Practice Verbal Ability questions on Sentence Correction, covering subject-verb agreement, tenses, articles, prepositions, pronouns, modifiers, parallelism, and grammatical sentence structure. Takes about 20–25 minutes and is useful for placement tests, TCS NQT, SSC, banking and MBA entrance exams.
Question 1
Choose the option that best replaces the underlined portion: There was something characterization about Keats.
A
Peripatetic✓✗
B
Charismatic✓✗
C
Kinetic✓✗
D
None of these✓✗
Explanation
"Charismatic" (an adjective, meaning having charisma) correctly completes "there was something ___ about him," unlike the noun "characterization."
Question 2
A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the alternative that can correctly substitute that part:

Richard looked across the room at the rugged man, but the Arab's eyes met "him vacantly appearing scared".
A
His own vacantly with no sign of recognition✓✗
B
Him vacantly and appears scared✓✗
C
His own vacantly and he waves enthusiastically✓✗
D
Him vacantly with a flicker of recognition✓✗
Explanation
The Arab's eyes met Richard's own eyes, so "his own" is needed, and "vacantly with no sign of recognition" completes the meaning. Option B is wrong because "appears" breaks the past tense. Option C is wrong because "waves" breaks the tense and contradicts "vacantly". Option D is wrong because "a flicker of recognition" contradicts "vacantly".
Question 3
A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the alternative that can correctly substitute it:

The experts outlined several preconditions for "successive" privatization.
A
Successful✓✗
B
Successional✓✗
C
Succulent✓✗
D
Successfully✓✗
Explanation
"Successful privatization" (privatization that succeeds) makes sense; "successive" (one after another) does not fit this context.
Question 4
A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the alternative that can correctly substitute it:

Any country whose population is growing like India's is "destined to be clashing" with the environment sooner or later.
A
Likely to be on a collision course✓✗
B
Bound to clash✓✗
C
Bound to be clashing✓✗
D
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
"Bound to clash" is the clean, idiomatic replacement for the awkward continuous construction "destined to be clashing."
Question 5
Following is a set of four sentences. Choose the sentence which is most appropriate – grammatically, semantically and logically.

(Sentences about: young people and the difficulties they face.)
A
Young people frequently fall into the trap of assuming that the difficulties they face today are greater and more troublesome than those faced by previous generations.✓✗
B
Young people frequently fall into the trap of assuming that the difficulties they face today are greater and troublesome than those faced by previous generations.✓✗
C
Young people today are trapped by assuming that their difficulties are troublesome and more great than the previous generations.✓✗
D
By assuming they face troublesome difficulties than the previous generation, young people today are frequently trapped.✓✗
Explanation
Sentence A is grammatically correct, with the comparative "more troublesome" and the phrase "than those faced by previous generations".

Option B is wrong because "greater and troublesome than" mixes a comparative with an adjective.
Option C is wrong because "more great than" is an awkward comparative and "the previous generations" is not compared properly.
Option D is wrong because "troublesome difficulties than the previous generation" lacks a comparative word.
Question 6
Following is a set of four sentences. Choose the sentence which is most appropriate – grammatically, semantically and logically.

(Sentences about: the meaning of the word discipline.)
A
The word 'discipline' means a training that produces obedience or self-controlled behaviour to the orders of a proper authority.✓✗
B
The word 'discipline' means a training that produces obedience or self-controlled behaviour at the orders for a proper authority.✓✗
C
Discipline’ is a word that produces obedience or self-controlled behavior to the orders of a proper authority.✓✗
D
Discipline is nothing but training that produces obedience and self-control to orders of authority.✓✗
Explanation
Sentence A is grammatically correct and clearly defines the word, with "to the orders of a proper authority".

Option B is wrong because "at the orders for" uses the wrong prepositions.
Option C is wrong because "Discipline is a word that produces obedience" is illogical, since a word does not produce obedience.
Option D is wrong because "nothing but training that produces" is informal and the sentence is less precise.
Question 7
Following is a set of four sentences. Choose the sentence which is most appropriate - grammatically, semantically and logically.

