English Language

English Grammar and Usage

1,563 Questions

English grammar and usage form a critical component of language sections in competitive exams. This hub provides practice with fill in the blanks, prepositions, and appropriate word selection. Strong grammar skills are necessary to score well in verbal ability tests.

Fill in the blanksPrepositions usageConjunctions selectionSentence correction

English Grammar and Usage Questions

Multiple choice

Directions: In the given question, a sentence has been given in direct/indirect form. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in direct/indirect form.

The policeman said to the driver, “Show me your licence.”

  1. The policemen ordered the driver to show him his licence.

  2. The policemen requested the driver to show him his licence.

  3. The policemen advised the driver to show him his licence.

  4. The policemen asked the driver to show him his licence.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'Ordered' is the correct word as the policeman is in a commanding position.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the given question, a sentence has been given in direct/indirect form. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in direct/indirect form.

He said, “Alas! I have failed in the examination.”

  1. He exclaimed with mercy that he had failed in the examination.

  2. He exclaimed with joy that he had failed in the examination.

  3. He exclaimed with elation that he had failed in the examination.

  4. He exclaimed with sorrow that he had failed in the examination.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The word “alas” depicts sadness.

Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others. The NASA Global Hawk is well-suited for hurricane investigations because it can over fly hurricanes at altitudes great than 60,000 feet with flight durations of up to 28 hours, something piloted aircraft would find nearly impossible to do.

  1. The NASA Global Hawk is well-suited for hurricane investigations because it can over fly hurricanes at altitudes great than 60,000 feet

  2. The NASA Global Hawk is well-suited for hurricane investigations because it can over fly hurricanes at altitudes greater than 60,000 feet

  3. The NASA Global Hawk is well-suited for hurricane investigations because it can fly hurricanes at altitudes great than 60,000 feet

  4. The NASA Global Hawk is well-suited for hurricane investigations because its can over fly hurricanes at altitudes greater than 60,000 feet

  5. The NASA Global Hawk is well-suited for hurricane investigations because it can over fly hurricanes at an altitudes greater than 60,000 feet
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

(A) is incorrect because positive degree of adjective (great) is used instead of comparative degree (greater) as ‘than’ is used which is used in comparisons. (C) is incorrect because of error verbal phrase (fly over is the correct usage). (D) is incorrect because of usage of possessive pronoun ‘its’ in place of a demonstrative ‘it’. (E) is incorrect because with plural noun (altitudes), indefinite article ‘an’ is used.

Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Genetic mapping, along with chromosomal dissection and life form creation, are attempts to speed up the natural process, but while nature takes millions of years to effect even a minor change, human beings try to evolve these evolutionary changes in decades.

  1. Genetic mapping, along with chromosomal dissection and life form creation, are attempts to speed up

  2. Genetic mapping, as well as chromosomal dissection and life form creation, is an attempt to speed up

  3. Genetic mapping, along with chromosomal dissection and life form creation attempt to speed up

  4. Genetic mapping, accompanied by chromosomal dissection and life form creation, attempts to speed up

  5. Genetic mapping, together with chromosomal dissection and life form creation, are attempting to speed up
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The joining of a singular subject with another noun or pronoun, or with several nouns or pronouns, by prepositions such as along with, together with, as well as, in addition to, or accompanied by does not make the singular subject into a plural one. The verb should, therefore, be put in conjunction with the singular first subject. 'Genetic mapping' is a singular subject and 'is' is a singular verb. Hence the given option is correct.

Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Some analysts of democracy feel that true democracy exists only when the liberty of both personal expression and unrestricted protesting against elected government are accepted as inviolate rights of the citizens.

  1. both personal expression and unrestricted protesting against elected government are accepted as inviolate rights of the citizens

  2. both personal expression and unrestricted protest against elected government are accepted as inviolate rights of the citizens

  3. both personal expression and unrestricted protest against elected government is accepted as an inviolate right of the citizens

  4. personal expression and unrestricted protest against the government are accepted as inviolate rights of the citizens

  5. personal expression and unrestricted protest by the citizens against the government is accepted as their inviolate right
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Correct. The option removes subject-verb agreement error by using singular verb 'is' for singular subject - liberty. Also, the option corrects unidiomatic usage by changing 'protesting' to 'protest'.

Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Uttar Pradesh is the most populous State of India, which has a population of nearly 200 million, more than the 12 least populous States combined.

  1. Uttar Pradesh is the most populous State of India, which has a population of nearly 200 million, more than the 12 least populous States combined.

  2. With a population of nearly 200 million, Uttar Pradesh is the most populous State of India, and is more populous than the 12 least populous States combined.

  3. More populous than the 12 least populous States combined, with a population of nearly 200 million, Uttar Pradesh is the most populous State of India.

  4. Having a population of nearly 200 million, Uttar Pradesh is the most populous State of India, being more populous than the 12 least populous States combined.

  5. More populous than the 12 least populous States combined, Uttar Pradesh, being India's most populous State is having a population of nearly 200 million.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Correct. The option removes the Error of Misplaced Modifier by placing the noun being modified right after the modifier.

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill in the blank with an appropriate word. The question is followed by four suggested answers. Choose the most appropriate one.

Gandhiji was one of the most _________ sons of India.

  1. famous

  2. successful

  3. illustrious

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

The correct answer is 'illustrious' because it means highly distinguished, respected, and admired - perfectly suited to describe Gandhiji's legacy. While 'famous', 'successful', and 'notable' are all true about Gandhiji, 'illustrious' conveys the highest level of distinction and honor appropriate for a national figure.

Multiple choice

I never fail to get frustrated on the cricket ground: nonetheless, I always resolve to continue my involving in the game.

  1. on the cricket ground: nonetheless, I always resolve to continue my involving in the game.

  2. on the cricket ground: nonetheless I always resolve to continue my involvement in the game.

  3. on the cricket ground; nonetheless, I always resolve to continue my involvement in the game.

  4. on the cricket ground; nonetheless I always resolve to continue my involvement in the game.

  5. on the cricket ground, but I always still manage to find a way to resolve my self to continue my pursuit of the involvement of the game.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A semicolon should be used instead of a colon in this sentence. This means we can eliminate answer choices A and B. A comma is needed after the word "nonetheless," so we can also eliminate answer choice (D). Answer choice E can be eliminated because it is too wordy, and incorrectly uses "my self" instead of "myself."