Content updated on 25 April 2026
A word is missing. The sentence is incomplete. You must find exactly where the gap is and supply the missing word. Then, you must write the word that comes before and the word that comes after — a precise, three‑column puzzle that tests your grammatical awareness to its limits. This lesson for Class 10, 11, and 12 students is the ultimate drill in sentence structure, articles, prepositions, conjunctions, and verb forms. You will learn the standard board exam format for omission exercises, master the skill of spotting where a word is missing, and confidently fill the gap. With five solved passages and five challenging practice passages, you will develop the sharp, forensic eye needed to score full marks in this demanding section.
✅ Recommended for: Class 10–12 (Grammar Precision & Exam Accuracy) | CBSE & UP Board
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1. What is Omission of Words?
In an omission exercise, a short passage is given where certain words have been deliberately left out. Your task is to identify exactly where each missing word should be inserted and to supply it. In the CBSE board exam, this is presented in a unique three‑column format: you must write the word that comes before the missing word, the missing word itself, and the word that comes after the missing word. No extra words are to be written, and the sentence must remain grammatically correct after the insertion. The omitted words are usually articles, prepositions, auxiliary verbs, conjunctions, or pronouns — small but essential function words.
2. CBSE Board Exam Format – The Three‑Column Table
In your answer sheet, draw a table with three columns: Before | Missing | After. Write the relevant words exactly as they appear in the passage. Example:
| Before | Missing | After |
|---|---|---|
| went | to | school |
| fond | of | chocolates |
| one | of | the |
Make sure you do not write the full sentence, only the three words per row corresponding to each missing word. Number your rows to match the blank numbers in the question paper.
3. Most Commonly Omitted Words
- Articles (a, an, the): Often dropped before nouns. "He is best student in class." → missing "the" before "best".
- Prepositions (in, on, at, to, for, with, of, from, by): "She is fond sweets." → missing "of".
- Auxiliary / Helping verbs (is, am, are, was, were, has, have, had, will, would): "The work done by him." → missing "was".
- Conjunctions (and, but, or, so, because, if, when, while, although): "He was tired he continued working." → missing "but" or "yet".
- Pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we, they, me, him, her, us, them, my, your, his, etc.): "The book is on table, please give to me." → missing "the" and "it".
- Infinitive "to": "He refused go." → missing "to".
A good strategy is to read the passage aloud in your mind. Your brain often "hears" the missing word before your eyes spot it. Then, check each noun for its article, each verb for its auxiliary, and each phrase for its preposition.
4. Solved Examples (5 Passages with Tables)
Yesterday, I went to market with (a) _____ ______ ______ .
my mother. We bought some fruits (b) _____ ______ ______ .
and a loaf bread. The shopkeeper was (c) _____ ______ ______ .
old man with a kind smile. He gave (d) _____ ______ ______ .
us an extra apple free. I thanked (e) _____ ______ ______ .
him and we returned home happily.
Show Solution
| Before | Missing | After |
|---|---|---|
| to | the | market |
| loaf | of | bread |
| was | an | old |
| apple | for | free |
| thanked | him | and |
The book kept on the table is mine. (a) _____ ______ ______ .
It written by a famous author. (b) _____ ______ ______ .
I am very fond reading books. (c) _____ ______ ______ .
My brother also interested in novels. (d) _____ ______ ______ .
He finished reading the book two days. (e) _____ ______ ______ .
Show Solution
| Before | Missing | After |
|---|---|---|
| book | kept | on |
| It | was | written |
| fond | of | reading |
| also | is | interested |
| days | ago | . |
He is one of greatest scientists (a) _____ ______ ______ .
the world has ever known. He dedicated (b) _____ ______ ______ .
his life to finding cure for cancer. (c) _____ ______ ______ .
He refused give up despite many failures. (d) _____ ______ ______ .
Finally, he succeeded his mission. (e) _____ ______ ______ .
