Looking for NDA English Grammar Questions to practise before the exam? This page gives you a comprehensive NDA-focused practice set with answers and explanations.

The questions cover the major grammar and usage patterns relevant to NDA English, including error spotting, tenses, subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions, active and passive voice, direct and indirect speech, sentence improvement, sentence completion and connectors.

Try each question yourself first. Then check the answer and explanation. The goal is not just to know which option is correct, but to understand the grammar rule behind it.

NDA English Grammar Questions With Answers

1. Subject-Verb Agreement

Q1. Each of the candidates ___ required to carry an identity card.

A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have

Answer: C. is

Explanation: The subject is each, which is singular. Therefore, the singular verb is is correct.

2. Subject-Verb Agreement

Q2. Neither the officer nor the soldiers ___ willing to leave the post.

A. was
B. is
C. has
D. were

Answer: D. were

Explanation: With neither...nor, the verb generally agrees with the subject closer to it. Since soldiers is plural, were is correct.

3. Tenses

Q3. By the time the team reached the ground, the match ___.

A. started
B. has started
C. had started
D. starts

Answer: C. had started

Explanation: The match started before the team reached the ground. The earlier past action takes the past perfect tense.

4. Tenses

Q4. He ___ for the examination since morning.

A. studies
B. has been studying
C. studied
D. is studying

Answer: B. has been studying

Explanation: The action began in the past and is continuing. Since morning indicates an action continuing up to the present, so present perfect continuous is appropriate.

5. Articles

Q5. He is ___ honest and disciplined candidate.

A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article

Answer: B. an

Explanation: Honest begins with a vowel sound, so an is used.

6. Articles

Q6. The cadet wants to join ___ Indian Army.

A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article

Answer: C. the

Explanation: The is used with the name of a specific institution or organisation such as the Indian Army.

7. Prepositions

Q7. She is good ___ mathematics.

A. in
B. on
C. at
D. for

Answer: C. at

Explanation: The correct expression is good at something.

8. Prepositions

Q8. The officer was responsible ___ maintaining discipline.

A. to
B. for
C. with
D. on

Answer: B. for

Explanation: The standard construction is responsible for something.

9. Prepositions

Q9. He has been working here ___ 2022.

A. for
B. from
C. since
D. by

Answer: C. since

Explanation: Since is used with a specific point in time, such as 2022.

10. Pronouns

Q10. Every candidate must carry ___ own documents.

A. their
B. his or her
C. our
D. your

Answer: B. his or her

Explanation: In traditional exam-style grammar, every candidate is treated as singular, so his or her agrees with the singular subject.

NDA English Error Spotting Questions

Error spotting is one of the important question formats to practise because it requires you to identify the grammatical problem inside a complete sentence.

11. Error Spotting

Q11. Identify the part containing the error.

The quality of the training / are improving / every year. / No error

A. The quality of the training
B. are improving
C. every year
D. No error

Answer: B

Explanation: The subject is quality, which is singular. The correct form is:

The quality of the training is improving every year.

12. Error Spotting

Q12. Identify the incorrect part.

Neither of the two candidates / have submitted / the required documents. / No error

A. Neither of the two candidates
B. have submitted
C. the required documents
D. No error

Answer: B

Explanation: Neither is singular in this construction. The correct sentence is:

Neither of the two candidates has submitted the required documents.

13. Error Spotting

Q13. Identify the incorrect part.

He has been preparing / for the examination / since three months. / No error

A. He has been preparing
B. for the examination
C. since three months
D. No error

Answer: C

Explanation: Use for with a period of time.

Correct:

He has been preparing for the examination for three months.

14. Error Spotting

Q14. Identify the incorrect part.

She is senior / than her colleague / in experience. / No error

A. She is senior
B. than her colleague
C. in experience
D. No error

Answer: B

Explanation: The standard construction is senior to, not senior than.

Correct:

She is senior to her colleague in experience.

15. Error Spotting

Q15. Identify the incorrect part.

The officer asked the soldiers / to return back / to their positions. / No error

A. The officer asked the soldiers
B. to return back
C. to their positions
D. No error

Answer: B

Explanation: Return already carries the meaning of going back. In standard exam usage, return back is treated as redundant.

Correct:

The officer asked the soldiers to return to their positions.

16. Error Spotting

Q16. Identify the incorrect part.

He does not know / where is the nearest station / located. / No error

A. He does not know
B. where is the nearest station
C. located
D. No error

Answer: B

Explanation: In an indirect question, normal statement word order is used.

Correct:

He does not know where the nearest station is located.

17. Error Spotting

Q17. Identify the incorrect part.

