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

How is the infinitive used in the following sentence?

To forgive is divine.

  1. Like an object

  2. Like a subject

  3. Both (1) and (2)

  4. Neither (1) nor (2)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

(1) is incorrect because an object comes after the verb whereas in the given sentence, the infinitive appears before the verb. (3) is not applicable because (2) is correct and (1) is incorrect. (4) is not applicable because (2) is correct and (1) is incorrect. Answer: (2)

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the kind of infinitive used in the following sentence.

They expected to have played the match well.

  1. Perfect Infinitive

  2. Present Infinitive

  3. Both (1) and (2)

  4. None of the above

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

We form the perfect infinitive with 'to + have + the -ed form of a verb'. We use the perfect infinitive after verbs such as claim, expect, hate, hope, like, love, prefer, pretend. (3) is not applicable because (1) is correct and (2) is incorrect. (4) is not applicable because (1) is correct and (2) is incorrect and (3) is also incorrect. Answer: (1) 

Multiple choice

Directions: Join the following pair of sentences using an infinitive.

(A) He has six children. (B) He must provide for them.

  1. He has six children which must be provided for.

  2. He has six children whom he must provide for.

  3. He has six children to provide for.

  4. He has six children who must be provide for.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

(1), (2) and (4) are incorrect because the given question requires an infinitive to be used to combine the given pair of sentences whereas none of the (1), (2) and (4) is making use of 'to' to make the sentence look like having been used as an infinitive.

Multiple choice

Directions: Identify the correct idiom or phrase to complete the sentence.

My mother __________ for coming home late.

  1. stripped me off

  2. took a strip off me

  3. struck me off

  4. took a strike off me
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'To take a strip off someone' is an idiom meaning to scold, reprimand, or criticize them severely - often in a verbal beratement. When a mother 'takes a strip off' her child, she's giving them a strong verbal scolding for misbehavior (like coming home late). Option B 'took a strip off me' is the correct idiom form.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct alternative to fill in the blank in the following sentence.

Tourists always enjoyed .................... the setting sun in the Darjeeling hills.

  1. to watch

  2. watching

  3. in seeing

  4. seeing
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The verb 'enjoy' is followed by the gerund 'watching', not the infinitive 'to watch'. This is a standard English grammar rule - enjoy + gerund. 'In seeing' is grammatically awkward. 'Seeing' would work but 'watching' is more natural for the setting sun, which involves a dynamic process. Tourists experience the sunset as an ongoing activity.

Multiple choice

Tick the correct sentence.

  1. Neither Ram or Shyam has done it.

  2. Either Ram nor Shyam has done it.

  3. Both Ram and Shyam has done it.

  4. Neither Ram nor Shyam has done it.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Neither/nor requires a singular verb when referring to singular subjects. Option A incorrectly uses 'or' instead of 'nor'. Option B incorrectly mixes 'either' with 'nor' (should be either/or). Option C incorrectly uses 'has' with 'both...and' (should be 'have' for plural). Option D correctly uses 'neither Ram nor Shyam has' with singular verb 'has' for two singular subjects joined by nor.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the correct form of the sentence, 'I have often found him negligent …… his work'?

  1. I have often found him negligent in his work.

  2. I have often found him negligent of his work.

  3. I have often found him negligent to his work.

  4. I have often found him negligent with his work.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The correct preposition after 'negligent' when indicating what someone has been careless with is 'of.' One is negligent 'of' one's work, duties, or responsibilities. We use 'in' for other contexts (negligent in performing), but the standard expression is 'negligent of work.' 'To' and 'with' are not correct in this context.

Multiple choice

Directions: Punctuate the following sentence and choose the correct option.

�She called out angrily so you have been hitting makhan again phatik answered indignantly no I have not who told you that'.

  1. She called out angrily, so you have been hitting Makhan again. Phatik answered indignantly. 'No, I have not. who told you that'.

  2. She called out angrily, 'So you have been hitting Makhan again.' Phatik answered indignantly. 'No, I haven't. who told you that'.

  3. She called out angrily. 'So you have been hitting Makhan again?' Phatik answered indignantly, 'No, I haven't. Who told you that?'

  4. She called out angrily, 'So you have been hitting Makhan?' Again Pharik answered indignantly. 'No, I haven't. Who told you that?'
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This requires proper punctuation of dialogue. Option C correctly uses: angry statement + question mark for accusation, indignantly + comma for speaker tag, question marks for 'Who told you that?' The semicolons in original text separate parallel clauses appropriately.