100 MCQs on Basic English Grammar Terms
Test your knowledge of basic English grammar terms with these multiple-choice questions. Click "Show/Hide Answer" to reveal the correct option and explanation.
Question 1: What is a Proper Noun?
A. Name of a group of persons or things
B. Name of a person, place, or thing
C. Name of a quality or state
D. Name of a metal or substance
Explanation: A Proper Noun refers to the name of a specific person, place, or thing, e.g., Ram, Alwar, Table.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of a Common Noun?
A. Ram
B. King
C. Team
D. Honesty
Explanation: A Common Noun refers to the name given to persons, things, or places of the same kind or class, e.g., King, boy, girl, city.
Question 3: What does a Collective Noun represent?
A. A quality or action
B. A group of persons or things taken as a whole
C. A metal or substance
D. A specific person or place
Explanation: A Collective Noun is the name of a group of persons or things taken together and spoken of as a whole, e.g., Team, Committee, Army.
Question 4: How is a Material Noun typically used in sentences?
A. In plural form with counting
B. In singular form without counting
C. As a proper name
D. As a group term
Explanation: Material Nouns are not countable and are usually used with a singular verb, e.g., Silver, Iron, Wood.
Question 5: What does an Abstract Noun refer to?
A. A physical object
B. A quality, action, or state
C. A group of things
D. A specific place
Explanation: Abstract Noun refers to the name of quality, action, or state, e.g., Honesty, Bravery (quality), Hatred, Laughter (action).
Question 6: In which case is a noun used as the subject of a verb?
A. Possessive Case
B. Objective Case
C. Nominative Case
D. Case in Apposition
Explanation: When a noun is used as the subject of the verb in a sentence, it is in the Nominative Case.
Question 7: How is the Possessive Case formed?
A. By adding an apostrophe
B. By changing the verb
C. By using a preposition
D. By inverting the sentence
Explanation: In Possessive Case, an apostrophe is used with the noun to show relation or possession.
Question 8: What is the Objective Case?
A. Noun as subject
B. Noun as object of the verb
C. Noun showing possession
D. Noun addressing someone
Explanation: When a noun is used as an object of the verb in a sentence, it is in Objective Case.
Question 9: What is Nominative of Address?
A. Noun showing ownership
B. Noun used to address a person or thing
C. Noun as object
D. Noun in apposition
Explanation: A noun used to address a person or thing is in Nominative of Address, e.g., Boys, don’t make a noise.
Question 10: What is Case in Apposition?
A. Two nouns referring to different things
B. Two nouns referring to the same person or thing placed together
C. Noun as subject
D. Noun with apostrophe
Explanation: When two nouns referring to the same person or thing are in apposition, e.g., Her father, Naresh Chandra.
Question 11: What is a Complement in a sentence?
A. The action word
B. A word that completes the meaning of subject or object
C. A joining word
D. A modifier of noun
Explanation: Complement completes the meaning of subject or object, unlike object which has no sameness.
Question 12: How do Determiners differ from Adjectives?
A. Determiners can change form
B. Determiners do not change form, e.g., no suffix/prefix
C. Determiners are verbs
D. Determiners are nouns
Explanation: Determiners like a, an, the do not change; Adjectives can, e.g., Black to Blackish.
Question 13: What is Synthesis?
A. Breaking down a sentence into clauses
B. Combining multiple sentences into one
C. Modifying a verb
D. Adding apostrophe
Explanation: Synthesis is combining two or more sentences into one Simple, Compound, Complex, or Mixed sentence.
Question 14: What is Analysis in grammar?
A. Joining words
B. Identifying clauses in a sentence and their types
C. Changing tense
D. Adding prefixes
Explanation: Analysis involves recognizing clauses (principal, coordinate, subordinate) and sentence type.
Question 15: What is a Conjunction?
A. A word that modifies a verb
B. A word that joins words or sentences
C. A replacement for noun
D. A word before noun
Explanation: A Conjunction joins words or sentences, also called a Sentence Linker.
Question 16: Which are examples of Coordinating Conjunctions?
A. After, although
B. For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
C. Either...or
D. If, unless
Explanation: Coordinating Conjunctions join equal rank sentences or words.
Question 17: What do Subordinating Conjunctions do?
A. Join equal parts
B. Join a subordinate clause to another clause
C. Join pairs
D. Modify nouns
Explanation: Subordinating Conjunctions connect a subordinate clause to another, e.g., after, although.
Question 18: What are Correlative Conjunctions?
