English

Sentence Improvement: Practice Questions with Answers

52 practice questions on Sentence Improvement, with answers; most also have an explanation or a worked solution. Try each one before you open its answer.

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1. Q.1

   Improve the underlined part: "Each of the players were given a medal." (A) was given a medal (B) have been given a medal (C) were giving a medal (D) No improvement

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   Answer: (A) was given a medal

   Solution:

   1. "Each of + plural noun" is treated as a singular subject, so the verb must be singular, not plural.
   2. "were given" is plural; it should be "was given".

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2. Q.2

   Improve the underlined part: "He does not know how to swim and nor can he dive." (A) and neither can he dive (B) and he also cannot dive (C) nor can he dive (D) No improvement

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   Answer: (C) nor can he dive

   Solution:

   1. "Nor" already carries the "and...not" meaning by itself — pairing it with "and" ("and nor") is redundant.
   2. The correct form simply drops "and": "...nor can he dive".

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3. Q.3

   Improve the underlined part: "He is senior than me in the department." (A) senior to me (B) more senior than me (C) senior from me (D) No improvement

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   Answer: (A) senior to me

   Solution:

   1. "Senior" is one of a small set of comparison words (senior, junior, prior, superior, inferior) that pair with "to", not "than".
   2. It should read "senior to me".

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4. Q.4

   Improve the underlined part: "She has been working here since five years." (A) for five years (B) from five years (C) since five years’ time (D) No improvement

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   Answer: (A) for five years

   Solution:

   1. "Since" pairs with a specific POINT IN TIME (since 2020, since Monday); "for" pairs with a DURATION (for five years, for two hours).
   2. "Five years" is a duration, not a point in time, so "since five years" is wrong — it should be "for five years".

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5. Q.5

   Improve the underlined part: "Scarcely had the train left the station than it started raining." (A) when it started raining (B) then it started raining (C) and it started raining (D) No improvement

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   Answer: (A) when it started raining

   Solution:

   1. "Scarcely/hardly" always pairs with "when", never "than" — "than" is reserved for the related idiom "no sooner...than".
   2. It should read "...than it started raining" → "...when it started raining".

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6. Q.6

   Improve the underlined part: "If I had worked harder, I would pass the exam." (A) I will pass the exam (B) I would have passed the exam (C) I had passed the exam (D) No improvement

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   Answer: (B) I would have passed the exam

   Solution:

   1. "If I had worked harder" is a past-hypothetical condition (third conditional) — describing something that did not actually happen.
   2. The matching result clause for a third conditional is "would have + past participle", not plain "would + base verb" — so it should be "I would have passed the exam".

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7. Q.7

   Improve the underlined part: "It is high time that we should leave." (A) we left (B) we will leave (C) we are leaving (D) No improvement

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   Answer: (A) we left — the idiom "it is high time" is followed by a simple past verb, not "should + verb"

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8. Q.8

   Improve the underlined part: "No sooner he reached home than it started raining." (A) No sooner had he reached home (B) No sooner he reaches home (C) No sooner has he reached home (D) No improvement

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   Answer: (A) No sooner had he reached home — "no sooner" requires inversion with the past perfect ("had he reached"), paired with "than"

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9. Q.9

   Improve the underlined part: "He is capable to solve this problem." (A) He is capable of solving this problem (B) He is capable to solving this problem (C) He is capable for solve this problem (D) No improvement

   1. A He is capable of solving this problem
   2. B He is capable to solving this problem
   3. C He is capable for solve this problem
   4. D No improvement
   Show answer

   Correct answer: (A) He is capable of solving this problem

   'Capable' is followed by 'of' plus a gerund: 'capable of solving,' not 'capable to solve.'

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10. Q.10

    Improve the underlined part: "The teacher asked the students that why they were late." (A) the teacher asked the students why they were late (B) the teacher asked the students that why were they late (C) the teacher asked to the students why they were late (D) No improvement

    1. A the teacher asked the students why they were late
    2. B the teacher asked the students that why were they late
    3. C the teacher asked to the students why they were late
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) the teacher asked the students why they were late

    'That' is not used before a question word in an indirect question: simply 'asked...why they were late.'

