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 option to fill in the blank in the following sentence.

No sooner _______ than the police handcuffed him.

  1. he came

  2. did he came

  3. did he come

  4. had he come
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The 'no sooner' construction requires subject-auxiliary inversion. While 'had he come' (past perfect) is often prescribed, 'did he come' (simple past) is acceptable when the focus is on event sequence rather than exact temporal relationship. Options without inversion ('he came') or with incorrect verb forms ('did he came') are grammatically wrong.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following sentence has been broken in three parts (A), (B) and (C). If there is any grammatical error in any of these parts, that is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (D).

At the birthday party, (A)/ Riya ate burger, had fries (B)/ and was drinking Coke. (C)/ No error (D).

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as this part of the sentence has the error. In this sentence, there are two singular simple past tense verbs (ate and had) and one singular past progressive verb (was drinking). To make all the verbs match, ‘was drinking’ should be changed to ‘drank’ (simple past tense).

Multiple choice

I ___ him last Saturday.

  1. have visited

  2. visited

  3. been visited
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The simple past tense 'visited' is correct because 'last Saturday' specifies a particular completed time in the past. 'Have visited' would be present perfect and requires a time frame extending to present (like 'this week'). 'Been visited' is grammatically incorrect as it uses passive voice incorrectly.

Multiple choice

I saw her ___ by the door.

  1. to stand

  2. standing

  3. stands
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The verb 'see' can be followed by object + present participle (-ing) to describe an action in progress. 'I saw her standing' means she was in the act of standing by the door when I saw her. The infinitive 'to stand' would imply purpose, and 'stands' doesn't fit grammatically.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the appropriate option to complete the following sentence.

The pilgrims were very happy ……… the friendly and warm treatment given to them.

  1. of

  2. for

  3. by

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

When expressing happiness or satisfaction ABOUT something, the preposition "with" or "about" is typically used. However, here "by" introduces the agent (the source) of the treatment - they were happy because of (by) the treatment given. "Of" shows cause, "for" shows purpose, and "on" is grammatically incorrect.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the appropriate option to complete the following sentence.

His excitement ………. in a day or two when he returned from the club.

  1. wear of

  2. wore off

  3. wore of

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phrasal verb "wear off" means to gradually diminish or disappear. Excitement "wears off" over time. "Wear of" and "wore of" are incorrect spellings/grammar. The past tense "wore" is correct because the excitement already diminished.