A. Single words like and
B. Pairs like Either...or, Neither...nor
C. Words like because
D. Verbs in pairs
Explanation: Correlative Conjunctions are used in pairs, e.g., Both...and, Not only...but also.
Question 19: What does an Adverb modify?
A. Only nouns
B. Verb, Adjective, or another Adverb
C. Only pronouns
D. Only prepositions
Explanation: An Adverb modifies the meaning of a verb, adjective, another adverb, or adverbial phrase.
Question 20: What is a Pronoun?
A. A word that replaces a verb
B. A word that replaces a noun
C. A joining word
D. A modifier
Explanation: A Pronoun is a word used in place of a Noun, referring to it.
Question 21: What is the function of a Preposition?
A. Replaces noun
B. Shows relation between noun/pronoun and other words
C. Modifies verb
D. Joins clauses
Explanation: Preposition is placed before a Noun or Pronoun to denote its relation with something else.
Question 22: What is Subject-Verb Agreement?
A. Verb changes with object
B. Verb agrees with subject in number and person
C. Subject changes tense
D. Verb inverts
Explanation: The verb must agree with its subject in number and person.
Question 23: What are Weak Verbs?
A. Verbs adding -ed, -d, or -t for past tense
B. Verbs changing vowel for past
C. Irregular verbs
D. Stative verbs
Explanation: Weak Verbs require -ed, -d, or -t added to form Past Indefinite, e.g., Sell-Sold.
Question 24: How do Strong Verbs form past tense?
A. By adding -ed
B. By changing the vowel
C. By adding -ing
D. By inversion
Explanation: Strong Verbs change the vowel in the present form for past, e.g., Abide-Abode.
Question 25: What are Regular Verbs?
A. Verbs with irregular past
B. Verbs adding d, ed, t to base for past
C. Stative verbs
D. Dynamic verbs
Explanation: Regular Verbs form past by adding d, ed, t to the root, e.g., Talk-Talked.
Question 26: What characterizes Irregular Verbs?
A. Past form by adding ed
B. Past form not by adding d/ed/t, no fixed rule
C. Used in continuous
D. Linking verbs
Explanation: Irregular Verbs do not follow a fixed rule for past form, e.g., See-Saw-Seen.
Question 27: What are Stative Verbs?
A. Verbs used in continuous form
B. Verbs not used in continuous form, denoting fixed states
C. Action verbs
D. Inchoative verbs
Explanation: Stative Verbs denote permanent states and are not used in continuous, e.g., see, hear, know.
Question 28: What does Dynamic mean in verbs?
A. Fixed state
B. Temporary or momentary action
C. Beginning of change
D. Transitive action
Explanation: Dynamic Verbs denote temporary actions, opposite of stative, e.g., He is swimming.
Question 29: What are Inchoative Verbs?
A. Verbs denoting end of action
B. Verbs denoting beginning or development of change
C. Static verbs
D. Irregular verbs
Explanation: Inchoative Verbs denote the beginning, development, or final stage of change, e.g., Get, Become.
Question 30: What defines Transitive Verbs?
A. Action stays with subject
B. Action passes to an object
C. No object needed
D. Used in passive only
Explanation: Transitive Verbs require an object, action passes over to it, e.g., Ramesh hits a ball.
Question 31: What are Intransitive Verbs?
A. Require object
B. Action does not pass to object
C. Always regular
D. Stative only
Explanation: Intransitive Verbs do not require an object, action limited to subject, e.g., He sleeps.
Question 32: What are Auxiliary Verbs?
A. Main action verbs
B. Helping verbs like do, is, have, will
C. Linking nouns
D. Modifying adjectives
Explanation: Auxiliary Verbs help main verbs, including primary (do, be, have) and modals (will, can).
Question 33: What are Linking Verbs?
A. Helping verbs acting as main verbs
B. Action verbs
C. Transitive only
D. Irregular verbs
Explanation: Linking Verbs (Notional) act as main verbs without support, e.g., She is a beautiful girl.
Question 34: What are Modals?
A. Nouns expressing mood
B. Auxiliary verbs expressing mood or manner
C. Adjectives
D. Prepositions
Explanation: Modals are auxiliary verbs expressing mood, e.g., will, can, should.
Question 35: What are Finite Verbs?
A. Verbs without subject agreement
B. Verbs changing with subject number, person, tense
C. Infinitives
D. Gerunds
Explanation: Finite Verbs agree with subject's number, person, and tense.
Question 36: What are Non-Finite Verbs?
