School grammar (शालेय व्याकरण) is the systematic study of Marathi language rules as prescribed by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) for students from Standard 5 through Standard 12. The grammar curriculum at this level forms the foundation for all advanced language use — in competitive examinations, professional writing, and daily communication. Every chapter in the school grammar syllabus has a direct practical application in real-world Marathi.
This lesson is designed for SSC (Standard 10 board examination) and HSC (Standard 12 board examination) students who want to understand their grammar syllabus deeply, score maximum marks in the Marathi language paper, and build skills that extend beyond the examination hall. For auto-generated practice questions aligned with the school syllabus, use the Grammar Quiz Generator and the Worksheet Generator tools.
We also connect each topic in this lesson to the specific board examination question patterns so you know exactly what to study and why it matters. Students preparing for competitive exams after school will find that a strong school grammar foundation — built here — makes the Competitive Exam Grammar lesson far more accessible. And for identifying and eliminating recurring errors, the Common Errors lesson should be read alongside this one.
The SSC and HSC Marathi Grammar Syllabus: A Complete Map
Understanding exactly what the board examination tests is the first strategic step for every student. The Maharashtra State Board Marathi grammar examination has two components: written grammar questions (typically 15 to 20 marks in SSC and 20 to 25 marks in HSC) and reading comprehension with grammar-based questions. The written grammar section is fully predictable from the syllabus.
| Topic Area | Marathi | SSC Marks | HSC Marks | Question Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentence Types | वाक्याचे प्रकार | 2–3 | 2–3 | Identify / Transform |
| Samas | समास | 3–4 | 3–5 | Identify type + vigraha |
| Sandhi | संधी | 2–3 | 3–4 | Identify type / break components |
| Vibhakti | विभक्ती | 2–3 | 2–3 | Identify / Fill-in-blank |
| Voice Change | प्रयोग परिवर्तन | 2 | 2–3 | Transform sentence |
| Alankar | अलंकार | 2–3 | 3–4 | Identify / Write example |
| Figures of Speech (literary) | काव्यगुण | — | 2–3 | Identify in poem extract |
| Prefixes / Suffixes | उपसर्ग / प्रत्यय | 1–2 | 1–2 | Identify / Apply |
| Punctuation | विरामचिन्हे | 1 | 1 | Add correct punctuation |
Sentence Types: The Foundation of Grammar Understanding
Marathi classifies sentences in three ways: by structure (रचनेनुसार), by meaning (अर्थानुसार), and by purpose (उद्देशानुसार). Board examinations most frequently test sentence type identification by meaning and transformation from one type to another. Every student must master all three classification systems.
Sentences by Meaning (अर्थानुसार वाक्याचे प्रकार)
| Sentence Type | Marathi | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | होकारार्थी | States something positively | राम शाळेत जातो. |
| Negative | नकारार्थी | Denies or contradicts | राम शाळेत जात नाही. |
| Interrogative | प्रश्नार्थी | Asks a question | राम शाळेत जातो का? |
| Exclamatory | उद्गारार्थी | Expresses emotion | किती सुंदर दृश्य आहे! |
| Imperative | आज्ञार्थी | Commands or requests | इकडे या. |
| Optative | इच्छार्थी | Expresses a wish | तुम्ही सुखी व्हाल. |
Sentences by Structure (रचनेनुसार वाक्याचे प्रकार)
By structure, sentences are classified as simple (साधे वाक्य), compound (संयुक्त वाक्य), or complex (मिश्र वाक्य). A simple sentence has one subject and one predicate. A compound sentence joins two or more independent clauses with conjunctions like आणि, पण, किंवा. A complex sentence has one main clause and one or more dependent clauses joined by subordinating conjunctions like की, जेव्हा, जर.
साधे: रामाने जेवण खाल्ले.
Simple sentence: One subject (Ram), one predicate (ate food).
संयुक्त: रामाने जेवण खाल्ले आणि तो झोपला.
Compound sentence: Two independent clauses joined by आणि (and).
मिश्र: जेव्हा राम घरी आला, तेव्हा सर्वजण जेवत होते.
Complex sentence: Main clause (everyone was eating) + dependent clause (when Ram came home).
