NAPOLCOM PNPE Verbal Ability — Vocabulary — Modals, Affixes, Context Clues & Word UsageCheat Sheet
A printable cheat sheet for Vocabulary — Modals, Affixes, Context Clues & Word Usage, built for NAPOLCOM PNPE reviewers who want one go-to reference in the final stretch. Covers formulas, key definitions, common question types, and the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM)-specific twists you will see on NAPOLCOM PNPE day.
Exam context
The NAPOLCOM PNP Entrance Examination is conducted by National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and is scheduled for Bi-annual — March and October 2026. The Verbal Ability subtest is marked as "~25%" in the official pattern, and Vocabulary — Modals, Affixes, Context Clues & Word Usage appears in position 5th of 7 in the NAPOLCOM PNPE Verbal Ability review rotation. Passing mark: 50% (NAPOLCOM standard). Recent NAPOLCOM PNPE 2026 papers have drawn roughly 15 questions from this subject.
Vocabulary — Modals, Affixes, Context Clues & Word Usage - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for mastering vocabulary concepts essential for CSE Professional and other major Philippine exams. Quick reference for the most tested grammar and vocabulary topics.
Sections
Section Title
Modal Verbs
Important Facts
- Modal + base form of verb (no 'to')
- No -s in third person singular
- Could have + past participle = past possibility not realized
- Should have + past participle = past advice not followed
- Must expresses stronger obligation than should
- May is more formal than can for permission
- Shall with I/we for offers and suggestions
Key Definitions
Term
Modal Verbs
Example
can, could, may, might, must, should, will, would, ought to, shall
Definition
Auxiliary verbs expressing modality: possibility, ability, permission, obligation, and advice
Term
Can/Could
Example
I can swim / I could swim when I was young
Definition
Ability (present/past), possibility, permission
Term
May/Might
Example
May I leave? / It might rain tonight
Definition
Permission (formal), possibility (may = higher, might = lower probability)
Term
Must/Should
Example
You must follow rules / You should study harder
Definition
Must = strong obligation/certainty; Should = advice/expectation
Diagrams To Know
- Modal functions chart
- Degrees of certainty scale
- Obligation strength hierarchy
Section Title
Affixes (Prefixes and Suffixes)
Important Facts
- Common prefixes: anti- (against), de- (opposite), dis- (not), en-/em- (cause to)
- Common suffixes: -able/-ible (can be done), -tion/-sion (act/process), -ness (state of)
- Negative prefixes: un-, dis-, in-, im-, il-, ir-, non-
- Verb suffixes: -ize, -ify, -ate
- Noun suffixes: -ment, -ness, -ity, -er/-or
- Adjective suffixes: -ful, -less, -ous, -ive
- Remember spelling changes when adding suffixes
Key Definitions
Term
Prefix
Example
un- (unhappy), re- (rewrite), pre- (preview)
Definition
Word element attached to the beginning of a word to modify meaning
Term
Suffix
Example
-able (readable), -ment (agreement), -tion (education)
Definition
Word element attached to the end of a word to form another word
Term
Negative Prefixes
Example
un-, dis-, in-, im-, il-, ir-, non-, anti-
Definition
Prefixes that create opposite meanings
Diagrams To Know
- Prefix meaning chart
- Suffix function table
- Word formation tree
Section Title
Context Clues
Important Facts
- Four main types: synonym, antonym, inference, definition/description
- Signal words for contrast: but, however, although, while, instead, on the contrary
- Signal words for definition: that is, commas, dashes, parentheses
- Look for cause-and-effect relationships
- Consider the overall tone and setting
- Pay attention to punctuation marks as clues
Key Definitions
Term
Context Clues
Example
The acrid smell made our eyes water (acrid = unpleasant)
Definition
Hints in surrounding text that help determine meaning of unfamiliar words
Term
Synonym Clues
Example
heinous crime from which he will never recover (heinous = wicked)
Definition
Words nearby with same or similar meaning
Term
Antonym Clues
Example
garrulous, but most hardly talk (garrulous = talkative)
Definition
Words showing opposite meaning using signal words
Term
Definition Clues
Example
Playing volleyball exacerbated his injury. It aches more (exacerbated = worsened)
Definition
Direct explanation of the word within the sentence
Diagrams To Know
- Context clue types flowchart
- Signal words reference chart
Section Title
Correct Usage and Troublesome Words
Important Facts
- Its = possessive; It's = it is
- Your = possessive; You're = you are
- There = place; Their = possession; They're = they are
- Accept = receive; Except = exclude
- Advice = noun; Advise = verb
- Between = two items; Among = more than two
- Fewer = countable; Less = uncountable
- Principal = main/head; Principle = rule/belief
Key Definitions
Term
Homophones
Example
there/their/they're, your/you're, its/it's
Definition
Words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings
Term
Amount vs Number
Example
amount of water vs number of books
Definition
Amount = uncountable quantities; Number = countable items
Term
Affect vs Effect
Example
The rain affected the game / The effect was postponement
Definition
Affect = verb (to influence); Effect = noun (result)
Diagrams To Know
- Commonly confused words chart
- Usage decision tree
Must Remember
- Modal + base verb (no 'to', no -s)
- Could have/Should have + past participle for unrealized past
- Context clues: synonym, antonym, definition, inference
- Signal words: but, however (antonym); that is, dashes (definition)
- Its vs It's: possessive vs contraction
- Affect = verb, Effect = noun
- Between (2 items) vs Among (3+ items)
- Principal = person/main, Principle = rule
- Fewer (countable) vs Less (uncountable)
- Prefixes change meaning, suffixes often change part of speech
Last Minute Tips
- For modals: If unsure between can/may, choose may for formal permission
- Context clues: Read the ENTIRE sentence, not just around the word
- Homophones: Sound it out in your head - does the meaning make sense?
- Prefix/suffix questions: Break the word into parts and define each part
- When choosing between similar words, consider the formality level required
Comparison Tables
Rows
Values
- Present ability
- Informal permission
- General possibility
- No
Property
Can
Values
- Past ability
- Polite request
- Lower possibility
- No
Property
Could
Values
- No
- Formal permission
- Higher possibility
- No
Property
May
Values
- No
- Very polite request
- Low possibility
- No
Property
Might
Values
- No
- No
- Strong certainty
- Strong obligation
Property
Must
Values
- No
- No
- Expectation
- Advice/weak obligation
Property
Should
Columns
- Modal
- Ability
- Permission
- Possibility
- Obligation
Table Title
Modal Verb Functions
Rows
Values
- Same meaning words nearby
- None specific
- heinous crime, wicked act
Property
Synonym
Values
- Opposite meaning shown
- but, however, although
- garrulous, but hardly talks
Property
Antonym
Values
- Direct explanation given
- that is, commas, dashes
- exacerbated - it aches more
Property
Definition
Values
- Use logic and background
- None specific
- acrid smell made eyes water
Property
Inference
Columns
- Type
- How It Works
- Signal Words
- Example
Table Title
Context Clue Types
Rows
Values
- Verb - to influence
- Effect
- Noun - result
- A for Action (verb)
Property
Affect
Values
- To receive
- Except
- To exclude
- Accept = receive ALL
Property
Accept
Values
- Main person/thing
- Principle
- Rule or belief
- Principal = PAL (person)
Property
Principal
Values
- Possessive pronoun
- It's
- It is/it has
- It's has apostrophe for IS
Property
Its
Values
- Possessive pronoun
- You're
- You are
- You're = you ARE
Property
Your
Columns
- Word 1
- Meaning 1
- Word 2
- Meaning 2
- Memory Trick
Table Title
Commonly Confused Word Pairs
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