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11. Q.11

    Improve the underlined part: "He does not know how to swim and nor can he dive." (A) and neither can he dive (B) and he also cannot dive (C) nor can he dive (D) No improvement

    1. A nor can he dive
    2. B and neither can he dive
    3. C and he also cannot dive
    4. D No improvement
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) nor can he dive

    "Nor" already carries the negative meaning by itself, so pairing it with "and" is redundant.

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12. Q.12

    Improve the underlined part: "She is more taller than her brother." (A) taller (B) more tall (C) most taller (D) No improvement

    1. A taller
    2. B more tall
    3. C most taller
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) taller

    The comparative "taller" already expresses the comparison — adding "more" as well is a double comparative, so it should simply be "taller."

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13. Q.13

    Improve the underlined part: "Either Rahul or his brothers is responsible for this." (A) Either Rahul or his brothers are responsible for this (B) Either Rahul or his brothers was responsible for this (C) Either Rahul or his brothers being responsible for this (D) No improvement

    1. A Either Rahul or his brothers are responsible for this
    2. B Either Rahul or his brothers was responsible for this
    3. C Either Rahul or his brothers being responsible for this
    4. D No improvement
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) Either Rahul or his brothers are responsible for this

    With 'either...or,' the verb agrees with the nearer subject — 'brothers' is plural, so the verb must be 'are.'

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14. Q.14

    Improve the underlined part: "Had I known about the meeting, I would have attend it." (A) I would have attended it (B) I would have attending it (C) I would had attended it (D) No improvement

    1. A I would have attended it
    2. B I would have attending it
    3. C I would had attended it
    4. D No improvement
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) I would have attended it

    'Would have' must be followed by a past participle: 'would have attended,' not 'would have attend.'

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15. Q.15

    Improve the underlined part: "He could of finished earlier if he had started on time." (A) could have finished (B) could of finish (C) could had finished (D) No improvement

    1. A could have finished
    2. B could of finish
    3. C could had finished
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) could have finished

    'Could of' is a common misspelling of 'could have'; the modal perfect requires 'have,' not 'of.'

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16. Q.16

    Improve the underlined part: "By the time the police arrived, the thief escapes." (A) had escaped (B) has escaped (C) was escaping (D) No improvement

    1. A had escaped
    2. B has escaped
    3. C was escaping
    4. D No improvement
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) had escaped

    An action completed before another past action needs the past perfect: "had escaped," not the simple present "escapes."

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17. Q.17

    Improve the underlined part: "No sooner he reached the station than the train left." (A) No sooner did he reach (B) No sooner he had reached (C) No sooner he was reaching (D) No improvement

    1. A No sooner did he reach
    2. B No sooner he had reached
    3. C No sooner he was reaching
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) No sooner did he reach

    "No sooner" at the start of a sentence requires inverted word order: "No sooner did he reach," not "No sooner he reached."

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18. Q.18

    Improve the underlined part: "He is too weak that he cannot walk." (A) too weak to walk (B) too weak for walking (C) so weak that walk (D) No improvement

    1. A too weak to walk
    2. B too weak for walking
    3. C so weak that walk
    4. D No improvement
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) too weak to walk

    The fixed construction is "too + adjective + to + verb," not "too...that": "too weak to walk."

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19. Q.19

    Improve the underlined part: "The reason he failed was because he didn't study." (A) The reason he failed was that he didn't study (B) The reason he failed was being that he didn't study (C) The reason he failed because he didn't study (D) No improvement

    1. A The reason he failed was that he didn't study
    2. B The reason he failed was being that he didn't study
    3. C The reason he failed because he didn't study
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) The reason he failed was that he didn't study

    'The reason...was because' is redundant; the standard correct form is 'the reason...was that.'

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20. Q.20

    Improve the underlined part: "Hardly he had reached the station when the train left." (A) Hardly had he reached (B) Hardly he reaches (C) Hardly does he reach (D) No improvement

    1. A Hardly had he reached
    2. B Hardly he reaches
    3. C Hardly does he reach
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) Hardly had he reached

    A sentence starting with "Hardly" requires the subject and auxiliary verb to invert.

