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.

He said, “I saw a book here.”

  1. He said that he saw a book.

  2. He said that he saw a book there.

  3. He said that he had seen a book here.

  4. He said that he had seen a book there.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

When the reported verb is in past indefinite tense and the reported speech is also in the past tense, we use past perfect tense for the reported speech in indirect narration. Moreover, 'here' becomes 'there'. So, option 4 is correct.

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the narration.

She said, "Two and two makes four."

  1. She told that two and two make four.

  2. She said that two and two made four.

  3. She said that two and two makes four.

  4. She told that two and two made four.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'Told' takes an object with it which is missing here. The tense of reported speech does not change in case of a fact or a universal truth.

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the narration.

He asked her if she was coming to the party.

  1. He said to her, “Are you coming to the party?"

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

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

  4. He asked her, “Are you coming to the party?"
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Options 2 and 3 are not in direct narration. In direct narration, we prefer 'said' to 'asked' in the reported verb. So, option 1 is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the narration.

He said that he cleans his teeth twice a day.

  1. He said, “I clean my teeth twice a day."

  2. He said, “I clean my teeth twice in a day."

  3. He says, “I clean my teeth twice a day."

  4. He says, “I clean my teeth twice."
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

If the reported speech in direct speech is in past tense, it remains in the same tense in indirect narration. When changing from direct to indirect speech or vice versa, the words remain the same. So, 'twice a day' is the correct usage.

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the given sentences, mark the correct form.

  1. My father is going for a walk every morning.

  2. My father goes for a walk every morning.

  3. My father goes to a walk every morning.

  4. My father go for a walk every morning.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Case of present indefinite tense (habit of present). We go 'for a walk', and not 'to a walk'. Moreover, 'father' being a singualar subject needs a singular auxiliary. Hence, option 2.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct article, where necessary, to complete the sentence:

Copper is _____ useful metal.

  1. a

  2. an

  3. the

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'Useful' begins with a consonant sound /j/ (as in 'you'), not a vowel sound, so the correct article is 'a.' Articles are determined by the spoken sound that follows, not the written letter. Even though 'useful' starts with 'u,' it takes 'a' because the /j/ sound is consonantal.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct article, where necessary, to complete the sentence:

____ sun shines brightly.

  1. A

  2. An

  3. The

  4. None
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'The sun' requires the definite article 'the' because 'sun' is a unique entity in our solar system - there is only one. When referring to singular, one-of-a-kind natural objects (the sun, the moon, the sky), we always use 'the.' 'A' or 'an' would imply there are multiple suns to choose from.

Multiple choice

Past tense of the word “build” is

  1. built

  2. builder

  3. builded

  4. builted
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The past tense of 'build' is 'built,' which is an irregular verb. It does not follow the regular pattern of adding '-ed'. Instead, it changes form completely. 'Builded' and 'builted' are incorrect spellings - this verb cannot be regularized. 'Builder' is a noun referring to a person who builds, not a verb form. This irregular pattern is similar to other verbs like 'send/sent' or 'spend/spent'.