Samas in the School Grammar Context
Samas (समास) questions in board examinations follow a consistent pattern: you are given a compound word and asked to (a) write its vigraha and (b) name its type. The four types most commonly tested at SSC level are Tatpurush, Karmadharaya, Dvandva, and Bahuvrihi. HSC adds Avyayibhav and more complex Tatpurush sub-types.
Tip
When asked to write a samas vigraha in a board exam, always write the full grammatical sentence form, not just the two words. For राजपुत्र, the correct vigraha is राजाचा पुत्र, not just राज + पुत्र. The examiner expects the implied vibhakti to be made explicit in the vigraha. A vigraha without the grammatical connector earns only partial marks.
| Compound Word | Vigraha | Samas Type | Sub-type |
|---|---|---|---|
| माता-पिता | माता आणि पिता | द्वंद्व | इतरेतर द्वंद्व |
| गरीब-श्रीमंत | गरीब आणि श्रीमंत | द्वंद्व | वैकल्पिक द्वंद्व |
| सुवर्ण | शोभते असे वर्ण | कर्मधारय | विशेषण-विशेष्य |
| पंकज | पंकात जन्मलेले (कमळ) | बहुव्रीही | उपमानवाचक |
| प्रतिदिन | प्रत्येक दिवशी | अव्ययीभाव | — |
Voice Change: Karthri, Karmani, and Bhave Prayog
Marathi distinguishes three "prayog" (voices/constructions): Karthri (कर्तरी प्रयोग), Karmani (कर्मणी प्रयोग), and Bhave (भावे प्रयोग). Understanding these three and being able to transform sentences between them is a key board examination skill and is also fundamental to understanding the Active-Passive Voice lesson.
In Karthri Prayog (active voice), the verb agrees with the subject. In Karmani Prayog (passive voice), the subject takes an ergative or agentive marker and the verb agrees with the object. In Bhave Prayog, the verb remains in a fixed neuter singular form regardless of the subject or object — this is used for intransitive verbs in passive constructions.
कर्तरी: मी पत्र लिहितो. (verb agrees with subject मी)
Active / Karthri Prayog: I write a letter. The verb लिहितो is masculine singular, matching the speaker (masculine).
कर्मणी: माझ्याकडून पत्र लिहिले जाते. (verb agrees with object पत्र — neuter)
Passive / Karmani Prayog: A letter is written by me. The verb लिहिले जाते is neuter to match पत्र (letter, neuter).
Alankar: Figures of Speech for School Level
The board examination expects students to identify alankars (अलंकार) from prose and poetry extracts, and also to write original examples. At SSC level, the most commonly tested alankars are Upama, Rupak, Anupras, Atipareshayokti, and Arthantaranas. At HSC level, additional alankars like Drishthant, Virodhabhas, and Swabhavokti are added.
| Alankar | Marathi Name | SSC/HSC | Key Identifier | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simile | उपमा | Both | सारखे, जसे, प्रमाणे, समान | तो सिंहासारखा शूर आहे. |
| Metaphor | रूपक | Both | Direct identification, no comparison words | आयुष्य एक शाळा आहे. |
| Alliteration | अनुप्रास | Both | Repeated consonant at start of words | झुळझुळ झरे वाहती. |
| Personification | मानवीकरण | Both | Non-human given human qualities | फुले हसत होती. |
| Hyperbole | अतिशयोक्ती | Both | Impossible exaggeration | मला शेकडो वेळा सांगितले. |
| Antithesis | विरोधाभास | HSC | Apparent contradiction that reveals truth | मृत्यूत जीवन आहे. |
Common mistake
Students frequently confuse Upama (simile) and Rupak (metaphor). The test is simple: does the sentence use a comparison word like सारखे, जसे, प्रमाणे? If yes, it is Upama. If the subject is directly stated to be the compared object without any comparison word, it is Rupak. A common trap: ती चंद्राप्रमाणे सुंदर = Upama (uses प्रमाणे). ती साक्षात् चंद्रच आहे = Rupak (direct identification). Practise this distinction with the Grammar Quiz Generator tool.