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21. Q.21

    Improve the underlined part: "I wish I was taller." (A) I wish I were taller (B) I wish I am taller (C) I wish I would be taller (D) No improvement

    1. A I wish I were taller
    2. B I wish I am taller
    3. C I wish I would be taller
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) I wish I were taller

    The subjunctive mood after 'wish' requires 'were,' regardless of subject: 'I wish I were.'

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22. Q.22

    Improve the underlined part: "He is enough intelligent to solve this problem." (A) intelligent enough (B) enough to intelligent (C) much intelligent enough (D) No improvement

    1. A intelligent enough
    2. B enough to intelligent
    3. C much intelligent enough
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) intelligent enough

    "Enough" follows the adjective it modifies, not precedes it: "intelligent enough," not "enough intelligent."

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23. Q.23

    Improve the underlined part: "I look forward to meet you soon." (A) I look forward to meeting you soon (B) I look forward to met you soon (C) I look forward for meeting you soon (D) No improvement

    1. A I look forward to meeting you soon
    2. B I look forward to met you soon
    3. C I look forward for meeting you soon
    4. D No improvement
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) I look forward to meeting you soon

    'Look forward to' is followed by a gerund, not a bare infinitive: 'to meeting,' not 'to meet.'

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24. Q.24

    Improve the underlined part: "Despite of the rain, the match continued." (A) Despite the rain (B) In spite the rain (C) Although of the rain (D) No improvement

    1. A Despite the rain
    2. B In spite the rain
    3. C Although of the rain
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) Despite the rain

    "Despite" is never followed by "of" — it is "despite the rain" or "in spite of the rain," not "despite of the rain."

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25. Q.25

    Improve the underlined part: "He entered into the room without knocking." (A) He entered the room without knocking (B) He entered in the room without knocking (C) He entered to the room without knocking (D) No improvement

    1. A He entered the room without knocking
    2. B He entered in the room without knocking
    3. C He entered to the room without knocking
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) He entered the room without knocking

    'Enter' already means 'to go into,' so adding 'into' before a direct physical location is redundant: simply 'entered the room.'

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26. Q.26

    Improve the underlined part: "Each of the players have to submit their kit." (A) has to submit (B) have to submits (C) having to submit (D) No improvement

    1. A has to submit
    2. B have to submits
    3. C having to submit
    4. D No improvement
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) has to submit

    "Each of" takes a singular verb, so it should be "has to submit," not "have to submit."

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27. Q.27

    Improve the underlined part: "Walking down the street, the trees looked beautiful." (A) Walking down the street, I noticed the trees looked beautiful (B) Walking down the street, beautifully looked the trees (C) The trees looked beautiful, walking down the street (D) No improvement

    1. A Walking down the street, I noticed the trees looked beautiful
    2. B Walking down the street, beautifully looked the trees
    3. C The trees looked beautiful, walking down the street
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) Walking down the street, I noticed the trees looked beautiful

    The introductory phrase 'walking down the street' needs a human subject to logically modify; as written, it illogically describes the trees walking.

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28. Q.28

    Improve the underlined part: "She enjoys not only reading but also to write novels." (A) but also writing novels (B) but also to writing novels (C) but also written novels (D) No improvement

    1. A but also writing novels
    2. B but also to writing novels
    3. C but also written novels
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) but also writing novels

    Correlative conjunctions ('not only...but also') require parallel grammatical forms: 'reading' and 'writing' must match.

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29. Q.29

    Improve the underlined part: "She is equally as talented as her sister." (A) equally talented as (B) equally as talented than (C) as equally talented as (D) No improvement

    1. A equally talented as
    2. B equally as talented than
    3. C as equally talented as
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) equally talented as

    'Equally as' is redundant; the correct form is simply 'equally talented as,' dropping the extra 'as' before the adjective.

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30. Q.30

    Improve the underlined part: "I will have completed my work by the time you will arrive." (A) by the time you arrive (B) by the time you will have arrived (C) by the time you would arrive (D) No improvement

    1. A by the time you arrive
    2. B by the time you will have arrived
    3. C by the time you would arrive
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) by the time you arrive

    A time clause introduced by 'by the time' does not take 'will'; the simple present is used instead: 'by the time you arrive.'