A. Verbs agreeing with subject
B. Verbs not affected by tense or subject
C. Only past forms
D. Regular verbs
Explanation: Non-Finite Verbs are not influenced by tense, person, or number of subject.
Question 37: What is an Infinitive?
A. Verb + ing
B. To + verb
C. Past participle
D. Gerund form
Explanation: Infinitive is 'to + verb', e.g., to play; without 'to' is Bare Infinitive.
Question 38: What is a Split Infinitive?
A. Infinitive without to
B. Inserting adverb between 'to' and verb
C. Gerund split
D. Participle dangling
Explanation: Split Infinitive is inserting a word between 'to' and the verb, traditionally avoided but now accepted in some cases.
Question 39: What is a Gerund?
A. Verb acting as adjective
B. Verb + ing acting as noun
C. To + verb
D. Past form
Explanation: Gerund is Verb + ing functioning as a noun, also called Verbal Noun.
Question 40: What is a Participle?
A. Verb acting as noun
B. Verb form with qualities of adjective
C. Joining word
D. Modifier of preposition
Explanation: Participle is a verb form that also has adjective qualities, called Verbal Adjective.
Question 41: What is an Unattached or Dangling Participle?
A. Participle related to noun
B. Participle not related to any noun or pronoun
C. Split form
D. Gerund form
Explanation: When a Participle has no related noun or pronoun, it is Unattached or Dangling, e.g., Being a cold morning.
Question 42: What is Inversion?
A. Normal subject-verb order
B. Verb before subject in affirmative sentences
C. Adding ing
D. Changing to passive
Explanation: Inversion places verb before subject, common in interrogatives or with certain adverbs.
Question 43: What is a Synonym?
A. Opposite word
B. Word with same meaning
C. Same spelling different meaning
D. Backward reading word
Explanation: Synonym is a word meaning the same as another, e.g., 'industrial democracy' for 'worker participation'.
Question 44: What is an Antonym?
A. Same meaning
B. Opposite meaning
C. Same spelling
D. Self-referencing
Explanation: Antonym is a word meaning the opposite, e.g., Day and Night.
Question 45: What is a Heteronym?
A. Same pronunciation different spelling
B. Same spelling different pronunciation and meaning
C. Opposite word
D. Backward word
Explanation: Heteronym has same spelling but different pronunciation and meaning, also called homographs sometimes.
Question 46: What is an Autogram?
A. Opposite sentence
B. Self-referencing sentence describing its letter content
C. All alphabet sentence
D. Backward reading
Explanation: Autogram is a self-referencing sentence that describes its own letter content.
Question 47: What is a Contronym?
A. Word that is its own antonym
B. Same meaning word
C. Backward word
D. Group term
Explanation: Contronym is a word that is its own antonym, e.g., fast (quick or unmoving).
Question 48: What is Malapropism?
A. Correct word use
B. Incorrect word in place of similar sounding correct word
C. Self-referencing
D. All letters sentence
Explanation: Malapropism is using an incorrect word instead of a similar-sounding one, e.g., 'install' for 'instill'.
Question 49: What is a Palindrome?
A. Word reading same forward and backward
B. Opposite word
C. Same spelling different meaning
D. Self-describing
Explanation: Palindrome reads the same forward and backward, e.g., racecar, Hannah.
Question 50: What is a Palingram?
A. Sentence with all letters
B. Sentence reading same backward in letters, syllables, or words
C. Own antonym
D. Incorrect word
Explanation: Palingram reads the same backward, e.g., 'He was, was he?'
Question 51: What is a Pangram?
A. Backward word
B. Sentence containing all alphabet letters
C. Self-antonym
D. Similar sounding wrong word
Explanation: Pangram contains all letters of the alphabet, e.g., The quick brown fox jumps over a little lazy dog.
Question 52: What is an Eponym?
A. Word from a person's name as source
B. All letters sentence
C. Backward reading
D. Own opposite
Explanation: Eponym is a name thought to be the source of something's name, e.g., Xerox for photocopy.
Question 53: What is an Adjunct?
A. Main verb
B. Word/group indicating circumstances of action
C. Noun replacement
D. Joining word
Explanation: Adjunct is a word or group indicating circumstances, usually prepositional phrase or adverb group.
Question 54: What is a Contraction?
A. Expanded word
B. Shortened form of word or words
C. Opposite word
D. Backward sentence
Explanation: Contraction is shortened form, e.g., can't for cannot, it's for it is.
