English Language

English Grammar and Usage

2,711 Questions

English grammar and usage questions test fundamental sentence structure, correct verb forms, and accurate syntax. Topics include identifying grammatical errors, filling blanks with appropriate verbs, and changing narration. These are essential for the English language sections of competitive exams.

Verb FormsSentence CorrectionTense IdentificationNarration ChangeRelative PronounsSyntactic Productivity

English Grammar and Usage Questions

Multiple choice forms of adverb adverb english

In which sentence does the adjective "close" act as an adverb?

  1. They were close friends once.

  2. Great importance is given to the close bond between mother and child.

  3. They paid close attention to the investigation.

  4. They stood close to each other.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In options A, B and C, "close" is an adjective that describes their respective nouns. In A and B, it describes the relationship or connection while in C, it describes the act of being careful ("attention"). Therefore the three options are incorrect.


In option D, "close" modifies the verb "stood" (stand), making it an adverb. Thus, option D is correct.

Multiple choice forms of adverb adverb english

The adjective "late" can also be used as an adverb. Which of the following sentence contains the adverb?

  1. He slept late and missed his first lecture.

  2. He bore the consequences of his late arrival.

  3. He visited the grave of his late wife.

  4. They're always updated with the latest trends.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In option B, "arrival" is a noun that is modified by "late", making it an adjective. Thus, option B is incorrect. In option C as well, "late" is an adjective that modifies the noun "wife", making it the incorrect option.


"Latest", too, is an adjective (superlative form) in option D. It describes the noun "trends". Thus option D is wrong. In option A, however, "late" is an adverb of time that modifies the verb "slept". Therefore, option A is correct.

Multiple choice forms of adverb adverb english

Complete the sentence using the appropriate adverb form:

She blended into the background ____(easy) due to her timid nature.

  1. with ease

  2. in ease

  3. easyly

  4. easily
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In both option A and B, "ease" modifies neither a noun nor an adverb. Instead, it functions as a noun in both cases. Moreover, prepositions are always followed by a noun. Thus, both option A and B are incorrect.


We know that an adverb is a word that modifies or describes a verb. In option D, "easily" modifies the verb "blended" when used in the given sentence. Then we can say that "easily" is an adverb. Therefore, option D is correct. It follows that option C is incorrect as it contains the incorrect spelling.

Multiple choice forms of adverb adverb english

Which of the following sentence(s) contains an adverb?

  1. She can run very fast.

  2. She was a friendly person.

  3. I was late.

  4. She is a good pianist.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
Adjectives are words that modify or describe nouns.
Not all words that end with "-ly" are adverbs. In option B, "friendly" describes or modifies the noun "person". It tells us what kind of person the subject is. Thus, option B is incorrect since "friendly" is an adjective. In option C, "late" is also an adjective since it gives information or modifies the subject noun "I". Thus, C is incorrect since it is an adjective. In D, "good" describes what kind of pianist the subject is. Thus, it modifies the noun "pianist". Option D, then, is an adjective which makes it the incorrect option.
An adverb usually modifies a verb and sometimes, another adverb or adjective. In option A, "fast" is an adverb as it describes the action or verb "run". "Very" is also an adverb since it describes the intensity of the adverb "fast". Thus, option A is correct.
Multiple choice question mark punctuation english

The following sentence is correctly punctuated:
The book was kept on the table, wasn't it.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The statement is false because the sentence is not punctuated correctly. We use a question at the end of sentences that are part statement and part question. So, the correctly punctuated sentence would be:
The book was kept on the table, wasn't it?

Multiple choice question mark punctuation english

Have you played netball before!

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

  1. before.

  2. before,

  3. before?

  4. NO CHANGE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

To signify that the statement is a direct question, we use a question mark at the end of the sentence. Hence, the correct answer is C) Before?

Multiple choice question mark punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence at the underlined point.

Who is knocking on the door,

  1. door?

  2. door.

  3. door!

