Column-Based, Connectors & Match the Following — IBPS PO English

These are the "how do sentence parts join?" questions IBPS now favours in Mains. In connector questions you're given two sentences and must pick the word/phrase that combines them into one grammatical, meaningful sentence. In column-based / match-the-following, you pair a phrase from Column I with one from Column II so the joined sentence makes sense — and often more than one pairing is valid, so you count them. It's grammar plus logical flow, worth 3–5 marks, and it rewards the same connective-logic reading used in cloze and para jumbles.

1. What IBPS actually asks

• Sentence connectors: two sentences + options; pick the connector (and any needed rephrase) that merges them correctly.
• Column-based: phrases in Column I (starters) and Column II (enders); find which pairings form a grammatically and contextually correct sentence — "how many valid combinations?"
• Match the following: starters vs logical continuations.

2. Know the connector meanings (the core)

Connectors signal a relationship; pick the one whose meaning fits:

• Contrast: although, though, whereas, while, despite, in spite of, however, yet.
• Cause/reason: because, since, as, due to, owing to.
• Result: so, therefore, hence, thus, consequently.
• Condition: if, unless, provided that.
• Addition: and, moreover, besides, in addition.
• Time: when, while, before, after, as soon as.

First decide the logical relationship between the two sentences (contrast? cause? condition?), then choose the connector with that meaning. This mirrors the cloze/para-jumble connective habit.

3. Grammar of joining (the trap)

A connector must produce a single grammatical sentence, not just the right meaning:

• "Despite / in spite of" take a noun/gerund, not a clause: "Despite being tired" ✓, "Despite he was tired" ✗ (use "Although he was tired").
• "Because of / due to" take a noun; "because" takes a clause.
• Watch for double connectors — "Although… but…" ✗ (use only one); "Because… so…" ✗.
• The joined sentence must keep one subject-verb structure per clause and correct punctuation.

4. Column-based — both parts and count all valid pairs

For column/match questions:

1. Test each Column-I starter against each Column-II ender for a sentence that is both grammatical and sensible.
2. Count every valid combination — the answer is often "II-A and I-C are correct" or "how many form meaningful sentences".
3. A pairing must fit grammar (tense, agreement, connector) AND meaning — a starter can validly join more than one ender.

Don't stop at the first fit — check all pairings, because these questions frequently ask how many combinations work.

5. Sense-check the whole joined sentence

After choosing a connector or pairing, read the merged sentence end to end:

• Does it make logical sense (not a contradiction or non-sequitur)?
• Is it one clean sentence with correct tense flow and no double connector?
• Does the pronoun/reference resolve?

If any check fails, the pairing/connector is wrong.

7. The protocol

1. Identify the logical relationship between the sentences (contrast / cause / result / condition).
2. Pick the connector with that meaning — and check it fits the grammar (despite + noun; because + clause; no double connectors).
3. For column/match, test every starter–ender pair for grammar and sense.
4. Count all valid combinations — don't stop at the first.
5. Read the merged sentence back to confirm it's one clean, meaningful sentence.