English Language

Parts of Speech

1,977 Questions

The parts of speech form the foundation of English grammar, categorizing words into nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and other functional classes. Identifying the correct part of speech is crucial for sentence construction and comprehension. This topic is a staple in the English language sections of SSC, Banking, and various other competitive exams.

Nouns and verbsAdjectives identificationAdverbs and modifiersWord categorization

Parts of Speech Questions

Multiple choice

2>Directions: Select the correct answer to the following question.

“When an infinitive is used to qualify a verb or a noun or adjective, it is called __________”.

  1. Qualifying infinitive

  2. Simple Infinitive

  3. Present Infinitive

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A qualifying infinitive is one that modifies or qualifies a verb, noun, or adjective. When an infinitive serves this descriptive function, it's specifically called a qualifying infinitive, distinguishing it from other types like simple or present infinitives.

Multiple choice

Which kind of verb is called an infinitive verb?

  1. A verb which is limited by number

  2. A verb which is limited by person

  3. A verb which is limited both by number and person

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(1) is incorrect because an infinitive is not limited by a number. (2) is incorrect because an infinitive is not limited by a person. (3) is incorrect because an infinitive is not limited by a number or a person. (4) is the correct answer as an infinitive is not limited either by a number or a person.

Multiple choice

In which cluster all the phrasal verbs are separable?

  1. Bring about, add up, carry over, face up to

  2. Back up, bring off, bring over, brush out

  3. Clean up, buy out, bring to, call for

  4. Care for, carry on, call up, call off

  5. Bring up, bear on, cheer up, clear out
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

All of these are separable.

Multiple choice

In which set can each word be used as a noun, adjective and verb?

  1. Counter, light, pat, clear

  2. Delegate, defeat, temporary, tertiary

  3. Chronic, incumbency, parent, proponent

  4. Topic, alacrity, android, auditory

  5. Low, clean, delegate, irate
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The word counter can be a noun, an adjective and a verb. As a noun it refers to a table over which business is transacted; to counter (verb) is to speak in response; as an adjective counter means opposite. Example: counter clockwise. The word clear can be a verb, an adjective and a noun. As an adjective clear means obvious; to clear is to empty a place; the noun clear is mainly used in the phrase ‘in the clear’. The word light can be a verb, an adjective and a noun. Light (noun) is the brightness that allows us to see things; light (adjective) means very bright; to light is to start to burn. The word pat can be a verb, an adjective and a noun. To pat is to touch someone gently; a pat (noun) is a gentle touch; pat excuses (adjective) are those excuses that have been used too many times.

Multiple choice

Identify the set of words in which all are adverbs?

  1. Now, afterwards, towards, boldly

  2. Deadly, pleasantly, soon, daily

  3. Tomorrow, notwithstanding, everywhere, even

  4. Though, until, in spite of, whether

  5. Enough, unpleasant, far, late
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

All the words in this group are adverbs.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, four phrasal verbs are given. You are to choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the given word(s)/phrase/sentence.

Start

  1. set in

  2. set off

  3. set with

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

Set off means to begin a journey or start an activity/process. This is the most common phrasal verb used in this context. Set in means to begin and become established (used for weather, conditions), not for starting actions. Set with and set on are not standard phrasal verbs with relevant meanings.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, four phrasal verbs are given. You are to choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the given word(s)/phrase/sentence.

Bring something to an end.

  1. wind up

  2. wind off

  3. wind on

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

Wind up means to bring something to an end or conclusion, or to finish doing something. Wind off, wind on, and wind in are not standard phrasal verbs with meanings related to ending things.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, four phrasal verbs are given. You are to choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the given word(s)/phrase/sentence.

Make enquiries or arrangement.

  1. see about

  2. see through

  3. see in

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

See about means to make arrangements, attend to something, or deal with a matter. See through means to complete something despite difficulties. See to means to take care of or attend to someone/something. See in is not a standard phrasal verb with this meaning.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, four phrasal verbs are given. You are to choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the given word(s)/phrase/sentence.

Speak ill of.

  1. run down

  2. run through

  3. see off

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

Run down means to criticize someone speak ill of them, or review something. Run through means to rehearse or practice. See off means to say goodbye to someone leaving. Set out means to begin a journey.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, four phrasal verbs are given. You are to choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the given word(s)/phrase/sentence.

Investigate

  1. look into

  2. look out

  3. look in

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

'Look into' means to investigate or examine something carefully. For instance, detectives look into crimes, and managers look into complaints. 'Look out' means to be careful, 'look in' means to visit briefly, and 'look for' means to search for something.