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: Select the correct option and fill blank (IV).

India is new one ___ (I)____ the major countries in nuclear power. The first Indian nuclear device was exploded ___ (II) ____ Pokhran, a place 106 ___ (III) ____ the north of Jaisalmer_(IV)__ the 18th May, 1979. It was an underground explosion, many km below the surface ___ (V) ____ the earth.

  1. on

  2. is

  3. of

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

(2), (3) and (4) are incorrect because only ‘on’ is used before dates.

Multiple choice

Directions: Select the correct option and fill blank (V).

India is new one ___ (I)____ the major countries in nuclear power. The first Indian nuclear device was exploded ___ (II) ____ Pokhran, a place 106 ___ (III) ____ the north of Jaisalmer_(IV)__ the 18th May, 1979. It was an underground explosion, many km below the surface ___ (V) ____ the earth.

  1. of

  2. off

  3. to

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

(2), (3) and (4) are incorrect because the experiment was conducted underneath the earth's surface, so only ‘of’ can be used.

Multiple choice

Directions: Select the correct option and fill blank (II).

India is new one ___ (I)____ the major countries in nuclear power. The first Indian nuclear device was exploded ___ (II) ____ Pokhran, a place 106 ___ (III) ____ the north of Jaisalmer_(IV)__ the 18th May, 1979. It was an underground explosion, many km below the surface ___ (V) ____ the earth.

  1. is

  2. at

  3. of

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

(1), (3) and (4) are incorrect because to refer to the exact place, ‘at’ is used and not ‘in’ or ‘of’ or ‘by’.

Multiple choice

Directions: Select the correct option and fill blank (III).

India is new one ___ (I)____ the major countries in nuclear power. The first Indian nuclear device was exploded ___ (II) ____ Pokhran, a place 106 km___ (III) ____ the north of Jaisalmer_(IV)__ the 18th May, 1979. It was an underground explosion, many km below the surface ___ (V) ____ the earth.

  1. to

  2. in

  3. of

  4. beside

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

(1) and (3) are incorrect because if location of something is mentioned in regards with the direction from something else only "in" is used. (4) is incorrect because it is used to show nearness.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence(s) that make(s) coherent sense grammatically. A. Paleontologists believe that fragments of a primate jawbone unearthed in Burma and estimated at 40 to 44 million years old provide evidence of a crucial step along the evolutionary path that led to human beings. B. Of all the possible disasters that threaten agriculture, the possibility of an adverse change in climate is, may be, the most difficult for analysis. C. Quasars, at billions of light years from earth the most distant observable objects in the universe, believed to be the cores of galaxies since collapsed. D. The selection was based less on the player's capability; more on his willingness to sign the contract.

  1. Only D

  2. Only C

  3. A and D

  4. B and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'Estimated at' in A should be replaced with 'estimated to be'. Error of redundancy in B - 'possibility of' and 'may be' are repetitive. Auxiliary verb 'are' missing in C.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, the word at the top is used in five different ways, numbered (1) to (5). Choose the option in which the usage of the words is INCORRECT or INAPPROPRIATE.

Notice

  1. The notice was punched on to the display board of the college.

  2. He was given a notice for his coming late to the office.

  3. Sorry! I never noticed the carpet.

  4. A copy of the notice was circulated in the school.

  5. Did you notice the expressions on his face?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The notice to an individual is served and not given.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, the word at the top is used in five different ways, numbered (1) to (5). Choose the option in which the usage of the words is INCORRECT or INAPPROPRIATE.

CRUSH

  1. Don't take it as a crushing load; you can possibly manage it.

  2. The reticent man had a crush on her, but could not express it.

  3. Crush the onion into fine paste.

  4. The crush of people stoned the shopping mall.

  5. The clothes look crushed and soiled.

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

'Creased' or 'crumpled' (not crushed).

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, the word at the top is used in five different ways, numbered (1) to (5). Choose the option in which the usage of the words is INCORRECT or INAPPROPRIATE.

THROW

  1. He threw up his hands in despair.

  2. It's a throwback to medieval times.

  3. Do not throw the food in the bin, give it to the maid.

  4. I was thrown off balance by the sheer audacity of the beggar.

  5. The match was decided by the throw of a coin.

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

A coin is tossed. 'Toss' should replace 'throw'.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, the word at the top is used in five different ways, numbered (1) to (5). Choose the option in which the usage of the words is INCORRECT or INAPPROPRIATE.

SINK

  1. The boy that was sinking, shouted for help, but nobody came to his rescue.

  2. The shark sank its teeth into the warm flesh.

  3. The boatman sank the spade into the ground.

  4. The Himalayas have been sinking by almost an inch a year.

  5. The patient is sinking.

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

Living things drown. 'Drowning' should replace 'sinking' in (1).