Examkin

Grammatical Structure

902 questions

All types902Multiple choice461Matching13Fill in the blank428
Question 41Question →

In the sentence, 'The board of directors named the lead researcher the most outstanding innovator of the decade for her groundbreaking work in renewable energy,' what is the syntactic function of the bolded noun phrase?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Object complement

Answer

Object complement
The option specifying 'Object complement' is correct because the verb 'named' is a complex transitive verb that takes 'the lead researcher' as its direct object and 'the most outstanding innovator of the decade' as an object complement that renames and completes the sense of the direct object.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause structure and primary verb of the sentence.
The subject is 'The board of directors', the verb is 'named', and the direct object receiving the action is 'the lead researcher'.
Determining the core grammatical elements establishes how subsequent constituents function relative to the verb and object.
2
Analyze the relationship between the verb, the direct object, and the target bolded noun phrase.
The verb 'named' is a complex transitive verb that requires both a direct object ('the lead researcher') and a secondary phrase to define or complete the title/identity assigned to that object.
Complex transitive verbs (such as name, call, elect, consider, make, appoint) take an object complement to complete their meaning.
3
Classify the syntactic role of the bolded noun phrase.
The phrase 'the most outstanding innovator of the decade' characterizes and completes the direct object, functioning specifically as an object complement.
A noun phrase that follows a direct object and renames or modifies that object under the governing verb is syntactically an object complement.

Key Concept

Syntactic functions of noun phrases: Object complementation
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 42Question →

The storekeeper was instructed to dispose _____ all the expired medications before the health inspectors arrived. Which preposition best completes the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: of

Answer

The correct preposition is 'of'.
The verb 'dispose' takes the fixed dependent preposition 'of' when it means to throw away or eliminate something. Therefore, 'of' is the only standard and grammatically correct option.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the head verb requiring a dependent preposition in the sentence context.
The verb is 'dispose'.
The sentence context requires expressing the action of getting rid of unwanted materials.
2
Determine the standard preposition that collocates with 'dispose'.
The correct prepositional combination is 'dispose of'.
In standard English grammar, 'dispose' requires the preposition 'of' to complete its meaning appropriately.

Key Concept

Dependent prepositions following specific verbs
Estimated Time:45s
Question 43Question →

During the formal inquiry, the clerk stated that he _____ the financial registers to the regional headquarters the previous afternoon. Which option correctly completes the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: had dispatched

Answer

had dispatched
The verb form 'had dispatched' is correct because indirect speech introduced by a past-tense reporting verb ('stated') requires tense backshifting. Since the action of dispatching occurred prior to the statement being made (indicated by 'the previous afternoon'), the past perfect tense is syntactically mandatory.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the reporting verb and matrix clause tense.
The reporting verb 'stated' is in the simple past tense.
The tense of the main reporting verb determines the sequence of tenses in the subordinate reported clause.
2
Analyze the time relationship of the action in the subordinate clause.
The time marker 'the previous afternoon' indicates that dispatching the registers occurred prior to the reporting event.
An action completed before another past action requires tense backshifting into the past perfect tense.
3
Select the verb form that corresponds to the past perfect tense.
The auxiliary 'had' combined with the past participle 'dispatched' forms 'had dispatched'.
'Had dispatched' correctly conveys past-perfect aspect in reported speech.

Key Concept

Tense Backshift in Reported Speech
Estimated Time:45s
Question 44Question →

The presiding judge ruled that submitting the unverified evidence at this stage of the trial would be highly prejudicial _____ a fair hearing for the defendant. Which preposition correctly completes the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: to

Answer

to
The adjective 'prejudicial' (meaning causing harm, detriment, or bias) standardly governs the preposition 'to'. Therefore, 'prejudicial to a fair hearing' is the grammatically correct prepositional phrase.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the head adjective requiring a dependent preposition in the clause.
The target adjective is 'prejudicial'.
Certain adjectives in formal English require specific fixed prepositions to link to their nominal complements.
2
Determine the standard grammatical collocation for 'prejudicial'.
The adjective 'prejudicial' standardly pairs with the preposition 'to' (i.e., 'prejudicial to something').
In standard English usage, expressions denoting detriment or damage such as 'prejudicial', 'detrimental', or 'inimical' govern the preposition 'to'.