(Sentences about: a website giving no-follow links.)
A
This site will give atleast several no-follow links to your blogs and site from your articles.✓✗
B
This site allows you to give several no-follow links to your blogs and site from your articles.✓✗
C
This site allow you to give several no-follow links to your blogs and site form your articles.✓✗
D
You can get several no-follow link to your blog and site from this article.✓✗
Explanation
Sentence B is correct: "This site allows you to give several no-follow links...".

Option A is wrong because "atleast" should be written as two words, "at least", and "give several links ... from your articles" is unclear.
Option C is wrong because "This site allow" has a subject-verb error, and "form" is a wrong word for "from".
Option D is wrong because "several no-follow link" is a singular noun after "several".
Question 8
Following is a set of four sentences. Choose the sentence which is most appropriate – grammatically, semantically and logically .

(Sentences about: a greeting to Harish.)
A
Hi Harish. Long time no see. How was it going?✓✗
B
Hi Harish. We haven’t meet in a long time. How is it going?✓✗
C
Hi Harish. We haven’t met in a long time. How is it going?✓✗
D
Hi Harish. Long time no meet. How has it been going?✓✗
Explanation
Sentence C is correct: "We haven't met in a long time. How is it going?".

Option A is wrong because "How was it going?" uses the wrong tense, and "Long time no see" is informal.
Option B is wrong because "haven't meet" is a wrong verb form.
Option D is wrong because "Long time no meet" is not standard English.
Question 9
Out of 4 given sentences, select the sentences which are grammatically correct.

1) She knows her mistakes.
2) The teacher asked Kate that why she was late to school.
3) The higher we go, the cooler it is.
4) She had been learning dance for two months.
A
1 and 2✓✗
B
1, 2 and 3✓✗
C
1, 3 and 4✓✗
D
2 and 3✓✗
Explanation
Sentences 1, 3 and 4 are grammatically correct. Sentence 2 is wrong because in indirect speech the question word should not be preceded by "that": "asked Kate why she was late".

Option A is wrong because it includes sentence 2, which is wrong.
Option B is wrong because it includes sentence 2, which is wrong.
Option D is wrong because it includes sentence 2 and leaves out 1 and 4.
Question 10
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

The results are clear - the figures are talking itself.
A
are talking to themselves✓✗
B
speak for themselves✓✗
C
speaks for themselves✓✗
D
have been speaking itself✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
"Speak for themselves" is the idiom meaning that something is obvious without explanation, and the plural subject "figures" needs the plural verb "speak". So option (2) is correct.
Question 11
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

Her work is excellent and speaks for itself.
A
speak for itself✓✗
B
is speaking itself✓✗
C
has been spoken for itself✓✗
D
speaks about itself✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
The idiom "speaks for itself" agrees with the singular subject "work", so no correction is needed. So option (5) is correct.
Question 12
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

She is too tired for attending the party tonight.
A
to attending✓✗
B
at attending✓✗
C
with attending✓✗
D
to attend✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
The structure "too + adjective + to + base verb" is required, so "to attend" is correct. So option (4) is correct.
Question 13
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

The test is too difficult for me solving in an hour.
A
for me to solve✓✗
B
for me to solving✓✗
C
to me solve✓✗
D
for me solve✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
After "too + adjective", the infinitive "to + base verb" is used: "for me to solve". So option (1) is correct.
Question 14
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

The salary of a manager is higher than a clerk.
A
those of a clerk✓✗
B
which of a clerk✓✗
C
that of a clerk✓✗
D
the clerk✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
Two salaries are being compared, so the second must also be a salary: "that of a clerk" avoids comparing a salary with a person. So option (3) is correct.
Question 15
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

