Grammar, Usage & Correction - Previous Year CAT/MBA Questions
You can practice all previous year OMET questions from the topic Grammar, Usage & Correction. This will help you understand the type of questions asked in OMET. It would be best if you clear your concepts before you practice previous year OMET questions.
Read the following sentences and answer the question that follows:
1. I have good knowledge of German.
2. Except for Rajiv, everybody was there.
3. Whole Delhi was celebrating Independence Day.
4. Neither the dog, nor is the cat responsible for this mess.
5. He knows to swim.
6. I look forward to seeing you.
Which of the above are grammatically INCORRECT?
- A.
2, 4, 6
- B.
4, 5, 6
- C.
1, 3, 5
- D.
3, 5, 6
- E.
1, 2, 5
Answer: Option C
Explanation :
In 1, though the sentence "I have good knowledge of German" is correct as a response to a question, when used by itself, the appropriate phrasing is "I have good knowledge of the German language".
In 3, "whole" should be replaced with "the whole of" when used before a proper noun (Delhi).
In 5, similar to 1, the correct usage is "He knows how to swim".
So the incorrect options are 135;
Hence, option 3.
Workspace:
Which of the following is a grammatically CORRECT sentence?
- A.
You had better told her everything, or else you will lose a friend.
- B.
You had better told her everything, or else you would lose a friend.
- C.
You had better tell her everything, or else you will lose a friend.
- D.
You better had tell her everything, or else you will lose a friend.
- E.
You better had tell her everything, or else you would lose a friend.
Answer: Option C
Explanation :
The first part of the sentence deals with the correct usage of the word "had" and "tell".
"had better" is a semi modal verb (used to express need or necessity) used to give strong advice and is the correct usage.
Since "had better" implies advice to be followed, the verb that follows cannot be in the past tense, so the correct selection is "tell".
In the second part of the sentence, the choices are between will and would, considering the first part of the sentence, we need future perfect simple tense, in this case, "will".
Hence, option 3.
Workspace:
Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition.
The peasant refused to grovel ___________ the feet of his master.
- A.
on
- B.
by
- C.
upon
- D.
at
Answer: Option D
Explanation :
The idiom ‘to grovel at one’s feet’ means ‘to humble or abase oneself, as in making apologies or showing respect’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition.
Only the blood-stained road was a witness _____________ his assassination.
- A.
at
- B.
on
- C.
over
- D.
to
Answer: Option D
Explanation :
One can be a witness to an event or happening. [1], [2] and [3] are grammatically incorrect.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Read the sentences below carefully and identify the nature of phrase/clause used in the underlined section of the sentences.
He failed in spite of his best efforts
- A.
Adjective phrase
- B.
Adverb phrase
- C.
Noun Phrase
- D.
Adverb clause
Answer: Option B
Explanation :
An adverb clause like an adverb modifies a verb, adjective clause or other adverb clause in a sentence. It modifies (describes) the situation in main clause in terms of “time, frequency (how often), cause and effect, contrast, condition, intensity (to what extent).” In this question the underlined part is answering what happened in spite of his best efforts i.e. ‘he failed’. Hence the underlined part is an adverb phrase.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
Read the sentences below carefully and identify the nature of phrase/clause used in the underlined section of the sentences.
How to find the way to the ruins is the question.
- A.
Adjective phrase
- B.
Adverb phrase
- C.
Noun Phrase
- D.
adverb clause
Answer: Option C
Explanation :
A noun phrase can serve as a subject, direct object, or complement, which always follows a linking verb.The phrase here is acting as an answer to ‘the question’ in the sentence.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Read the sentences below carefully and identify the nature of phrase/clause used in the underlined section of the sentences.
Since you have already decided, who do you ask my opinion?
- A.
Adjective phrase
- B.
Adverb phrase
- C.
Noun Phrase
- D.
Adverb clause
Answer: Option D
Explanation :
Since they are dependent clauses, they must have a subordinating conjunction to connect them to the other clause. Here,”since” is the subordinating conjunction. Also, Adverb Clause has a subject and a verb in it, which is the case in this question.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Read the sentences below carefully and identify the nature of phrase/clause used in the underlined section of the sentences.
The poor debtor intended to pay back every penny of the money.
- A.
Adjective phrase
- B.
Adverb phrase
- C.
Noun Phrase
- D.
Adverb clause
Answer: Option C
Explanation :
A noun phrase includes a noun (a person, place, or thing) and the modifiers either before or after which distinguish it. The phrase is modifying the word ‘intended’ to do ‘what’ thereby making it a noun phrase.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Read the sentences below carefully and identify the nature of phrase/clause used in the underlined section of the sentences.
