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 sentence out of the following that is correctly punctuated.

  1. The interviewer said to the candidate, “where have you done your schooling from?” “I have done my schooling from Jesus & Marie convent school?”, the candidate said.

  2. The interviewer said to the candidate, ”Where have you done your schooling from?” “I have done my schooling from Jesus & Marie convent school?”, said the candidate.

  3. The interviewer said to the candidate: ”Where have you done your schooling from?” “I have done my schooling from Jesus & Marie Convent School?”, the candidate said.

  4. The interviewer said to the candidate, “Where have you done your schooling from?” “I have done my schooling from Jesus and Marie Convent School?” the candidate said.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In direct form of narration, the reported speech is put within quote marks and it is separated from reporting work through a comma (,). The question mark is put after the reported speech. The indirect form of narration does not use question mark.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence out of the following that is correctly punctuated.

  1. “You are again late today for the class”, said the teacher to Mark, “why don’t you tell your father to drop you at school in the mornings?“.

  2. “You are again late today for the class”, said the teacher to Mark. “Why don’t you tell your father to drop you at school in the mornings?”

  3. “You are again late today for the class”, said the teacher to Mark. “Why don’t you tell your father to drop you, at school, in the mornings?“

  4. “You are again late today for the class”, said the teacher to Mark, “why don’t you tell your father to drop you at school in the mornings?“
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In direct form of narration, the reported speech is put within quote marks and it is separated from reporting work through a comma (,). The question mark is put after the reported speech. The indirect form of narration does not use question mark.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence out of the following that is correctly punctuated.

  1. The traveller said,” can you tell me the way to the nearest inn?” “Yes.”,” But, Do you need one in which you can spend the night?” said the peasant.

  2. The traveller said,” Can you tell me the way to the nearest inn?” “Yes.”,” But, do you need one in which you can spend the night?” said the peasant.”

  3. The traveller said, “Can you tell me the way to the nearest inn?” “Yes, but, do you need one in which you can spend the night?” said the peasant.

  4. The traveller said,” Can you tell me the way to the nearest inn?” “Yes, but do you need one in which you can spend the night?” said the peasant.”

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

In direct form of narration, the reported speech is put within quote marks and it is separated from reporting work through a comma (,). The question mark is put after the reported speech. The indirect form of narration does not use question mark.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence out of the following that is correctly punctuated.

  1. ”What time will you be back, sister?” “I need your help in my science assignment”, said Sophie. “Sure, dear.” “I shall be back by the afternoon”, said Anita.

  2. ”What time will you be back, sister? I need your help in my science assignment”, said Sophie. “Sure, dear. I shall be back by the afternoon”, said Anita.

  3. ”What time will you be back, sister?” “I need your help in my science assignment.” said Sophie. “Sure, dear.” “I shall be back by the afternoon”, said Anita

  4. ”What time will you be back sister? I need your help in my science assignment.” said Sophie. “Sure! Dear.” “I shall be back by the afternoon”, said Anita.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In direct form of narration, the reported speech is put within quote marks and it is separated from reporting work through a comma (,). The question mark is put after the reported speech. The indirect form of narration does not use question mark.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence out of the following that is correctly punctuated.

  1. The traveller said,” can you tell me the way to the nearest inn?” “Yes.”,” But, Do you need one in which you can spend the night?” said the peasant.

  2. The traveller said,” Can you tell me the way to the nearest inn?” “Yes.”,” But, do you need one in which you can spend the night?” said the peasant.”

  3. The traveller said, “Can you tell me the way to the nearest inn?” “Yes, but, do you need one in which you can spend the night?” said the peasant.

  4. The traveller said,” Can you tell me the way to the nearest inn?” “Yes, but do you need one in which you can spend the night?” said the peasant.”

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

In direct form of narration, the reported speech is put within quote marks and it is separated from reporting work through a comma (,). The question mark is put after the reported speech. The indirect form of narration does not use question mark.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence out of the following that is correctly punctuated.

  1. “Annie, you can get the school leaving certificate only if you have your detailed marks card of the previous year with you”, said the Principal. “I shall bring that and present it before you tomorrow, sir”

  2. “Annie, you can get the School Leaving Certificate only if you have your Detailed Marks Card of the previous year with you”, said the Principal. “I shall bring that and present it before you tomorrow, sir.”

  3. “Annie, you can get the school leaving certificate only if you have your detailed marks card of the previous year with you,” said the Principal. “I shall bring that and present it before you tomorrow, sir!”

