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 full stop punctuation english

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

She walked to a cafe: there, she ordered a Cappucino.

  1. cafe,

  2. cafe -

  3. cafe.

  4. NO CHANGE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
A full stop should be placed at the end of a declarative or imperative sentence. A declarative sentence states a simple fact or argument whereas, an imperative sentence is one that gives a command.
The given sentences can be defined as declarative sentences and a period should be used between the two. Thus, the correct answer is Option C.
The other remaining options are incorrect. Dashes, like commas and colons are used to indicate emphasis, or interruption, or change of thought.
Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Select the sentence with correct punctuation marks among the options given.
mona said to reena you should discuss your plans.

  1. Mona said to Reena, "You should discuss your plans."

  2. Mona said to Reena, "You should discuss Your Plans."

  3. Mona said to reena, "you should discuss your plans."

  4. Mona said to reena, "you should discuss your plans?"
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

There are certain rules when it comes to capitalizing words; capitalize the first word in quotations, provided the quoted material is a complete sentence, use capitals for proper nouns (names of people, specific places, and things). It is also important to note that full stops are used to mark the end of a sentence that is a complete statement.

In accordance with the above-mentioned rules of punctuation, option A is the correct answer.
Option B is incorrect because the words 'Your Plans' are unnecessarily capitalized as they are not proper nouns.
Option C is incorrect because the proper noun 'Reena' and the first word in the quotation are not capitalized.
Option D is incorrect because the proper noun 'Reena' and the first word in the quotation are not capitalized, and the statement is ending with a question mark even though it is a statement and not a question.

Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Select the option that correctly punctuates the given line:
I am going to watch a movie today

  1. I am going to watch a movie today

  2. I am going to watch a movie today.

  3. I am going to watch a movie today?

  4. I am going to watch a movie today;
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option A - A simple sentence can never end without a punctuation mark. Thus option A is incorrect.

Option C - A simple sentence can never end with a question mark. Thus option C is incorrect.
Option D - A semicolon is used to join two main clauses in a sentence. As the given sentence is one whole sentence, we can't end it with a semicolon. Thus option D is incorrect.
Option B - A simple sentence should always end with a full stop. Thus option B is the correct answer.
'I am going to watch a movie today.'

Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Select the option that correctly punctuates the given line:
Are you coming with us 

  1. Are you coming with us

  2. Are you coming with us,

  3. Are you coming with us!

  4. Are you coming with us?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
Option D is the correct answer because a question mark is correctly used at the end of the sentence thus making it grammatically correct.
Option A is incorrect because the sentence given is a question and requires a question mark at the end.
Option B is incorrect because the comma at the end of the sentence would indicate that the sentence is not complete and is thus grammatically incorrect.
An exclamation mark is used at the end of an exclamatory sentence that express surprise, astonishment, or any other such strong emotion. Option C is incorrect because the sentence in question is not exclamatory in nature.

Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Select the correctly punctuated version of the following sentence:
when will you go to the andaman islands

  1. When will you go to the Andaman islands.

  2. When will you go to the Andaman Islands?

  3. when will you go to the Andaman Islands.

  4. when will you go to the andaman islands?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Firstly, the first letter of a sentence should always be capitalized. Secondly, the given sentence is an interrogative sentence; hence we need to add a question mark at the end of it. A full stop is used in a declarative sentence and not an interrogative sentence. Thus option B is correct, while options A and C are incorrect. Further, a proper noun is always capitalized. In the given sentence, ‘Andaman’ is a proper noun, therefore, it needs to be capitalized. Similarly, the word ‘island’ when accompanied by a proper noun such as ‘Andaman’ would also be capitalized as they function as a unit together. Thus ‘Andaman Islands’ is the correct form of using the words. Therefore option D is incorrect.

Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation marks:
what a pleasant day it is

  1. What a pleasant day it is.

  2. What a Pleasant Day it is!

  3. What a Pleasant Day it is?

  4. What a pleasant day it is!
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
The first letter of a sentence should be capital. So, 'W' in what is capitalised. This sentence expresses a sudden expression which tells that it was a pleasant day. Thus, it is an exclamation. So, ! will come at the end. So, option D is correct.
Option A is incorrect as it ends with a full stop and this isn't an assertive sentence.
Option B is incorrect because P and D in pleasant and day are capitalised respectively. Whereas, pleasant is an adjective and day is a common noun. So, they shouldn't be capitalised. Thus, option B is incorrect.
Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Select the correctly punctuated version of the following sentence:
wow what an expression she had 

  1. Wow! what an expression she had ?

  2. Wow what an expression she had.

  3. Wow! What an expression she had!

  4. Wow! what an expression she had.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

We use an exclamation mark to indicate an exclamatory clause or expression in writing. ‘Wow’ is a commonly used exclamation that indicates surprise. Therefore it should be followed by an exclamation mark. Similarly, ‘What an expression she had’ is another sentence that indicates exclamation, therefore the first letter of the sentence needs to be capitalized and it needs to be followed by an exclamation mark, at the end. Hence option C is correct. A full stop is used in a declarative sentence and not in an exclamatory sentence. Hence options B and D are incorrect. Similarly, a question mark is used to punctuate an interrogative sentence that demands an answer and not an exclamatory sentence that indicates surprise. Thus option A is incorrect.

Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Select the correctly punctuated version of the following sentence:
how is life

  1. How is life.

  2. How is life!

  3. How is life?

  4. How is life,
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The basic rules in punctuating a sentence are that we use a full stop for a declarative sentence, a question mark for an interrogative sentence and an exclamation mark for an exclamatory sentence. Further, a comma is used to indicate the separation of ideas or elements. In the given sentence the speaker enquires about the listener's well being. Thus it is an interrogative sentence that indicates a question. Therefore it needs to be punctuated with a question mark, so option C is correct. Whereas a full stop or exclamation mark cannot be used since it is not a declarative or exclamatory sentence. Hence options A and B are incorrect. Similarly, the sentence doesn’t convey multiple ideas and only poses a question. So a comma cannot be used to punctuate the sentence. Hence option D is incorrect. 

Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Select the correctly punctuated sentence from the options given below:
mother said to me don't be late for dinner

  1. mother said to me, "Don't be late for dinner".

  2. Mother said to me, "Don't be late for dinner."

  3. mother said to Me "Don't be late for dinner."

  4. Mother said to Me "Don't be late for dinner".
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

While punctuating a sentence it is important to capitalize the first letter of the sentence. Whereas the first letter of the words in the middle of a sentence should be lowercase unless it is a proper noun. Thus the first letter in ‘Mother’ has to be uppercase and ‘me’ which appears in the middle should be in lowercase. Hence options A and C are incorrect. Further, while writing a statement in the direct speech there needs to be a comma before the open quotations, as it represents a shift in the idea. Similarly, the full stop should be before the close quotations since it represents the end of the sentence. Hence option B is correct. Option D is incorrect because ‘me’ isn’t in lowercase, there is no comma before the open quotation and the full is placed after the close quotation. 

Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Select the sentence with the correct punctuation marks:
rajans father is coming back from the netherland

  1. Rajan's father is coming back from the NetherLands.

  2. Rajan's father is coming back from the netherlands.

  3. Rajan's father is coming back from the Netherlands.

  4. Rajans father is Coming Back From The Netherands.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

We use an apostrophe to show possession or belonging. We add an apostrophe and a ‘s’ to singular nouns for the same reason. In the given sentence, ‘Rajan’s father’ would be the right way to express belonging. Therefore, option D is incorrect. On the other hand, while punctuating a sentence it is important to capitalize the proper nouns such as the name of a person, place or organization. In the given sentence, ‘Netherland’ is the name of a country and therefore the first letter of the name has to be capitalized. Therefore option C is correct, whereas option B is incorrect. Further ‘Netherland’ is a single unit, i.e. one name; therefore we should not capitalize the ‘l’ in 'lands' which is in the middle of the name. Thus option A is incorrect. 

Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Select the correctly punctuated version of the following sentence:
where did dr. sundhanshu go at noon

  1. Where did Dr. sundhanshu go at noon?

  2. Where did Dr. Sundhanshu go at noon!

  3. Where did Dr. Sundhanshu go at noon?

  4. Where did Dr. Sundhanshu go at noon.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

While punctuating a sentence it is important to capitalize the first letter of the sentence. Also, it is important to capitalize the proper nouns such as the name of a person, place or organization. The first letter in titles is also capitalized. In the given sentence, the proper noun is ‘Sundhanshu’ therefore the ‘s’ in the beginning of his name needs to be capitalized, and cannot be in lowercase. Therefore, option A is incorrect. Further, the basic rules in punctuating a sentence are that we use a full stop for a declarative sentence, a question mark for an interrogative sentence and an exclamation mark for an exclamatory sentence. The given sentence poses a question as to where Dr. Sundhanshu went at noon. Hence it is an example of an interrogative sentence. So it has to be punctuated with a question mark and not a full stop or exclamation mark. Thus option C is correct, whereas options B and D are incorrect.

Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Identify the suitable punctuation(s) for the given sentence:
Inspite of being sick she reported to work

  1. , and ?

  2. , and !

  3. , and .

  4. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, a period is used to mark an end to a complete sentence. A comma is used to generate a pause, which is required in the given sentence. Thus, the correct answer is Option C. 
The remaining options are incorrect. 

Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Punctuate the given sentence, where necessary:
Didn't i tell you that i was going to leave for USA tomorrow?

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. Didn't i tell you that I was going to leave for USA tomorrow?

  3. Didn't i tell you, that, i was going to leave for USA tomorrow?

  4. Didn't I tell you that I was going to leave for USA tomorrow?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

According to general rule, the first word in every sentence should begin with a capital letter. The letter 'I', when referring to yourself should also be capitalized in every sentence. 
When an independent clause is followed by a dependent clause the use of comma should be avoided. 
Thus, according to the rules, the correct answer is Option D. The remaining options are incorrect.

Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Punctuate the given sentence, where necessary:
if i go to work today, i can ask for a leave tomorrow.

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. If I go to work today, I can ask for a leave tomorrow.

  3. IF I GO TO WORK TODAY, I CAN ASK FOR A LEAVE TOMORROW.

  4. If i go to work today, i can ask for a leave tomorrow.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, the first word in every sentence should begin with a capital letter. The letter 'I', when referring to yourself should also be capitalized in every sentence. 
When a dependent clause is followed by an independent clause, a comma is required.
Thus, according to the rules, the correct answer is Option B. The remaining options are incorrect.
Option C - Using all capital letters in a sentence indicates high volume or expression of anger, so it should be avoided.


Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Punctuate the following sentence:
do they have faith in god.

  1. Do they Have faith in God$?$
  2. Do they have faith in God$!$
  3. Do they have faith in God$?$
  4. Do they have faith in god$?$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Option A - As 'have' is not a proper noun, 'h' should not be capitalised. Thus option A is incorrect.

Option B - The sentence starts with 'do' and hence we can understand that the sentence is an interrogatory sentence. As the given sentence is an interrogatory sentence and not an exclamatory sentence, we can't use an exclamation mark here. Hence, option B is incorrect.
Option D - 'God' is a proper noun and hence, 'G' should be capitalised. Thus option D is incorrect.
Option C - As the given sentence is an interrogatory sentence, the sentence ends with a question mark, and 'G' is capitalised as 'God' is a proper noun. Hence, option C is the correct answer.
'Do they have faith in God?'