The plan has the virtue of committing us to nothing.
- A.
Adjective phrase
- B.
Adverb phrase
- C.
Noun Phrase
- D.
Adverb clause
Answer: Option A
Explanation :
The phrase modifies virtue which is a noun, making it an adjective phrase.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
Insert commas wherever necessary in the following sentences and identify the words sequentially after which commas will be inserted.
In the old Persian stories Turan the land of darkness is opposed to Iran in the land of light.
- A.
Turan, darkness, Iran
- B.
stories, Turan, darkness, opposed, Iran
- C.
stories, Turan, darkness, Iran
- D.
stories, darkness, opposed
Answer: Option C
Explanation :
The correct sentence would be “In the old Persian stories, Turan, the land of darkness, is opposed to Iran, in the land of light.”
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Insert commas wherever necessary in the following sentences and identify the words sequentially after which commas will be inserted.
When he was a boy Franklin who afterward became a distinguished statesman and philosopher learned his trade in the printing office of his brother who published a paper in Boston.
- A.
boy, Franklin, philosopher, brother
- B.
boy, Franklin, afterward, philosopher, brother
- C.
boy, Franklin, afterward, office, paper
- D.
boy, Franklin, philosopher, paper
Answer: Option A
Explanation :
The correct sentence would be “When he was a boy, Franklin, who afterward became a distinguished statesman and philosopher, learned his trade in the printing office of his brother, who published a paper in Boston.”
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
Carefully read the statements below:
- Chatterjee loves books; therefore, he reads them all the time.
- Chatterjee loves books. Therefore, he reads them all the time.
- Chatterjee loves books and, therefore, reads them all the time.
Which of the above statement(s) is (are) correct in grammar and meaning?
- A.
1 only
- B.
2 only
- C.
1 and 2 only
- D.
2 and 3 only
- E.
1,2 and 3
Answer: Option E
Explanation :
All the sentences are grammatically correct.
Hence, the correct answer is option 5.
Workspace:
The MBA (1) is hardly a prerequisite for success, but it (2) certainly helps (3), and it has been getting more important (4) in recent years. Most (5) MBA programs equip their graduates to understand how (6) to deal with many of the important questions that their organizations will need to tackle (7) over time, and (8) that they will face in their careers.
The above italicized numbered words will be correctly represented by the following parts of speech:
- A.
1-Noun, 2-Pronoun, 3-Adverb, 4-Adjective, 5-Adjective, 8-Conjunction
- B.
1-Noun, 3-Adjective, 4-Adjective, 6-Adverb, 7-Adverb, 8-Article
- C.
1-Noun, 2-Pronoun, 4-Adjective, 7-Adverb, 8-Conjunction
- D.
2-Pronoun, 3-Verb, 4-Adverb, 6-Adverb, 8-Article
- E.
2-Pronoun, 3-Verb, 4-Adjective, 7-Verb, 8-Conjunction
Answer: Option E
Explanation :
The first word “MBA” refers to a course and can be classified as a noun.
The word “it” is a pronoun that refers to MBA.
The third word “helps” refers to an action and can hence be termed as a verb. This eliminates options 1 and 2.
The word “important” acts an adjective that describes the need for an MBA qualification. This eliminates option 4.
The word “how” describes the action of dealing with many of the important organizational and career issues, making it an adverb.
The word “tackle” implies the action of dealing with issues and hence, can be classified as a verb. This eliminates option 3.
“And” is a conjunction that joins two or more clauses. This vindicates option 5.
Hence, the correct answer is option 5.
Workspace:
Which of the following is the correct form of expression for the underlined part of the sentence below?
Patna is not only the capital of Bihar, but it is also one of the oldest cities in the world and the largest city in the state.
- A.
capital of Bihar, but it is also one of the oldest
- B.
capital of Bihar, nevertheless also one of the oldest
- C.
Bihar’s capital city, and it is also one of the older
- D.
Bihar’s capital city, but it is also one of the older
- E.
capital of Bihar, but it is also one of the older.
Answer: Option A
Explanation :
Option 2 can be eliminated due to the presence of “nevertheless” which hints towards a contradiction where none exists.
The presence of the definite article “the” before the underlined part eliminates options 3 and 4 which begin with the proper noun “Bihar”.
Option 5 can be eliminated since it uses the comparative form of the adjective “old” rather than the superlative form which ought to be used since Patna is not being compared to any other city.