One of my friends / are preparing / for the NDA examination. / No error

A. One of my friends
B. are preparing
C. for the NDA examination
D. No error

Answer: B

Explanation: The subject is one, which is singular.

Correct:

One of my friends is preparing for the NDA examination.

18. Error Spotting

Q18. Identify the incorrect part.

The news / are encouraging / for the candidates. / No error

A. The news
B. are encouraging
C. for the candidates
D. No error

Answer: B

Explanation: News is treated as singular in standard English.

Correct:

The news is encouraging for the candidates.

NDA Tenses Questions

19. Tenses

Q19. When we reached the station, the train ___.

A. leaves
B. has left
C. had left
D. will leave

Answer: C. had left

Explanation: The train left before we reached the station. Use the past perfect for the earlier past action.

20. Tenses

Q20. I ___ this book twice already.

A. read
B. have read
C. had read
D. am reading

Answer: B. have read

Explanation: The action has happened more than once up to the present. Present perfect is appropriate.

21. Tenses

Q21. She ___ in the academy for two years before she joined the unit.

A. trains
B. has trained
C. had trained
D. will train

Answer: C. had trained

Explanation: The training happened before another event in the past, so past perfect is used.

22. Tenses

Q22. By next month, he ___ his preparation for the examination.

A. completes
B. completed
C. will have completed
D. has completed

Answer: C. will have completed

Explanation: An action that will be completed before a specified future time takes the future perfect tense.

NDA Preposition Questions

23. Preposition

Q23. The candidates were divided ___ three groups.

A. between
B. among
C. into
D. with

Answer: C. into

Explanation: The correct expression is divided into groups.

24. Preposition

Q24. He insisted ___ going with the team.

A. on
B. for
C. at
D. with

Answer: A. on

Explanation: The correct expression is insist on.

25. Preposition

Q25. The officer congratulated him ___ his success.

A. for
B. on
C. at
D. with

Answer: B. on

Explanation: The standard construction is congratulate someone on something.

26. Preposition

Q26. The cadets arrived ___ the training centre at 6 a.m.

A. in
B. at
C. on
D. by

Answer: B. at

Explanation: At is commonly used for a specific point or location.

NDA Active and Passive Voice Questions

27. Active to Passive

Q27. Choose the correct passive form:

The officer awarded the cadet a medal.

A. A medal was awarded to the cadet by the officer.
B. A medal is awarded to the cadet by the officer.
C. The cadet has awarded a medal by the officer.
D. The officer was awarded a medal by the cadet.

Answer: A

Explanation: The original sentence is in the simple past. The passive structure is was/were + past participle.

28. Active to Passive

Q28. Choose the correct passive form:

The soldiers are repairing the bridge.

A. The bridge repaired the soldiers.
B. The bridge is being repaired by the soldiers.
C. The bridge was repaired by the soldiers.
D. The bridge has been repaired by the soldiers.

Answer: B

Explanation: The original sentence is in the present continuous tense. Passive form:

is/am/are + being + past participle

29. Passive to Active

Q29. Choose the active form:

The orders were issued by the commander.

A. The commander issued the orders.
B. The commander issues the orders.
C. The commander has issued the orders.
D. The commander was issuing the orders.

Answer: A

Explanation: Were issued indicates simple past passive. The active form is issued.

NDA Direct and Indirect Speech Questions

30. Reported Speech

Q30. He said, “I am ready for the test.”

A. He said that I am ready for the test.
B. He said that he was ready for the test.
C. He says that he was ready for the test.
D. He said that he is ready for the test.

Answer: B

Explanation: In standard reported speech, am changes to was, and I changes according to the speaker.

31. Reported Speech

Q31. The officer said to the cadet, “Work hard.”

A. The officer told the cadet to work hard.
B. The officer said the cadet work hard.
C. The officer told that the cadet worked hard.
D. The officer asked the cadet that work hard.

Answer: A

Explanation: An imperative sentence can be reported using told + object + to + verb.

32. Reported Speech

Q32. She said, “I have completed my assignment.”

A. She said that she had completed her assignment.
B. She said that I have completed my assignment.
C. She says that she completed her assignment.
D. She said that she has completed my assignment.

Answer: A

Explanation: Have completed changes to had completed in standard reported speech when the reporting verb is in the past.

NDA Sentence Improvement Questions

33. Sentence Improvement

Q33. He is senior than me.

A. senior from me
B. senior to me
C. senior with me
D. No improvement

Answer: B. senior to me

Explanation: The standard expression is senior to, not senior than.

34. Sentence Improvement

Q34. She is knowing the answer.

A. knows
B. has knowing
C. is known
D. No improvement

Answer: A. knows

Explanation: Know is generally used as a stative verb and is not normally used in the continuous form in this context.