  4. NO CHANGE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
The given sentence is in the form of a question. According to general rule, a direct question takes a question mark at the end. Thus, the correct answer is Option A.
Option B is incorrect - A period is used at the end of an indirect sentence. 
Option C is incorrect - An exclamation mark is used to indicate strong feelings or high volume.
Option D is incorrect as, a comma is not used to mark an end to a sentence.

Multiple choice question mark punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence at the underlined point.

Who left the milk outside the refrigerator,

  1. refrigerator.

  2. refrigerator!

  3. refrigerator?

  4. NO CHANGE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Option C is the correct answer because the given sentence starts with the question word 'who' and the tone of the sentence pertains to that of a question. Hence it is only grammatically correct that the question ends with a question mark. 

Option A is incorrect because the given sentence is not a simple statement and hence using a full stop at the end is not grammatically correct. 
An exclamation mark is used when the given sentence has the tone of surprise or excitement. Hence option B is grammatically incorrect.  
Option D is incorrect because no change in the given sentence pattern with a comma at the end would mean that the sentence is incomplete and that more is to follow. 

Multiple choice question mark punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence at the underlined point.

She asked me if she could accompany me to the circus?

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. circus.

  3. circus,

  4. circus;
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, a period is used to mark the end of a complete sentence. Thus, the correct answer will be Option B, in place of the question mark. 
The remaining options are incorrect, as a comma is used to indicate a pause whereas, a semi colon is used to separate major sentence elements. A question mark is used after an interrogatory clause.
Multiple choice question mark punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence at the underlined point.

Did the cat have all the milk?

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. milk.

  3. milk,

  4. milk -
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, a direct question takes a question mark at the end whereas, a period is used at the end of an indirect sentence. The given sentence is in the form of a direct question. Thus, the correct answer is Option A, no change.
Option B is incorrect - A period is used to mark an end to a indirect sentence.
Option C is incorrect as, a comma can not used to mark an end to a sentence.
Option D is incorrect. Dashes are used to indicate a strong pause or change of thought.
Multiple choice question mark punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence at the underlined point.

Is the pink scarf yours?

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. yours,

  3. yours.

  4. yours!
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
The given sentence is in the form of a question. According to general rule, a direct question takes a question mark at the end. Thus, the correct answer is Option A, no change.
Option B is incorrect as, a comma is not used to mark an end to a sentence.
Option C is incorrect - A period is used at the end of an indirect sentence. 
Option D is incorrect - An exclamation mark is used to indicate strong feelings or high volume.
Multiple choice question mark punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence at the underlined point.

Do my new jeans need washing?

  1. washing,

  2. washing.

  3. washing!

  4. NO CHANGE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
The given sentence is in the form of a question. According to general rule, a direct question takes a question mark at the end. Thus, the correct answer is Option D, no change.
Option A is incorrect as, a comma is not used to mark an end to a sentence.
Option B is incorrect - A period is used at the end of an indirect sentence. 
Option C is incorrect - An exclamation mark is used to indicate strong feelings or high volume.

Multiple choice question mark punctuation english

Have you ever seen a rainbow?

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

  1. rainbow.

  2. rainbow!

  3. rainbow ...

  4. NO CHANGE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
To signify that the statement is a direct question, we use a question mark at the end of the sentence. Hence, the correct answer is D) No Change.
Multiple choice question mark punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part.

Who will be performing on the stage for the show? The students. The teachers. Or both.

  1. show. The students? The teachers? Or both?

  2. show? The students? The teachers? Or both?

  3. show ... the students? The teachers? Or both?

  4. NO CHANGE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
All the parts given are direct questions. So, each part must be followed by a question mark. Hence, the correct option is B). 
Multiple choice question mark punctuation english

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence at the underlined point.

She asked me if her brother had returned home.

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. home?

  3. home,

  4. home -
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, a direct question takes a question mark at the end whereas, a period is used at the end of an indirect sentence. The given sentence is in indirect form. Thus, the correct answer is Option A, no change.
Option B is incorrect - A question mark is used after a direct question. 
Option C is incorrect as, a comma is not used to mark an end to a sentence.
Option D is incorrect - Dashes are used to indicate a strong pause or interruption in a sentence.