SSC CGL English · Sentence Rearrangement
Links Between Sentences
The words that tie a sentence to the one before it: pronouns and short names, pointers such as 'this' and 'such', and linking words such as however and therefore.
Why this matters
Seventy-six questions in the bank, 25 from the 2023 shifts, 10 from the 2024 shifts and 41 from the 2025 shifts. In most of them one sentence leans on another through a pronoun, a 'this' or a linking word, and that one pair decides between the options.
Concept 1 of 3: Pronouns and short names point back
A pronoun (it, he, they, them) or a short form of a name points back to something already named in full. So the sentence with the full name comes first, and the sentence with the pronoun or the short form follows it.
Definition
- Pronouns: it, he, she, they, them, his, its and their need a noun before them, so a sentence that opens with one cannot be first.
- Short forms: a surname alone follows the sentence with the full name; an abbreviation (UN) follows the full term (United Nations).
- Match the pronoun: "he" needs a man named before it, "they" a plural, "it" a single thing or idea.
- Fast route: find the sentences with no pronoun and no short form; the opener is one of them.
Worked example
Arrange the sentences: A. He later wrote a book about his travels. B. Ravi Menon is a photographer from Kochi. C. His photographs of the Western Ghats won a national award. D. Menon began taking pictures as a schoolboy. (a) BDCA (b) DBCA (c) BCAD (d) ABDC
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
SSC CGL · 2023 · Tier I, 24 Jul 2023, Shift 3 · Q86Moderate
Example 1 · Sentence Rearrangement · Links Between Sentences
Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the correct order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.
A. We recognise some aspects of an SF narrative with the realities of this world and some elements are estranged from the reality so as to take us to an unreal world.
B. Therefore, it is often suggested that ‘cognitive estrangement’ is a necessary means through which the SF is usually understood.
C. Science Fiction is a genre which manifests in itself the use of scientific premises often in a fantastical manner in a narrative.
D. It is highly seeped into the reality of this world.
Linking a pronoun to the wrong noun
Check that the pronoun makes sense with the noun just before it. "They" after a sentence about one scientist and her experiments may mean the experiments, not the people.
Opening with a short form
A surname or an abbreviation alone almost never opens a paragraph. The sentence that spells the name out comes first.
Concept 2 of 3: This, these and such
"This", "these" and "such" with a noun (this method, these steps, this phenomenon) point back to an idea the sentence before described, often in other words. Ask "this what?" and place the sentence straight after the one that answers.
Definition
- This + noun: "this issue", "this measure", "this process" names in a word what the sentence before described.
- These or such + plural: "these steps", "such methods" point to several things just named.
- This alone: "This helps ..." refers to the whole action of the sentence before.
- The noun is a label: it tells you what kind of sentence to look for: "this problem" needs a problem before it, "this measure" a step taken.
- No opener: a sentence that starts with a pointer cannot be first.
Worked example
Arrange the sentences: A. This measure has reduced traffic in those cities. B. Many cities face heavy traffic at peak hours. C. To ease this problem, some have made bus travel free. D. Such schemes are now being tried in other countries. (a) BCAD (b) BACD (c) CBAD (d) BDCA
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
SSC CGL · 2025 · Tier I, 24 Sep 2025, Shift 1 · Q98Easy
Example 2 · Sentence Rearrangement · Links Between Sentences
Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph:
1. This, in turn, can increase economic activity and contribute to overall development.
2. The construction of new roads and bridges is a critical component of a nation's infrastructure development.
3. An efficient transportation network reduces travel time and lowers logistical costs for both businesses and consumers.
4. Such projects connect different regions, allowing for the faster movement of goods and people.
Separating the pointer from what it names
"This issue" must sit right after the sentence that raises the issue. Put another sentence between them and "this" points at the wrong idea.
Expecting the same word
The label often renames the idea: "this phenomenon" can follow a sentence that never uses the word phenomenon. Match the meaning, not the word.
Concept 3 of 3: Linking words
A linking word says how a sentence relates to the one before: however turns against it, therefore and as a result draw its result, also and additionally add to it, for example illustrates it, and indeed strengthens it. Each needs the right kind of sentence just before.
Definition
- Contrast: however, but, on the contrary, whereas: an opposing point comes just before.
- Result: therefore, as a result, consequently, for this reason: the cause comes just before.
- Addition: also, additionally, furthermore, moreover: a first point of the same kind comes before.
- Example: for example, for instance: follows the general claim it illustrates.
- Emphasis: indeed, in fact: strengthens the sentence before.
- A sentence that starts with any of these cannot open the paragraph.
Worked example
Arrange the sentences: A. However, the equipment costs more than digging simple channels. B. Drip irrigation carries water straight to the roots of plants. C. As a result, it uses far less water than flooding a field. D. For this reason, some state governments pay part of the cost. (a) BCAD (b) BACD (c) CBAD (d) BDCA
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
SSC CGL · 2025 · Tier I, 24 Sep 2025, Shift 3 · Q99Moderate
Example 3 · Sentence Rearrangement · Links Between Sentences
Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph:
1. Consequently, these organisms are considered the primary producers in the food chain.
2. Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food from inorganic substances using light or chemical energy.
3. They form the foundation of most ecosystems, providing the energy that is consumed by herbivores and, in turn, by carnivores.
4. Plants, algae, and certain bacteria are the most common examples of this type of organism.
Joining the linker to the wrong sentence
"As a result" needs its cause in the sentence directly before, not two sentences back. Read the pair aloud: the result must follow from that one sentence.
Reading past 'also'
"Also" means a first point of the same kind has been made. The sentence with "also" cannot come before that first point.
Summary — formulas & gotchas at a glance
A revision cheat-sheet for the formulas and gotchas above. Click any concept name to jump back to its full explanation.
Watch out for (6)
- Linking a pronoun to the wrong noun→ Pronouns and short names point back
- Opening with a short form→ Pronouns and short names point back
- Separating the pointer from what it names→ This, these and such
- Expecting the same word→ This, these and such
- Joining the linker to the wrong sentence→ Linking words
- Reading past 'also'→ Linking words
Test yourself on Sentence Rearrangement
20 past SSC CGL questions from this chapter, timed at 12 minutes and marked the way the exam marks it. You see your score and every answer the moment you finish. Free to start.