Chapter 30: Usage · UPESSC TGT English

Part VI — Application & Practice

Chapter 30

Usage

📘 50 MCQs⏱ ~27 min read🎯 Exam-focused

Theory

1. Articles & Prepositions in Fixed Expressions

Many expressions take a fixed article (or none) and a fixed preposition. The "logical" choice is often the wrong one.

Non-standard	Standard
in the bed (when sleeping), go to the school (as a pupil)	in bed, go to school
discuss about, comprise of, reach at the station	discuss, comprise / be composed of, reach the station
married with her, superior than, inferior than	married to her, superior to, inferior to
different than (BrE), die with cholera	different from, die of cholera
good in English, prevent him to go	good at English, prevent him from going

Solved examples:

Wrong: He is married with a doctor. → Right: He is married to a doctor.
Wrong: The committee comprises of ten members. → Right: The committee comprises ten members.
Wrong: We reached at the airport late. → Right: We reached the airport late.
Wrong: She is good in mathematics. → Right: She is good at mathematics.
Wrong: The medicine prevented him to recover. → Right: The medicine prevented him from recovering.

Note: Comprise already means "consist of", so comprise of is doubly wrong. Use comprise + object, or be composed of / consist of + object.

2. Gerund vs Infinitive Collocations

Certain verbs take a following infinitive (to do), others a gerund (doing); some take either, occasionally with a change of meaning.

Take infinitive	Take gerund	Either (meaning may change)
want, hope, decide, agree, refuse, manage, afford, promise, offer, learn	enjoy, finish, avoid, mind, suggest, deny, admit, risk, consider, practise, postpone	stop, remember, forget, regret, try, go on, mean

Solved examples:

Wrong: I enjoy to read novels. → Right: I enjoy reading novels.
Wrong: She wants reading the report. → Right: She wants to read the report.
Wrong: He avoided to meet me. → Right: He avoided meeting me.
Wrong: They decided going abroad. → Right: They decided to go abroad.
Meaning change: I stopped to smoke (paused in order to smoke) vs I stopped smoking (gave up the habit).

Note: After prepositions a gerund is obligatory — good at swimming, interested in learning, fond of singing. Never to swim after a preposition.

3. used to / be used to / get used to

Form	Meaning	Followed by	Example
used to + V1	past habit/state, no longer true	base verb	I used to live in Delhi.
be used to + V-ing / noun	be accustomed to	gerund / noun	I am used to waking early.
get used to + V-ing / noun	become accustomed to	gerund / noun	She got used to the heat.

Solved examples:

Wrong: I am used to wake up early. → Right: I am used to waking up early.
Wrong: He used to working here. → Right: He used to work here.
Wrong: I cannot get used to drive on the left. → Right: I cannot get used to driving on the left.
Right: Did you use to play cricket? (question/negative drops the -d: didn't use to).
Right: Foreigners soon get used to the spicy food (noun after to).

4. had better / would rather / would sooner / prefer…to

Structure	Pattern	Example
had better	+ bare infinitive	You had better leave now. (not to leave)
would rather / would sooner (one subject)	+ bare infinitive	I would rather stay at home.
would rather (two subjects)	+ subject + past tense	I would rather you stayed here.
prefer X to Y	noun/gerund + to + noun/gerund	I prefer tea to coffee; I prefer walking to driving.
would prefer	+ to-infinitive	I would prefer to walk.

Solved examples:

Wrong: You had better to consult a doctor. → Right: You had better consult a doctor.
Wrong: I would rather to die than beg. → Right: I would rather die than beg.
Wrong: I prefer coffee than tea. → Right: I prefer coffee to tea.
Right: I would rather you came tomorrow (past form for present meaning, two subjects).
Right: She would sooner walk than wait for the bus.

Note: The negative of had better is had better not + bare infinitive: You had better not be late.