Key Concept

Dependent Prepositions following Formal Adjectives
Question 45Question →

During a post-flood facility audit, the safety consultant remarked, 'The maintenance crew ought to have inspected the main drainage pipes before the storm.' Which of the following best interprets the consultant's statement?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: The maintenance crew had an obligation to inspect the drainage pipes, but they failed to do so.

Answer

The statement means that the maintenance crew had an obligation to inspect the drainage pipes, but they failed to do so.
The modal phrase 'ought to have inspected' expresses a past obligation or recommended action that was not carried out. Therefore, the statement implies that inspecting the pipes was the crew's responsibility, but they neglected to do it before the storm.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the modal verb structure in the given statement.
The auxiliary verb phrase used is 'ought to have inspected'.
Identifying the structure 'modal auxiliary + have + past participle' is essential for determining tense and aspect.
2
Determine the semantic function of 'ought to have + past participle'.
This structure conveys past advisability or obligation that was neglected or left unfulfilled.
'Ought to' expresses duty/advisability, and combining it with the perfect aspect ('have inspected') places that duty in the past while signaling non-performance.
3
Evaluate the options against this semantic function.
The interpretation stating that the crew had an obligation but failed to fulfill it accurately reflects the unfulfilled past obligation.
Only one option correctly captures both the element of duty and the fact that the action was not carried out.

Key Concept

Unfulfilled Past Modality with 'Ought to have'
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 46Question →

In the sentence, 'The environmental agency designated the newly reclaimed wetland a protected sanctuary for migratory birds', what is the grammatical function of the bolded noun phrase?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Object complement

Answer

The bolded noun phrase functions as an object complement because it completes the meaning of the direct object 'the newly reclaimed wetland' following the complex transitive verb 'designated'.
In English grammar, verbs such as 'designate', 'appoint', 'elect', and 'consider' take a direct object followed by an object complement. Here, 'the newly reclaimed wetland' is the direct object, and 'a protected sanctuary for migratory birds' is the noun phrase functioning as the object complement that describes what the wetland has become.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the verb and its basic argument structure
The verb is 'designated', which is a complex transitive verb requiring both a direct object and an element that renames or defines that object.
Determining verb transitivity reveals what structural components must follow.
2
Identify the direct object of the sentence
The noun phrase 'the newly reclaimed wetland' functions as the direct object.
This is the entity receiving the action of being designated.
3
Analyze the relationship between the direct object and the bolded noun phrase
The phrase 'a protected sanctuary for migratory birds' renames the direct object and completes the clause predicate.
A noun phrase that renames or describes a direct object after a complex transitive verb functions syntactically as an object complement.

Key Concept

Syntactic Functions of Noun Phrases: Object Complement
Question 47Question →

During the constitutional review session, the legal scholar argued that the proposed emergency clause was wholly inimical _____ the spirit of democratic governance. Which preposition properly completes the statement?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: to

Answer

The correct preposition is 'to'.
The adjective 'inimical' (meaning adverse, harmful, or hostile) standardly requires the dependent preposition 'to' to form a grammatically accurate prepositional phrase complement. Thus, 'inimical to the spirit' is the correct formulation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the head adjective in the sentence requiring a dependent preposition.
The adjective is 'inimical', which means tending to obstruct or harm; hostile.
Certain formal adjectives in English govern specific, fixed dependent prepositions.
2
Determine the mandatory dependent preposition associated with 'inimical'.
'Inimical' strictly collocates with the preposition 'to' (e.g., 'inimical to growth', 'inimical to freedom').
Substituting other prepositions like 'with', 'against', or 'for' violates standard English prepositional complementation.

