Last updated: July 2026
English in AFNS is predictable — the same grammar patterns and vocabulary types appear cycle after cycle. This guide tells you exactly what to study, with solved examples, so you score maximum marks in minimum preparation time.
See also: AFNS Syllabus 2026 | AFNS Complete Preparation Hub
English Section in AFNS — What to Expect
| Topic | Question Type | Approx. Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Synonyms / Antonyms | Choose closest/opposite meaning | High |
| Sentence completion | Fill in the blank (grammar/vocabulary) | High |
| Tenses | Choose correct verb form | Medium |
| Prepositions | Choose correct preposition | Medium |
| Reading comprehension | Short passage, 3–5 MCQs | Medium |
| Idioms & Phrases | Meaning of underlined phrase | Low–Medium |
| Articles (a/an/the) | Fill in the blank | Low |
Part 1: Vocabulary — Synonyms & Antonyms
This is the quickest section to improve. Learn 10–15 new words per day for 2 weeks. Focus on medical/formal vocabulary — it appears most in AFNS English.
High-Frequency Synonyms (AFNS Pattern)
| Word | Synonym | Antonym |
|---|---|---|
| Acute | Sharp / Severe | Mild / Chronic |
| Benign | Harmless / Gentle | Malignant / Harmful |
| Diligent | Hardworking / Careful | Lazy / Negligent |
| Eloquent | Fluent / Expressive | Inarticulate / Tongue-tied |
| Frugal | Economical / Thrifty | Wasteful / Extravagant |
| Hostile | Aggressive / Unfriendly | Friendly / Amicable |
| Inquisitive | Curious / Eager to learn | Indifferent / Uninterested |
| Prudent | Wise / Careful | Reckless / Imprudent |
| Resilient | Strong / Adaptable | Fragile / Weak |
| Vital | Essential / Critical | Unimportant / Trivial |
Medical Vocabulary (Especially Relevant for AFNS)
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Chronic | Long-lasting condition |
| Acute | Sudden, severe onset |
| Benign | Non-cancerous / harmless |
| Malignant | Cancerous / harmful |
| Diagnosis | Identifying a disease |
| Prognosis | Predicted outcome of a disease |
| Prophylaxis | Prevention of disease |
| Palliative | Relieving symptoms without curing |
| Intravenous (IV) | Into a vein |
| Subcutaneous | Under the skin |
Part 2: Grammar — Most Tested Rules
Tenses — Quick Reference
| Tense | Signal Words | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | always, usually, every day | She works in a hospital. |
| Simple Past | yesterday, last year, in 2020 | She worked in a hospital. |
| Present Perfect | just, already, yet, since, for | She has worked here for 3 years. |
| Past Perfect | before, by the time, had | She had worked before joining AFNS. |
| Future Simple | tomorrow, next week, will | She will join AFNS in 2026. |
Solved Grammar MCQs
Q1. She ___ in the hospital since 2020.
A) works B) worked C) has worked D) is working
✅ Answer: C — has worked
“Since 2020” indicates duration from past to present → Present Perfect.
Q2. Neither the doctor nor the nurses ___ available.
A) is B) are C) was D) were
✅ Answer: B — are
With “neither…nor”, verb agrees with the subject closest to it (nurses = plural → “are”).
Q3. Choose the correct sentence:
A) She is more smarter than her sister. B) She is smarter than her sister. C) She is the most smarter. D) She more smart than her sister.
✅ Answer: B — She is smarter than her sister.
Double comparatives (“more smarter”) are always wrong. Use either “-er” OR “more” — never both.
Q4. The patient was operated ___ by the surgeon.
A) at B) on C) in D) with
✅ Answer: B — on
“Operate on” is the correct phrasal verb. “Operate at” means location.
Q5. He is ___ honest man.
A) a B) an C) the D) no article
✅ Answer: B — an
“An” is used before words beginning with a vowel sound. “Honest” starts with a silent H — the vowel sound ‘o’ is heard first.
Part 3: Idioms & Phrases (Most Common in AFNS)
| Idiom / Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Under the weather | Feeling ill / unwell |
| Bite the bullet | Endure a painful situation bravely |
| Break the ice | Start a conversation / ease tension |
| Burn the midnight oil | Work or study late into the night |
| Hit the nail on the head | Describe exactly what is correct |
| Once in a blue moon | Very rarely |
| Piece of cake | Very easy task |
| The ball is in your court | It is your decision / turn to act |
2-Week English Study Plan
| Week | Daily Tasks | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 10 new synonyms/antonyms + 1 grammar rule + 5 MCQs | 20 min |
| Week 2 | 10 medical vocabulary + 5 idioms + 1 reading comprehension | 20 min |
Related: AFNS Verbal Intelligence | AFNS 30-Day Study Plan | AFNS Preparation Hub
FAQs
What English topics come in the AFNS test?
AFNS English section covers synonyms, antonyms, sentence completion (grammar + vocabulary), tenses, prepositions, reading comprehension, and idioms. Medical vocabulary appears frequently given the nursing context.
How can I improve English quickly for AFNS?
Focus on vocabulary (10 words/day), master 5 core grammar rules (tenses, subject-verb agreement, comparatives, articles, prepositions), and practise 1 comprehension passage daily. Two focused weeks is sufficient for most candidates.
