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: Fill in the numbered blank (v) with the best option from those given.

Directions: Fill in the numbered blank with the best option from those given.

Gorilla, chimpanzee and orangutan are some of the animals which resemble man in many _____ (i) _____. Among these animals, chimpanzee has the _____ (ii) _____ resemblance to man. In fact, the bone structure of all these animals has many similarities to that of man. Their constitution and the number of their teeth are _____ (iii) ______ to ours. Like human beings, they too have _____ (iv) ______  on their forehead. Their skulls are also like ours. Even their blood is _____ (v) _____ to ours. However, they cannot speak like us.

  1. same

  2. similar

  3. related

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

The passage discusses similarities between great apes and humans. The final sentence comparing blood composition requires establishing similarity, not identity. Blood from different primates is not identical (same would mean exact match), but it shares significant biochemical similarities (similar), making it useful for comparative studies. Related and close are less precise terms in this scientific context.

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill in the numbered blank (i) with the best option from those given.

Directions: Fill in the numbered blank with the best option from those given.

Gorilla, chimpanzee and orangutan are some of the animals which resemble man in many _____ (i) _____. Among these animals, chimpanzee has the _____ (ii) _____ resemblance to man. In fact, the bone structure of all these animals has many similarities to that of man. Their constitution and the number of their teeth are _____ (iii) ______ to ours. Like human beings, they too have _____ (iv) ______  on their forehead. Their skulls are also like ours. Even their blood is _____ (v) _____ to ours. However, they cannot speak like us.

  1. conditions

  2. respects

  3. types

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

The phrase resemblance in many respects is a standard English idiom meaning similarities in multiple aspects or areas. Conditions refers to states or circumstances, types means categories, and factors are elements that influence something. None of these fit naturally with the verb resemble - you resemble someone in respects (aspects), not in conditions, types, or factors.

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill in the numbered blank (iii) with the best option from those given.

Directions: Fill in the numbered blank with the best option from those given.

Gorilla, chimpanzee and orangutan are some of the animals which resemble man in many _____ (i) _____. Among these animals, chimpanzee has the _____ (ii) _____ resemblance to man. In fact, the bone structure of all these animals has many similarities to that of man. Their constitution and the number of their teeth are _____ (iii) ______ to ours. Like human beings, they too have _____ (iv) ______  on their forehead. Their skulls are also like ours. Even their blood is _____ (v) _____ to ours. However, they cannot speak like us.

  1. more

  2. just like

  3. similar

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

The passage compares anatomical features of great apes and humans. The structure are _____ (iii) ______ to ours requires an adjective that can follow this form. Similar works correctly: are similar to ours. More is incorrect because more...to is ungrammatical (more requires than). Just like doesn't work because the structure would be are just like ours (no to needed). Better makes no sense in this comparison context.

Multiple choice

Directions: Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (iv).

Directions: Read the passage carefully and choose the correct answer to the numbered blank.

Kangaroos are animals _____(i)______ only in Australia. They are called marsupial animals because they are the only mammals that _____(ii)______ their young ones in a pouch outside their bellies. They are very powerful animals. Kangaroos _____(iii)______strong and long hind legs. They use these to hop. They use their long and _____(iv)_____ tails to balance their bodies while _____(v)_____.

  1. curved

  2. thin

  3. powerful

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

The word 'powerful' is the correct choice because the tail must be strong and muscular to effectively balance the kangaroo's body while hopping. The passage earlier describes kangaroos as 'very powerful animals,' and this description logically extends to their tails, which are crucial for their movement. 'Curved,' 'thin,' and 'straight' don't convey the necessary strength.

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best converts the given sentence into passive or active voice.

This pot contains milk

  1. Milk is contained in this pot

  2. Milk is contained by this pot

  3. Milk is contained in the pot

  4. Milk is in this pot
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice, we interchange the respective places of the subject and the object. In passive voice, we always use the third form of the verb with the helping verb. 'Milk' is contained 'in' a pot.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following question consists of a single sentence with one blank only. You are given five words as answer choices and from the five choices, you have to pick up the one that will make the sentence meaningfully complete.