Show Solution
| Before | Missing | After |
|---|---|---|
| of | the | greatest |
| dedicated | his | life |
| a | cure | for |
| refused | to | give |
| succeeded | in | his |
I wanted to go the park, (a) _____ ______ ______ .
it was raining heavily. I took (b) _____ ______ ______ .
umbrella and went out. The rain (c) _____ ______ ______ .
stopped I reached the park. I enjoyed (d) _____ ______ ______ .
walk and returned home refreshed. (e) _____ ______ ______ .
Show Solution
| Before | Missing | After |
|---|---|---|
| go | to | the |
| took | an | umbrella |
| stopped | when | I |
| enjoyed | the | walk |
| home | feeling | refreshed |
It was a warm evening. The children (a) _____ ______ ______ .
playing the garden. Their mother (b) _____ ______ ______ .
watching them from window. Suddenly, (c) _____ ______ ______ .
a bird flew the room and sat on (d) _____ ______ ______ .
the shelf. The children ran see it. (e) _____ ______ ______ .
Show Solution
| Before | Missing | After |
|---|---|---|
| children | were | playing |
| playing | in | the |
| from | the | window |
| flew | into | the |
| ran | to | see |
5. Practice Passages (5 Passages for You to Solve)
The shop was crowded so he waited his turn. (b) _____ ______ ______ .
He bought some potatoes and returned home. (c) _____ ______ ______ .
His mother was happy the fresh vegetables. (d) _____ ______ ______ .
She cooked delicious meal for the family. (e) _____ ______ ______ .
Show Answers
| Before | Missing | After |
|---|---|---|
| market | to | buy |
| waited | for | his |
| returned | home | No error |
| happy | with | the |
| cooked | a | delicious |
for large company. He is very dedicated (b) _____ ______ ______ .
his work. He always reaches office time. (c) _____ ______ ______ .
He believes working hard is the key (d) _____ ______ ______ .
success. I am proud my father. (e) _____ ______ ______ .
Show Answers
| Before | Missing | After |
|---|---|---|
| for | a | large |
| dedicated | to | his |
| office | on | time |
| key | to | success |
| proud | of | my |
The sky was filled stars. (b) _____ ______ ______ .
We sat the garden and (c) _____ ______ ______ .
listened the chirping of the birds. (d) _____ ______ ______ .
It was perfect evening. (e) _____ ______ ______ .
Show Answers
| Before | Missing | After |
|---|---|---|
| set | below | the |
| filled | with | stars |
| sat | in | the |
| listened | to | the |
| was | a | perfect |
All students stood up greeted her. (b) _____ ______ ______ .
She asked them to sit and began lesson. (c) _____ ______ ______ .
The children listened attentively asked questions. (d) _____ ______ ______ .
The class was full learning and joy. (e) _____ ______ ______ .
Show Answers
| Before | Missing | After |
|---|---|---|
| entered | the | classroom |
| up | and | greeted |
| began | the | lesson |
| attentively | and | asked |
| full | of | learning |
Everyone likes because of her gentle nature. (b) _____ ______ ______ .
She helps poor and the needy. (c) _____ ______ ______ .
I am grateful have a friend like her. (d) _____ ______ ______ .
She is truly blessing in my life. (e) _____ ______ ______ .
Show Answers
| Before | Missing | After |
|---|---|---|
| intelligent | but | also |
| likes | her | because |
| helps | the | poor |
| grateful | to | have |
| truly | a | blessing |
Why Omission Exercises Build the Sharpest Grammar Instincts
When you can take a passage, read it line by line, and instantly feel where a word is missing, you have developed a native‑speaker‑level sensitivity to English grammar. This doesn't happen overnight. It comes from reading widely, writing regularly, and practising omission exercises until the pattern recognition becomes automatic. In the board exam, this question is a pure test of applied grammar — there is no guesswork if you truly understand the rules. Keep a list of the words you most often miss, and soon, you will fill every gap before you even consciously think about the answer.
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๐ Omission of Words & Gap Filling Worksheet – Class 10, 11 & 12
This worksheet provides ten omission passages with 50 blanks, covering articles, prepositions, conjunctions, auxiliaries, and pronouns. Practise the three‑column format to perfection.
Omission of Words Worksheet »Answer key included • Aligned with CBSE & UP Board curriculum
