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 blanks with the appropriate word.

Owing to their bad conduct on an off the field, some members of the team were _______ from taking part in the remaining matches.

  1. exempted

  2. excluded

  3. banned

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

The correct answer is 'banned' because it means officially prohibited, which fits the disciplinary context for team members with 'bad conduct'. 'Exempted' means excused from a requirement, which is the opposite of punishment. 'Excluded' could technically work but is less specific than 'banned' for sports disciplinary actions. 'Outlawed' typically refers to making something illegal by law, not team discipline.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct alternative.

A group of boys ______ playing cricket.

  1. were

  2. is

  3. are

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

'A group' is a collective noun that takes a singular verb. In the present continuous tense, the singular form of 'to be' is 'is', so 'A group of boys is playing cricket' is grammatically correct. Collective nouns like 'group', 'team', 'family' take singular verbs when the group is acting as a single unit.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the passage and fill up the 21st blank with the most appropriate option.

The entire (17) ____ of the party gave a very (18) ____ look. A very light music was played at the back and people were dancing with their partners with their masks on their faces to (19) ____ their identity. There were some at the bar corner who were (20) ____ away to glory. Sumptuous meal was well laid at one corner of the hall. We actually had (21) ____ food with us. But when it comes to food, I am a big (22) ____. By the time it was 11:30, everybody was (23) ____ but it was (24) ____ towards the end. Everybody’s mood was made (25) ____ by a young man, who narrated a canto from Browning’s ‘My Last Dutches’.

  1. coherent

  2. cognoscente

  3. fustian

  4. sanguinary

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Multiple choice

Directions: Read the passage and fill up the 17th blank with the most appropriate option.

The entire (17) ____ of the party gave a very (18) ____ look. A very light music was played at the back and people were dancing with their partners with their masks on their faces to (19) ____ their identity. There were some at the bar corner who were (20) ____ away to glory. Sumptuous meal was well laid at one corner of the hall. We actually had (21) ____ food with us. But when it comes to food, I am a big (22) ____. By the time it was 11:30, everybody was (23) ____ but it was (24) ____ towards the end. Everybody’s mood was made (25) ____ by a young man, who narrated a canto from Browning’s ‘My Last Dutches’.

  1. Flurry

  2. Panorama

  3. Trepidation

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

The phrase is 'The entire ______ of the party gave a very ______ look'. 'Panorama' means a complete view or comprehensive scene, which fits describing the entire party visually. 'Flurry' means a sudden stir or commotion, 'trepidation' means anxiety, and 'epilogue' means a conclusion or afterword - none work for describing the visual scene of a party.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the passage and fill up the 22nd blank with the most appropriate option.

The entire (17) ____ of the party gave a very (18) ____ look. A very light music was played at the back and people were dancing with their partners with their masks on their faces to (19) ____ their identity. There were some at the bar corner who were (20) ____ away to glory. Sumptuous meal was well laid at one corner of the hall. We actually had (21) ____ food with us. But when it comes to food, I am a big (22) ____. By the time it was 11:30, everybody was (23) ____ but it was (24) ____ towards the end. Everybody’s mood was made (25) ____ by a young man, who narrated a canto from Browning’s ‘My Last Dutches’.

  1. contemplative

  2. desecrated

  3. drooling

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

The sentence says 'But when it comes to food, I am a big ______'. 'Drooling' as a noun form means an excessively eager eater, which fits the context of being a big food lover. 'Contemplative' means thoughtful, 'desecrated' means violated/disrespected, and 'dour' means stern - none fit the context of enthusiasm for food.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the passage and fill up the 18th blank with the most appropriate option.

The entire (17) ____ of the party gave a very (18) ____ look. A very light music was played at the back and people were dancing with their partners with their masks on their faces to (19) ____ their identity. There were some at the bar corner who were (20) ____ away to glory. Sumptuous meal was well laid at one corner of the hall. We actually had (21) ____ food with us. But when it comes to food, I am a big (22) ____. By the time it was 11:30, everybody was (23) ____ but it was (24) ____ towards the end. Everybody’s mood was made (25) ____ by a young man, who narrated a canto from Browning’s ‘My Last Dutches’.

