Sentence Completion for Bank Exams: The Short Answer
Sentence completion questions give you an incomplete sentence and ask which word, phrase or clause completes it so that it is grammatically correct and makes logical sense. In bank exams the blank is usually a phrase or a whole clause, not just one word. The fastest method is to find the clue word (a connector like although, because, unless, so … that), decide whether the missing part must agree or contrast with the rest, and then check tense, subject–verb agreement and form of each option.
Key takeaway for bank exams: IBPS PO, SBI PO, RRB PO and the clerk exams ask sentence completion in several shapes: single or double fillers, "complete the sentence with the most appropriate phrase", "connect the two sentences" and starter-word questions. One rule set covers all of them: meaning first, grammar second, eliminate fast.
Sentence completion overlaps with single and double fillers, so pair this note with fillers for bank exams and cloze test tricks for bank exams.
What Is Sentence Completion in English (Bank Exam Pattern)?
| Question form | What you see | What you choose |
|---|---|---|
| Phrase completion | A sentence with one blank in the middle or at the end | The phrase or clause that fits |
| Starter clause | The first half of a sentence | The second half that completes the idea |
| Connector type | Two clauses and a blank between them | The linking word (although, unless, hence) |
| Double blank | Two blanks in one sentence | A pair that fits both |
| Which options can complete | Three phrases (i), (ii), (iii) | "Only (i)", "Both (i) and (iii)" and so on |
The last form is common in IBPS PO and SBI PO prelims and mains. Check each phrase separately; more than one can be correct.
Sentence Completion Rules for IBPS PO and SBI Clerk
| Rule | What to check | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Contrast clue | although, though, but, yet, despite, however need an opposite idea | Although the branch opened late, it served every customer before closing. |
| Cause clue | because, since, as, due to, owing to need a reason | The loan was rejected because the applicant's income proof was missing. |
| Result clue | so, hence, therefore, thus, as a result need a consequence | Interest rates fell; hence home-loan demand rose. |
| Condition clue | unless = if not, so the clause stays positive | Unless you update your KYC, the account will be frozen. |
| Correlatives | not only … but also, either … or, neither … nor, no sooner … than, hardly … when | No sooner had the market opened than prices jumped. |
| Tense match | Past main clause usually takes a past subordinate clause | She said that she was busy. |
| Conditional pattern | Type 1: if + present, will; Type 2: if + past, would; Type 3: if + had + V3, would have + V3 | If he had applied earlier, he would have got the seat. |
| Parallelism | Items joined by and/or take the same form | She likes reading, writing and travelling. |
| Gerund after preposition | interested in, capable of, used to (habit), look forward to + V-ing | I look forward to meeting you. |
| Subjunctive | suggest, recommend, insist, demand that + base verb | The manager insisted that he submit the report. |
How to Solve Sentence Completion Questions Quickly (Step-by-Step Trick)
- Read the full sentence once, ignoring the options. Predict roughly what the blank must say.
- Circle the clue word. It tells you whether the blank continues the idea or turns against it.
- Decide the tone. Positive or negative? Formal banking context or a general one?
- Eliminate on meaning. Strike out options that contradict the clue.
- Eliminate on grammar. Check tense, number, article, preposition and parallel structure in the survivors.
- Re-read the sentence with your answer. If it sounds forced, check the second-best option again.
Worked example. Despite ______, the bank's net profit rose in the second quarter. (a) its rising bad loans (b) because provisions fell (c) the reason being strong deposits (d) it raised fresh capital Despite is a preposition, so it needs a noun phrase and a contrasting idea. Rising bad loans would normally hurt profit, so (a) gives the contrast in the right form. (b) and (d) are clauses, which cannot follow despite; (c) does not contrast. Answer: (a).
Sentence Completion Examples with Answers (Solved Set)
Q1. The committee will not approve the proposal unless ______. (a) the budget is not revised (b) the budget is revised (c) the budget will be revised (d) revising the budget Unless already means "if not", so (a) makes a double negative. A future clause after unless takes the present tense, so (c) is wrong; (d) is not a clause. Answer: (b).
Q2. No sooner had the RBI announced the rate cut ______. (a) when bond yields fell (b) then bond yields fell (c) than bond yields fell (d) that bond yields fell The fixed pair is no sooner … than. Answer: (c).
Q3. She was so tired after the night shift ______. (a) that she fell asleep on the bus (b) and fell asleep on the bus (c) to fall asleep on the bus (d) as she fell asleep on the bus So + adjective is followed by that + clause. Answer: (a).
Q4. If the customer had read the terms carefully, ______. (a) he will not sign the form (b) he would not sign the form (c) he would not have signed the form (d) he had not signed the form This is a type 3 conditional (if + had + V3), so the result is would have + V3. Answer: (c).
Q5. The new app is not only faster than the old one ______. (a) but also easier to use (b) but easier also to use (c) and also easier to use (d) but also it is easy to use Not only … but also with parallel forms: faster … easier. Answer: (a).
Q6. Which of the phrases (i), (ii), (iii) can complete the sentence correctly? The depositors were worried ______. (i) about the bank's weak results (ii) because rumours of a merger were spreading (iii) of losing their savings (i) is correct (worried about). (ii) is a correct reason clause. (iii) is wrong because worried takes about, not of. Answer: Both (i) and (ii).
Q7. Hardly had the meeting begun ______ the power went off. (a) than (b) when (c) then (d) that The fixed pair is hardly … when. Answer: (b).
Q8. The auditor recommended that the branch ______ its cash register every evening. (a) checks (b) checked (c) check (d) will check After recommend that, use the base verb (subjunctive). Answer: (c).