Mount Everest is higher than any other mountain in the world.
A
all other mountain✓✗
B
any others mountain✓✗
C
other any mountain✓✗
D
every other mountains✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
Everest is itself a mountain, so "any other mountain" is the correct comparison and no correction is needed. So option (5) is correct.
Question 16
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

The food at this hotel was more worse than I had thought.
A
worst than✓✗
B
worse than✓✗
C
more bad than✓✗
D
badder than✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
"Worse" is already the comparative form of "bad", so "more" is not used with it. So option (2) is correct.
Question 17
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

His second attempt was better than his first one.
A
more better than✓✗
B
best than✓✗
C
good than✓✗
D
better to✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
"Better than" is the correct comparative construction, so no correction is needed. So option (5) is correct.
Question 18
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

Why did she not wrote to us earlier?
A
had she not wrote✓✗
B
did she not written✓✗
C
she did not written✓✗
D
did she not write✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
After the auxiliary "did", the main verb takes its base form: "write". So option (4) is correct.
Question 19
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

Why did they not came to the meeting yesterday?
A
did they not come✓✗
B
had they not came✓✗
C
did they not coming✓✗
D
they did not came✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
After the auxiliary "did", the main verb takes its base form: "come". So option (1) is correct.
Question 20
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

We have few time left to finish the project.
A
a few✓✗
B
many✓✗
C
little✓✗
D
numerous✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
"Time" is uncountable, so "little" is used instead of "few". So option (3) is correct.
Question 21
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

There were little chairs left in the hall for the late visitors.
A
a little✓✗
B
few✓✗
C
much✓✗
D
lesser✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
"Chairs" is countable, so "few" is used instead of "little". So option (2) is correct.
Question 22
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

The ghost story made my hair stand off end with fear.
A
stand at end✓✗
B
stands on end✓✗
C
stood to ends✓✗
D
stand on end✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
The idiom is "stand on end", meaning to rise up from fear; after "made my hair" the base form "stand" is used. So option (4) is correct.
Question 23
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

On hearing the scream, my hair stood on end.
A
stood off end✓✗
B
stands at end✓✗
C
stood to ends✓✗
D
standing at end✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
"Stood on end" is the correct idiom and tense, so no correction is needed. So option (5) is correct.
Question 24
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

He passed the exam by the skin of his tooth after a very poor start.
A
by the skin of his teeth✓✗
B
by the skin on his teeth✓✗
C
with the skin of his teeth✓✗
D
by the skins of his tooth✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
The fixed idiom is "by the skin of one's teeth", meaning only just. So option (1) is correct.
Question 25
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

It was raining cats and dogs when we left the station.
A
raining cats or dogs✓✗
B
raining cats and dog✓✗
C
rains cats and dogs✓✗
D
raining dogs with cats✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
"Raining cats and dogs" is the correct idiom for very heavy rain, so no correction is needed. So option (5) is correct.
Question 26
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

Could you please tell me where is the post office?
A
does the post office✓✗
B
the post office is✓✗
C
the post office does✓✗
D
is located the post office✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
In an indirect question the normal word order is used (subject before verb): "where the post office is". So option (2) is correct.
Question 27
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

She asked me what was my name and where I lived.
A
is my name was✓✗
B
my name be✓✗
C
my name were✓✗
D
my name was✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
In a reported question the normal word order is used: "what my name was". So option (4) is correct.
Question 28
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

The assistants tried to win favour to the chairman by praising him.
A
win favour by✓✗
B
win favour at✓✗
C
win favour with✓✗
D
win favour of✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
The correct preposition with "win favour" is "with": to win favour with someone. So option (3) is correct.
Question 29
Which of the phrases given below should replace the underlined phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, choose "No correction required".

He loves to rub shoulders with celebrities at every party.
A
rub shoulders to✓✗
B
rubs shoulder at✓✗
C
rub his shoulders for✓✗
D
rubbing shoulder on✓✗
E
No correction required✓✗
Explanation
"Rub shoulders with" is the correct idiom (to mix socially with), so no correction is needed. So option (5) is correct.
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