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: The following question consist of a set of four statements. One or more of the statements may have an error of grammar or syntax. Select the statement(s) having the error.

A. Naturalists continually refer to external conditions, such as climate, food etc., as the only possible causes of variation. B. Nevertheless, such a conclusion, even if well founded, would be unsatisfactory, until it could be shown how the innumerable species, have to acquire that perfection of structure and coadaptation. C. It is quite conceivable that a naturalist might come to the conclusion that species have not been independently created, but had descended from other species. D. Yet it is preposterous to attribute to mere external conditions, the structure of several species.

  1. Only A

  2. Only C

  3. A, B and C

  4. All of these

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'External conditions' in A are a possible 'cause', not 'causes'. 'That' in B is redundant. 'Have' and 'had' in C are out of sync.

Multiple choice

Directions: Select the correct sentence.

  1. Hanuman was a devotee to Lord Rama.

  2. Hanuman was a devotee of Lord Rama.

  3. Hanuman was a devotee for Lord Rama.

  4. Hanuman was a devoteed for Lord Rama.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The correct preposition to use with 'devotee' is 'of'. One is a devotee of a person or deity.

Multiple choice

Directions: Supply suitable auxiliaries/idioms/phrases for the question.

The managing director ________ be responsible for the payment to the share holders.

  1. can

  2. shall

  3. might

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

Here, shall is the correct option, as it is used to express obligation even with third-person or second-person constructions. Can is used as a simple present participle, might is used to indicate the possibility that something is true or will happen in the future and may is used to indicate that something could be true or could have happened or will possibly happen.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following item consists of a stem followed by four words. One of the four words can be used as a substitute for the stem.

A person who brings goods from other countries legally for trade or sale.

  1. Importer

  2. Exporter

  3. Smuggler

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

Here, importer is the correct option. An exporter is a person who sends goods to other countries legally for trade or sale. A smuggler is a person who imports or exports goods for trade or sale without paying lawful customs charges or duties, and conman is a person who cheats or tricks someone by means of a confidence trick.