: The Short Answer
In a phrase replacement question, one part of a sentence is printed in bold and you must pick the option that should replace it to make the sentence grammatically correct and meaningful. If the bold part is already correct, you choose "No replacement required". The fast method is to find the error type first (tense, subject–verb agreement, preposition, comparison, idiom or word order), then eliminate options that repeat the same error, and finally read the full sentence with your answer.
Key takeaway for bank exams: IBPS PO, SBI PO, SBI Clerk and IBPS Clerk ask phrase replacement in the English section, sometimes as 3–5 single questions and sometimes inside a passage. The "No replacement required" option is correct in some questions, so never rule it out by habit. This note uses original sentences and checks each answer against standard grammar rules.
Phrase replacement uses the same rules as error spotting and sentence improvement, so keep error spotting rules for bank exams and sentence improvement rules for SSC CGL open while you practise.
What Is Phrase Replacement in English (Exam Pattern)?
| Question type | What it looks like | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Single bold phrase | One bold part, 4–5 options | Pick the correct replacement or "No replacement" |
| Phrase replacement in a passage | Several bold parts in a short paragraph | Use the passage's tense and tone |
| "Which of the phrases (i), (ii), (iii) can replace" | Three candidate phrases | Test each one; more than one can be correct |
| Sentence improvement (SSC style) | Same idea, usually with "No improvement" | Same method |
Phrase Replacement Rules for SBI Clerk and IBPS PO
| Rule | Wrong | Right |
|---|---|---|
| Subject–verb agreement | The list of candidates were released. | The list of candidates was released. |
| "One of" + plural noun + singular verb | One of the clerks are absent. | One of the clerks is absent. |
| Tense sequence | He said that he will join tomorrow. | He said that he would join the next day. |
| Present perfect with "since/for" | I am working here since 2022. | I have been working here since 2022. |
| Comparative + than | This scheme is more better than that. | This scheme is better than that. |
| Superlative needs "the" | It is best bank in the region. | It is the best bank in the region. |
| Preposition after verb | She discussed about the plan. | She discussed the plan. |
| Gerund after certain phrases | He is used to work late. | He is used to working late. |
| Parallel structure | He likes reading, writing and to travel. | He likes reading, writing and travelling. |
| Conditionals | If I would have known, I would have helped. | If I had known, I would have helped. |
| Article with uncountable nouns | She gave me an advice. | She gave me some advice. |
| Pronoun case | Between you and I, the offer is weak. | Between you and me, the offer is weak. |
How to Solve Phrase Replacement Questions Quickly (Step-by-Step Trick)
- Read the full sentence, not just the bold part. The error often depends on a word outside the bold text (the subject, a time word, a connector).
- Name the error type. Tense? Agreement? Preposition? Comparison? Word order?
- Look for the anchor word. Since needs perfect tense, one of needs a singular verb, hardly pairs with when, no sooner with than.
- Eliminate options that keep the same error.
- Check the survivors for new errors. Wrong options often fix one mistake and add another.
- Prefer the shorter correct option when two are both grammatical, unless the longer one is needed for meaning.
- Choose "No replacement required" only after testing all options.
Phrase Replacement Questions with Answers (Solved Examples)
Q1. The manager, along with his team, were invited to the annual meet. (a) was invited (b) have been invited (c) are invited (d) were inviting (e) No replacement required Along with does not change the subject; "the manager" is singular. Answer: (a).
Q2. Hardly had the bank opened its doors than the customers rushed in. (a) when the customers rushed in (b) then the customers rushed in (c) that the customers rushed in (d) the customers had rushed in (e) No replacement required Hardly pairs with when. Answer: (a).
Q3. I have been living in Pune since my childhood. (a) am living (b) lived (c) was living (d) live (e) No replacement required Since + an ongoing action needs the present perfect continuous, which is already there. Answer: (e).
Q4. The new branch is more larger than the old one. (a) more large than (b) larger than (c) largest than (d) much more larger than (e) No replacement required Never use more with a -er comparative. Answer: (b).
Q5. She insisted to pay for the dinner. (a) insisted on paying (b) insisted for paying (c) insisted paying (d) insisted in paying (e) No replacement required Insist takes on + V-ing. Answer: (a).
Q6. If the RBI would cut the repo rate, home loans will become cheaper. (a) cuts (b) had cut (c) will cut (d) has been cutting (e) No replacement required Type 1 conditional: if + present, will + verb. Answer: (a).
Q7. Which of the phrases can replace the bold part? The auditors looked over the accounts carefully. (i) examined (ii) went through (iii) looked after (i) and (ii) keep the meaning of checking. Looked after means took care of. Answer: Both (i) and (ii).
Q8. Neither the clerk nor the officers was aware of the new rule. (a) were aware (b) is aware (c) has been aware (d) being aware (e) No replacement required With neither … nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject, officers (plural). Answer: (a).