Punctuation in Marathi: The Marks and Their Rules
Punctuation (विरामचिन्हे) is often underweighted by students but consistently appears in board examinations. Correct punctuation is also essential for good writing scores. Marathi uses the same basic punctuation marks as English but with some differences in usage conventions.
| Mark | Marathi Name | Symbol | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full stop | पूर्णविराम | । | End of complete statement |
| Comma | स्वल्पविराम | , | Pause within sentence |
| Semicolon | अर्धविराम | ; | Between related independent clauses |
| Colon | विसर्गचिन्ह / गुणविराम | : | Introduces a list or explanation |
| Question mark | प्रश्नचिन्ह | ? | End of interrogative sentence |
| Exclamation | उद्गारचिन्ह | ! | End of exclamatory sentence |
| Inverted commas | अवतरणचिन्ह | " " | Direct speech, quotation |
| Dash | संयोगचिन्ह | — | Explanation or break in thought |
Prefixes and Suffixes in School Grammar
Prefix (उपसर्ग) and suffix (प्रत्यय) questions appear in every board examination. Students are asked to identify the prefix or suffix in a given word, state its meaning, and sometimes form new words using a given prefix or suffix. The Prefixes and Suffixes lessons cover the complete lists; this section focuses on the most examined ones.
| Prefix | Meaning | Example Word | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| सु | Good, well | सुंदर | Of good form |
| दु | Bad, difficult | दुर्लभ | Difficult to obtain |
| अ / अन | Not, without | अन्याय | Without justice |
| वि | Separation, special | विशेष | Distinctly special |
| नि | Down, completely | निर्मल | Completely pure |
Worked Examples: Board-Style Questions Solved
प्रश्न: खालील वाक्याचा प्रकार ओळखा — "तू आता घरी जा."
Question: Identify the type of the following sentence. The sentence is a command directed at a second person. It has no question mark (not interrogative), no exclamation expressing emotion (not exclamatory), and it expresses an instruction. This is an Imperative/Command sentence — आज्ञार्थी वाक्य.
प्रश्न: "महाकवी" या शब्दाचा समास व विग्रह सांगा.
Question: State the samas and vigraha of "Mahakavi." Vigraha: महान असा कवी (a great poet). The first word महान is an adjective describing कवी (the main word). Both words refer to the same entity. No vibhakti is implied between them. Therefore this is Karmadharaya Samas (कर्मधारय समास), sub-type: adjective + noun (विशेषण-विशेष्य).
प्रश्न: खालील वाक्य कर्मणी प्रयोगात रूपांतरित करा — "आईने स्वयंपाक केला."
Question: Transform to Karmani Prayog (passive). Original active: Mother cooked food. Step 1: आईने (ergative) → आईकडून (agentive). Step 2: Add passive auxiliary गेला agreeing with object स्वयंपाक (masculine singular). Result: आईकडून स्वयंपाक केला गेला.
प्रश्न: "तो सिंहासारखा लढला" — यातील अलंकार ओळखा.
Question: Identify the alankar. The comparison word सारखा (like) is present, making this an explicit comparison between a person and a lion. This is Upama Alankar (उपमा अलंकार). The four components of Upama are: उपमेय (तो — the subject), उपमान (सिंह — the standard of comparison), साधारण धर्म (लढणे — the shared quality), and वाचक शब्द (सारखा — the comparison word).
Practice Questions: SSC/HSC Format
Q1. Identify the type of samas and write the vigraha: सत्यनिष्ठा
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Vigraha: सत्याची निष्ठा (faithfulness to/of truth). The connection between the two words is genitive (ची), which is the sixth vibhakti. This is Tatpurush Samas (तत्पुरुष समास), specifically षष्ठी तत्पुरुष (sixth case Tatpurush).
Q2. Transform to a negative sentence: "ती रोज व्यायाम करते."
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Negative (नकारार्थी): ती रोज व्यायाम करत नाही. Add नाही after the verb, and change the verb form from करते (simple present) to करत नाही (negative present progressive form used for habitual negation in Marathi).
Q3. Identify the alankar: "झऱ्याचे पाणी खळखळ बोलते."
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The stream (non-human) is given the human quality of speaking (बोलते). This is Manvikaran Alankar (मानवीकरण अलंकार) — Personification. The non-human entity (stream) is treated as a human by attributing the action of speaking to it.
Q4. Add the correct punctuation: "तुम्ही कुठे चालला आहात राम"
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The sentence addresses someone by name (Ram — vocative comma before name) and asks a question. Correctly punctuated: "तुम्ही कुठे चालला आहात, राम?" — comma before the name in direct address, question mark at the end of the interrogative sentence.