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31. Q.31

    Improve the underlined part: "Scarcely he had sat down when the phone rang." (A) Scarcely had he sat down (B) Scarcely he sat down (C) Scarcely he was sitting down (D) No improvement

    1. A Scarcely had he sat down
    2. B Scarcely he sat down
    3. C Scarcely he was sitting down
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) Scarcely had he sat down

    "Scarcely" at the start of a sentence requires inverted word order: "Scarcely had he sat down," not "Scarcely he had sat down."

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32. Q.32

    Improve the underlined part: "If I had worked harder, I would pass the exam." (A) I will pass the exam (B) I would have passed the exam (C) I had passed the exam (D) No improvement

    1. A I would have passed the exam
    2. B I will pass the exam
    3. C I had passed the exam
    4. D No improvement
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) I would have passed the exam

    A third-conditional (past-hypothetical) clause needs "would have + past participle", not plain "would".

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33. Q.33

    Improve the underlined part: "Not only he is talented but also hardworking." (A) Not only is he talented (B) Not only he was talented (C) Not only does he talented (D) No improvement

    1. A Not only is he talented
    2. B Not only he was talented
    3. C Not only does he talented
    4. D No improvement
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) Not only is he talented

    "Not only" at the start of a sentence requires inverted word order: "Not only is he talented," not "Not only he is talented."

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34. Q.34

    Improve the underlined part: "This is one of the best movie I have seen this year." (A) one of the best movies (B) one of the best movie's (C) one among the best movie (D) No improvement

    1. A one of the best movies
    2. B one of the best movie's
    3. C one among the best movie
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) one of the best movies

    "One of the best + plural noun" always needs a plural noun, not the singular "movie".

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35. Q.35

    Improve the underlined part: "If she works hard, she would succeed in the exam." (A) If she worked hard, she would succeed (B) If she works hard, she will succeed (C) If she had worked hard, she would succeed (D) No improvement

    1. A If she worked hard, she would succeed
    2. B If she works hard, she will succeed
    3. C If she had worked hard, she would succeed
    4. D No improvement
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) If she worked hard, she would succeed

    A second conditional (hypothetical present) pairs 'if + past simple' with 'would + base verb': 'If she worked hard, she would succeed.'

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36. Q.36

    Improve the underlined part: "The medicine had a positive affect on his health." (A) a positive effect on his health (B) a positive affection on his health (C) a positive affected his health (D) No improvement

    1. A a positive effect on his health
    2. B a positive affection on his health
    3. C a positive affected his health
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) a positive effect on his health

    'Effect' (noun, meaning result) is needed here, not 'affect' (which is normally a verb meaning to influence).

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37. Q.37

    Improve the underlined part: "This book is more better than that one." (A) better (B) more good (C) most better (D) No improvement

    1. A better
    2. B more good
    3. C most better
    4. D No improvement
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) better

    "Better" is already the comparative form of "good" — adding "more" creates a double comparative, so it should simply be "better."

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38. Q.38

    Improve the underlined part: "She is one of the best singer in the competition." (A) one of the best singers (B) one of the best singer's (C) one among best singer (D) No improvement

    1. A one of the best singers
    2. B one of the best singer's
    3. C one among best singer
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) one of the best singers

    "One of the ___" is always followed by a plural noun: "one of the best singers," not "one of the best singer."

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39. Q.39

    Improve the underlined part: "I am living in this city since 2015." (A) I have been living (B) I am live (C) I was living (D) No improvement

    1. A I have been living
    2. B I am live
    3. C I was living
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) I have been living

    An action that started in the past and continues now, with "since," needs the present perfect continuous: "I have been living," not "I am living."

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40. Q.40

    Improve the underlined part: "Each of the players were given a medal." (A) was given a medal (B) have been given a medal (C) were giving a medal (D) No improvement

    1. A was given a medal
    2. B have been given a medal
    3. C were giving a medal
    4. D No improvement
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) was given a medal

    "Each of + plural noun" is a singular subject, needing "was given", not "were given".