35. Sentence Improvement

Q35. He did not went to the academy yesterday.

A. did not go
B. does not went
C. had not went
D. No improvement

Answer: A. did not go

Explanation: After did, the main verb remains in its base form.

36. Sentence Improvement

Q36. The candidate has completed the form yesterday.

A. completed the form yesterday
B. had completed the form yesterday
C. has been completing the form yesterday
D. No improvement

Answer: A. completed the form yesterday

Explanation: A finished action at a definite time in the past takes the simple past tense.

NDA Sentence Completion Questions

37. Sentence Completion

Q37. Although he was tired, ___.

A. but he continued working
B. he continued working
C. therefore he stopped
D. and he stopped working

Answer: B. he continued working

Explanation: Although already expresses contrast. Adding but is unnecessary.

38. Sentence Completion

Q38. If you work consistently, ___.

A. you would have failed
B. you will improve
C. you improved yesterday
D. you had improved

Answer: B. you will improve

Explanation: This is a first conditional structure:

If + present simple → will + base verb

39. Sentence Completion

Q39. He could not attend the meeting ___.

A. because he was unwell
B. although he was unwell
C. despite he was unwell
D. but he was unwell

Answer: A. because he was unwell

Explanation: Because correctly introduces the reason for missing the meeting.

NDA Connectors Questions

40. Connector

Q40. He worked hard; ___, he could not achieve the desired result.

A. therefore
B. however
C. because
D. so

Answer: B. however

Explanation: The second clause contrasts with the first, so however is appropriate.

41. Connector

Q41. The weather was खराब; ___, the training continued.

A. nevertheless
B. because
C. therefore
D. since

Answer: A. nevertheless

Explanation: Nevertheless introduces a contrast between the two ideas.

42. Connector

Q42. He was absent ___ he was ill.

A. although
B. because
C. however
D. therefore

Answer: B. because

Explanation: The second clause gives the reason for his absence.

NDA Parts of Speech Questions

43. Parts of Speech

Q43. Identify the part of speech of the underlined word:

He ran quickly towards the gate.

A. Adjective
B. Noun
C. Adverb
D. Preposition

Answer: C. Adverb

Explanation: Quickly describes how he ran, so it functions as an adverb.

44. Parts of Speech

Q44. Identify the part of speech of the underlined word:

The brave soldier received an award.

A. Verb
B. Adjective
C. Adverb
D. Conjunction

Answer: B. Adjective

Explanation: Brave describes the noun soldier.

45. Parts of Speech

Q45. Identify the part of speech of the underlined word:

He stood behind the door.

A. Conjunction
B. Preposition
C. Adjective
D. Adverb

Answer: B. Preposition

Explanation: Behind shows the relationship between he stood and the door.

NDA Grammar Mixed Questions

46. Mixed Grammar

Q46. Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

A. Neither of the boys are ready.
B. Neither of the boys is ready.
C. Neither of the boys were ready.
D. Neither of the boys have ready.

Answer: B

Explanation: Neither is singular, so the singular verb is is used.

47. Mixed Grammar

Q47. Choose the correct sentence.

A. He is one of the best player in the team.
B. He is one of the best players in the team.
C. He is one of the better players in team.
D. He is one of best player in the team.

Answer: B

Explanation: After one of the, the noun is normally plural: one of the best players.

48. Mixed Grammar

Q48. Choose the correct sentence.

A. She prefers tea than coffee.
B. She prefers tea over than coffee.
C. She prefers tea to coffee.
D. She prefers tea from coffee.

Answer: C

Explanation: The standard construction is prefer A to B.

49. Mixed Grammar

Q49. Choose the correct sentence.

A. No sooner did he arrive when the meeting started.
B. No sooner had he arrived than the meeting started.
C. No sooner he arrived than the meeting started.
D. No sooner did he arrived than the meeting started.

Answer: B

Explanation: The standard structure is:

No sooner + had + subject + past participle + than...

50. Mixed Grammar

Q50. Choose the correct sentence.

A. Hardly had I reached the station when the train arrived.
B. Hardly I had reached the station when the train arrived.
C. Hardly had I reached the station than the train arrived.
D. Hardly I reached the station than the train arrived.

Answer: A

Explanation: The correct pair is hardly...when and the past perfect is used for the earlier action.

NDA English Grammar Questions: Topic-Wise Practice

The 50 questions above cover the core grammar patterns you should practise. For a systematic revision, use this order:

These areas reflect the broader structure found across NDA English practice resources, which separately organise questions around grammar, tenses, sentences and connectors, voice, reported speech, ordering, sentence completion, sentence improvement and error spotting.

