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 softskills communication

How ________ money do you have in your pocket?

  1. many

  2. few

  3. much

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

Money is an uncountable noun, so we use "much" rather than "many". "Many" is used with countable nouns (many coins, many dollars), while "much" is for uncountable quantities (much money, much water, much time). "Few" and "some" don't fit grammatically with "how" in this question structure.

Multiple choice softskills communication

He's got _______ interesting stories

  1. any

  2. some

  3. a lot

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

In positive statements, "some" is used to indicate an unspecified amount. "Any" is typically used in negatives and questions. "A lot" needs "of" (a lot of), and "lot" is incorrect alone. Since this is a positive statement with an uncountable noun (stories can be counted as individual items, but here "stories" is treated as content), "some" is correct.

Multiple choice softskills communication

He likes watching TV ______ evening.

  1. in the

  2. at

  3. during

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

We use the structure 'in + the + time of day' for parts of the day like 'in the morning' or 'in the evening.' 'At' is used for precise times like 'at 7pm,' and 'in' (without 'the') is used for longer periods like months or years.

Multiple choice softskills communication

If I __________ you, I would wait a while to begin investing.

  1. was

  2. am

  3. were

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

To solve this question, the user needs to know the correct form of the conditional sentence. In this case, it is a type 2 conditional sentence, which expresses an unreal or improbable situation in the present or future. The sentence requires the use of the past tense in the if-clause and the modal auxiliary verb "would" in the main clause.

Now, let's go through each option and explain why it is right or wrong:

A. was: This option is incorrect because "was" is the past tense form of the verb "be" used for the first and third person singular. However, the sentence requires the use of the past tense in the if-clause, which is "were" for all persons.

B. am: This option is incorrect because "am" is the present tense form of the verb "be" used for the first person singular. However, the sentence requires the use of the past tense in the if-clause, which is "were" for all persons.

C. were: This option is correct. "Were" is the past tense form of the verb "be" used for all persons in the if-clause of a type 2 conditional sentence. The sentence requires the use of the modal auxiliary verb "would" in the main clause. Thus, option C is the correct answer.

D. would be: This option is incorrect because "would be" is the conditional form of the verb "be" used in the main clause of a type 1 conditional sentence. However, the sentence requires the use of a type 2 conditional sentence, which requires the modal auxiliary verb "would" in the main clause.

The Answer is: C. were

Multiple choice softskills communication

I think San Francisco is ____ exciting ____ New York.

  1. as ... as

  2. so ... than

  3. as ... than

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

To show equality between two things, we use 'as + adjective + as'. 'So...than' and 'as...than' are incorrect because 'than' is only used with comparatives, not for equality. 'So...as' doesn't form the correct equality comparison structure.

Multiple choice softskills communication

How do you get to company?

  1. In train

  2. By train

  3. With train

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

When describing transportation, use 'by' with the mode of transport. 'By train' is the correct prepositional phrase. 'In train' is incorrect - we use 'in' for vehicles like 'in a car' or 'in a bus' but not 'in train.' 'With train' and 'Train.' are grammatically incorrect for describing transportation.

Multiple choice softskills communication

Telugu is called -- Italian of the East

  1. as

  2. No preposition

  3. on

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

In the construction 'X is called Y', when Y is a noun phrase, no preposition is used. 'Telugu is called the Italian of the East' correctly uses zero preposition. 'As' would create 'Telugu is called as the Italian', which is incorrect grammar.

Multiple choice softskills communication

to legislate; ordain; decree; perform

  1. gyrate

  2. enact

  3. eulogize

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

'Enact' means to establish by law, make into legislation, or officially decree a policy or rule. Gyrate means to revolve or spin, eulogize means to praise highly, and impregnate means to fertilize or permeate.

Multiple choice softskills communication

In the monsoon season _______ almost every day

  1. it rains

  2. it raining

  3. There rains

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

Present simple tense is used for habitual actions and general truths. 'It rains' correctly expresses a regular occurrence in the monsoon season. 'It raining' is grammatically incomplete, 'There rains' is incorrect syntax, and 'There raining' lacks a proper verb.