Connector-Type Sentence Completion: Linking Words Table
| Meaning | Connectors | Example idea |
|---|---|---|
| Contrast | although, though, even though, whereas, while, but, yet, however, nevertheless | Good result + bad result |
| Concession (noun after it) | despite, in spite of, notwithstanding | Despite + noun/V-ing |
| Reason | because, since, as, for | Effect + its cause |
| Reason (noun after it) | because of, due to, owing to, on account of | Due to + noun |
| Result | so, therefore, hence, thus, consequently, as a result | Cause + effect |
| Condition | if, unless, provided that, as long as, in case | Action + condition |
| Purpose | so that, in order to, lest (+ should) | Action + aim |
| Addition | moreover, furthermore, besides, in addition | Point + another similar point |
Remember: lest already carries a negative meaning and takes should or the base verb: Walk carefully lest you should slip. Never write lest … not.
Sentence Completion Tricks: Eliminate Options in Seconds
- Two options say the same thing. If both mean the same and only one answer is allowed, both are likely wrong.
- Extreme words are risky. Always, never, completely, all are often wrong unless the sentence is clearly absolute.
- A preposition demands a noun or V-ing. After despite, because of, due to, instead of, besides, a full clause is wrong.
- Fixed pairs never change. Between … and, both … and, whether … or, such … that, scarcely … when, rather … than.
- Watch for double negatives. Unless … not, lest … not, hardly … not are wrong.
- Keep the subject in view. In a starter question, the second half must agree with the subject of the first half (a singular subject takes a singular verb).
Common Mistakes in Sentence Completion Questions
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Despite he was ill, he came. | Despite being ill, he came. | Despite takes a noun or V-ing |
| Unless you do not hurry, you will miss it. | Unless you hurry, you will miss it. | Unless is already negative |
| He is used to wake up early. | He is used to waking up early. | Be used to + V-ing |
| No sooner did he arrive when it rained. | No sooner did he arrive than it rained. | No sooner pairs with than |
| If I would have known, I would have come. | If I had known, I would have come. | Type 3 conditional uses had + V3 |
| She suggested him to apply. | She suggested that he apply. | Suggest does not take object + infinitive |
These are also common error-spotting targets, so read the error spotting rules for bank exams next.
Sentence Completion Practice Questions (with Answers)
1. The loan officer was in favour of ______ the interest rate. (a) reduce (b) reducing (c) to reduce (d) reduced Answer: (b). In favour of is a preposition phrase, so V-ing.
2. Though the scheme was well designed, ______. (a) it reached very few people (b) so it reached many people (c) but it reached few people (d) therefore it failed Answer: (a). Though already contrasts; do not add but. (b) and (d) do not contrast.
3. Neither the manager nor the clerks ______ aware of the change. (a) was (b) were (c) is (d) has been Answer: (b). With neither … nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject (clerks, plural).
4. She saved a part of her salary every month so that ______. (a) she can buy a car next year (b) she could buy a car the next year (c) to buy a car (d) buying a car Answer: (b). Past main clause (saved), so could in the purpose clause.
5. The project was delayed ______ heavy rain in the region. (a) because (b) due to (c) since (d) as Answer: (b). A noun phrase follows, so due to.
6. Which of the following can complete the sentence? The branch will remain open on Saturday ______. (i) provided that staff are available (ii) in case customers need cash (iii) unless the head office does not allow it Answer: Both (i) and (ii). (iii) is a double negative.
7. Scarcely had the train left the platform ______ the alarm rang. (a) than (b) then (c) when (d) that Answer: (c). Scarcely … when.
8. It is high time the government ______ the rules for digital lending. (a) tightens (b) tightened (c) will tighten (d) has tightened Answer: (b). It is high time + past tense.
9. He would rather resign ______ accept an unfair transfer. (a) but (b) then (c) than (d) to Answer: (c). Would rather … than.
10. The more you practise, ______. (a) the better you score (b) better you score (c) the best you score (d) you score better Answer: (a). The + comparative …, the + comparative.
Sentence Completion FAQs
What is sentence completion in bank exams?
It is an English question where you pick the word, phrase or clause that correctly finishes a sentence. IBPS PO, SBI PO and the clerk exams use it in phrase, connector, double-blank and "which of (i), (ii), (iii)" formats.
How do you solve sentence completion questions quickly?
Find the clue word first (contrast, cause, result or condition), predict the meaning of the blank, eliminate options that break the logic, then check tense, agreement and fixed word pairs in the remaining options.
What is the difference between fillers and sentence completion?
Fillers usually ask for a single word or a pair of words. Sentence completion usually asks for a longer phrase or clause. The same clue-word and grammar rules solve both.
Which grammar rules matter most for sentence completion?
Conditionals, fixed correlative pairs (no sooner … than, hardly … when), subject–verb agreement, parallel structure, prepositions followed by V-ing and the subjunctive after suggest, recommend and insist.
Can more than one option be correct in sentence completion?
Yes, in the "which of the phrases (i), (ii), (iii)" format several phrases can fit. Test each phrase on its own against the sentence before choosing a combination.
How many sentence completion questions come in IBPS PO?
The number changes each year. English sections in IBPS PO and SBI PO prelims usually include a few filler or completion-type questions along with reading comprehension, cloze test and error detection.
Practice Next
- Mock tests: IBPS PO English Mini Mock Test 01, SBI Clerk English Mini Mock Test 01, SBI PO English Language Sectional Mock Test 01 and IBPS Clerk English Language Sectional Mock Test 01.
- Related notes: fillers for bank exams, cloze test tricks for bank exams, error spotting rules for bank exams and sentence improvement rules for SSC CGL, plus phrase replacement questions for bank exams.
- Exam details: SBI Clerk 2026 notification.
- Browse all study notes.