Key Concept

Dependent Prepositions with Formal Adjectives
Question 48Question →

No sooner had the chief negotiator announced the breakthrough in peace talks than the assembled delegates _____ into spontaneous applause. Which verb form correctly completes the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: burst

Answer

The verb form 'burst' correctly completes the sentence because the clause following 'than' after an inverted past perfect construction ('No sooner had...') must take the simple past tense.
In standard English grammar, the formulaic structure 'No sooner had + subject + past participle... than + subject + simple past' expresses two events occurring in rapid succession in the past. Therefore, the clause following 'than' requires the simple past tense. Because 'burst' is an irregular verb with identical base and past tense forms, 'burst' is the grammatically correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the clause structure and sequence of tenses.
The initial clause uses 'No sooner had...', which introduces an inverted past perfect action.
Correlative temporal constructions with 'No sooner... than' require the earlier action in the past perfect and the immediate subsequent action in the simple past.
2
Determine the correct tense and morphology for the missing verb.
The verb must be in the simple past tense, and its standard form is 'burst'.
The verb 'burst' is irregular and retains the same form ('burst') across present, past, and past participle forms.

Key Concept

Sequence of Tenses with Inverted Correlative Clauses
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 49Question →

Consider the following sentence:

"Neither of the financial proposals submitted by the regional committees _____ viable under the newly approved municipal budget."

Which verb form correctly completes the sentence to maintain proper subject-verb concord?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: appears

Answer

The correct option is 'appears' because the subject of the clause is the singular indefinite pronoun 'Neither', which requires a singular verb.
The sentence requires a singular verb to agree with the head subject 'Neither'. The option 'appears' is the only singular verb choice provided, making it grammatically correct.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the head of the subject noun phrase.
The head of the subject is the indefinite pronoun 'Neither', not the plural complement 'proposals' inside the prepositional phrase.
Prepositional modifiers such as 'of the financial proposals' do not alter the grammatical number of the core subject.
2
Apply the rule of concord for indefinite pronouns.
'Neither' strictly takes a singular verb in standard formal English.
Indefinite pronouns like 'each', 'either', and 'neither' refer to items individually and are grammatically singular.
3
Select the third-person singular present tense verb form.
'appears' is the correct singular form, whereas 'appear', 'are appearing', and 'have appeared' are plural forms.
In the simple present tense, singular verbs end with an '-s' suffix.

Key Concept

Indefinite Pronoun Subject-Verb Agreement
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 50Question →

Fill in the blank in the sentence below with the grammatically correct form of the verb.

Fill in the blanks below

Every member of the steering committee, in addition to the regional representatives who were invited to the summit, required to submit a signed report by the end of the session.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct verb form to fill the blank is 'is' (present tense) or 'was' (past tense).
The core grammatical subject of the sentence is 'Every member'. The quantifier 'every' mandates a singular verb form. Intervening prepositional phrases introduced by 'in addition to' do not convert a singular subject into a plural one, nor does the plural noun 'representatives' within the modifier phrase change the subject's agreement requirements. Therefore, the singular verb 'is' (or 'was') correctly completes the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical head subject of the main clause.
The core subject noun phrase is 'Every member'.
Determiners such as 'every' distributively modify singular nouns and require a singular subject agreement.
2
Analyze intervening clauses and parenthetical phrases.
The phrase 'in addition to the regional representatives who were invited to the summit' is a quasi-conjunctional prepositional phrase.
Expressions like 'in addition to', 'along with', and 'as well as' do not form compound plural subjects like 'and' does; they remain syntactically adjunct to the head subject.
3
Select the verb form that matches the head subject in number.
The singular verb 'is' or 'was' correctly completes the predicate.
The verb must agree in number with the singular head noun 'member', ignoring intervening plural nouns like 'representatives'.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement (Concord) with Distributive Quantifiers and Parenthetical Adjuncts
Estimated Time:1m 15s
Question 51Question →

Fill in the blank with the appropriate modal auxiliary verb that correctly expresses formal permission in the given context.

