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: In the following question, select the option that fills up the blanks most suitably and in the same order.

The share of Japanese cars in the American market, for _____ is largely made up of cars with Japanese _____ manufactured in factories located in the U.S.

  1. dollars, technology

  2. example, expertise

  3. instance, brands

  4. marketing, spirit
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

According to the options available to us, only (2) and (3) are choices which have a probability of being the answer. Now, we have to see the better choice out of these. Japanese 'expertise' can't be manufactured but 'brands' can be built. So, answer is (3).

Multiple choice

Directions: The following question presents a sentence, part of which or all of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

When the technique known as gene-splicing was invented in the early 1970's, it was feared that scientists might inadvertently create an "Andromeda strain," a microbe never before seen on Earth that might escape from the laboratory and it would kill vast numbers of humans who would have no natural defenses against it.

  1. it would kill vast numbers of humans who would have no natural defenses against it

  2. it might kill vast numbers of humans with no natural defenses against it

  3. kill vast numbers of humans who would have no natural defenses against it

  4. kill vast numbers of humans who have no natural defenses against them

  5. kill vast numbers of humans with no natural defenses against them
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

C is correct because after the conjunction 'and,' the verb form should be base form to parallel 'escape' - so 'kill' is correct without an additional subject. A incorrectly adds 'it would' which creates an unnecessary subject and modal. B incorrectly adds 'it might' which is similarly redundant and changes the meaning. D incorrectly uses 'them' to refer back to 'microbe,' when a microbe is singular so 'it' would be correct. E incorrectly uses 'them' for the same reason - a microbe is singular.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following question presents a sentence, part of which or all of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

One view of the economy contends that a large drop in oil prices should eventually lead to lowering interest rates, as well as lowering fears about inflation a rally in stocks and bonds, and a weakening of the dollar.

  1. lowering interest rates, as well as lowering fears about inflation

  2. a lowering of interest rates and of fears about inflation,

  3. a lowering of interest rates, along with fears about inflation,

  4. interest rates being lowered, along with fears about inflation,

  5. interest rates and fears about inflation being lowered, with
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'a lowering of interest rates and of fears about inflation' maintains proper parallel structure with the subsequent items 'a rally in stocks and bonds, and a weakening of the dollar.' All three elements use noun phrases that create a coherent list. Option A incorrectly uses 'lowering' (gerund) instead of 'a lowering' (noun phrase), breaking the parallel structure.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following question presents a sentence, part of which or all of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The black hole has entered the popular imagination as an object too massive that neither light nor matter can escape its gravitational pull.

  1. too massive that neither light nor matter can escape its

  2. too massive for either allowing light or matter to escape its

  3. massive enough that either light or matter cannot escape their

  4. so massive that neither light nor matter could escape their

  5. so massive that neither light nor matter can escape its
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The correct idiom is 'so massive that' not 'too massive that.' When expressing cause and effect relationships with 'that' clauses, use 'so [adjective] that.' Option E correctly uses 'so massive that neither light nor matter can escape its gravitational pull.' Option A incorrectly uses 'too massive that.' Options B and D have additional issues with parallel structure and pronoun agreement ('their' instead of 'its'). Option C incorrectly changes the meaning by using 'massive enough that either' which suggests only one needs to escape.

Multiple choice

e first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Very popular from 1900 until the 1920's, the renewed interest in ceiling fans began when the energy crisis in 1974 forced homeowners to look for alternative methods of heating and cooling.

  1. Very popular from 1900 until the 1920's, the renewed interest in ceiling fans began

  2. The renewed interest in ceiling fans, which were very popular form 1900 until the 1920's began

  3. After they were very popular from 1900 until the 1920's, the renewed interest in ceiling fans was beginning

  4. Ceiling fans were very popular from 1900 until the 1920's, with renewed interest beginning in them
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Multiple choice

Directions: The following question presents a sentence, part of which or all of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Common stocks, which are shares of ownership in a corporation, is the most direct way to participate in the fortunes of a company.

  1. is the most direct way to participate in the fortunes of a company.

  2. is the most direct way for participating in the fortunes of a company.

  3. is the most direct way of participating in the fortunes of a company.

  4. are the most direct way to participate in the fortunes of a company.

  5. are the most direct way for participating in the fortunes of a company.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The best answer is (4). The sentence has a plural subject, common stocks, therefore it needs the plural form of the verb: are.

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill "Collective Noun" in the following questions. A of stars.

  1. constellation

  2. group

  3. cluster

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

A constellation refers to a recognized pattern or group of stars forming a configuration in the night sky. This is the correct collective noun for stars in astronomical contexts. 'Cluster' could also work for star clusters but 'constellation' is more specific to named patterns.