5. Conditionals — Zero, First, Second, Third & Mixed

Type	If-clause	Main clause	Use / Example
Zero	present simple	present simple	general truth — If you heat ice, it melts.
First	present simple	will + base	real future — If it rains, we will stay in.
Second	past simple	would + base	unreal present — If I knew, I would tell you.
Third	past perfect	would have + V3	unreal past — If I had known, I would have told you.
Mixed	past perfect	would + base (now)	past cause, present result — If I had studied, I would be a doctor now.

Solved examples:

Wrong: If I would be rich, I would travel. → Right: If I were rich, I would travel. (Use were for all persons in unreal conditions.)
Wrong: If he will come, I will tell him. → Right: If he comes, I will tell him. (No will in the if-clause of a first conditional.)
Wrong: If I would have known, I would have come. → Right: If I had known, I would have come.
Mixed: If I had taken the medicine, I would feel better now.
Inverted (formal): Were I you, I would resign; Had I known, I would have helped.

Note: Never put would / will in the if-clause of a conditional. The classic error "If I would have…" is always wrong.

6. The Subjunctive

After verbs/adjectives of command, demand, suggestion, importance (suggest, demand, insist, recommend, propose, request; it is essential/vital/important/imperative that), use the base form (mandative subjunctive) for all persons and tenses. The were-subjunctive is used in unreal wishes/conditions.

Trigger	Subjunctive form	Example
I suggest / demand / insist that	base verb (no -s)	I suggest that he go at once.
It is essential / important that	base verb; be stays be	It is essential that he be present.
negative	not + base verb	I insist that she not leave.
were-subjunctive (unreal)	were for all persons	I wish I were taller.

Solved examples:

Wrong: It is essential that he is present. → Right: It is essential that he be present.
Wrong: I suggested that he goes home. → Right: I suggested that he go home.
Wrong: The doctor recommended that she takes rest. → Right: …that she take rest.
Right: The committee demanded that the chairman resign.
Right: It is imperative that every candidate be informed.

Note: When suggest reports a fact rather than a recommendation, the indicative is used: "The evidence suggests that he is guilty."

7. Wishes (wish + past / past perfect) and "It is (high) time"

Structure	Form	Meaning / Example
wish + past simple	past tense (were)	regret about present — I wish I knew* the answer.*
wish + past perfect	had + V3	regret about past — I wish I had studied* harder.*
wish + would	would + base	annoyance / desired change — I wish he would stop* shouting.*
It is (high) time + past	subject + past tense	overdue — It is high time we left.

Solved examples:

Wrong: I wish I am rich. → Right: I wish I were rich.
Wrong: I wish I would have met you earlier. → Right: I wish I had met you earlier.
Wrong: It is high time we should go. → Right: It is high time we went.
Right: I wish you would not interrupt me.
Right: It is time you started revising for the exam.

8. Reported Speech & Question Tags

In reported speech, back-shift tenses (present→past, will→would, can→could) and adjust pronouns and time/place words. A universal truth need not back-shift.

Direct	Reported
He said, "I am tired."	He said that he was tired.
She said, "I will help you."	She said that she would help me.
"Where do you live?" he asked.	He asked where I lived.

Question tags: positive statement → negative tag, and vice versa; the tag repeats the auxiliary (or do/does/did) and subject pronoun.

Statement	Correct tag
She is coming, ___?	isn't she?
You don't smoke, ___?	do you?
Let's go, ___?	shall we?
I am right, ___?	aren't I?
Open the door, ___?	will you? (imperative)

Solved examples:

Wrong: You are a teacher, isn't it? → Right: You are a teacher, aren't you?
Wrong: Nobody came, did they? — actually Right: Nobody takes a positive plural tag did they?
Right: Everyone enjoyed the show, didn't they? (indefinite pronoun → they).
Right: He hardly ever fails, does he? (negative adverb → positive tag).
Right: She said she had finished (back-shift of present perfect).

Note: The all-purpose Indian tag "…, isn't it?" is non-standard. Match the tag to the auxiliary and subject of the main clause.

9. Double Comparatives / Superlatives, Collective Expressions & Redundancy

Never combine more with -er, or most with -est.