Fill in the blanks below

Candidates who have completed their biometric verification enter the examination hall.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The modal auxiliary verb 'may' (or 'can') correctly completes the sentence to express permission.
The modal verb 'may' is standard in formal contexts to express that someone is allowed or permitted to take an action once requirements are met.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context and communicative function of the sentence.
The statement grants candidates authorization/permission to enter after fulfilling a prerequisite.
The clause 'who have completed their biometric verification' sets the condition under which entry is permitted.
2
Identify the modal verb that expresses granting permission.
'May' is the formal modal verb used to express or grant permission in English grammar.
In formal administrative directives and examination instructions, 'may' standardly signifies permission.

Key Concept

Modal Auxiliaries for Expressing Permission
Estimated Time:45s
Question 52Question →

Select the option that correctly completes the sentence below.

Neither the senior delegates nor the committee chairman was willing to compromise on ________ stance during the plenary session.

Which of the following pronouns grammatically completes the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: his

Answer

The correct pronoun is 'his' because in a correlative conjunction construction using 'neither...nor', the pronoun must agree in person, number, and gender with the nearer antecedent ('the committee chairman').
The sentence uses the correlative conjunction 'neither...nor'. According to standard grammatical rules, when subject elements of different numbers or genders are linked by 'neither...nor', the pronoun must agree with the antecedent closest to it. Here, 'the committee chairman' is singular and masculine, so the singular possessive pronoun 'his' is grammatically correct.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical structure of the subject.
The subject consists of compound antecedents joined by the correlative conjunction 'neither...nor': 'the senior delegates' (plural) and 'the committee chairman' (singular).
Correlative conjunctions dictate specific proximity agreement rules for pronouns and verbs.
2
Apply the rule of proximity for pronoun-antecedent agreement.
The pronoun slot is positioned after the second antecedent, 'the committee chairman'.
When a singular and a plural noun are connected by 'neither...nor', the pronoun agrees with the closer noun.
3
Determine the required number and gender of the pronoun.
The closer antecedent 'the committee chairman' is singular and masculine/third-person, requiring the singular possessive pronoun 'his'.
Using 'their' creates a number disagreement error with the singular noun closest to the pronoun.

Key Concept

Pronoun Agreement with Correlative Conjunctions (Neither...Nor)
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 53Question →

The board members designated Mrs. Adeleke the managing director during yesterday's meeting. What is the syntactic function of the bolded noun phrase in the sentence above?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Object complement of the verb 'designated'

Answer

Object complement of the verb 'designated'
In English grammar, complex transitive verbs such as 'appoint', 'elect', 'make', and 'designate' take a direct object followed by an object complement. In this sentence, 'Mrs. Adeleke' is the direct object and 'the managing director' functions as the object complement because it renames and describes the post assigned to the direct object.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the core verb and direct object in the sentence.
The verb is 'designated' (a complex transitive verb) and the direct object is 'Mrs. Adeleke'.
Determining the verb type helps establish how surrounding noun phrases interact grammatically.
2
Analyze the relationship between 'Mrs. Adeleke' and the bolded phrase 'the managing director'.
'the managing director' provides necessary information identifying the attribute/role assigned to the direct object 'Mrs. Adeleke'.
A noun phrase following a direct object that describes or renames that object performs the syntactic function of an object complement.

Key Concept

Syntactic Functions of Noun Phrases: Object Complement
Estimated Time:45s
Question 54Question →

Complete the sentence below by supplying the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject in accordance with the rules of grammatical concord. Which verb correctly fills the blank?

