Solved English MCQs on correcting common errors in tenses, subject–verb agreement, uncountable nouns, comparatives, prepositions and redundancy, with the grammar rule behind each answer, for PPSC, FPSC and NTS tests.
These MCQs present a sentence with a common grammatical error and ask for its correct form. They cover verb forms after did, double comparatives, uncountable nouns such as advice and furniture, agreement with each and neither … nor, and redundant words.
Every explanation names the rule behind the correction. Once you know these rules, you will also spot the same errors in spot-the-error questions and avoid them in essays and précis.
Correct answer: A. He did not go to school yesterday.
After the helping verb "did", the main verb is always in its base form: did not go, did not see, did not write. The past tense is already shown by "did".
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. She is taller than her sister.
"Taller" is already the comparative form, so adding "more" is a double comparative. Use "more" only with longer adjectives, such as more beautiful.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. One of the boys is absent today.
"One of" is followed by a plural noun (one of the boys), but the subject is "one", so the verb is singular: is.
Correct answer: A. He gave me some good advice.
"Advice" is uncountable, so it takes no "a" and no plural "-s". Say "some advice" or "a piece of advice". The verb form is "advise".
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. The furniture in this room is new.
"Furniture" is an uncountable noun, like information, luggage and equipment. It has no plural form and takes a singular verb.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. I saw him yesterday.
The present perfect (have seen) cannot be used with a finished past time such as yesterday, last week or in 2020. Use the simple past: I saw him yesterday.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. She returned home late at night.
"Return" already means "go or come back", so "returned back" is redundant. Similar errors include "repeat again" and "revert back".
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Each of the girls has a new book.
"Each", "every", "either" and "neither" are singular, so they take a singular verb: each of the girls has.
Correct answer: C. I look forward to meeting you next week.
In "look forward to", the word "to" is a preposition, so it is followed by an -ing form: looking forward to meeting. "Object to" and "be used to" work the same way.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Despite the rain, they played the match.
Use either "despite" or "in spite of"; never "despite of". "Although" needs a full clause: although it was raining.
Correct answer: D. The police have arrested the thief.
"Police" is a plural noun in English and always takes a plural verb: the police have, the police are. Its plural is never "polices".
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. Neither he nor I am going to the meeting.
With "neither … nor" and "either … or", the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Here that is "I", so the verb is "am".
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. She sings very well.
A verb (sings) is described by an adverb, and the adverb of "good" is "well". "Good" is an adjective, as in "she is a good singer".
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. Scarcely had he left when it started raining.
"Scarcely" and "hardly" are followed by "when", while "no sooner" is followed by "than". After these words at the start, the helping verb comes before the subject: had he left.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Let us discuss the plan tomorrow.
"Discuss" is a transitive verb that takes a direct object without a preposition. The noun form does take one: a discussion about the plan.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. I know the answer to this question.
Stative verbs that describe states of mind, such as know, believe, understand, like and own, are normally not used in continuous tenses.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. The scenery of Swat is very beautiful.
"Scenery" is uncountable, so it has no plural and takes a singular verb. To count, say "the scenes" or "the views" of Swat.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. I am going to the market to buy vegetables.
Purpose is shown with the to-infinitive: to buy, to learn, to meet. "For" with a base verb (for buy) is incorrect.
Correct answer: A. He is senior to me in the office.
Latin comparatives such as senior, junior, superior, inferior and prior are followed by "to", not "than".
Correct answer: C. He has been working in this bank for three years.
Use "for" with a length of time (for three years) and "since" with a starting point (since 2023). Both go with the present perfect continuous.
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