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: Complete the given paragraph by selecting the most appropriate answer from the given options and fill blank (6).

The tornado ________ (3) the whole town to the point that nothing was left standing. A black funnel cloud _________ (4) by _________ (5) winds _________ (6) into south Brooklyn and Queens at around 11 a.m., with reports of the _______ (7) storm hitting the ground on the Rockaway Peninsula and Canaries. The unusual storm _______ (8) siding from homes and threw patio furniture high into the sky in the quiet beach neighbourhood.

  1. refrained

  2. screamed

  3. prospered
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The meaning of Option 2 is 'came with great noise'.

Multiple choice

Directions: You are to choose from the words given below the two sentences, that word which has the same meaning and can be used in the same context as the words printed in bold in both sentences.

I. Repeated denial and criticism of a child will make him stubborn. II. Because of the unyielding approach of the union leader no agreement could be reached.

  1. Firm

  2. Adamant

  3. Rebellious

  4. Admonishing

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

Firm can be used in the second statement, but not in the first statement as firm would not work because it is too mild to use in place of stubborn.

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the statement where the given word hasn't been used correctly.

Fist

  1. The demonstrators punched the air with their fists.

  2. Proudly, he waved a fist of money cut the waiter.

  3. Now, boys, no fisticuffs if you please.

  4. The knuckles showed white on his clenched fist.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option B uses 'fist' incorrectly - it should say 'fistful of money' to mean a handful. 'Fist' refers to the closed hand itself, not a quantity. Options A, C, and D all use 'fist' correctly to refer to the closed hand or plural 'fists'. 'Fisticuffs' (option C) is a valid word meaning fist-fighting.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, four statements with blanks are given. Choose the option which fills in the blanks, the maximum number of times.

A. The manager was ________ with the task of placating the warring factions of the trade union. B. Soon after the debacle, he was ________ of all his powers and was forced to go on a prolonged leave. C. The government has ________ its equity stake in several PSUs. D. ________ of his authority, he was useless.

  1. assigned

  2. stripped off

  3. put

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

While the term suited to fill in the first blank is 'assigned', rest of the blanks can only be filled using term 'stripped off' to make sense. This marks term 'stripped off' given in option (2) as most valid of the given choices.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following items, each passage consists of six sentences. The first sentence (S1) and the final sentence (S6) are given in the beginning. The middle four in each have been removed and jumbled up. These are labeled P, Q, R and S. You are required to find out the proper sequence of the four sentences and mark accordingly on the answer sheet.

S1 : Her sisters recognized her at once. S6 : As for the young prince, he found her more lovely and lovable than ever, and insisted upon marrying her immediately. P : She embraced them, telling them she forgave them with all her heart. Q : Then she departed with the herald to the King's palace. R : They were not in the least surprised for everybody believed in fairies, and everybody longed to have a fairy godmother. S : She told her whole story to His Majesty and the royal family. The proper sequence should be:

  1. R S Q P

  2. Q P S R

  3. P Q S R

  4. P S Q R
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'Them’ refers to the sisters. So, P should follow S1. After that is the departure to the palace, where she tells the story, to His Majesty and his family.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct answer for the following question on the basis of the given passage:

Irrepressible' in the second line means __________.

RC Passage 1:

But man is not destined to vanish. He can be killed, but he cannot be destroyed, because his soul is deathless and his spirit is irrepressible. Therefore, though the situation seems dark in the context of the confrontation between the superpowers, the silver lining is provided by amazing phenomenon that the very nations which have spent incalculable resources and energy for the production of deadly weapons are desperately trying to find out how they might never be used. They threaten each other, intimidate each other and go to the brink, but before the total hour arrives they withdraw from the brink.

  1. incompatible

  2. strong

  3. oppressive

  4. unrestrainable

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

 Irrepressible in this context means that which cannot be controlled or kept down.

Multiple choice

Directions: In each question, the word at the top is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the option in which the usage of the word is incorrect or inappropriate.

ACT

  1. Accidents caused by tornadoes, perils of the sea, extraordinary floods, and severe ice storms are usually considered acts of God, but fires are not so considered unless they are caused by lightning.

  2. But then I would rather be truthful than to put an act on all the time.

  3. The governor should act on the new energy bill.

  4. The veteran artist was asked to get his act together for a more realistic portrayal of a man in trouble.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

 The correct phrase would be ' get his act ready for'.