Question 55: What is Positive Degree?
A. Highest quality
B. Adjective in general form denoting existence
C. Higher than positive
D. Comparison of two
Explanation: Positive Degree is the adjective in its general form, denoting mere existence of quality.
Question 56: When is Comparative Degree used?
A. For more than two things
B. When two things are compared
C. For existence only
D. For highest degree
Explanation: Comparative Degree denotes higher degree than positive, used for comparing two things.
Question 57: What is Superlative Degree?
A. General form
B. Higher than positive
C. Highest degree for more than two
D. Existence only
Explanation: Superlative Degree denotes the highest degree, used when more than two things are compared.
Question 58: What is Mood in grammar?
A. Tense form
B. Mode or manner of verb action presentation
C. Noun case
D. Verb agreement
Explanation: Mood is the mode or manner in which the verb's action is presented, with three types: Indicative, Imperative, Subjunctive.
Question 59: What is Indicative Mood?
A. For commands
B. For statements, questions, or suppositions as facts
C. For wishes
D. For resolutions
Explanation: Indicative Mood makes statements, asks questions, or expresses suppositions assumed as facts.
Question 60: What does Imperative Mood express?
A. Statements
B. Commands, exhortations, entreaties, prayers
C. Wishes
D. Resolutions
Explanation: Imperative Mood expresses commands, exhortations, entreaties, or prayers.
Question 61: What is Present Subjunctive used for?
A. Commands
B. Wishes or hopes
C. Statements
D. Questions
Explanation: Present Subjunctive expresses wishes or hopes, e.g., God bless you.
Question 62: When is Past Subjunctive used?
A. For real situations
B. For unreal situations or contrary to fact after 'wish'
C. For commands
D. For statements
Explanation: Past Subjunctive denotes unreal or contrary to fact situations.
Question 63: Which is an example of Collective Noun usage?
A. Usually plural verb
B. Usually singular verb, but can be plural if treated as common
C. Always countable
D. With article always
Explanation: Collective Nouns are usually singular but can be plural if treated as Common Nouns.
Question 64: Abstract Nouns are used with?
A. Plural verbs always
B. Singular verbs generally
C. Articles always
D. Prepositions only
Explanation: Abstract Nouns are generally used with singular verbs.
Question 65: Can Abstract Nouns be physically touched?
A. Yes
B. No, they are felt or sensed
C. Only qualities
D. Only actions
Explanation: Abstract Nouns cannot be physically touched or seen, only felt.
Question 66: In Noun Cases, how is relation expressed?
A. Through verbs
B. Through relation with other words in sentence
C. Through adjectives
D. Through inversion
Explanation: Noun Case expresses the noun's relation with other words in the sentence.
Question 67: What happens to object in passive voice?
A. Becomes complement
B. Becomes subject
C. Remains object
D. Disappears
Explanation: In passive, object becomes subject, but complement does not.
Question 68: Traditional grammar treats Determiners as?
A. Separate from Adjectives
B. Part of Adjectives
C. Verbs
D. Nouns
Explanation: In traditional grammar, Determiners are not separated from Adjectives.
Question 69: Synthesis creates what type of sentences?
A. Only simple
B. Simple, Compound, Complex, or Mixed
C. Only complex
D. Only compound
Explanation: Synthesis combines sentences into one of these types.
Question 70: Analysis checks for?
A. Only principal clauses
B. Types of clauses and sentence type
C. Only subordinates
D. Verbs only
Explanation: Analysis identifies clause types and overall sentence type.
Question 71: Conjunctions are also known as?
A. Modifiers
B. Sentence Linkers
C. Replacers
D. Inverters
Explanation: Conjunctions link sentences or words.
Question 72: Subordinating Clause depends on?
A. Another clause for full meaning
B. No other clause
C. Only coordinating
D. Pairs
Explanation: Subordinate Clause depends on another for complete meaning.
Question 73: Correlative Conjunctions always?
A. Stand alone
B. Used in pairs
C. Subordinate
D. Coordinate unequal
Explanation: They are used in pairs and join similar elements.
Question 74: Adverb can modify?
A. Adverbial phrase also
B. Only verbs
C. Only adjectives
D. Only nouns
Explanation: Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or adverbial phrases.
Question 75: Pronouns refer to?
A. Verbs
B. Nouns or antecedents
C. Adjectives
D. Prepositions
Explanation: Pronouns stand for or refer to nouns, with identity clear from context.
Question 76: Preposition is followed by?
