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
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Ram said that what a beautiful scene it was.
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Ram wondered that it was a beautiful scene.
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Ram exclaimed what a beautiful scene it was.
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Ram exclaimed that it was a very beautiful scene.
D
Correct answer
Explanation
In reporting exclamations and wishes, indirect speech is introduced by the verb expressing an exclamation or a wish.'What' becomes 'that' in indirect speech. Hence, option 4.
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He said that he must go next week.
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He said that he must go the following week.
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He said that he would have to go the following week.
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He said that he was to go following week.
C
Correct answer
Explanation
If reporting verb is in the past, reported speech also becomes the past. Past of 'may' or 'must' is 'might' or 'would'. 'Next week' changes into 'following week'. Hence, option 3.
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The boys asked with joy that they have won the game.
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The boys exclaimed with joy that they had won the game.
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The boys told with joy that they had won the game.
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The boys told with joy that they have won the game.
B
Correct answer
Explanation
In reporting exclamations and wishes, indirect speech is introduced by the verb expressing an exclamation or a wish. Hence, option 2.
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The boy said that he was not feeling well.
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The boy says that he was not feeling well.
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The boy said that he is not feeling well.
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The boy told that he was not feeling well.
A
Correct answer
Explanation
In assertive sentences (like this one), 'said' remains unchanged. Pronoun for the first person 'I' is 'he'. 'He' takes auxiliary 'is/was', but here we need past auxiliary, so 'was'. Hence, option (1) is the correct answer.
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He told her whether she was coming to the party.
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He told her if she was coming to the party.
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He asked her if she was coming to the party.
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He asked her if she will be coming to the party?
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Rule 1: Indirect speech never takes question mark. Rule 2: If reported verb is in the past, reported speech (in indirect form) becomes past. Past of 'are' is 'was/were' (depending on the situation). Hence, option 3.
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I said to him why are you late?
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I asked him why he was late.
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I asked him why you are late?
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I told him why he is he late.
B
Correct answer
Explanation
In interrogative sentences like this, 'said to' becomes 'asked' or 'enquired'. If the reported verb is in the past tense and the reported verb is in the present, reported speech (while change of narration) converts into the past. Moreover, indirect speech never takes question mark. Hence, option 2.
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He exclaimed that he had been rich.
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He wished that he had been rich.
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He told that he would be rich.
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He exclaimed that he wanted to be rich.
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The sentence expresses a wish to be rich. Option (2) conveys this sense best.
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Instead of 'fondling', it should be 'fond'.
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a proposal
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a request
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an announcement
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an order
A
Correct answer
Explanation
It is a proposal to do something.
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is leaving
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has left
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had left
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were leaving
C
Correct answer
Explanation
For two events which happened in the past, we use the past perfect tense with the previous event.
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is reading
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was reading
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had been reading
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had read
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The phrase 'at present' indicates an action happening right now, requiring present continuous tense. 'Is reading' correctly shows ongoing present action.
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saw
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seen
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is seeing
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had seen
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Present perfect tense connects a past action to the present moment. 'Have you seen' asks about a past action with present relevance.
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lost
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had lost
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is losing
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will lose
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Past perfect tense shows an action completed before another past action. Losing the way happened before they had gone very far, so 'had lost' is correct.
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will get
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am getting
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had been getting
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had got
A
Correct answer
Explanation
First conditional expresses a possible future condition and its result. 'If it rains' (present) + 'you will get wet' (future) follows the correct pattern.
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wanted
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had wanted
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is wanted
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was wanted
A
Correct answer
Explanation
When referring to a past desire or intention, use simple past tense. The clause 'but he could not' shows past context, so 'wanted' is correct.