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
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those of
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these of
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those in
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these in
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The phrase "those of you who..." is a standard idiomatic expression used to address a specific subgroup within a larger audience. "Those" acts as a demonstrative pronoun referring to the people, and "of" links it to "you". Other options like "these of" or "those in" are grammatically incorrect in this context.
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few weeks
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in the few past weeks
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few past weeks
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a few weeks since
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The phrase "the past few weeks" is used to refer to a recent period of time leading up to the present. Although the option contains a minor typo with an extra "in" and slightly inverted word order ("few past" instead of "past few"), it is the only choice that provides the necessary determiner and noun structure to complete the prepositional phrase.
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The verb "consist" is followed by the preposition "of" when describing the components or ingredients that make up a whole. Other prepositions like "from", "for", or "by" do not form a grammatically correct phrase with "consist" in this context.
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The verb "feed" is idiomatically followed by the preposition "on" when referring to the food an animal eats (e.g., "feed on any type of food"). Therefore, the preposition "by" is incorrect in this context and must be replaced. The other prepositions ("on the land", "in the sea", "adapted to") are all grammatically correct.
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The verb "rely" is idiomatically followed by the preposition "on" (or "upon") to mean depending on someone or something. Prepositions like "at", "in", or "by" are incorrect in this context.
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from
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is which
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is from
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from which
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The sentence needs a relative clause to describe the "sedimentary rock". Since oil and natural gas are obtained from the rock, the relative pronoun "which" must be preceded by the preposition "from", yielding "from which". Other options fail to provide the correct prepositional relationship or introduce unnecessary verbs.
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An exhibit is
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is an exhibit
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an exhibit
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Which is an exhibit
B
Correct answer
Explanation
This sentence uses inversion for emphasis, placing the participle phrase "Featured at the Henry Ford Museum" at the beginning. In such inverted structures, the verb ("is") must precede the subject ("an exhibit"). Option A is incorrect because it does not follow the inversion rule, and Option C lacks a verb entirely.
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if they tried
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when tried
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when trying
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if he tries
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The phrase "when trying" is a reduced adverb clause (short for "when they are trying") that correctly modifies the action of reversing letters. "When tried" is passive and does not make sense here, while "if they tried" uses an incorrect tense sequence.
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has
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which is having
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is having
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have
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The subject 'The north pole' is singular, so it requires the singular verb 'has' to state a permanent geographical fact. The plural verb 'have' is incorrect, and progressive forms like 'is having' or 'which is having' do not correctly express static, permanent characteristics.
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What do you think we’ll be doing in five years’ time?
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What do you think you’re doing in five years’ time?
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What do you think we do in five year’s time?
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The future continuous tense ("will be doing") is used to talk about an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. Additionally, "five years' time" correctly uses the plural possessive apostrophe after the 's'.
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my computer fixed
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my computer fix
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computer fixed
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fixed my computer
A
Correct answer
Explanation
This sentence uses the causative structure 'get + object + past participle' to show that someone else will perform a service. 'My computer' is the object, and 'fixed' is the past participle, making 'my computer fixed' the correct arrangement. Other options violate this word order or omit the possessive pronoun.
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can you
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won't you
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will you
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should you
C
Correct answer
Explanation
When the main clause is negative ('won't forget'), the question tag must be positive. Since the auxiliary verb in the main clause is 'will' (from 'won't'), the correct tag is 'will you'.
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conversion
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evaporate
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evaporation
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evolution
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The sentence requires a noun following the indefinite article "an". "Evaporation" is a noun that metaphorically describes the sudden disappearance or fading away of confidence. The other options are either verbs or do not fit the context of losing confidence.
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alternate
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evolve
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evolution
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development
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The verb "alternate" means to switch back and forth between two things, which fits the context of rotating two players (Aguero and Dzeko) in a position. "Evolve" does not fit the context of switching positions, and "evolution" and "development" are nouns.
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adapt
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adaptation
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adaptable
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adaptability
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The phrase "showed great [noun]" requires a noun that describes a quality. "Adaptability" is the quality of being able to adjust to new conditions, which fits the context of a player changing roles. "Adapt" is a verb, "adaptable" is an adjective, and "adaptation" refers to a modified thing rather than the personal quality.