A. Verb
B. Noun
C. Adjective
D. Adverb
Explanation: A preposition is followed by a noun, never a verb.
Question 77: In Subject-Verb Agreement, singular subject takes?
A. Plural verb
B. Singular verb
C. Any verb
D. No verb
Explanation: Verb agrees with subject; singular subject takes singular verb.
Question 78: Strong Verbs are now classified as?
A. Regular
B. Irregular
C. Weak
D. Stative
Explanation: Verbs are now Regular and Irregular; Strong are Irregular.
Question 79: Stative Verbs are also called?
A. Conclusive
B. Non-Conclusive
C. Dynamic
D. Inchoative
Explanation: Stative Verbs are Non-Conclusive, not used in continuous.
Question 80: Examples of Inchoative Verbs include?
A. See, hear
B. Get, Become, Grow
C. Hit, sleep
D. Do, have
Explanation: They denote change, e.g., My father is getting weaker.
Question 81: To test if verb is Transitive, ask?
A. What or whom
B. When or where
C. Why or how
D. Who or which
Explanation: If 'what' or 'whom' gives an answer, it's Transitive.
Question 82: Primary Auxiliary Verbs include?
A. Will, can
B. Do, be, have
C. Get, become
D. See, know
Explanation: Primary: do, does, did, is, am, are, was, were, have, has, had.
Question 83: Modal Verbs include?
A. Do, be
B. Will, shall, may, can
C. Hit, sleep
D. Get, grow
Explanation: Modals: will, shall, may, can, should, would, could, might, must, etc.
Question 84: Bare Infinitive is?
A. With to
B. Without to
C. With ing
D. Past form
Explanation: Infinitive without 'to', e.g., I saw him go.
Question 85: Gerund is also called?
A. Verbal Adjective
B. Verbal Noun
C. Bare Infinitive
D. Dangling Participle
Explanation: Gerund functions as a noun while being a verb form.
Question 86: Participle is called?
A. Verbal Noun
B. Verbal Adjective
C. Linking Verb
D. Modal
Explanation: Participle has verb and adjective qualities.
Question 87: How to correct Dangling Participle?
A. Add unrelated noun
B. Add related noun or 'It'
C. Remove participle
D. Split it
Explanation: E.g., It being a cold morning...
Question 88: Inversion occurs with?
A. Normal adverbs
B. Certain adverbs or phrases for emphasis
C. Only nouns
D. Always in affirmative
Explanation: For emphasis, especially negative or restrictive adverbs first, followed by inverted verb.
Question 89: Heteronyms are sometimes called?
A. Homophones
B. Homographs
C. Antonyms
D. Synonyms
Explanation: Same spelling, different pronunciation/meaning.
Question 90: Autogram describes?
A. Its own words
B. Its letter content
C. Opposite
D. All alphabets
Explanation: Self-referencing sentence describing letter content.
Question 91: Contronym is also called?
A. Antagonym
B. Synonym
C. Palindrome
D. Pangram
Explanation: Word that is its own antonym.
Question 92: Malapropism example?
A. Day and night
B. 'Install' for 'instill'
C. Racecar
D. Quick brown fox
Explanation: Incorrect similar-sounding word.
Question 93: Palindrome example?
A. Fast - quick/unmoving
B. Racecar
C. The quick brown fox
D. He was, was he
Explanation: Reads same forward/backward.
Question 94: Palingram can be?
A. Letter or word level
B. Only letter
C. Only syllable
D. Only word
Explanation: Reads same backward in letters, syllables, or words.
Question 95: Pangram example?
A. Racecar
B. The quick brown fox jumps over a little lazy dog
C. Fast
D. Install virtues
Explanation: Contains all 26 English letters.
Question 96: Eponym example?
A. Day-night
B. Xerox for photocopy
C. Racecar
D. Quick fox
Explanation: Name becoming source for product's term.
Question 97: Adjunct is usually?
A. Noun phrase
B. Prepositional phrase or adverb group
C. Verb form
D. Adjective
Explanation: Indicates circumstances of action.
Question 98: Contraction example?
A. It is
B. It's for it is
C. Racecar
D. Fast
Explanation: Shortened form with apostrophe.
Question 99: Superlative Degree example?
A. Good
B. Better
C. Best
D. Strong
Explanation: Highest degree, e.g., Good-Better-Best.
Question 100: Subjunctive Mood example?
A. He goes daily
B. God bless you
C. Open the door
D. Are you fine?
Explanation: Expresses wish or hope in Present Subjunctive.
