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: In the following question, four options are given. You have to choose the best way of writing the sentence in the context of correct English usage. Ensure that the meaning of the sentence remains unchanged.

Having solved all the questions, the teacher gave us chocolates.

  1. Having solved all the questions, the teacher gave us chocolates.

  2. After we had solved all the questions, the teacher gave us chocolates.

  3. The teacher gave us chocolates, having solved all the questions.

  4. After we solved all the questions, the teacher gave us chocolates.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

 After the action had been done (by someone). Thus, past perfect (option 2) is the correct usage.

Multiple choice

Directions: Which of the following alternatives correctly rectifies the given sentence. If the sentence is correct as it is, choose option (1) as your answer.

The children enjoyed during their trip to Manali.

  1. The children enjoyed during their trip to Manali.

  2. The children enjoyed on their trip to Manali.

  3. The children had enjoyed during their trip to Manali.

  4. The children enjoyed themselves during their trip to Manali.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

What is it that the children enjoyed or whom? The correct form would be 'enjoyed themselves'. Thus, option (4) is the correct choice.

Multiple choice

Directions: Which of the following alternatives correctly rectifies the given sentence. If the sentence is correct as it is, choose option (1) as your answer.

When one visits the Doll museum, you will see little children urging their parents to buy the displayed dolls to them.

  1. When one visits the Doll museum, you will see little children urging their parents to buy the displayed dolls to them.

  2. When you visit the Doll museum, one will see little children urging their parents to buy the displayed dolls to them.

  3. When one visits the Doll museum, you will see little children urging their parents to buy the displayed dolls for them.

  4. If you visit the Doll museum, you will see little children urging their parents to buy the displayed dolls for them.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

With the word 'one',  you use the pronoun 'one. The condition is not fulfilled in any of the options. Thus, option (4) is the correct answer. 

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, four options are given. You have to choose the best way of writing the sentence in the context of correct English usage. Ensure that the meaning of the sentence remains unchanged.

I have substituted the original plants of my garden by artificial trees.

  1. I have substituted the original plants of my garden by artificial trees.

  2. I substituted the original plants of my garden by artificial trees.

  3. The original plants of my garden have been substituted by artificial trees.

  4. I have substituted artificial trees for the original plants of my garden.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

“substitute artificial for original”

Multiple choice

Directions: Which of the following alternatives correctly rectifies the given sentence. If the sentence is correct as it is, choose option (1) as your answer.

Nisha noticed a cat hiding under a bush on her way to the market.

  1. Nisha noticed a cat hiding under a bush on her way to the market.

  2. Nisha noticed a cat hiding under a bush when she was on her way to the market.

  3. Nisha, on her way to the market, noticed a cat hiding under the bush.

  4. Nisha noticed a cat on her way to the market which was hiding under a bush.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Other options change the meaning of the given sentence.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, four options are given. You have to choose the best way of writing the sentence in the context of correct English usage. Ensure that the meaning of the sentence remains unchanged.

He had reached his office when he realized that he had left his room' s window open.

  1. He had reached his office when he realized that he had left his room' s window open.

  2. He reached his office when he realized that he had left his room' s window open.

  3. He had reached his office when he realized that he had left the window of his room open.

  4. He had reached his office when he could realize that he had left his room' s window open.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

We don't put apostrophe with inanimate objects thus ”room's window” is wrong usage.

Multiple choice

Which one of the sentence is different from the rest?

  1. You should plant some trees.

  2. You could plant some trees.

  3. You must plant some trees.

  4. You ought to plant some trees.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Could expresses possibility or suggestion, while should, must, and ought to all express obligation or duty of varying strength.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the best option to complete the following sentence:

Susan ______ to the music when her friend Ishita came.

  1. is listening

  2. was listening

  3. listened

  4. listens

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

The sentence is in past tense as verb ‘came’ has been used, so past progressive tense (was/were + V1 + ing) will be used. Option 1 is incorrect, as it is in present progressive tense. Option 2 is correct, as 'was listening' is correct here. Option 3 is incorrect, as it is in past indefinite tense. Option 4 is incorrect, as it is in present indefinite tense.

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the voice of the given sentence:

Reenam changed her soiled clothes.

  1. Her soiled clothes were changed by Reenam.

  2. Soiled clothes has been changed by Reenam.

  3. Her soiled clothes were being changed by Reenam.

  4. Her soiled clothes have been changed by Reenam.

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The active voice is given in the past indefinite tense and when we change it in passive, the format will be: subject (which is the object of active form) + was/were + third form of the verb + prep ‘by’ + Object (subject of the active form).

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct conjunction to join the two sentences given below correctly.

I am not well. I will be on leave tomorrow.

  1. I am not well because I will be on leave tomorrow.

  2. Although I am not well, yet I will be on leave tomorrow.

  3. Since I am not well, I will be on leave tomorrow.

  4. While I am not well, I will on leave tomorrow.

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Options 1 is incorrect, as the sentences are connected in a reverse way and it doesn't make sense. Option 2 is incorrect, as correlative conjunction 'Although...yet' are used to show contrast. Option 3 is correct, as it is actually giving reason for being absent. (Why I will be on leave tomorrow).