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

Not even your company can be relied on to give one deserving raise.

  1. to give one deserving raise

  2. to give two deserving raise

  3. to give your deserving raise

  4. to give you a deserving raise

  5. to give your raise a deserving
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A pronoun must agree with its antecedent. There is an unnecessary shift of pronoun. Therefore it has to be either “you and your” or “one and one’s”.

Multiple choice

The term “virus” derived by the Latin word for poison or shine was originally applied to the noxious stench emanating from swamps.

  1. The term “Virus” derived by the Latin word for poison, or shine

  2. By the Latin word for poison, or shine is derived the term “Virus”

  3. The term “Virus” is derived for the Latin word for poison or shine

  4. The term derived from the Latin word virus for poison or Shine

  5. The term “Virus” derived from the Latin word for poison or shine.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The correct preposition phrase is “derived from”. Incorrect preposition “by” is used in A and B. C option alters the original meaning of the sentence and awkward phrasing is done in the D option. Hence, E option is the best, as the correct preposition phrase and phrasing is done.

Multiple choice

A Novel about a woman who almost hates the child she is about to give birth to has won one of the Britain's most prestigious literary prize.

  1. who almost hates the child she is about to give birth to has won one of the Britain's most prestigious literary prize.

  2. who almost hates the child she is going to give birth to has won one of the Britain's most prestigious literary prize.

  3. who hates the child she is about to give birth to has won one of Britain's most prestigious literary prizes.

  4. who hate the child she is about to give birth to has won one of the Britain's most prestigious prizes.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The expression “one of the” is always followed by a plural noun so, C option is the answer. In D incorrect form of the verb 'hate' is used since the subject “woman” is singular so singular verb 'hates' should be used. Awkward phrasing is done in E.

Multiple choice

Every breathtaking moment for Star Wars fans have been made painstakingly by Industrial Lights and Magic’s 3D rendering and animation technology.

  1. Every breathtaking moment for Star Wars fans have been made painstakingly by

  2. Every moment which is breathtaking for Sstar Was fans has been made painstakingly by

  3. Every breathtaking moment for Star Wars fans has been made after taking cost of pain by

  4. After lots of efforts have been taken, every moment is made breathtaking for Star Wars fans

  5. Every breathtaking moment for Star Wars fans has been made painstakingly by
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

B and C though make use of correct verb “has” are too verbose. Awkward phrasing is done in D. Hence, E is the best option.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the news item given below. Use the information in the headlines to complete the sentence. Write the answer in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. Do not copy the whole sentence.

Bombay HC intervenes in Dey murder case The Bombay high court has intervened in the Jyotirmoy Dey murder case and ______________________ a status report from Mumbai police in the ongoing probe.

  1. has sought

  2. is seeking

  3. will seek

  4. has been seeking
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The present perfect 'has sought' parallels the earlier 'has intervened' and correctly indicates an action that was completed with present relevance - the court sought the report and this matters now.