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

Which of these fits gap 24?

Directions: Complete this passage by selecting the most suitable option for the corresponding gap.

Kangaroos are animals _____(21)______ only in Australia. They are called marsupial animals because they are the only mammals that _____(22)______ their young ones in a pouch outside their bellies. They are very powerful animals. Kangaroos _____(23)______strong and long hind legs. They use these to hop. They use their long and powerful tails to balance their bodies _____(24)_____ hopping.

  1. while

  2. when

  3. through

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

The sentence describes simultaneous action: kangaroos balance their bodies at the same time as hopping. 'While' correctly expresses two concurrent actions. 'When' could work but 'while' is better for emphasizing duration. 'Through' implies movement across something, and 'by' would require 'hopping' as a gerund ('by hopping').

Multiple choice

Which of these fits gap 23?

Directions: Complete this passage by selecting the most suitable option for the corresponding gap.

Kangaroos are animals _____(21)______ only in Australia. They are called marsupial animals because they are the only mammals that _____(22)______ their young ones in a pouch outside their bellies. They are very powerful animals. Kangaroos _____(23)______strong and long hind legs. They use these to hop. They use their long and powerful tails to balance their bodies _____(24)_____ hopping.

  1. create

  2. have

  3. use

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

The sentence describes kangaroos' physical characteristics. 'Have' is the only verb that correctly states possession of attributes. 'Create' is incorrect (kangaroos don't create their legs), 'use' doesn't make sense in this context, and 'display' would require an object (display what?).

Multiple choice

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

Portia is the heroine of Shakespeares merchant of Venice.

  1. Portia is the heroine of Shakespeares Merchant of Venice.

  2. Portia is the heroine of Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.

  3. Portia is the Heroine of Shakespeares merchant of Venice.

  4. Portia is the heroine of Shakespeare’s merchant of Venice.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

 'Merchant of Venice' is a proper noun (name of a play). It must begin with a capital letter. Case of possessive is here. So, "Shakespeare's" will be used.

Multiple choice

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

The teacher said if the inspector asks you what shape the earth is and you cannot remember look at me I shall show you my snuff box to remind you that it is round.

  1. The teacher said, “If the inspector asks you what shape the earth is and you cannot remember, look at me. I shall show you my snuff box to remind you that it is round.”

  2. The teacher said, “If the inspector asks you what shape the earth is and you cannot remember look at me. I shall show you my snuff box, to remind you that it is round.”

  3. Neither (1) nor (2)

  4. Both (1) and (2)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The reported speech needs to be kept in quotation marks and is to be separated from the reporting verb by a comma. There is a short pause (comma) before 'look at me'. There is none before 'to remind you'.  

Multiple choice

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

Distinguish between the following pairs of words. meat meet rain rein alter altar hare hear

  1. Distinguish between the following pairs of words meat, meet, rain, rein, alter, alter, hare, hear

  2. Distinguish between the following pairs of words: meat : meet; rain : rein; alter : alter; hare : hear

  3. Distinguish between the following pairs of words: meat, meet – rain, rein – alter, alter – hare, hear

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'Following....' is preferably followed by a colon. Preferably, the two words in each pair are to be separated by a colon with a space on either side, and the pairs have to be separated from each other by use of intermediate pause, i.e. semi-colon.

Multiple choice

Directions: Complete the sentence below by choosing the correct option from those given at the end of the sentence.

After the Vedic age in India, when the Vedas were written, came what _________ the Epic Age.

  1. is called

  2. was called

  3. will be called

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

Present tense 'is called' is used for historical facts and names that remain true regardless of when they occurred. The Epic Age is still known by that name today, so the historical present tense is appropriate. Past tense 'was called' would suggest the name no longer applies.

Multiple choice

Fill blank (iv).

Directions: Read the following passage having some numbered blanks.

The maternal bond is typically the relationship _____(i)_____ a mother and her child. While it typically occurs _____(ii)_____ pregnancy and childbirth, the maternal bond may also occur between a woman and an unrelated child, such as in adoption. There are hundreds of factors, physical and emotional, _____(iii)_____ influence the mother-infant bonding process. Lots of new mothers do not always experience the "instantly-in-mother-love" emotions. Bonding is a gradually unfolding experience that can take hours, days, weeks or months to evolve. Many believe that early bonding ideally increases response and sensitivity _____(iv)_____ the child's needs, bolstering the quality of the mother-baby relationship.

  1. to

  2. in

  3. for

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

The sentence is about a response or reaction; so ‘to’ is best suited.

Multiple choice

Fill blank (iii).

Directions: Read the following passage having some numbered blanks.

The maternal bond is typically the relationship _____(i)_____ a mother and her child. While it typically occurs _____(ii)_____ pregnancy and childbirth, the maternal bond may also occur between a woman and an unrelated child, such as in adoption. There are hundreds of factors, physical and emotional, _____(iii)_____ influence the mother-infant bonding process. Lots of new mothers do not always experience the "instantly-in-mother-love" emotions. Bonding is a gradually unfolding experience that can take hours, days, weeks or months to evolve. Many believe that early bonding ideally increases response and sensitivity _____(iv)_____ the child's needs, bolstering the quality of the mother-baby relationship.

  1. who

  2. which

  3. whose

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

The reference is to non-living things; so we use ‘which’. Note the comma before the blank; so ‘that’ is ruled out.

Multiple choice

Fill blank (i).

Directions: Read the following passage having some numbered blanks.

The maternal bond is typically the relationship _____(i)_____ a mother and her child. While it typically occurs _____(ii)_____ pregnancy and childbirth, the maternal bond may also occur between a woman and an unrelated child, such as in adoption. There are hundreds of factors, physical and emotional, _____(iii)_____ influence the mother-infant bonding process. Lots of new mothers do not always experience the "instantly-in-mother-love" emotions. Bonding is a gradually unfolding experience that can take hours, days, weeks or months to evolve. Many believe that early bonding ideally increases response and sensitivity _____(iv)_____ the child's needs, bolstering the quality of the mother-baby relationship.

  1. in

  2. among

  3. between

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

When we talk about comparisons in two people or things, we use ‘between’.

Multiple choice

Fill blank (ii).

Directions: Read the following passage having some numbered blanks.

The maternal bond is typically the relationship _____(i)_____ a mother and her child. While it typically occurs _____(ii)_____ pregnancy and childbirth, the maternal bond may also occur between a woman and an unrelated child, such as in adoption. There are hundreds of factors, physical and emotional, _____(iii)_____ influence the mother-infant bonding process. Lots of new mothers do not always experience the "instantly-in-mother-love" emotions. Bonding is a gradually unfolding experience that can take hours, days, weeks or months to evolve. Many believe that early bonding ideally increases response and sensitivity _____(iv)_____ the child's needs, bolstering the quality of the mother-baby relationship.

  1. since

  2. in order to

  3. owing to

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

The sentence explains the stimuli that lead to the bond.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct alternative to fill in the blank in the following sentence.

Ramappa ........... as the Mayor of the town and he will assume charge this Friday.

  1. elects

  2. elected

  3. is elected

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

The sentence requires a passive voice construction to indicate that Ramappa was elected by others. 'Is elected' (present passive) is correct here as it describes his current status as Mayor-elect. The future tense 'will assume charge' confirms this is about his current election status.

Multiple choice

Such remarks are certainly derogatory …… your reputation.

  1. for

  2. to

  3. with

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

The standard idiom is 'derogatory TO' meaning negative or damaging to someone's reputation or status. We say something is derogatory TO a reputation, harmful TO health, insulting TO intelligence. 'To' indicates the target affected by the negative quality.