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 sentence below has an underlined part. The underlined part may have an error of grammar or syntax. There are five options that seek to correct the error (including an option that simply repeats the sentence). Select the option that best replaces the underlined part.

Volcanism occurs on Earth in several geological settings, most of which are associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that makes up the lithosphere.

  1. Volcanism occurs on Earth in several geological settings, most of which are associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that makes up the lithosphere.

  2. Volcanism occurs on Earth in several geological settings, most of which is associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that make up the lithosphere.

  3. Volcanism occurs on Earth in several geological settings, much of which is associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that makes up the lithosphere.

  4. Volcanism occurs on Earth in several geological settings, many of which are associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that make up the lithosphere.

  5. Volcanism occurs on Earth in several geological settings, much of which are associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that make up the lithosphere.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This option rectifies subject-verb agreement error and uses plural verb for plural subject (make: plates).

Multiple choice

Directions: Four parts of the sentence given below have been underlined and numbered 1 to 4. Identify the part having an error. If no part has an error, mark (5).

Dinosaurs (1) are traditionally classified as cold-blooded reptiles, (2) but recent evidence based on their eating habits, posture, and skeletal structure (3) suggested some (4) may have been warm-blooded. (5) No error

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

  5. (5)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

 Replace ‘suggested’ by ‘suggests’ to go with ‘recent evidence’.

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill in the blank with the most appropriate of the given options.

__________ promoting a state of near-sleep, hibernation does not make an animal vulnerable to attack by predators because the brain is kept in a normal state of alertness.

  1. Instead of

  2. In spite of

  3. Irrespective of

  4. Even when

  5. Rather than
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

 Only (2) and (4) can precede 'does not'. 'In spite of' promoting sleep', x does not expose y to risk. This makes coherent sense.

Multiple choice

Directions: Four parts of the sentence given below have been underlined. Identify the part having an error and mark it. If no part has an error, mark option (5) as your answer.

(1) Each chemical element is characterized (2) as per the number of protons that (3) an atom of that element contains, called (4) the element's atomic number. (5) No error

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

  5. (5)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Replace ‘as per’ by ‘by’. The element is characterised ‘by’.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence has a part underlined. The part may have error of grammar and/or syntax. Identify the error and select the option that rectifies the error.

A seismograph records oscillation of the ground caused by seismic waves, vibrations that travel from its point of origin, through the Earth or along its surface.

  1. oscillation of the ground caused by seismic waves, vibrations that travel from its point

  2. oscillations of the ground caused by seismic waves, vibrations that travel from its point

  3. oscillation of the ground caused by seismic waves, vibrations that travel from their points

  4. oscillations of the ground caused by seismic waves, vibrations which travel from its point

  5. oscillation of the ground caused by seismic waves, vibrations which travels from its points
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

 Vibrations being plural should not be followed by the singular pronoun 'its'. Hence, 'its' should be replaced by 'their' which is rectified only in (C). 

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentence has a part underlined. The part may have error of grammar and/or syntax. Identify the error and select the option that rectifies the error.

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 closer 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

 When two subjects are combined by 'and' the verb should be plural ('both is always followed by plural verb').  (D) is grammatically correct as it follows subject-verb agreement rule.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase in bold. Choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase given in bold.

Since the President is away to Spain, the decision on this important matter has fallen into abeyance.

  1. In suspense

  2. In a double mind

  3. In trouble

  4. Likely to be dropped
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

To fall into abeyance means to be in a state of temporary disuse, suspension, or inactivity. It is often used for laws, rules, or decisions.