Non-standard	Standard
more better, more easier	better, easier
most cleverest, most worst	cleverest, worst
return back, repeat again, revert back	return, repeat, revert
cousin-brother, real fact, final conclusion	cousin, fact, conclusion
two twins, free gift, advance planning	twins, gift, planning

Solved examples:

Wrong: This is more better. → Right: This is better.
Wrong: He is the most cleverest boy. → Right: He is the cleverest boy.
Wrong: Please return back my book. → Right: Please return my book.
Wrong: Repeat it again. → Right: Repeat it. / Say it again.
Wrong: A bunch of keys were lost. → Right: A bunch of keys was lost (collective singular).

10. Indian English vs Standard British English

Many widely-used Indian-English expressions are non-standard and must be avoided in formal writing and in examinations.

Indian English (non-standard)	Standard English
prepone the meeting	bring forward / move up the meeting
my cousin-brother / cousin-sister	my cousin
kindly do the needful	please take the necessary action
I am out of station	I am out of town / away
I will revert back to you	I will reply / get back to you
Kindly do the same / kindly revert	Please do so / please reply
May I know your good name?	May I have your name, please?
pass out of college	graduate from college
What is your timing?	What are your hours / what time?
order for a coffee	order a coffee

Solved examples:

Non-standard: Please prepone the function. → Standard: Please bring forward the function.
Non-standard: He is my cousin-brother. → Standard: He is my cousin.
Non-standard: Kindly do the needful. → Standard: Please take the necessary action.
Non-standard: I will revert back soon. → Standard: I will reply soon.
Non-standard: She passed out in 2020. → Standard: She graduated in 2020.

11. Frequently-Confused Function Words

Pair	Rule	Example
since / for / ago	since + point of time; for + duration; ago + past point from now	since 2010; for ten years; ten years ago
between / among	between two; among more than two	between you and me; among the students
less / fewer	less + uncountable; fewer + countable plural	less water; fewer mistakes
amount / number	amount + uncountable; number + countable	amount of money; number of books
each / every	each = two or more, individually; every = three or more, as a group; both singular	each of the two; every student was present
who / whom	who = subject; whom = object	Who called? / To whom did you speak?
lay / lie	lay (laid, laid) = put down, transitive; lie (lay, lain) = recline, intransitive	Lay the book down; Lie on the bed.

Solved examples:

Wrong: I am living here since 2010. → Right: I have been living here since 2010.
Wrong: Divide it between the three boys. → Right: Divide it among the three boys.
Wrong: Less people came today. → Right: Fewer people came today.
Wrong: Whom shall I say is calling? → Right: Who shall I say is calling? (subject of is calling).
Wrong: I am going to lay down for a rest. → Right: I am going to lie down for a rest.

Common Exam Errors

#	Wrong	Correct	Explanation
1	He discussed about the issue.	He discussed the issue.	Discuss is transitive; no about.
2	We reached at Delhi.	We reached Delhi.	Reach takes a direct object; no at.
3	The team comprises of five.	The team comprises five.	Comprise already means "consist of".
4	If I would have known, I would have come.	If I had known, I would have come.	No would in the if-clause; third conditional.
5	If I was you, I would resign.	If I were you, I would resign.	Use were for unreal conditions.
6	It is essential that he is present.	It is essential that he be present.	Mandative subjunctive base form.
7	I suggested that he goes.	I suggested that he go.	Subjunctive after suggest.
8	I wish I am taller.	I wish I were taller.	Wish + past/were for present regret.
9	I wish I would have studied.	I wish I had studied.	Wish + past perfect for past regret.
10	It is high time we go.	It is high time we went.	It is (high) time + past tense.
11	I enjoy to play cricket.	I enjoy playing cricket.	Enjoy takes a gerund.
12	I am used to wake up early.	I am used to waking up early.	be used to + gerund.
13	You had better to go.	You had better go.	Had better + bare infinitive.
14	I prefer tea than coffee.	I prefer tea to coffee.	Prefer X to Y.
15	This is more better.	This is better.	No double comparative.
16	He is the most cleverest.	He is the cleverest.	No double superlative.
17	Please return back my pen.	Please return my pen.	Return already means "give back".
18	I will revert back to you.	I will reply to you.	Revert back is redundant/non-standard.
19	Less students passed.	Fewer students passed.	Fewer with countables.
20	A large amount of people came.	A large number of people came.	Number with countables.
21	Divide it between the four.	Divide it among the four.	Among for more than two.
22	I am living here since 2015.	I have been living here since 2015.	Present perfect with since.
23	You are coming, isn't it?	You are coming, aren't you?	Tag must match auxiliary and subject.
24	Kindly do the needful.	Please take the necessary action.	Non-standard Indian English.
25	Please prepone the meeting.	Please bring the meeting forward.	Prepone is non-standard.

