English Grammar and correct usage test - Jan 12, 2015
In the English language there are many words which are synonymous, so to say, but their meanings differ in shades. Use of one word in place of another changes the whole meaning of a sentence. Five such pairs are enlisted below with the explanations and examples of their difference.1. Habit and Customa. Habit:a) I have got a bad habit of biting of biting my nails lately.
b) I have got a bad custom of biting of biting my nails lately.
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: a) I have got a bad habit of biting of biting my nails lately.
c) The habit of child marriage has been made unlawful.
d) The custom of child marriage has been made unlawful.
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: d) The custom of child marriage has been made unlawful.
Explanation: Habit belongs to a person whereas custom belongs to a group, society or country.
a) He lived in a glass house.
b) He stayed in a glass home.
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: a) He lived in a glass house.
a) I am going house.
b) I am going home.
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: b) I am going home.
Explanation: House is any building to live in but home is a particular house where one is living. The latter has a warmth of attachment associated with it.
a) What was the cause for the earthquake?
b) What was the reason for the earthquake?
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: a) What was the cause for the earthquake?
a) That was the reason behind her murder.
b) That was the cause behind her murder.
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: a) That was the reason behind her murder.
Explanation: A cause produces a result but a reason justifies of explains a cause.
a) The price of production in every field has gone up.
b) The cost of production in every field has gone up.
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: b) The cost of production in every field has gone up.
a) What is price of this pen?--
b) What is the cost of this pen?
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: a) What is price of this pen?
Explanation: Cost is the amount paid by a shopkeeper for acquiring something. Price is the money paid for an object by the customer.
a) The ground is damp.
b) The floor is damp.
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: a) The ground is damp.
a) My books are lying on the floor.
b) My books are lying on the ground.
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: a) My books are lying on the floor.
Explanation: Ground is outside the house and floor is a part of a room or building.
