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 blank with the suitable noun form of the given words.

She couldn't bear his __________. (hate)

  1. Hating

  2. Hate

  3. Hated

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

The sentence requires a noun that can serve as the object of 'bear.' 'Hatred' is the correct noun form of 'hate.' 'Hating' and 'Hated' are verb forms (present participle and past tense respectively), and 'Hate' can be either a verb or the noun form but 'Hatred' is the abstract noun form that fits best.

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill in the blank with the suitable noun form of the given word.

My cousin can always transform her __________ into happiness. (angry)

  1. Angry

  2. Angering

  3. Anger

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

The noun form of 'angry' (adjective) is 'anger', which means a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility. The sentence describes transforming an emotion (anger) into happiness. 'Angry' is an adjective, 'angering' is a participle, and 'angerness' is not a valid word.

Multiple choice

Directions: Select the correct option from the choices that can replace the words in bold italics so as to make the sentence most meaningful. Please note that more than one choice may fit in syntactically but select the choice that is in the context of the sentence.

His son’s bumptiousness often puts the father in an inextricable situation.

  1. rashness

  2. arrogance

  3. frowardness

  4. brusqueness

  5. audacity
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
  1. Rashness only shows lack of prudence and hastiness. This will not necessarily put the father in an 'inextricable' situation.
    1. The correct answer. Who is a country bum? The derelict bully. So, bumptious is an arrogant bully.
    2. Frowardness means an inclination to frown upon or find fault with everything. True, such a person is not generally liked, but it will not put the father in an inextricable situation.
    3. This is rough and abrupt in manner. True, such a person is not generally liked, but it will not put the father in an inextricable situation.
    4. 'Audacity' is not as negative as the context demands.
Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence below or part thereof has been underlined. The underlined part may have an error of grammar or diction. Select the option that best corrects the error, if any.

In virtually all types of tissues in every animal species, dioxin induces the production of enzymes that the organisms are trying to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical that is irritating it.

  1. are trying to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical that is irritating it

  2. trying that it metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant

  3. attempt to try to metabolize, or render harmless, such as chemical irritant

  4. attempt to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant

  5. attempting to trying to metabolize or render harmless the chemical that is irritating it

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

Organism's cannot be followed by any 'ing' verb, hence (A), (B) and (E) can be eliminated directly; Attempt means to try and both cannot be used together so, (C) is also incorrect.  Hence, the answer is (D)