Phrase Replacement Tricks: Common Error Patterns
| Pattern | Clue | Correct form |
|---|---|---|
| No sooner / hardly / scarcely | Time-gap correlative | than / when / when |
| Each, every, either, neither | Distributive subject | Singular verb |
| The number of vs a number of | The number of = singular; a number of = plural | The number of loans is …; A number of loans are … |
| Lest | Purpose with negative meaning | lest + should + base verb |
| It is time / It is high time | Unreal present | Past tense: It is high time we left. |
| Prefer … to | Comparison of preference | prefer tea to coffee (not than) |
| Senior, junior, superior, inferior | Latin comparatives | Take to, not than |
| Would rather | Preference | would rather + base verb + than |
| Each other vs one another | Two people vs more than two (traditional rule) | Use each other for two |
| Since vs for | Point of time vs period | since Monday, for three days |
Phrase Replacement vs Error Spotting vs Sentence Improvement
| Feature | Phrase replacement | Error spotting | Sentence improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you see | Bold part + options | Sentence split into parts | Underlined part + options |
| Your job | Choose the correct replacement | Find the wrong part | Choose the improvement |
| "No error" option | "No replacement required" | "No error" | "No improvement" |
| Exams | IBPS, SBI (PO and Clerk) | IBPS, SBI, SSC | SSC CGL, CHSL |
Common Mistakes in Phrase Replacement Questions
- Reading only the bold part and missing the subject or time word outside it.
- Rejecting "No replacement required" by habit.
- Choosing an option that fixes grammar but changes the meaning.
- Ignoring the passage tense in passage-based phrase replacement.
- Falling for doubled forms such as more better, most best, return back, repeat again.
Phrase Replacement Practice Questions (with Answers)
1. Each of the applicants have submitted the form. (a) has submitted (b) are submitting (c) have been submitting (d) were submitting (e) No replacement required Answer: (a). Each of takes a singular verb.
2. No sooner did the result come out when the website crashed. (a) than the website crashed (b) then the website crashed (c) that the website crashed (d) the website was crashed (e) No replacement required Answer: (a). No sooner … than.
3. It is high time the bank upgrades its mobile app. (a) upgraded (b) will upgrade (c) has upgraded (d) upgrading (e) No replacement required Answer: (a). It is high time + past tense.
4. He prefers working from the office than working from home. (a) to working (b) rather working (c) instead working (d) more than working (e) No replacement required Answer: (a). Prefer … to.
5. The officer is senior than me in service. (a) to me (b) than I (c) from me (d) over me (e) No replacement required Answer: (a). Senior to.
6. She has been working in this branch since five years. (a) for five years (b) from five years (c) before five years (d) in five years (e) No replacement required Answer: (a). For + a period of time.
7. The number of digital transactions are rising every month. (a) is rising (b) have risen (c) were rising (d) rise (e) No replacement required Answer: (a). The number of takes a singular verb.
8. Walk carefully lest you will slip on the wet floor. (a) lest you should slip (b) lest you slip not (c) unless you slip (d) lest you may not slip (e) No replacement required Answer: (a). Lest … should.
9. The committee discussed about the new loan policy. (a) discussed (b) discussed on (c) has discussed about (d) discussing (e) No replacement required Answer: (a). Discuss takes a direct object.
10. The team has completed the audit before the deadline yesterday. (a) completed (b) have completed (c) had been completing (d) completes (e) No replacement required Answer: (a). Yesterday is a finished past time, so use the simple past.
Phrase Replacement Questions FAQs
What is phrase replacement in bank exams?
It is an English question where a bold part of a sentence must be replaced with the correct option, or left as it is by choosing "No replacement required". IBPS and SBI PO and Clerk exams ask it.
How do you solve phrase replacement questions quickly?
Read the whole sentence, identify the error type (tense, agreement, preposition, comparison, idiom), eliminate options with the same error, check the remaining options for new errors, and only then consider "No replacement required".
Is "No replacement required" ever the right answer?
Yes. Examiners include sentences where the bold part is already correct. Test every option first; if none improves the sentence, "No replacement required" is right.
What is the difference between phrase replacement and sentence improvement?
They test the same grammar. Phrase replacement is the IBPS and SBI name and uses a bold part; sentence improvement is the SSC name and uses an underlined part with "No improvement".
Which grammar topics are most important for phrase replacement?
Subject–verb agreement, tenses and time words, conditionals, comparatives, prepositions after verbs, correlatives such as no sooner … than, and parallel structure.
Where can I practise phrase replacement questions?
Use the IBPS Clerk phrase replacement test and the IBPS and SBI English sectional tests linked below.
Practice Next
- Mock tests: IBPS Clerk Phrase Replacement Mock Test 01, SBI Clerk English Language Sectional Mock Test 02, IBPS PO English Language Sectional Mock Test 02 and SBI PO English Mini Mock Test 01.
- Related notes: error spotting rules for bank exams, sentence completion questions for bank exams, sentence improvement rules for SSC CGL and word swap questions for bank exams.
- Exam details: SBI Clerk 2026 notification.
- Browse all study notes.