  4. “Annie, you can get the School Leaving Certificate, only if you have your Detailed Marks Card, of the previous year, with you”, said the Principal. “I shall bring that and present it before you tomorrow, sir!”
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In direct form of narration, the reported speech is put within quote marks and it is separated from reporting work through a comma (,). The question mark is put after the reported speech. The indirect form of narration does not use question mark.When we emphasize on something, we use exclamation mark.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence out of the following that is correctly punctuated.

  1. The man said, “Do you want work, young boy?” “Yes, if you have any”, said the boy.

  2. The man said, “Do you want work? Young boy” “Yes, if you have any”, said the boy.

  3. The man said, “Do you want work? Young boy” “Yes if you have any”, said the boy.

  4. The man said, “Do you want work young boy?” “Yes if you have any”, said the boy.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In direct form of narration, the reported speech is put within quote marks and it is separated from reporting work through a comma (,). The question mark is put after the reported speech. The indirect form of narration does not use question mark.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence out of the following that is correctly punctuated.

  1. “Take your umbrella son as it is raining heavily,” said the mother. “Sure mother, I will,” said the boy.

  2. “Take your umbrella son, as it is raining heavily”, said the mother. “Sure, mother. I will,” said the boy.

  3. “Take your umbrella son, as it is raining heavily,” said the mother. “Sure mother! I will,” said the boy.

  4. “Take your umbrella son as it is raining heavily”, said the mother. “Sure, mother! I will,” said the boy.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In direct form of narration, the reported speech is put within quote marks and it is separated from reporting work through a comma (,). The question mark is put after the reported speech. The indirect form of narration does not use question mark.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence out of the following that is correctly punctuated.

  1. What are you charging for this doll?”, said the lady. “Fifty dollars, please,” said the salesman “won’t you charge forty for it?”, said the lady, “you should know that our prices are fixed and we don’t bargain like others, madam”, said the shopkeeper after a pause.

  2. What are you charging for this doll”, said the lady?” Fifty dollars, please,” said the salesman. ”Won’t you charge forty for it”, said the lady? “You should know that our prices are fixed and we don’t bargain like others madam”, said the shopkeeper after a pause.

  3. “What are you charging for this doll?”, said the lady.” Fifty dollars, please,” said the salesman. ”Won’t you charge forty for it?”, said the lady. ”You should know that our prices are fixed and we don’t bargain like others madam”, said the shopkeeper after a pause.

  4. “What are you charging for this doll?” said the lady. “Fifty dollars, please”, said the salesman. ”Won’t you charge forty for it?” said the lady. “You should know that our prices are fixed and we don’t bargain like others, madam”, said the shopkeeper after a pause.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In direct form of narration, the reported speech is put within quote marks and it is separated from reporting work through a comma (,). The question mark is put after the reported speech. The indirect form of narration does not use question mark.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence out of the following that is correctly punctuated.

  1. “When will you join back?” said the teacher. “I shall join back on Monday teacher”, said Mohan.

  2. “When will you join back?”, said the teacher. “I shall join back on Monday, teacher”, said Mohan.

  3. “When will you join back”, said the teacher. “I shall join back on Monday, teacher”, said Mohan.

  4. “When will you join back?” said the teacher. “I shall join back on Monday, teacher”, said Mohan.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In direct form of narration, the reported speech is put within quote marks and it is separated from reporting work through a comma (,). The question mark is put after the reported speech. The indirect form of narration does not use question mark.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the option that that corrects and improves the sentence.

The board of directors of RBI will hold it's next meeting in December.

  1. will hold it's next meeting in December

  2. is going to hold its next meeting in December

  3. shall hold it's next meeting in December

  4. are going to hold their next meeting in December

  5. will hold its next meeting in December
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Correct; both the verb and the pronoun are in correct form.

Multiple choice

In which cluster all the phrasal verbs are inseparable?

  1. Bring out, buy out, burn down, dress up

  2. Fix up, keep up, leave out, do without

  3. Hand over, hold off, call for, drop out of

  4. Figure out, fill up, fill out, cut in on

  5. Get off, get in, get on, go for
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

All of these are inseparable.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the grammatically correct option from the following:

  1. I live in a house in a street in the countryside. The street is called ‘’Bear Street’’ and the house is old – more than 100 years old!

  2. I live in the house in the street countryside. The street is called ‘’Bear Street’’ and the house is old – more then 100 years old!

  3. I live in a house in the street in the countryside. The street is called ‘’Bear Street’’ and the house is old – more than 100 years old!

  4. I live in a house in a street in the countryside. The street is called ‘’Bear Street’’ and a house is old – more than 100 years old!
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Option A uses articles correctly: 'in a house' (first mention), 'in a street' (first mention), 'the street' (specific reference), 'the house' (specific reference). Option B omits 'a' before 'street', uses 'then' instead of 'than'. Option C and D misuse articles in later references.