Exam Tricks

Spot the redundant preposition: discuss about, reach at, comprise of, order for, return back are nearly always the trap option.
If-clause test: any if-clause containing will / would is wrong (except polite requests like "If you will wait here").
Subjunctive trigger words (suggest, demand, insist, recommend, essential, important, imperative) signal a base verb, never -s or is.
"wish/it is time" = past tense: if you see present tense after them, it is the distractor.
Gerund after preposition: after to in be/get used to, look forward to, with a view to, object to, choose -ing, not the infinitive — a common distractor swaps them.
Tag-question distractor: watch for isn't it? tacked onto any statement — almost always wrong.
Countable check: less/amount with countable nouns (people, books, mistakes) is the planted error; pick fewer/number.
Indian-English bait: options containing prepone, revert back, do the needful, cousin-brother, out of station are the non-standard answers to be rejected (or selected as "the error").

Frequently Confused Pairs

Pair	Distinction	Correct use
since / for	since = starting point; for = length	since Monday / for three days
fewer / less	countable / uncountable	fewer cars / less traffic
amount / number	uncountable / countable	amount of work / number of tasks
between / among	two / more than two	between two; among many
each / every	individual / collective; both singular	each was; every one was
who / whom	subject / object	who came; whom you met
lie / lay	intransitive recline / transitive place	lie down; lay the cloth
used to / be used to	past habit / accustomed	used to smoke; used to smoking

Exceptions — Important, Rare & Advanced

"If…will" is allowed in polite requests or when will means "be willing": "If you will follow me, I'll show you the room."
"Was" after wish/if is acceptable in informal spoken English ("I wish I was there"), but examinations require the formal were.
"Different to" is accepted in British English alongside different from; American different than is avoided in formal BrE.
Indicative after "suggest" when reporting a fact: "This suggests that he is innocent." (no subjunctive).
Collective nouns may take a plural verb in BrE when individuals are meant: "The team are arguing among themselves."
"Whom" relaxing: in modern usage who is acceptable as an object in informal contexts ("Who did you see?"), but whom is required immediately after a preposition (to whom).
"Fewer vs less" nuance: with measurements/amounts treated as a single quantity, less is correct even with a plural: "less than ten miles", "less than £20".
"Each other / one another": traditionally each other for two, one another for more than two, though the distinction is now relaxed.

50 MCQs

Easy (1–15)

1. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) He discussed about the plan. (b) He discussed the plan. (c) He discussed on the plan. (d) He discussed of the plan.
Answer: (b) He discussed the plan.
Explanation: Discuss is transitive and takes no preposition.

2. We finally ______ the station.

(a) reached at (b) reached to (c) reached (d) reached in
Answer: (c) reached
Explanation: Reach takes a direct object without a preposition.

3. I enjoy ______ detective novels.

(a) to read (b) reading (c) read (d) to reading
Answer: (b) reading
Explanation: Enjoy is followed by a gerund.

4. She wants ______ the truth.

(a) knowing (b) to know (c) know (d) known
Answer: (b) to know
Explanation: Want takes a to-infinitive.

5. The committee ______ ten members.

(a) comprises of (b) is comprised (c) comprises (d) comprise of
Answer: (c) comprises
Explanation: Comprise already means "consist of"; no of.

