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

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

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

Ramappa ........... as the Mayor of the town and he will assume charge this Friday.

  1. elects

  2. elected

  3. is elected

  4. is electing
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence requires a passive voice construction to indicate that Ramappa was elected by others. 'Is elected' (present passive) is correct here as it describes his current status as Mayor-elect. The future tense 'will assume charge' confirms this is about his current election status.

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.

Multiple choice

Directions: Complete the following text by selecting the most appropriate option.

A child studying in Class-III says, “I dranked the water.” It indicates that the child

  1. has overgeneralised the rule for marking past tense verb, showing that learning is taking place

  2. is careless and needs to be told that she should be conscious of such errors

  3. has not learnt grammar rules properly

  4. should memorise the correct sentence
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The child has correctly learned that past tense verbs often end with '-ed' (walk-walked, talk-talked) and is applying this rule to 'drink'. This overgeneralization is a normal part of language development showing the child is actively learning grammar patterns, not making careless errors. Options B and C incorrectly treat this as a failure to learn, while D's memorization approach doesn't address the underlying learning process.

Multiple choice

Name the correct form of the main verb, which is used in Perfect Continuous Tense.

  1. Past Participle

  2. Past

  3. Present participle

  4. Present

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

In Perfect Continuous Tense, the structure is auxiliary verbs (have/has/had + been) + main verb in -ing form. This -ing form is called the Present Participle. For example: "has been working" (Present Perfect Continuous) or "had been sleeping" (Past Perfect Continuous). Past Participle is used in Perfect tenses (without continuous) like "has worked".