NDA English Grammar Questions: How to Use This Practice Set

Don't simply check the answer immediately after every question.

Use a three-step method.

Step 1: Attempt Without Looking at the Answer

Mark your option first.

If you are unsure, put a small question mark beside the question.

Step 2: Check the Explanation

Don't just record whether your answer was right or wrong.

Identify the rule.

For example:

Wrong: Question 12
Topic: Subject-verb agreement
Mistake: Used plural verb with “neither”

This tells you what needs revision.

Step 3: Reattempt Your Wrong Questions

Come back to your incorrect questions after a few days.

If you get the same type of question wrong again, revise that grammar rule before doing another practice set.

NDA English Grammar Preparation Strategy

The best way to use NDA English Practice Questions is not to solve random questions every day.

Follow:

Concept → Topic-wise Questions → Mixed Questions → Previous-Year Questions → Timed Practice

Start with the grammar rules you struggle with.

Then solve questions from one topic.

Once the individual topics become comfortable, mix them together.

This matters because in the actual paper, you are not told which grammar rule a question is testing.

You have to identify it yourself.

Use Previous-Year NDA English Questions

Previous-year questions are especially useful after your basic grammar preparation.

They show you how grammar and language concepts are converted into actual exam questions.

The available NDA question collections include formats such as sentence ordering, synonyms, error spotting, prepositions, phrasal verbs, antonyms and idioms, while other NDA practice resources separate grammar into dedicated concepts and chapters.

The important thing is to use previous-year questions for pattern recognition, not just answer memorisation.

You can also access official UPSC previous question papers, including the NDA General Ability Test papers.

NDA English Grammar: Important Rules to Revise

Before moving to a full mock test, revise these rules:

Subject-Verb Agreement

Check the real subject before selecting the verb.

Each of the students is ready.

Tenses

Look for time expressions and the sequence of actions.

By the time we arrived, the train had left.

Prepositions

Learn common combinations rather than translating directly from your first language.

interested in
good at
responsible for
insist on

Articles

Check the sound that follows the article.

an honest man
a university

Voice

Keep the original tense while changing active to passive.

Reported Speech

Check:

• Tense

• Pronoun

• Time expression

• Reporting verb

Sentence Improvement

Read the entire sentence before deciding which option is better.

Error Spotting

Check in this order:

Subject → Verb → Tense → Pronoun → Article → Preposition → Modifier → Meaning

This gives you a practical scanning sequence.

How to Improve Your Score in NDA English Grammar

Your score will not improve simply by solving a larger number of questions.

Track your mistakes.

For every practice session, record:

After several tests, patterns become visible.

If eight of your mistakes come from prepositions, spending another two hours memorising random vocabulary is probably not the best use of your revision time.

Fix the weak area first.

Common Mistakes While Solving NDA Grammar Questions

Choosing an Answer Because It Sounds Right

English can sometimes sound natural even when the construction is grammatically incorrect.

Look for the actual rule.

Ignoring the Whole Sentence

This is especially common in error spotting.

The mistake may only become clear after reading the complete sentence.

Memorising Previous-Year Answers

A previous question can teach you a pattern, but the exam can test the same concept using completely different wording.

Understand the rule behind the answer.

Spending Too Long on One Question

If a question is taking too long, move ahead and return to it later during timed practice.

Not Maintaining an Error Log

If you repeatedly make the same mistake but never record it, your practice becomes repetitive instead of corrective.

NDA English Grammar Questions: Final Revision Plan

Use this simple cycle in the weeks before the exam:

Daily

• Revise one grammar concept.

• Solve 20–30 questions.

• Check every wrong answer.

• Record repeated mistakes.

Weekly

• Attempt one mixed English practice set.

• Review your error notebook.

• Reattempt previously incorrect questions.

• Add selected previous-year questions.

Before the exam

• Revise common grammar rules.

• Practise mixed questions.

• Review your error patterns.

• Attempt timed NDA English papers.

• Avoid learning large numbers of new rules at the last moment.

Final Takeaway

If you searched for NDA English Grammar Questions, the most useful preparation is not another long list of grammar definitions.

You need questions that make you apply the rules.

Use the practice set above to work on subject-verb agreement, tenses, articles, prepositions, error spotting, voice, reported speech, sentence improvement, sentence completion, connectors and other core grammar patterns.

Then move from topic-wise practice to mixed questions and previous-year NDA papers.

The official NDA syllabus treats English broadly across grammar and usage, vocabulary, comprehension and cohesion, so grammar should form a strong part of your English preparation without becoming your entire English strategy.

Most importantly, don't count only how many questions you solve.

Track which mistakes you keep making.

That is where your actual improvement starts.