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: Choose the correct option to fill in the blank.

Slander and libel laws stand as a protection of a person’s reputation against the ______ dissemination of falsehood.

  1. inferential

  2. inevitable

  3. incontestable

  4. irresponsible

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

Slander and libel laws protect reputation from false statements. 'Irresponsible' means not showing proper care or consequences, which perfectly describes the harmful spread of falsehoods that damages someone's reputation. The other options don't fit: inferential means based on inference, inevitable means unavoidable, incontestable means undeniable, and responsible is the opposite of what's needed.

Multiple choice

Lexigraphy is the activity of compiling and editing of

  1. Handbooks

  2. Directories

  3. Dictionary

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

Lexigraphy is the art of compiling dictionaries. A dictionary is the reference work that contains word definitions and meanings, which lexigraphy creates. Handbooks, directories, and yearbooks serve different purposes.

Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part 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 oceans contain many forms of life that has not yet been discovered.

  1. The oceans contain many forms of life that has not yet been discovered.

  2. The ocean contains many forms of life that has not yet been discovered.

  3. The oceans contain many forms of life, which has not yet been discovered.

  4. The oceans contain many forms of life, which have not yet been discovered.

  5. The oceans contain many forms of life that have not yet been discovered.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

'Many forms of life' is plural. The singular verb 'has' does not agree with the subject. 'Has' needs to be changed to 'have' to have the subject-verb agreement. This option corrects the error.

Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part 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.

Tropical forests exist close to the equator, where both high temperature and abundant rainfall occurs year-round.

  1. Tropical forests exist close to the equator, where both high temperature and abundant rainfall occurs year-round.

  2. Tropical forests exist closer to the equator, where both high temperature and abundant rainfall occurs year-round.

  3. Tropical forests exist close to the equator, where both high temperatures and abundant rainfalls occur year-round.

  4. Tropical forests exist close to the equator, where both high temperature and abundant rainfall occur year-round.

  5. Tropical forest exists close to the equator, where both high temperature and abundant rainfall occurs year-round.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Two singular subjects joined by 'and' are plural subjects. Hence, the verb should be plural 'occur'. This option rectifies the error.

 

Multiple choice

Directions: Change the narration.

Mother said, “Alas! I shall never be able to see him again.”

  1. The mother said that she would never be able to see him again.

  2. Mother exclaimed that she would never be able to see him again.

  3. Mother exclaimed with sorrow that she will never be able to see him again.

  4. Mother exclaimed with sorrow that she would never be able to see him again.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

'Alas' is used to express sorrow. 'Will' changes to 'would'. Hence, (4).