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41. Q.41

    Improve the underlined part: "If he will try harder, he will succeed." (A) If he tries harder (B) If he will tries harder (C) If he would try harder (D) No improvement

    1. A If he tries harder
    2. B If he will tries harder
    3. C If he would try harder
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) If he tries harder

    A first conditional's "if" clause uses the simple present, not "will": "If he tries harder," not "If he will try harder."

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42. Q.42

    Improve the underlined part: "The news of his promotion were surprising to everyone." (A) was surprising (B) have been surprising (C) were being surprised (D) No improvement

    1. A was surprising
    2. B have been surprising
    3. C were being surprised
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) was surprising

    "News" is grammatically singular despite ending in "-s," so it should be "was surprising," not "were surprising."

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43. Q.43

    Improve the underlined part: "She didn't used to like coffee when she was young." (A) didn't use to like coffee (B) didn't used to liked coffee (C) didn't use to liked coffee (D) No improvement

    1. A didn't use to like coffee
    2. B didn't used to liked coffee
    3. C didn't use to liked coffee
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) didn't use to like coffee

    After the auxiliary 'didn't,' the base form 'use to' is required, not the past form 'used to.'

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44. Q.44

    Improve the underlined part: "There were less people at the event than expected." (A) fewer people (B) less peoples (C) lesser people (D) No improvement

    1. A fewer people
    2. B less peoples
    3. C lesser people
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) fewer people

    'People' is a countable noun, so the comparative 'fewer' is required, not 'less.'

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45. Q.45

    Improve the underlined part: "They returned back home late at night." (A) They returned home late at night (B) They returned back to home late at night (C) They had returned back home late at night (D) No improvement

    1. A They returned home late at night
    2. B They returned back to home late at night
    3. C They had returned back home late at night
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) They returned home late at night

    'Return' already means 'go back,' so 'returned back' is redundant; simply 'returned home.'

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46. Q.46

    Improve the underlined part: "She likes singing and to dance." (A) singing and dancing (B) sing and dancing (C) singing and to dancing (D) No improvement

    1. A singing and dancing
    2. B sing and dancing
    3. C singing and to dancing
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) singing and dancing

    Parallel structure requires both items in the same form: 'singing and dancing,' not mixing gerund and infinitive.

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47. Q.47

    Improve the underlined part: "He said that he is leaving tomorrow." (A) he was leaving the next day (B) he is leaving the next day (C) he will leaving tomorrow (D) No improvement

    1. A he was leaving the next day
    2. B he is leaving the next day
    3. C he will leaving tomorrow
    4. D No improvement
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) he was leaving the next day

    In reported speech, the present continuous shifts to the past continuous, and "tomorrow" shifts to "the next day": "he was leaving the next day."

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48. Q.48

    Improve the underlined part: "The train has left already before we reached the platform." (A) The train had already left before we reached the platform (B) The train has already left before we reached the platform (C) The train was already leaving before we reached the platform (D) No improvement

    1. A The train had already left before we reached the platform
    2. B The train has already left before we reached the platform
    3. C The train was already leaving before we reached the platform
    4. D No improvement
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) The train had already left before we reached the platform

    An action completed before another past action needs the past perfect: 'had already left,' not 'has left.'

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49. Q.49

    Improve the underlined part: "He suggested me to see a doctor." (A) He suggested that I see a doctor (B) He suggested me seeing a doctor (C) He suggested to me to see a doctor (D) No improvement

    1. A He suggested that I see a doctor
    2. B He suggested me seeing a doctor
    3. C He suggested to me to see a doctor
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) He suggested that I see a doctor

    'Suggest' is not followed by object + infinitive; the correct pattern is 'suggested that I see a doctor.'

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50. Q.50

    Improve the underlined part: "Neither Rahul nor his friends was present at the meeting." (A) were present (B) are present (C) had being present (D) No improvement

    1. A were present
    2. B are present
    3. C had being present
    4. D No improvement
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    Correct answer: (A) were present

    With "neither...nor", the verb agrees with the nearer subject - "his friends" (plural) is closer, needing "were".

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