6. You had better ______ a doctor.

(a) to consult (b) consulting (c) consult (d) consulted
Answer: (c) consult
Explanation: Had better takes a bare infinitive.

7. I prefer tea ______ coffee.

(a) than (b) to (c) from (d) over
Answer: (b) to
Explanation: The pattern is prefer X to Y.

8. This book is ______ than that one.

(a) more better (b) more good (c) better (d) most better
Answer: (c) better
Explanation: No double comparative; better alone.

9. ______ students passed this year than last year.

(a) Less (b) Lesser (c) Fewer (d) Little
Answer: (c) Fewer
Explanation: Fewer is used with countable nouns.

10. Divide the sweets ______ the four children.

(a) between (b) among (c) in (d) within
Answer: (b) among
Explanation: Among is used for more than two.

11. I have lived here ______ 2015.

(a) for (b) since (c) from (d) ago
Answer: (b) since
Explanation: Since marks a point of time.

12. Please ______ my umbrella tomorrow.

(a) return back (b) return (c) revert (d) return again
Answer: (b) return
Explanation: Return already means "give back"; return back is redundant.

13. You are a teacher, ______?

(a) isn't it (b) aren't you (c) don't you (d) are you
Answer: (b) aren't you
Explanation: The tag matches the auxiliary are and subject you.

14. He is good ______ mathematics.

(a) in (b) at (c) on (d) with
Answer: (b) at
Explanation: The collocation is good at a subject/skill.

15. I used to ______ in Lucknow as a child.

(a) living (b) lived (c) live (d) to live
Answer: (c) live
Explanation: Used to + base verb expresses a past habit.

Moderate (16–35)

16. If I ______ you, I would apologise.

(a) was (b) am (c) were (d) had been
Answer: (c) were
Explanation: Second conditional uses were for all persons.

17. If it ______ tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.

(a) will rain (b) rains (c) rained (d) would rain
Answer: (b) rains
Explanation: First conditional: present simple in the if-clause.

18. If I had known, I ______ you.

(a) would tell (b) will tell (c) would have told (d) had told
Answer: (c) would have told
Explanation: Third conditional: would have + past participle.

19. It is essential that every applicant ______ on time.

(a) is (b) be (c) will be (d) being
Answer: (b) be
Explanation: Mandative subjunctive uses the base form be.

20. The doctor recommended that he ______ more water.

(a) drinks (b) drank (c) drink (d) drinking
Answer: (c) drink
Explanation: Subjunctive base form after recommend that.

21. I wish I ______ the answer to this question.

(a) know (b) knew (c) had known (d) would know
Answer: (b) knew
Explanation: Wish + past simple for a present regret.

22. I wish I ______ harder for the examination last year.

(a) studied (b) had studied (c) have studied (d) would study
Answer: (b) had studied
Explanation: Wish + past perfect for a past regret.

23. It is high time we ______ the project.

(a) start (b) should start (c) started (d) will start
Answer: (c) started
Explanation: It is high time + past tense.

24. I am not used to ______ on the left.

(a) drive (b) driving (c) drove (d) to drive
Answer: (b) driving
Explanation: be used to + gerund.

25. I would rather ______ at home this evening.

(a) to stay (b) staying (c) stay (d) stayed
Answer: (c) stay
Explanation: Would rather (one subject) + bare infinitive.

26. A large ______ of visitors attended the fair.

(a) amount (b) number (c) quantity (d) deal
Answer: (b) number
Explanation: Number is used with countable nouns.

27. Nobody objected, ______?

(a) did they (b) didn't they (c) did he (d) didn't he
Answer: (a) did they
Explanation: Negative nobody → positive tag; indefinite pronoun → they.

28. He insisted that she ______ the meeting.

(a) attends (b) attended (c) attend (d) to attend
Answer: (c) attend
Explanation: Subjunctive base form after insist that.

29. ______ shall I say is calling?

(a) Whom (b) Who (c) Which (d) Whose
Answer: (b) Who
Explanation: Who is the subject of is calling.

