English Language

English Grammar and Usage

2,780 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 introduction to clauses sentences english

Choose the type of clause underlined in the following sentence:
My boss, who is very friendly, lives in Manchester.

  1. Noun clause

  2. Adverb clause of frequency

  3. Adverb clause of time

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

Relative clauses are joined to the main clauses by relative pronouns like "who" and give extra information about the noun, here "boss". Hence, Option D is correct. The rest of the options do not adhere to the rule, hence, incorrect. 

Multiple choice introduction to clauses sentences english

Choose the part that contains a defining relative clause:
The pants which I bought from Delhi don't fit me anymore.

  1. which I bought from Delhi

  2. don't fit me anymore

  3. The pants which I bought

  4. The pants don't fit me anymore
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A defining relative clause gives essential information about someone or something, whereas a non-defining relative clause gives extra or unrelated information about someone/something.
The clause "which I bought from Delhi" is a relative clause that defines the noun "pants" by pointing out which pants. Hence it is the defining clause and option A is correct.
Option B is incorrect because this forms the predicate of the sentence (that begins with the main verb "don't fit) whereas the relative clause does not contain the main verb.
Option C is incorrect because it isn't a relative clause, it contains the subject "The pants" and a part of the relative clause "which I bought".
Option D is incorrect because this is a main clause, excluding the relative clause.

Multiple choice introduction to clauses sentences english

Choose the non-finite clause in the given sentence:
I am so excited to be here.

  1. I am so excited

  2. to be here

  3. excited to be here

  4. No option
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A finite clause contains a verb that shows tense whereas a non-finite clause contains a verb that does not show tense. The latter is often seen in subordinate clauses, where the tense is figured out through the main clause.

Option B contains an infinitive phrase "to be", which is a verb form, it does not show any tense, hence it is a non-finite clause and option B is correct.
Option A shows a tense: "am" is a verb in the present tense. Hence it isn't a non-finite clause and option A is incorrect.
Option C option does not qualify as a clause, hence it is incorrect.
Option D is incorrect because the answer lies in B.

Multiple choice introduction to clauses sentences english

He gave away the beautiful porcelain that his uncle had graciously given him when he was in a sullen mood.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

  1. When he was in a sullen mood, he gave away the beautiful porcelain that his uncle had graciously given him.

  2. He gave away the beautiful porcelain, when he was in a sullen mood, that his uncle had graciously given him.

  3. The beautiful porcelain that his uncle had graciously given him, he gave away when he was in a sullen mood.

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

Since the sullen mood is an adverb for the action of giving away, the clause "when...mood" should be placed nearest to "he gave away..." without changing the meaning. Hence Option A is correct. The rest of the options do not place the qualifying clauses together, hence incorrect. 

Multiple choice introduction to clauses sentences english

James was enjoying a quiet afternoon when Amy and Ted visited him playing his piano.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

  1. James was playing his piano when Amy and Ted visited him enjoying a quiet afternoon.

  2. When Amy and Ted visited him playing his piano, James was enjoying a quiet afternoon.

  3. James was enjoying a quiet afternoon playing his piano, when Amy and Ted visited him.

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

Since "playing his piano" is qualified by "when...visited him", these should be placed close together. Hence, option C is correct. The rest of the options do not place the qualifying clauses together, hence these are incorrect. 

Multiple choice introduction to clauses sentences english

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence:

The acrobat did not perform the stunts which had been taught him to his satisfaction.

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. The acrobat did not perform the stunts, which had been taught to him, to his satisfaction.

  3. The acrobat did not to his satisfaction perform the stunts which had been taught to him.

  4. To his satisfaction, the acrobat did not perform the stunts which had been taught him.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence as such requires no change, except the demarcation of the clauses by commas, for the word" stunts" is qualified by "which ...him" and placed together. Hence, Option B is correct. The rest of the options do not completely adhere to the goal, hence incorrect. 

Multiple choice introduction to clauses sentences english

Daniel's lost keys were found in a drawer in the desk on which the dog biscuits lay eaten by his child.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. Daniel's lost keys were found in a drawer by his child in the desk on which the dog biscuits lay eaten.

  3. Daniel's lost keys were found in a drawer in the desk by his child on which the dog biscuits lay eaten.

  4. Daniel's lost keys were found by his child in a drawer in the desk on which the dog biscuits lay eaten.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The clause "Daniel's...found" qualifies "his child"  and "the desk...eaten" qualifies "drawer". Hence these should be grouped together. Therefore Option D is correct. The rest of the options do not adhere to the goal, hence incorrect.

Multiple choice forms of adverb adverb english

Choose the right adverb for the following sentence:

Nikki drove ____ along the narrow road.

  1. careful

  2. with care

  3. carefully

  4. Both A and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

"Careful" is an adjective which makes option A incorrect. Since option A is wrong, D, too is wrong. "Care", in option B, is a noun preceded by the preposition "with". Thus, option B is incorrect as well.


Option C's "carefully" is an adverb since it modifies the verb "drove". It is, therefore, correct.

Multiple choice forms of adverb adverb english

Choose whether the following is true or false:
The underlined word is an adverb - 'He rode the bike fast.'

  1. True

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

The given statement is true. The word ‘fast’ is used both as an adjective and adverb. Both adjectives and adverbs are used for describing something, the noun, and the verb respectively. Although adverbs are commonly formed by adding ‘ly’ to the adjective, in some exceptional cases the adverbs have the same form as the adjective. ‘Fast’ is an example of this. There are a number of adjectives and adverbs that take the same form. Therefore the use of the words depends on the context of the sentence and where the words are placed. The adverbs either occur at beginning or end of the sentence; mostly after the verb since it describes the verb. In the given sentence the word ‘fast’ describes how the act of riding the bike was performed. Hence the given statement is true.

Multiple choice forms of adverb adverb english

Choose the sentence with the appropriate adjective:

  1. She did good on the test.

  2. She speaks English well.

  3. I feel well today.

  4. Well, I didn't think this would happen.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In option A, "good" is used as an adverb. It modifies how she "did" in the test. Therefore, A is incorrect. "Well" in option D is an exclamation and not an adjective while in B, it is an adverb that modifies the verb "speaks". Thus options B and D are incorrect.


Now, well is usually used as an adverb in most sentences. However, in certain cases, "well" can be used as an adjective to modify a noun. The adjective "well" is usually used to indicate good health, which is what it does in option C. Moreover, linking verbs like feel, seem, etc. are always followed by adjectives. This is because a linking verb does not express an action, but connects the subject of the verb to additional information about the subject. In option C, "well" is an adjective that describes the subject's good health. Therefore, option C is correct.

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?