Therefore, option 1 alone is a grammatically correct.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
For the underlined part of the given sentence, choose the option that is grammatically correct, effective and reduces ambiguity and redundancy.
Many of the workers currently deployed on the assembly line, hope for the exchanging of their routine jobs for new assignments that are interesting.
- A.
for the exchanging of their routine jobs for new assignments that are interesting
- B.
for exchanging routine jobs for new assignments that will interest them
- C.
to exchange their routine jobs for new assignments that will be new and interesting
- D.
to exchange their routine jobs for new and interesting assignments
Answer: Option D
Explanation :
Options 1 and 2 can be eliminated, since they use the preposition “for”. The workers 'hope to exchange...' would be correct construction.
Option 3 is incorrect, because it contains a redundancy: “...new assignments that will be new...”.
Option 4 is correct, since it contains the correct preposition “to” and has no redundancies.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
For the underlined part of the given sentence, choose the option that is grammatically correct, effective and reduces ambiguity and redundancy.
Saundarya’s Skin Nourishing cream sold 5 lakh packs last quarter, 20% more than their Face Wash did and nearly five times as much as their Anti-Ageing cream sales.
- A.
their Face Wash did nearly five times as much as their Anti-Ageing cream sales
- B.
their Face Wash sold nearly five times as much as Anti-Ageing cream sales
- C.
their Face Wash and nearly five times more than their Anti-Ageing cream
- D.
their Face Wash did nearly five times what Anti-Ageing cream sales were
Answer: Option C
Explanation :
Option 1 is incorrect, since it has an error in parallelism: “Face Wash did” ends in a verb while “Anti-Ageing cream sales” ends in a noun.
Option 2 is incorrect, since it has an error in parallelism: “Face Wash sold” ends in a verb while “Anti-Ageing cream sales” ends in a noun. Also, it is missing the possessive pronoun “their” before Anti-Ageing cream sales.
Option 3 is correct, since the two parts of the sentence are parallel (both nouns).
Option 4 is incorrect, since it is missing the possessive pronoun “their” before Anti-Ageing cream sales were.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
The first and last parts of the sentence are marked 1 and 6. The rest of the sentence is split into five parts and marked i, ii, iii, iv and v. These five parts are not given in their proper order. From the options given, please choose the most appropriate order to form a coherent, logical and grammatically correct sentence.
1. Having started
i. In less time than it takes
ii. More than half of your capital
iii. With just $5.8 million
iv. You squandered
v. In seed financing
6. To soft boil an egg
- A.
1, iii, iv, ii, v, i, 6
- B.
1, iii, v, iv, i, ii, 6
- C.
1, i, v, iii, iv, ii, 6
- D.
1, iii, v, iv, ii, i, 6
Answer: Option D
Explanation :
We can immediately eliminate option 3, since sentence fragment i cannot logically follow sentence 1.
Option 1 has the thread iv-ii-v which reads as 'you squandered more than half of your capital in seed financing'. This is illogical, because we do not say that a person “squanders” (meaning to waste in a reckless and foolish manner) money in a business. Eliminate this option.
Option 2 does not contain the crucial link of iv-ii: 'you squandered more than half your capital'. Therefore, it can be eliminated.
Option 4 reads as 'Having started with just $5.8 million in seed financing you squandered more than half of your capital in less time than it takes to soft boil an egg'. This is logical.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Select the option which is grammatically correct.
- A.
I forgot tat they are coming today.
- B.
I met her more frequently than I meet you.
- C.
This course is challenging and an inspiration.
- D.
She is confident to speak English within six month.
Answer: Option B
Explanation :
Statement A is incorrect because of a tense error. The correct sentence should be 'I forgot that they were coming today.'
Statement B is correct. When the subordinate clause starts with the conjunction “than”, any tense can be used in the subordinate clause- even if the principal clause uses the past tense.
Statement C is incorrect because of an error in parallelism. The adjective “challenging” should be balanced with an adjective 'inspiring' or the noun “inspiration” should be balanced with the noun 'challenge'.
Statement D is incorrect because of a prepositional error. The preposition “to” is erroneously used in this sentence. The correct sentence should be 'She is confident of speaking in English within six months' / 'She is confident of being able to speak in English within six months'.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
Select the option which is grammatically correct.
- A.
The convict escaped from prison and is believed to flee the country.
- B.
Did he travel by taxi, train or by plane?
- C.
Visualizing success is not the same as achieving it.
- D.
I would do anything for my friend but not my neighbour.
Answer: Option C
Explanation :
Statement A is incorrect because of tense error. The correct construction should be '...believed to have fled the country.'
