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: Two sentences marked A and B are given below. Mark your answer as:

(A) if only A is correct (B) if only B is correct (C) if both A and B are correct (D) if both A and B are wrong

(A) You can stay here so long the owner is out of station. (B) You can stay here if so long the owner is out of station.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Sentence A correctly uses 'so long the owner is out of station' meaning 'during the time the owner is away.' Sentence B incorrectly combines 'if' with 'so long,' which creates grammatical error. 'So long' already establishes the time condition, and adding 'if' before it is redundant and incorrect.

Multiple choice

Directions: Two sentences marked A and B are given below. Mark your answer as:

(A) if only A is correct (B) if only B is correct (C) if both A and B are correct (D) if both A and B are wrong

(A) I shall attend the meeting provided he also attends. (B) I shall attend the meeting if provided he also attends.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Sentence A correctly uses 'provided he also attends' - 'provided' functions as a conjunction meaning 'on the condition that.' Sentence B incorrectly adds 'if' before 'provided,' creating redundancy. Since 'provided' already establishes the condition, adding 'if' before it is grammatically incorrect and unnecessary.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following question consists of two sentences marked (A) and (B). Read both the sentences carefully and mark the one that has correct punctuation.

Mark your answer as

(A) If only A is correct (B) If only B is correct (C) If both A and B are correct. (D) If both A and B are wrong.

(A) She said I am going home. (B) She said, I am going home.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is a direct form of narration. The reported speech has to be separated by inverted commas () and we need to put a comma between the reporting verb and the reported speech. Furthermore, quotation marks (",") must be used to include the reported speech. Hence, option 4 is correct. 

Multiple choice

Directions: The following question consists of two sentences marked (A) and (B). Read both the sentences carefully and mark the one that has correct punctuation.

Mark your answer as

(A) If only A is correct (B) If only B is correct (C) If both A and B are correct. (D) If both A and B are wrong.

(A) Of course, I am going to see him next week. (B) Of course I am going to see him next week.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

 There is a pause (requiring comma) after 'of course'. hence, option 1 is correct.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following question consists of two sentences marked (A) and (B). Read both the sentences carefully and mark the one that has correct punctuation. Mark your answer as

(A) He had been looking forward to his visit here, but unfortunately it did not materialise. (B) He had been looking forward, to his visit here, but unfortunately it did not materialise.

  1. If only A is correct

  2. If only B is correct

  3. If both A and B are correct

  4. If both A and B are wrong
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'Looking forward to' does not need a break (comma) in between.  Hence, only A is correct.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following question consists of two sentences marked A and B. Read both the sentences carefully and mark the one that has correct punctuation.

Mark your answer as

(A) If only A is correct (B) If only B is correct (C) If both A and B are correct. (D) If both A and B are wrong.

(A) Can I see you? said I. I didn t want to say, alone again but with out it the thing seemed self-evident. (B) Can I see you? said I. I didn t want to say alone again but without it the thing seemed self-evident.

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

 The reporting verb said I needs to be separated by commas on either side. The reported speech divided into two parts should begin and end with quote marks in each case.  The sentence should read:" Can I see you?", said I, "I didn't want to say alone again, but without it the thing seemed self-evident." 

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the voice of the given sentence.

Who has broken this jug?

  1. By whom has this jug broken?

  2. By whom this has jug broken?

  3. By whom has this jug been broken?

  4. Whom by has this jug been broken?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice of a sentence from active to passive, we interchange the respective postions of the subject and the object.  Moreover, we use the past participle form of the verb. The object in passive voice is generally preceded by 'by'. Passive of present perfect is present perfect continuous. Considering this, option 3 is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the voice of the given sentence.

Who made a noise in the class?

  1. By whom a noise was made in the class?

  2. By whom was a noise made in the class?

  3. By whom a noise was made only in the class?

  4. By whom in the class noise made?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice of a sentence from active to passive, we interchange the respective postions of the subject and the object.  Moreover, we use the past participle form of the verb. The object in passive voice is generally preceded by 'by'. This is a case of past indefinite tense. Considering this, option 4 is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the voice of the given sentence.

Who has stolen my book?

  1. By whom has my book been stolen?

  2. By whom my book has been stolen?

  3. By whom my book has stolen?

  4. Whom by my book has been stolen?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice of a sentence from active to passive, we interchange the respective postions of the subject and the object.  Moreover, we use the past participle form of the verb. The object in passive voice is generally preceded by 'by'. Passive of present perfect is present perfect continuous tense.Considering this, option 1 is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the voice of the given sentence.

Who clipped my glasses on to his nose?

  1. By whom was my glasses clipped on to his nose?

  2. By whom were my glasses clipped on to his nose?

  3. By whom my glasses clipped on to his nose?

  4. By whom my glasses were clipped on to his nose?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option 1 is wrong as the glasses are plural and the auxiliary used here is singular. Opiton 3 is grammatically incorrect. Opiton 4 has incorrect sentence formation. Hence, option 2.

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the voice of the given sentence.

Who turned the key in the lock?

  1. By whom was the key turned in the lock?

  2. By whom the key was turned in the lock?

  3. By whom in the lock the key was turned?

  4. By whom had the key been turned in the lock?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Case of past indefinite. While changing the voice of a sentence from active to passive, we interchange the respective postions of the subject and the object.  Moreover, we use the past participle form of the verb. The object in passive voice is generally preceded by 'by'. Considering this, option 1 is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the voice of the given sentence.

Who put Christ on the cross?

  1. By whom was Christ put on the cross?

  2. By whom Christ was put on the cross?

  3. By whom were Christ put on the cross?

  4. By whom was put on the cross Christ?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Opiton two is incorrectly formed sentence. Option 3 has incorrect subject verb agreement. Opiton 4 is illogical. While changing the voice of a sentence from active to passive, we interchange the respective postions of the subject and the object.  Moreover, we use the past participle form of the verb. The object in passive voice is generally preceded by 'by'. Considering this, option 1 is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the voice of the given sentence.

Is he plucking flowers in the garden?

  1. Is flowers in the garden being plucked?

  2. Are flowers being plucked by him in the garden?

  3. Are flowers plucked by him in the garden?

  4. Is flowers in the garden being plucked by him?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice of a sentence from active to passive, we interchange the respective postions of the subject and the object.  Moreover, we use the past participle form of the verb. The object in passive voice is generally preceded by 'by'. Case of present continuous tense. Considering this, option 2 is the correct answer.