In order to earn revenue, a business must be focused on its core ________.

  1. values

  2. strengths

  3. competition

  4. demographics

  5. objective
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence logically conveys what a business needs to succeed. Adhering to core ‘values’ will not generate revenues; adherence to core objective will.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following question consists of a single sentence with one blank only. You are given five words as answer choices and from the five choices, you have to pick up the one that will make the sentence meaningfully complete.

Plants get rid of their heat by warming the air around them, by evaporating water, and by radiating heat to the ________ and the cold, black outer reaches of space.

  1. roots

  2. atmosphere

  3. base

  4. sun

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

The use of ‘and’ before outer reaches of space conveys that the two terms are in continuity. ‘Atmosphere’ conveys the necessary meaning.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following question consists of a single sentence with one blank only. You are given five words as answer choices and from the five choices you have to pick up the one that will make the sentence meaningfully complete.

The U.S. money for Syrian ________ figures began flowing under President George W. Bush after he effectively froze political ties with Damascus in 2005.

  1. literary

  2. governmental

  3. administrative

  4. revolutionary

  5. scholarly

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(4) conveys a logical continuation of the idea expressed in the sentence. After freezing political ties with a nation, U.S. would fund only the opposition or ‘revolutionary’ figures.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct option to fill in the blank.

The whole point of democracy is to give people a way to place the system of governance where it can do the least ________.

  1. benefit

  2. utility

  3. impact

  4. damage

  5. impression
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence cynically observes that the system of governance should be placed where it can do the 'least' damage. The usage of the word 'least' implies that only a negative quality is fitting for the blank.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose appropriate meanings of the words in bold as per their contextual use.

It is the dynamic leadership of Bill Gates that made Microsoft Corporation the world's largest software maker.

  1. energetic

  2. brave

  3. forceful

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

Dynamic in the context of leadership means characterized by energy, enthusiasm, and the ability to bring about change and progress. 'Energetic' correctly describes this quality of leadership that drives growth and innovation.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the appropriate meaning of the word in bold.

Tigers are an endangered species; there are only a few hundred in India today.

  1. dead

  2. threatened

  3. existing

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

'Endangered' refers to species that are threatened with extinction or at risk of disappearing. Tigers face extinction due to habitat loss and poaching, with only a few hundred remaining in India. Option B correctly captures this meaning of being at risk or threatened.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the appropriate meaning of the word in bold.

Receiving foreign ambassadors and high commissioners is an important function of the Head of the State in any country.

  1. a ceremony

  2. a duty

  3. a relationship

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

Function means a duty, responsibility, or assigned activity. Receiving foreign ambassadors is one of the official duties of a Head of State. It's not merely a ceremony (ceremony), a relationship (relationship), or just a position (role) - it's an active duty performed.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the best out of the available options to fill the blank against the question.

The mill management declared lock out to minimize its losses arising out of the go slow activities of the workmen and also ___________a lesson that they would not easily forget.

  1. for teaching the unions

  2. to teach the unions

  3. teaching the unions

  4. for the unions to learn

  5. in order to teach the unions
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence uses the structure 'to X and also to Y' for parallel construction. 'To minimize' appears earlier, so 'to teach' maintains this parallel. 'For teaching' or 'teaching' would break the parallel structure established in the sentence.

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.

In a census conducted recently, it was found that the average Indian makes less than Rs. 100 per day, eats no more than two meals, drinking 8 litres of polluted water daily and breathing 100 m3 of polluted air everyday.

  1. drinking 8 litres of polluted water daily and breathing 100 m3 of polluted air everyday

  2. drinks 8 litres of polluted water daily and breathes 100 m3 of polluted air everyday

  3. drank 8 litres of polluted water daily and breathed 100 m3 of polluted air everyday

  4. drinks 8 litres of polluted water and breathe 100 m3 of polluted air everyday

  5. drank 8 litres of polluted water daily and breathed 100 m3 of polluted air everyday
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Correct Answer: drinks 8 litres of polluted water daily and breathes 100 m3 of polluted air everyday