Statement B is incorrect due to error in parallelism. All the nouns should be preceded by the preposition 'by'.
Statement D is incorrect because of the missing preposition 'for'. The correct construction should be '...but not for my neighbour.'
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Which of the following statements is grammatically incorrect?
- A.
Will you pay by cash or by demand draft?
- B.
Do you remember that Mr. Mehta made delicious kebabs and that he often held barbeque parties?
- C.
There are, without a doubt, many good dishes to try here.
- D.
The class teacher told Mrs. Kapoor that neither Priya nor Shikha are good dancers.
Answer: Option D
Explanation :
Options 1, 2 and 3 do not contain grammatical errors. Option 4 alone is incorrect in its usage of “neither/nor” which should be followed by a singular or plural verb depending on the element closest to it. In option 4, the correct phrase would be ‘neither Priya nor Shikha is a good dancer’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Which of the following statements is grammatically correct?
- A.
Each of the girls living in the orphanage had been ill-treated by her family before they were abandoned.
- B.
Each of the girls living in the orphanage were ill-treated by their family before they were abandoned.
- C.
Each of the girls living in the orphanage had been ill-treated by her family before she was abandoned.
- D.
Each of the girls living in the orphanage was ill-treated by her family before she had been abandoned.
Answer: Option C
Explanation :
The usage of “each” is followed by the singular form of the verb following it. This eliminates options 1 and 2. Between options 3 and 4, option 3 is more appropriate since the past perfect tense will be used for the action that took place earlier. Therefore, since the each of the girls “had been ill-treated” and was then” abandoned”, the correct sentence is put forth by option 3.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
It _____________ not look like a great deal today, but back then it was a coup: no man before ___________ to import tea directly into Ireland.
The option that will best fill the blanks in the above sentences would be:
- A.
may, has dared
- B.
may, had dared
- C.
might, have dared
- D.
might, have ever dared
- E.
may, ever dared
Answer: Option B
Explanation :
Options 1, 3 and 4 use the present tense whereas the sentence clearly requires a past tense, indicated by ‘but back then’. Option 5 with “ever”, meaning ‘at all times; always’ becomes erroneous as it is placed after the word “before”.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
Which of the following sentences is grammatically incorrect?
- A.
Bats are able to fly in the dark.
- B.
Bats can fly in the dark
- C.
Bats have the ability to fly in the dark.
- D.
Bats cannot fly in the dark if it rains.
- E.
Bats have the ability of flying in the dark, if it does not rain.
Answer: Option E
Explanation :
Sentence 5 uses the phrase ‘ability of’ which is incorrect. The correct phrase is ‘ability to’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 5.
Workspace:
Choose the grammatically correct sentence from the options given below.
- A.
Surprisingly, given the recent labour problems in the factory, the factory manager has enjoyed considerable support from they who had previously challenged his leadership.
- B.
Surprisingly, given the recent labour problems in the factory, the factory manager has enjoyed considerable support from them who had previously challenged his leadership.
- C.
Surprisingly, given the recent labour problems in the factory, the factory manager has enjoyed considerable support from he who had previously challenged his leadership.
- D.
Surprisingly, given the recent labour problems in the factory, the factory manager has enjoyed considerable support from those who had previously challenged his leadership.
- E.
Surprisingly, given the recent labour problems in the factory, the factory manager has enjoyed considerable support from that who had previously challenged his leadership.
Answer: Option D
Explanation :
The manager received support from ‘people who had challenged him earlier’.
The pronoun required to replace this should be third person singular.
‘Those’ is the correct pronoun to be used here.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
A sentence is written in four different ways. Choose the option which gives the most effective and grammatically correct sentence. Pay attention to grammar, word choice and sentence construction.
- A.
It was thought that freedom and prosperity would spread gradually throughout the word through an orderly process, and it was hoped that tyranny and injustice would continually diminish.
- B.
It was gradually thought that throughout the world, freedom and prosperity would spread through an orderly process, and it was hoped that tyranny and injustice would continually diminish.
- C.
Through an orderly process, it was thought that freedom and prosperity would spread gradually throughout the world, and it was hoped that tyranny and injustice would continually diminish.
- D.
It was thought, through an orderly process that freedom and prosperity would spread gradually throughout the world and it was hoped that tyranny and injustice would continually diminish.
Answer: Option A
Explanation :
In B, the adverb ‘gradually’ has been placed incorrectly before ‘thought’ instead of ‘spread’. In C, ‘an orderly process’ has been incorrectly attributed to ‘thought’. The error found in statement C is also there in statement D.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
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