  1. Florid

  2. Fustian

  3. Dangling

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

The phrase is 'The entire ______ of the party gave a very ______ look'. 'Florid' means ornate, elaborate, or showy in style or appearance, which fits describing the visual impression of a party scene. 'Fustian' means pompous/bombastic, 'dangling' means hanging loosely, and 'conjugal' means relating to marriage - none fit describing a party's visual appearance.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the passage and fill up the 23rd blank with the most appropriate option.

The entire (17) ____ of the party gave a very (18) ____ look. A very light music was played at the back and people were dancing with their partners with their masks on their faces to (19) ____ their identity. There were some at the bar corner who were (20) ____ away to glory. Sumptuous meal was well laid at one corner of the hall. We actually had (21) ____ food with us. But when it comes to food, I am a big (22) ____. By the time it was 11:30, everybody was (23) ____ but it was (24) ____ towards the end. Everybody’s mood was made (25) ____ by a young man, who narrated a canto from Browning’s ‘My Last Dutches’.

  1. vertigo

  2. pall

  3. dithering

  4. fluctuating

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

The sentence structure 'everybody was ____ but it was ____ towards the end' suggests a contrast between the state of people and the event's progression. 'Pall' means to become less appealing or interesting - indicating people were losing interest or becoming tired, while the event itself was dragging towards conclusion. Other options don't create this meaningful contrast.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the passage and fill up the 25th blank with the most appropriate option.

The entire (17) ____ of the party gave a very (18) ____ look. A very light music was played at the back and people were dancing with their partners with their masks on their faces to (19) ____ their identity. There were some at the bar corner who were (20) ____ away to glory. Sumptuous meal was well laid at one corner of the hall. We actually had (21) ____ food with us. But when it comes to food, I am a big (22) ____. By the time it was 11:30, everybody was (23) ____ but it was (24) ____ towards the end. Everybody’s mood was made (25) ____ by a young man, who narrated a canto from Browning’s ‘My Last Dutches’.

  1. canto

  2. cosset

  3. bullion

  4. dialectic
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the appropriate word from the given options and fill in the blank.

His cheerful manner .... a deep feeling of sadness.

  1. betrayed

  2. belied

  3. begrudged

  4. bet

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

To 'belie' means to give a false impression or contradict. His cheerful manner (appearance) contradicted his deep sadness (reality). Other options don't fit: betrayed (exposed), begrudged (resented), bet (wagered), bellowed (shouted).

Multiple choice

You'll have to add ............ all the money I owe you.

  1. with

  2. to

  3. over

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

The correct phrase is 'add up', meaning to calculate the total or sum. When you add up all the money someone owes, you're totaling the individual amounts. 'Add with', 'add to', and 'add over' are not correct for calculating totals in this context. 'Add up' can also mean 'to make sense' logically, but here it's about arithmetic.

Multiple choice

They really agonized ......... what to call the baby.

  1. with

  2. to

  3. over

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

The correct phrase is 'agonized over', meaning to struggle with making a decision or worry excessively about something. When parents agonize over what to name their baby, they're struggling with the choice. 'Agonized with', 'agonized to', and 'agonized up' are not correct English. You agonize over decisions, problems, or difficult choices.

Multiple choice

The new system allows ........ increased creativity with reduced financial stress..

  1. for

  2. around

  3. to

  4. after

  5. with
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The correct phrase is 'allows for', meaning to make possible, enable, or provide for something. The system allows for increased creativity - it enables or makes creativity possible. 'Allow around', 'allow to', 'allow after', and 'allow with' are not correct in this context. 'Allows for' suggests the system creates conditions that make creativity possible.