Fill in the blanks below

Not only the chief financial officer but also the senior accountants held responsible for the audit discrepancies discovered last week.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct verb to fill the blank is 'were' (or 'are' / 'have been'), because correlative conjunctions such as 'not only... but also' require the verb to agree in number with the subject closest to it (the plural noun 'senior accountants').
When subjects are joined by correlative conjunctions like 'not only... but also', the verb agrees in number with the subject nearest to it. Because 'the senior accountants' is plural and directly precedes the verb, the plural verb form 'were' (or 'are' / 'have been') is required.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the syntactic structure connecting the subjects in the sentence.
The singular subject 'the chief financial officer' and plural subject 'the senior accountants' are linked by the correlative conjunction 'not only... but also...'.
Sentences using correlative conjunctions follow the rule of proximity concord rather than joint/compound subject rules.
2
Apply the rule of proximity concord to identify the governing subject.
The verb must agree with the nearer subject, which is the plural noun phrase 'the senior accountants'.
Under proximity concord, the noun immediately preceding the verb slot dictates whether the verb is singular or plural.
3
Select the appropriate plural verb form to complete the sentence grammatically.
The plural past verb 'were' (or present 'are' / perfect 'have been') correctly matches the plural subject.
Plural noun phrases demand a plural verb agreement.

Key Concept

Proximity Concord with Correlative Conjunctions
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 55Question →

Which of the following verb forms correctly completes the sentence below?

"Neither of the proposed solutions to the environmental crisis _______ deemed feasible by the parliamentary committee during yesterday's debate."

Show answer & explanation

Answer: was

Answer

The correct option is 'was'.
The indefinite pronoun 'Neither' is the singular head of the subject clause. In formal standard English, 'neither' takes a singular verb. Coupled with the past temporal indicator 'yesterday's debate', the singular past verb form 'was' is the only grammatically correct option.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the true grammatical subject of the sentence
The subject head is the indefinite pronoun 'Neither'.
The phrase 'of the proposed solutions' is a prepositional modifier and does not change the singular nature of the subject head.
2
Apply the rule of concord for indefinite pronouns
'Neither' requires a singular verb in standard formal English.
Indefinite pronouns such as 'neither', 'either', and 'each' are grammatically singular when used as subjects.
3
Align verb tense with contextual time indicators
The adverbial phrase 'during yesterday's debate' requires past tense, selecting 'was' over present tense options.
The verb must satisfy both singular agreement and past tense context.

Key Concept

Indefinite Pronoun Concord
Question 56Question →

The lead negotiator indicated that the executive committee would rather the union representatives ______ the proposed settlement before the national strike commences tomorrow. Which option correctly completes the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: signed

Answer

The past simple form 'signed' correctly completes the sentence.
In English grammar, when 'would rather' is followed by a target subject (creating a subordinate clause) and refers to present or future time, the verb in the clause must be in the simple past tense (unreal past). Therefore, the past form 'signed' is required despite the future context indicated by 'tomorrow'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence structure following the preference expression 'would rather'.
The expression 'would rather' is immediately followed by a new subject clause ('the union representatives').
When 'would rather' is followed directly by a subject clause rather than a bare infinitive, it triggers the unreal past construction.
2
Determine the time reference of the preference.
The phrase 'before the national strike commences tomorrow' indicates a present/future time reference.
For present or future time reference in a 'would rather + subject' clause, the past simple tense form must be selected.
3
Select the verb form that satisfies the unreal past rule.
The simple past verb form 'signed' provides the required subjunctive form for the sentence.
Forms like present tense, future modal, or present perfect violate the grammatical rule governing hypothetical preferences.

Key Concept

Unreal Past with 'Would Rather'
Question 57Question →

Which of the following options correctly completes the sentence below?

More than one applicant _____ shortlisted for the final interview round last week.

