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

Directions: Change the narration.

I said to him, ''Why are you late?''

  1. I said to him why are you late?

  2. I asked him why he was late.

  3. I asked him why are you late?

  4. I told him why he is late.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Rule 1: Indirect sppech never takes question mark. Rule 2: If reported verb is in the past, reported speech (in indirect form) becomes past. Hence, option 2.

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the narration.

The boy said, ''I am not feeling well."

  1. The boy says that he is not feeling well.

  2. The boy said that he was not feeling well.

  3. The boy said that he is not feeling well.

  4. The boy told that he was not feeling well.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In assertive sentences like this, 'said' remains unchanged and is followed by 'that'. If the reported verb is in the past tense and the reported speech is in the present, reported speech (while change of narration) changes into the past form. Hence, option (1) is correct.

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the narration.

He said to her, ''Are you coming to the party?''

  1. He asked her whether she was coming to the party.

  2. He told her if she was coming to the party.

  3. He asked her if she was coming to the party.

  4. He asked her if she will be coming to the party.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Rule 1: Indirect speech never takes a question mark. Rule 2: If the reported verb is in the past, then the reported speech (in indirect form) is changed into past. Past of 'are' is 'was/were' (depending on situation). Hence, option 3 is correct.

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the narration.

''It's alright, my son; it will soon be over'', said the mother.

  1. The mother said to her son that it was alright and it will soon be over.

  2. The mother told her son that it was alright and it will soon be over.

  3. The mother told her son that it is alright and it would soon be over.

  4. The mother assured her son saying that it was alright and it would soon be over.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

It is a sort of assurance and none of the other options, except option (4), best explains the meaning.

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the narration.

The singer said, ''Hurrah! I have won the prize.''

  1. The singer said that hurrah I have won the prize.

  2. The singer exclaimed with joy that I have won the prize.

  3. The singer exclaimed with joy that he had won the prize.

  4. The singer exclaimed with joy that he has won the prize.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Firstly, this is an exclamation case. Secondly, indirect form of present perfect is past perfect. Hence, option 3 is correct.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct option to complete the conditional sentence.

We ______ enjoyed the concert if the singers _______ been of a good standard.

  1. will have, will have

  2. would have, had

  3. had, will have

  4. would have, will have
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In a Type 3 conditional sentence, the tense in the if clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional or the perfect continuous conditional.

If this thing had happened (If + past perfect) that thing would have happened (perfect conditional or perfect continuous conditional).

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct option to complete the conditional sentence.

If the painter _________ the pots, they __________ shining.

  1. paints, would start

  2. painted, would start

  3. painted, will start

  4. was painting, would be shining
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a hypothetical condition and its probable result. In type 2 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the simple past (painted), and the main clause uses the present conditional (would start).

If this thing happened (If + simple past) that thing would happen or that thing would be happening (present conditional or present continuous conditional).

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct option to complete the conditional sentence.

He ________ been selected for the job if he ______ dressed up properly.

  1. had, would have

  2. has, would have

  3. will have, had

  4. would have, had
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In a Type 3 conditional sentence, the tense in the if clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional or the perfect continuous conditional.

If this thing had happened (If + past perfect) that thing would have happened (perfect conditional or perfect continuous conditional).

Multiple choice

Directions: Complete the given paragraph by selecting the most appropriate answer from the given options and fill blank (8).

The tornado ________ (3) the whole town to the point that nothing was left standing. A black funnel cloud _________ (4) by _________ (5) winds _________ (6) into south Brooklyn and Queens at around 11 a.m., with reports of the _______ (7) storm hitting the ground on the Rockaway Peninsula and Canaries. The unusual storm _______ (8) siding from homes and threw patio furniture high into the sky in the quiet beach neighbourhood.

  1. ripped

  2. exaggerated

  3. ceded
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The meaning of Option 1 is to tear apart roughly. So, the storm tore apart the siding (covering of outer walls) from homes.

Multiple choice

Directions: Complete the given paragraph by selecting the most appropriate answer from the given options and fill blank (7).

The tornado ________ (3) the whole town to the point that nothing was left standing. A black funnel cloud _________ (4) by _________ (5) winds _________ (6) into south Brooklyn and Queens at around 11 a.m., with reports of the _______ (7) storm hitting the ground on the Rockaway Peninsula and Canaries. The unusual storm _______ (8) siding from homes and threw patio furniture high into the sky in the quiet beach neighbourhood.

  1. fragile

  2. diffuse

  3. potent
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The meaning of Option 3 is forceful.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct option to complete the conditional sentence.

His father ______ walked to the station if he _____ been well.

  1. would have, has

  2. had, would have

  3. would have, had

  4. will have, will have
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In a Type 3 conditional sentence, the tense in the if clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional or the perfect continuous conditional.

If this thing had happened (If + past perfect) that thing would have happened (perfect conditional or perfect continuous conditional).

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct option to complete the conditional sentence.

If the washerman ________ the clothes, we ________ them in our cupboards.

  1. washed, would arrange

  2. washed, will arrange

  3. washes, would arrange

  4. is washing, would he arranging
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a hypothetical condition and its probable result. In type 2 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the simple past (washed), and the main clause uses the present conditional (would arrange).

If this thing happened (If + simple past) that thing would happen or that thing would be happening (present conditional or present continuous conditional).

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the voice of the given sentence.

Who taught her such things?

  1. Who was she taught such things by?

  2. She was taught such things by who?

  3. By whom she was taught such things?

  4. By who was she taught such things?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice, we interchange the respective places of the subject and the object. In passive voice, we always use the third form of the verb with the helping verb. Case of past simple tense. In such cases, we use 'was/were' with the third form of the verb.

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the voice of the given sentence.

They are building a house next door to our school

  1. Next door to our school a house is being built by them.

  2. Next door to our school is being built a house by them.

  3. A house next door to our school is being built by them.

  4. A house is being built by them next door to our school.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice, we interchange the respective places of the subject and the object. In passive voice, we always use the third form of the verb with the helping verb. Case of past simple tense. In such cases, we use 'is/are' with the third form of the verb.