English Language

Sentence Improvement

821 Questions
All Tense and Time Sequence 181 Verb-Governed Prepositions 145 Lexical Confusables 75 Subject-Verb Agreement 59 Modifiers 48 Determiners and Quantifiers 47 Infinitive vs. Gerund 47 Correlative and Paired Conjunctions 35 Conditional Sentences 30 Pronoun Case and Agreement 24 Redundancy 24 Parallel Structure 20 Question Tags 10 Reported Speech 8

Sentence Improvement Questions

Multiple choice

Directions: Look at the bold part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the bold part. If one of them (A), or (C) is better than the underlined part, indicate your esponse one the Answer Sheet against the corresponding latter (A, (B) or (C). If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate (D) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a ‘No improvement’ response will be signified by the letter (D)

If I have being late, I always feel ashamed.

  1. If I were

  2. If I did

  3. If I am

  4. No improvement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence expresses a general truth or habitual action, which requires the zero conditional structure. In the 'if' clause of a zero conditional, we use the simple present tense ('am') rather than the present perfect continuous ('have being').

Multiple choice

Directions: Look at the bold part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the bold part. If one of them (A), or (C) is better than the underlined part, indicate your esponse one the Answer Sheet against the corresponding latter (A, (B) or (C). If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate (D) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a ‘No improvement’ response will be signified by the letter (D)

He learnt it sitting under the feet of many great teachers.

  1. Before the feet

  2. On the feet

  3. At the feet

  4. No improvement.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The correct idiomatic expression is 'at the feet of', which means to be a student of or to learn from someone's wisdom or example. 'Under the feet' would imply physical placement beneath someone.

Multiple choice

Directions: Look at the bold part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the bold part. If one of them (A), or (C) is better than the underlined part, indicate your esponse one the Answer Sheet against the corresponding latter (A, (B) or (C). If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate (D) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a ‘No improvement’ response will be signified by the letter (D)

This chair will collapse as soon as any one will sit on it.

  1. Sat

  2. Sits

  3. Is sitting

  4. No improvement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In subordinate clauses of time (starting with 'as soon as', 'when', 'before', etc.) that refer to the future, we use the simple present tense instead of the future tense. Therefore, 'sits' is the correct form to follow 'as soon as'.

Multiple choice

Directions: Look at the bold part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the bold part. If one of them (A), or (C) is better than the underlined part, indicate your esponse one the Answer Sheet against the corresponding latter (A, (B) or (C). If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate (D) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a 'No improvement' response will be signified by the letter (D)

The boy said that he has read the book.

  1. He has already read

  2. He wanted to read

  3. He had read

  4. No improvement.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In reported speech, when the reporting verb ('said') is in the past tense, the present perfect tense in the original statement ('has read') must be backshifted to the past perfect tense ('had read').

Multiple choice

Directions: Look at the bold part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the bold part. If one of them (A), or (C) is better than the underlined part, indicate your esponse one the Answer Sheet against the corresponding latter (A, (B) or (C). If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate (D) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a 'No improvement' response will be signified by the letter (D)

No sooner did his feet touch the ground than the intensity of the disaster dawned upon him.

  1. His feet got touched

  2. His feet touch

  3. His feet had touched

  4. No improvement.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'No sooner did' must be followed by the subject and the base form of the verb ('touch'). The original sentence is actually correct as written, but option B provides the correct verb form 'touch' to complete the 'did... touch' construction.

Multiple choice

Directions: Look at the bold part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the bold part. If one of them (A), or (C) is better than the underlined part, indicate your esponse one the Answer Sheet against the corresponding latter (A, (B) or (C). If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate (D) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a 'No improvement' response will be signified by the letter (D)

The accused denied the charges framed against him.

  1. Declined the charges

  2. Denied charges

  3. Refused the charges

  4. No improvement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence is grammatically correct and idiomatic. 'Denied the charges' is the standard way to state that an accused person claims the allegations against them are untrue.

Multiple choice

Directions:Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (1), (2) or (3) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding number (1), (2) or (3. If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate (4) as your response 'No improvement'. I have to cut down my expenses due to my falling income.

  1. I have to cut off

  2. I have to cut out

  3. I have to cut of

  4. No improvement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The phrasal verb 'cut down' means to reduce the size, amount, or quantity of something, which fits the context of expenses perfectly. 'Cut off' means to sever or stop, and 'cut out' means to remove or stop doing something entirely.

Multiple choice

Directions:- Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (1), (2) or (3) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding number (1), (2) or (3. If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate (4) as your response 'No improvement'.

He does not like me coming so late.

  1. my coming so late

  2. I coming so late

  3. me come so late

  4. No improvement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In formal English, a gerund (an -ing word acting as a noun) should be preceded by a possessive adjective. Here, 'coming' is a gerund, so 'my' is required instead of the object pronoun 'me'.

Multiple choice

Directions:- Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (1), (2) or (3) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding number (1), (2) or (3. If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate (4) as your response 'No improvement'.

His brother never has and never will be dependable

  1. never had

  2. never has been

  3. was never being

  4. No improvement.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This sentence uses ellipsis, where part of the verb phrase is omitted. However, 'has' and 'will be' require different forms of the principal verb: 'has' requires 'been', while 'will' requires 'be'.

Multiple choice

Directions:- Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (1), (2) or (3) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding number (1), (2) or (3. If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate (4) as your response 'No improvement'.

Of the two candidates, I think he is the best suited.

  1. he is suited best.

  2. he is the better suited.

  3. he is best suited.

  4. No improvement.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

When comparing exactly two people or things, the comparative degree ('better') must be used instead of the superlative degree ('best').

Multiple choice

Directions: Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (1), (2) or (3) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding number (1), (2) or (3. If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate (4) as your response 'No improvement'.

The climate of Delhi is somewhat like Jaipura

  1. like Jaipur's

  2. as Jaipur's

  3. as Jaipur

  4. No improvement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence compares the climate of Delhi to the climate of Jaipur. To avoid comparing a 'climate' to a 'city', we use the possessive 'Jaipur's' to imply 'Jaipur's climate'.

Multiple choice

Directions:- Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (1), (2) or (3) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding number (1), (2) or (3. If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate (4) as your response 'No improvement'. You must carry on my order

  1. carry off

  2. carry out

  3. carry of

  4. No improvement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phrasal verb 'carry out' means to perform, execute, or obey a task or order. 'Carry on' means to continue doing something.

Multiple choice

Directions:- Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (1), (2) or (3) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding number (1), (2) or (3. If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate (4) as your response 'No improvement'.

When describing the accident, he was in tears.

  1. In describing

  2. When he was describing

  3. As describing

  4. No improvement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

While 'When describing' is common, 'In describing' is a more idiomatic and formal way to express 'while in the process of' or 'during the act of'. It emphasizes the circumstance that led to the tears.

Multiple choice

Directions:- Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (1), (2) or (3) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding number (1), (2) or (3. If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate (4) as your response 'No improvement'.

Now I must beg leave of you.

  1. beg your leave

  2. beg of your leave

  3. beg off your leave

  4. No improvement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'beg leave of you' is a formal, idiomatic expression meaning to ask for permission to depart. It is grammatically correct as written.

Multiple choice

Directions:- Look at the underlined part of the sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (1), (2) or (3) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response against the corresponding number (1), (2) or (3. If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate (4) as your response 'No improvement'. The boat was drowned.

  1. was drown

  2. was drowned

  3. was sunk

  4. No improvement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In English, the verb 'drown' is used for living beings, while 'sink' is used for inanimate objects like boats. Therefore, 'was sunk' is the correct term.