Show answer & explanation

Answer: was

Answer

The singular verb 'was' correctly completes the sentence.
The expression 'more than one' is followed by a singular countable noun ('applicant') and structurally requires a singular verb. The past tense marker 'last week' further dictates the past singular auxiliary verb 'was'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical subject structure of the sentence.
The subject phrase begins with the quantifier structure 'More than one applicant'.
Determining the grammatical head word and structure governs verb agreement.
2
Apply the grammatical concord rule for 'more than one'.
In formal English concord, 'more than one' followed by a singular countable noun requires a singular verb.
Although the semantic meaning implies multiple people, formal agreement depends on the singular noun form 'applicant'.
3
Select the verb option that reflects past tense and singular agreement.
The verb form 'was' satisfies both singular agreement and past tense context established by 'last week'.
'was' is the only singular past-tense option offered.

Key Concept

Concord with 'More than one'
Question 58Question →

Which of the following options presents a sentence that correctly positions the modifying participial phrase to maintain proper grammatical structure and clarity?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Exhausted by the arduous expedition across the terrain, the research team immediately pitched camp.

Answer

Exhausted by the arduous expedition across the terrain, the research team immediately pitched camp.
The correct option places the true agent—'the research team'—immediately after the introductory modifier 'Exhausted by the arduous expedition across the terrain', fulfilling the core rules of modifier placement in Standard Written English.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase and ascertain its logical agent.
The phrase 'Exhausted by the arduous expedition across the terrain' describes an entity capable of feeling fatigue.
An introductory participial phrase must modify the noun or pronoun immediately following the comma.
2
Evaluate the immediate head noun following the main clause comma across all choices.
Only the sentence placing 'the research team' directly after the comma creates a grammatically logical connection.
Connecting the modifying phrase to passive nouns such as 'camp' or 'a stationary tent' results in a dangling modifier error.

Key Concept

Participial Modifier Placement and Subject Alignment
Question 59Question →

During the court proceedings, the presiding judge insisted that the defense counsel _______ the confidential documents to the tribunal without delay.

Which option correctly completes the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: submit

Answer

submit
The verb 'insist' introduces a mandative subjunctive clause. In formal standard English, the mandative subjunctive uses the uninflected base form of the verb ('submit') for all subjects and tenses.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main verb of the matrix clause and its syntactic requirements.
The main verb is 'insisted', which belongs to the category of verbs expressing demand, command, recommendation, or urgency.
Verbs such as 'insist', 'demand', 'recommend', and 'order' require a 'that'-clause containing a subjunctive verb.
2
Determine the correct verb form for the mandative subjunctive mood.
The mandative subjunctive mandates the bare base form of the verb ('submit') without tense inflection or subject-verb agreement suffixes (-s/-ed).
Subjunctive clauses following verbs of demand remain uninflected regardless of whether the subject is singular, plural, past, or present.

Key Concept

Mandative Subjunctive Mood
Estimated Time:50s
Question 60Question →

In the sentence below, what syntactic function does the bolded noun phrase perform?

"The board of directors declared the company's chief financial officer a visionary leader following the successful restructuring."

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Object complement

Answer

The bolded noun phrase functions as an object complement.
The phrase 'a visionary leader' functions as an object complement because it follows the complex transitive verb 'declared' and completes the predicate by describing the new status assigned to the direct object ('the company's chief financial officer').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause structure and main verb
The main verb is 'declared', which is a complex transitive verb requiring both a direct object and an element that completes the meaning of that object.
Determining verb transitivity reveals what structural elements must follow.
2
Identify the direct object
The direct object receiving the action of the verb is 'the company's chief financial officer'.
The object complement specifically modifies or completes the direct object.
3
Determine the relationship between the direct object and the bolded phrase
'A visionary leader' specifies the identity/status conferred upon 'the chief financial officer' by the verb 'declared'. Therefore, it functions as an object complement.
Noun phrases that predicate a property or identity onto a direct object serve syntactically as object complements.

Key Concept

Syntactic Functions of Noun Phrases (Object Complement)
Estimated Time:1m 0s
PreviousPage 3 / 46Next
Grammatical Structure Practice Questions — JAMB UTME — Page 3 | Examkin