30. She is going to ______ down for a while.

(a) lay (b) lie (c) laid (d) lain
Answer: (b) lie
Explanation: Lie (recline) is intransitive; lay needs an object.

31. He looks forward to ______ you soon.

(a) meet (b) meeting (c) met (d) have met
Answer: (b) meeting
Explanation: Look forward to + gerund (here to is a preposition).

32. Which is standard English?

(a) Please do the needful. (b) Please take the necessary action. (c) Kindly revert back. (d) I am out of station.
Answer: (b) Please take the necessary action.
Explanation: The others are non-standard Indian English.

33. She suggested ______ a taxi.

(a) to take (b) taking (c) take (d) takes
Answer: (b) taking
Explanation: Suggest + gerund (or "that we take"), never the infinitive.

34. He has been ill ______ three weeks.

(a) since (b) for (c) from (d) during
Answer: (b) for
Explanation: For is used with a duration.

35. ______ of the two answers is correct.

(a) Every (b) Each (c) All (d) Any
Answer: (b) Each
Explanation: Each (not every) is used of two.

Difficult (36–50)

36. If I had caught the earlier train, I ______ here by now.

(a) would have been (b) would be (c) will be (d) had been
Answer: (b) would be
Explanation: Mixed conditional: past cause (had caught), present result (would be now).

37. I would rather you ______ tomorrow than today.

(a) come (b) came (c) will come (d) to come
Answer: (b) came
Explanation: Would rather with two subjects takes a past-tense verb.

38. It is imperative that the report ______ submitted before Friday.

(a) is (b) be (c) will be (d) was
Answer: (b) be
Explanation: Subjunctive after it is imperative that; be stays uninflected.

39. I wish he ______ interrupting me all the time.

(a) stops (b) stopped (c) would stop (d) had stopped
Answer: (c) would stop
Explanation: Wish + would expresses annoyance and a desired change of behaviour.

40. Were I in your position, I ______ the offer.

(a) will accept (b) would accept (c) accepted (d) would have accepted
Answer: (b) would accept
Explanation: Inverted second conditional (Were I = If I were) → would + base.

41. Hardly had he entered the hall ______ the lights went out.

(a) than (b) when (c) then (d) that
Answer: (b) when
Explanation: Hardly … when is the correct correlative pair.

42. The evidence suggests that he ______ innocent.

(a) be (b) is (c) were (d) being
Answer: (b) is
Explanation: When suggest reports a fact, the indicative (is), not the subjunctive, is used.

43. There is ______ traffic on Sundays, so the drive is quicker.

(a) fewer (b) less (c) lesser (d) few
Answer: (b) less
Explanation: Traffic is uncountable, so less is correct.

44. To ______ did you address the complaint?

(a) who (b) whom (c) which (d) whose
Answer: (b) whom
Explanation: After a preposition, the object form whom is required.

45. She would sooner resign ______ compromise her principles.

(a) to (b) than (c) rather than (d) then
Answer: (b) than
Explanation: Would sooner … than is the fixed comparative structure.

46. If you ______ kindly wait here, the manager will see you shortly.

(a) will (b) would (c) shall (d) can
Answer: (a) will
Explanation: If…will is permitted in polite requests, where will means "be willing to".

47. Each of the candidates ______ been informed of the result.

(a) have (b) has (c) were (d) are
Answer: (b) has
Explanation: Each is singular and takes a singular verb.

48. Which sentence is correct?

(a) I am looking forward to meet you. (b) I am looking forward to meeting you. (c) I look forward to met you. (d) I look forward meeting you.
Answer: (b) I am looking forward to meeting you.
Explanation: Look forward to takes a gerund.

49. No sooner had the bell rung ______ the students rushed out.

(a) when (b) then (c) than (d) that
Answer: (c) than
Explanation: The correlative is No sooner … than.

50. The principal demanded that the notice ______ displayed at once.

(a) is (b) was (c) be (d) will be
Answer: (c) be
Explanation: Subjunctive base form after demand that.