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: A part of the sentence that has been underlined has an error. Select the option that is the most coherent and precise representation of the underlined part.

Volcanism occurs on Earth in several geological settings, most of which are associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that makes up the lithosphere.

  1. most of which are associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that makes up the lithosphere

  2. most of which is associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that make up the lithosphere

  3. much of which is associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that makes up the lithosphere

  4. many of which are associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that make up the lithosphere

  5. much of which are associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that make up the lithosphere
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

'Geological settings' is plural, so the relative pronoun phrase should use 'are', not 'is'. Also, 'most' is correct because we're referring to the majority of settings. Options A, C, and E incorrectly use 'is' with the plural 'most of which/much of which'. Option B uses singular 'much of which is' which doesn't agree with the plural antecedent. Option D correctly uses 'many of which are' to maintain subject-verb agreement with the plural 'settings'.

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill in the blank with the most appropriate of the given options.

_________ promoting a state of near-sleep, hibernation does not make an animal vulnerable to attack by predators because the brain is kept in a normal state of alertness.

  1. Instead of

  2. In spite of

  3. Irrespective of

  4. Even when

  5. Rather than
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'In spite of' correctly introduces the contrast between hibernation's near-sleep state and the brain remaining alert. While 'instead of' and 'rather than' suggest substitution, and 'irrespective of' shows disregard, only 'in spite of' properly captures the contradiction of appearing vulnerable while actually maintaining alertness.

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill in the blank with the most appropriate of the given options.

A camera with an interchangeable lens mount can accept other lenses ______ the normal lens for that camera.

  1. beside

  2. besides

  3. except

  4. including

  5. excluding
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The correct word is 'besides,' which means 'in addition to' or 'other than.' The sentence means the camera can accept other lenses in addition to the normal one. 'Beside' means 'next to,' 'except' means exclusion, and 'including/excluding' don't fit the context.

Multiple choice

Directions: Four parts of the sentences given below have been underlined. Identify the part having an error. If no part has an error, mark (E).

A seismograph records oscillation of the ground (A) caused by seismic waves, vibrations that (B) travel from (C) its points of origin, (D) through the Earth or along its surface. (E) No error

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

  5. (E)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The correct answer is C because 'its' should be 'their'. The antecedent is 'seismic waves' (plural), so the pronoun must be plural ('their' not 'its'). The possessive pronoun must agree in number with its antecedent.

Multiple choice

Directions: The question has four items. Select the word that does not belong to the group.

  1. Repudiate

  2. Possess

  3. Cherish

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

The question asks to identify the word that doesn't belong. 'Possess', 'Cherish', and 'Retain' all relate to holding onto or keeping something - they convey attachment or ownership. 'Repudiate' means to reject, refuse to accept, or disown - the opposite of the other three words. It is the only word that means to reject or let go rather than to keep or hold.

Multiple choice

Directions: The question has four items. Select the word that does not belong to the group.

  1. Smite

  2. Strike

  3. Spare

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

The question asks to identify the word that doesn't belong. 'Smite', 'Strike', and 'Thump' are all synonyms meaning to hit or strike forcefully. 'Spare' means to refrain from harming, to save, or to be lenient - it's the opposite of hitting someone. While the other three are violent actions involving impact, spare is about avoiding harm or showing mercy.

Multiple choice

Directions: The question has four items. Select the word that does not belong to the group.

  1. Terse

  2. Concise

  3. Laconic

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

The question asks to identify the word that doesn't belong. 'Terse', 'Concise', and 'Laconic' all mean using few words or expressing much in few words - they are synonyms. 'Tedious' means boring, monotonous, or lengthy - it has nothing to do with being brief. While the first three describe economical use of language, tedious describes something that is boring or drags on.

Multiple choice

Directions: Select the appropriate choice that fills the blank(s) in the sentence in the most meaningful manner.

While a prefix is a meaningful element attached to the beginning of a word to change its meaning, like “ante” meaning “______”, as in “ante-bellum”, a suffix is an element added to the end of a word to change its meaning or ______ as “able” in “countable”.

  1. against, form

  2. before, shape

  3. before, function

  4. against, function

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

‘Ante’ means before. Against is ‘anti’. Suffixes change form or structure of words (nouns, adjectives etc.)

Multiple choice

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

It was physically tough, says Rahul Dravid Drained ___________ another one of his typically resolute hundreds, veteran Indian batsman Rahul Dravid said it was tough adjusting to the conditions in the ongoing first Test against the West Indies.

  1. to hit

  2. after hitting

  3. for hitting

  4. with hitting
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The structure is 'Drained ___ another of his typically resolute hundreds' where 'drained' is the past participle meaning exhausted. After 'drained', we need 'after hitting' to show what caused the exhaustion. Option A 'to hit' suggests purpose, C 'for hitting' doesn't fit the context, and D 'with hitting' is grammatically incorrect here.