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 punctuation punctuation english

Punctuate the given sentence where required:
love is strength it makes us see things differently than before

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. Love is strength: it makes us see things differently than before.

  3. love is strength: it makes us see things differently than before

  4. Love is strength it makes us see things differently than before.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, a colon is used to connect two independent clauses that are closely related or, when one illustrates or explains the other.
The first word in every sentence should begin with a capital letter and a declaratory sentence should always end with a period.
Thus, according to the rules, the correct answer is Option B.
The remaining options are incorrect.
Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Choose the option with the correct punctuation marks:
the principal said to me are you going today

  1. The principal said to me, "Are you going today".

  2. The Principal said to me, "Are you going today" ?

  3. The principal said to me, "Are you going today?"

  4. The Principal said to me, "are you going today.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
The given sentence is in direct speech. The rules for punctuation in a sentence in direct speech are:
If the direct speech comes after the word indicating the speaker, a comma should be used to introduce the piece of speech. The words that are actually spoken should be enclosed in inverted commas ("..."). There should be a comma, full stop, question mark or exclamation mark at the end of the speech depending on the type of speech the sentence is. This mark is to be placed inside the closing inverted comma.
In the given sentence, the speaker is the principal. The words, 'Are you going today?" are spoken by the principal. As it is a question, the speech has to be ended with a question mark inside the inverted comma. 
Option A: The speech is incorrectly punctuated by a full stop instead of a question mark. Further, the punctuation mark is outside the inverted comma. Hence, this is incorrect. 
Option B: Here, the punctuation mark is outside the inverted comma. Further the common noun, 'principal' is incorrectly capitalized. Hence, this is incorrect. 
Option C: Here, the speech is introduced by placing a comma before the speech. The speech itself is inside the inverted comma. The speech is also correctly punctuated by a question mark, which is within the inverted comma. Hence, this is correct.
Option D: The speech is incorrectly punctuated by a full stop instead of a question mark. Further, the inverted comma is not used to end the speech. Hence, this is incorrect. 
    Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

    Choose the option with the correct punctuation marks:
    aparna and namita are my friends

    1. Aparna and namita are my Friends.

    2. Aparna and Namita are my friends.

    3. Aparna and namita are my Friends?

    4. Aparna and namita are my Friends!
    Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
    B Correct answer
    Explanation

    The given sentence is an assertive or declarative sentence. Hence, it has to end with a full stop. As the words, 'Aparna' and 'Namita' are proper names, the first letter of these words should be capitalized. As the word 'friends' is a common name, the first letter of this word should not be capitalized. 

    Option A is incorrect as the letter 'n' in 'Namita' is not capitalized and the letter 'f' in 'friends' is incorrectly capitalized. 
    Option B is correct as it is punctuated as per the rules mentioned above.
    Option C is incorrect as the letter 'n' in 'Namita' is not capitalized. Further, the sentence wrongly ends with a question mark instead of a full stop.
    Option A is incorrect as the letter 'n' in 'Namita' is not capitalized and the letter 'f' in 'friends' is incorrectly capitalized. Further, the sentence wrongly ends with an exclamation mark instead of a full stop.
      

    Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

    Choose the option with the correct punctuation marks:
    mr sharma and his wife nandini came home late.

    1. Mr. sharma and his wife nandini came home late.

    2. Mr Sharma and his wife nandini came home late.

    3. Mr. Sharma and his wife, Nandini came home late.

    4. Mr Sharma and his wife nandini came home late !
    Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
    C Correct answer
    Explanation

    The word, 'Mr.' is an abbreviation of the word, 'Mister' and is used as a title for men. The letters, 'Mr' are to be followed by a dot. 

    'Sharma' and 'Nandini' are proper nouns denoting names of people. The first letters of these words, i.e 's' and 'n' have to be capitalised. 
    The given sentence is an assertive sentence. Hence, it has to end with a full stop. 
    The words 'his wife' and 'Nandini' refer to the same person. A comma is used in between two such nouns (They are called nouns, in apposition). The correct way of writing is: His wife, Nandini. 
    Option A is incorrect as the first letters of the proper names 'Sharma' and 'Nandini' are not capitalised. There is no comma between the words, 'his wife' and 'Nandini. 
    Option B is incorrect as the first letter of the proper name 'Nandini' is not capitalised. There is no comma between the words, 'his wife' and 'Nandini. 
    Option D is incorrect as the word 'Mr' is not followed by a dot. The first letter of the proper name 'Nandini' is not capitalised. There is no comma between the words, 'his wife' and 'Nandini'. An exclamatory mark at the end of an assertive sentence is grammatically incorrect. Given these errors, this option is incorrect.
    Option C is correct as all the above punctuation rules are followed. 

    Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

    Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation marks:
    what an interesting movie

    1. What an interesting movie.

    2. What an interesting movie,

    3. What an interesting movie!

    4. What an interesting movie?
    Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
    C Correct answer
    Explanation
    An exclamation mark is used to express strong feelings or high volume. The given sentence describes strong expressions of joy, so an exclamation mark must be used ta the end of the sentence.
    Thus, the correct answer is Option C. The remaining options are incorrect.
    A question marks is used to indicate an interrogatory clause, whereas a period is used to mark an end to a declaratory sentence. A comma cannot be used to mark an end to a sentence.
    Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

    Select the sentence with the correct punctuation marks:
    jyoti khanna reads the tribune daily

    1. Jyoti Khanna reads the tribune daily.

    2. Jyoti Khanna reads the Tribune daily.

    3. Jyoti Khanna reads The tribune daily.

    4. Jyoti Khanna reads The Tribune daily.
    Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
    D Correct answer
    Explanation

    According to rules, the proper nouns in a sentence, such as names of people and titles of articles and publications must always be capitalized. Thus, the correct answer will be Option D and the remaining options will be incorrect, according to the rules.

    Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

    Select the sentence with the correct punctuation marks:
    physics is my favourite subject

    1. Physics is my favourite subject.

    2. physics is my Favourite Subject.

    3. Physics is my favourite Subject.

    4. physics is my Favourite subject.
    Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
    A Correct answer
    Explanation
    According to general rule, the first word of every sentence must begin with a capital letter. Proper nouns are also capitalized in a sentence, however capitalizing regular nouns is incorrect.
    Thus, the correct form of writing the given sentence is Option A. The remaining options are incorrect.
    Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

    Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation marks:
    are you listening to me ronnie

    1. Are you listening to me, Ronnie?

    2. Are you listening to me ronnie?

    3. Are you listening , to me Ronnie ?

    4. Are you ,listening to me ronnie ?
    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. A comma is used to generate a pause in a sentence and in the given sentence, a comma must be used before the name for required emphasis.
    Thus, according tot the rules, the correct answer is Option A. The remaining options are incorrect.
    Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

    Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation marks:
    I have bought a book two pens a pencil and an eraser

    1. I have bought a book ; two pens ; a pencil and an eraser.

    2. I have bought a book -two pens - a pencil and an eraser.

    3. I have bought a book, two pens, a pencil and an eraser.

    4. I have bought a book , two pens ; a pencil and an eraser.
    Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
    C Correct answer
    Explanation
    According to general rule, a comma is used to separate different items in a list. Thus, the correct answer is Option C.
    The remaining options are incorrect. A semi colon is used in a list with internal commas whereas, a pair of dashes are used in place of parentheses for emphasis.
    Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

    Select the sentence with the correct punctuation marks:
    mohit said we will play in the evening

    1. Mohit said, "We will play in the evening."

    2. Mohit said " we will play in the evening ."

    3. Mohit said , " we Will play in the evening ? "

    4. Mohit said , " We Will play in the evening !"
    Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
    A Correct answer
    Explanation
    According to general rule, the first word of every sentence must begin with a capital letter. The first letter of a quotation is also capitalized if it begins a complete sentence. 
    A period is used to mark the end of a declaratory sentence.
    Thus, the correct form of writing the given sentence is Option A. The remaining options are incorrect.
    Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

    Select the sentence with the correct punctuation marks:
    i went to mussoorie during summer holidays

    1. I went Mussoorie during summer Holidays.

    2. I went to Mussoorie during summer holidays.

    3. I went to mussoorie during summer holidays.

    4. i went to Mussoorie during summer Holidays.
    Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
    B Correct answer
    Explanation
    According to general rule, the first word of every sentence must begin with a capital letter. Proper nouns are also capitalized in a sentence, however capitalizing regular nouns is incorrect.
    Thus, the correct form of writing the given sentence is Option B. The remaining options are incorrect.
    Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

    Select the sentence with the correct punctuation marks:
    santa claus brings us gift on christmas

    1. Santa Claus brings us gifts on Christmas.

    2. Santa Claus brings Us Gifts on christmas.

    3. Santa Claus brings Us Gifts on Christmas.

    4. santa Claus brings Us gifts on christmas.
    Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
    A Correct answer
    Explanation
    According to general rule, the first word of every sentence must begin with a capital letter. Proper nouns are also capitalized in a sentence, however capitalizing regular nouns is incorrect.
    Thus, the correct form of writing the given sentence is Option A. The remaining options are incorrect.
    Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

    Select the sentence with the correct punctuation marks:
    one night i decided to go to see the red fort

    1. One night, I decided to go to see the Red Fort.

    2. one night I decided to go to see the red fort.

    3. One night i decided to go to see the Red fort.

    4. One night, I decided to go to see the red fort.
    Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
    A Correct answer
    Explanation
    According to general rule, the first word of every sentence must begin with a capital letter. The proper nouns, such as names of people, places should also be capitalized. The pronoun 'I' is also always capitalized.
    A comma is used to generate a required pause in a sentence.
    Thus, the correct form of writing the given sentence is Option A. The remaining options are incorrect.
    Multiple choice ellipses punctuation english

    Re-write the sentence using an ellipses:
    In the morning, after we finished our breakfast, we went for a movie.

    1. NO CHANGE

    2. In the morning, after we finished our breakfast; we went for a movie.

    3. In the morning ... we went for a movie.

    4. In the morning (after we finished our breakfast) we went for a movie.
    Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
    C Correct answer
    Explanation

    Ellipsis is a punctuation mark consisting of three dots. It is used to show omission of words in the middle of sentence. It shows speaker has trailed off and left a sentence. Thus, option C is correct according to the rule where 'after we finished our breakfast' has been omitted. . 

    Multiple choice ellipses punctuation english

    Choose the sentence that contains an ellipses:

    1. Last night, we couldn't sleep well.

    2. Last night; we couldn't sleep well.

    3. Last night ... we couldn't sleep well.

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

    Ellipsis is a punctuation mark consisting of three dots. It is used to show omission of words in the middle of sentence. It shows speaker has trailed off and left a sentence. Thus, option C is correct according to the rule.