Expert insight
Board examiners often note that students lose marks not because they do not know the grammar concept, but because they do not write the answer in the expected format. For samas questions, always provide both (a) the vigraha and (b) the samas type — one without the other earns only half marks. For alankar questions, name all four components of Upama when asked to explain. For voice change, always adjust all necessary words: the subject marker, the verb form, and any time/manner adverbs that need to change. Use the Worksheet Generator to practice formatting your answers exactly as the board expects.
Study Strategy for Board Examination Success
A structured approach to school grammar produces significantly better results than unguided revision. The following strategy is based on the actual marks distribution and question patterns of recent SSC and HSC Marathi papers.
- Begin with Samas and Sandhi — these two topics carry the most marks and benefit most from systematic memorisation of rules and regular practice.
- Use the Grammar Quiz Generator to create topic-specific quiz sets for each chapter as you complete it.
- Use the Worksheet Generator to produce practice worksheets in the exact board examination format.
- Solve the last five years of board question papers — this is the single most effective revision activity.
- Review every error by reading the relevant lesson section again, not just by checking the answer key.
- Connect school grammar to the Grammar Quiz Guide for a systematic quiz-based revision strategy.
- For any persistent error patterns, consult the Common Errors lesson for targeted correction.
Tip
In the board examination, if you are uncertain between two samas types, always write your vigraha first. The vigraha usually makes the correct classification obvious because you can see exactly what grammatical relationship connects the two components. Never guess a samas type without first writing the vigraha — the vigraha is your reasoning made visible to the examiner, and it earns marks even if your type identification is slightly off.
Summary: Mastering School Marathi Grammar
School grammar is the bedrock of all Marathi language competence. The SSC and HSC syllabus — samas, sandhi, vibhakti, voice change, alankars, prefixes/suffixes, and punctuation — provides a complete toolkit for understanding and producing correct, elegant Marathi. Master each topic systematically using this lesson as your guide, practise with the Grammar Quiz Generator and Worksheet Generator tools, and your board examination grammar section will become a reliable source of marks rather than a source of anxiety. Students who build this foundation well find the transition to advanced study — whether in the Competitive Exam Grammar lesson or the Beginner Course — smooth and natural.
Marathi Essay Writing and Expansion in School Exams
Beyond grammar identification questions, the SSC and HSC board examinations include written expression components: formal letter writing (पत्रलेखन), essay writing (निबंधलेखन), and passage expansion. These questions test whether students can actually apply the grammar rules they know in extended, independent writing. Grammar accuracy in these answers carries marks — every gender agreement error, every wrong vibhakti, and every word-order mistake in an essay is a visible weakness to the examiner.
The connection between grammar lessons and essay writing is direct: a student who has mastered vibhakti will naturally write more accurate essays. A student who understands alankar will use them purposefully in descriptive essays. Building the grammar foundation through systematic study of this lesson's topics creates better writers, not just better grammar-test-takers.
For essay practice, use the Worksheet Generator tool to create topic prompts aligned with the school curriculum, and always review your essays specifically for the common errors detailed in the Common Errors lesson. Pay particular attention to gender agreement across the full length of an essay — errors tend to creep in as sentence complexity increases and attention to agreement weakens.
Reading Marathi Literature for Grammar Reinforcement
The board examination Marathi textbooks contain carefully selected prose and poetry extracts from major Marathi authors. These extracts are not merely reading passages — they are models of excellent Marathi grammar in action. Every extract in your textbook uses correct sandhi, grammatically justified samas constructions, elegant alankar, and proper punctuation. Reading these extracts carefully, with your grammar knowledge active, is one of the most efficient revision activities available.
When reading a poetry extract, identify every alankar you can find. When reading a prose passage, identify the vibhakti in each noun phrase. When you encounter a compound word, ask yourself: is this a samas? What type? This active reading approach converts passive text consumption into active grammar review. It also improves comprehension scores in the reading section of the board examination, giving you a double benefit for a single activity.
Authors like P. L. Deshpande (पु.ल. देशपांडे), Vinda Karandikar (विंदा करंदीकर), and V. S. Khandekar (वि.स. खांडेकर) whose works appear in school textbooks use the full range of Marathi grammar elegantly. Reading their work is not only an academic exercise but a genuine pleasure that deepens your relationship with the language beyond the examination hall. The Reading Skills lesson provides further guidance on how to extract maximum learning from literary reading.
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