CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which of the following is a phrase?
A. because the road was closed
B. she completed the work
C. under the old bridge
D. when the bell rang
Correct Answer: C
"Under the old bridge" is a prepositional phrase. The other options contain subjects and finite verbs and are clauses.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which statement best distinguishes a phrase from a clause?
A. A phrase is always longer than a clause
B. A clause contains a subject and a predicate; a phrase normally does not contain both as a complete unit
C. A clause cannot contain a verb
D. A phrase always expresses a complete thought
Correct Answer: B
The central distinction is structural: a clause has a subject-predicate relationship, whereas a phrase functions as a grammatical unit without a complete clause structure.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is a phrase in English grammar?
A. A group of related words that functions as a unit but does not contain a complete subject-predicate combination
B. A complete sentence with a finite verb
C. A group of words that always contains a subject and predicate
D. A single word used as a sentence
Correct Answer: A
A phrase is a group of related words functioning as one unit in a sentence. Unlike an independent clause, it does not express a complete subject-predicate idea.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: The shop is opposite ___ the bank.
A. from
B. with
C. — no preposition
D. to
Correct Answer: C
In standard English, 'opposite the bank' needs no additional preposition.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: He completed the task ___ spite of many difficulties.
A. at
B. in
C. on
D. with
Correct Answer: B
The fixed phrase is 'in spite of'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: ___ the heavy rain, the match continued.
A. Because
B. Despite
C. During
D. Although of
Correct Answer: B
Despite is a preposition followed by a noun phrase and expresses contrast.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: The manager was angry ___ the delay.
A. at
B. with
C. to
D. from
Correct Answer: A
Use 'angry at/about' for an event or situation.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: The manager was angry ___ the employee.
A. with
B. for
C. at
D. on
Correct Answer: A
Use 'angry with' for a person and 'angry at/about' for a thing or situation.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: The patient is suffering ___ fever.
A. of
B. from
C. with
D. by
Correct Answer: B
The verb 'suffer' is commonly followed by 'from' for illness or difficulty.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: He was accused ___ theft.
A. with
B. from
C. of
D. for
Correct Answer: C
The standard expression is 'accused of'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: She is married ___ a doctor.
A. with
B. by
C. from
D. to
Correct Answer: D
The standard collocation is 'married to'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: He prefers tea ___ coffee.
A. over than
B. to
C. from
D. than
Correct Answer: B
The pattern is 'prefer X to Y'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: This material is different ___ that one.
A. with
B. than
C. from
D. to
Correct Answer: C
In formal standard usage, 'different from' is preferred.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: The committee consists ___ five members.
A. of
B. in
C. from
D. with
Correct Answer: A
The standard collocation is 'consist of'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: He apologized ___ the teacher.
A. at
B. for
C. to
D. with
Correct Answer: C
Use 'apologize to' before the person receiving the apology.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: She apologized ___ being late.
A. of
B. with
C. to
D. for
Correct Answer: D
Apologize for introduces the reason; apologize to introduces the person.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: He insisted ___ paying the bill.
A. for
B. on
C. to
D. at
Correct Answer: B
The verb 'insist' is followed by 'on + gerund/noun'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: We should comply ___ the rules.
A. with
B. to
C. for
D. by
Correct Answer: A
The standard expression is 'comply with'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: This book belongs ___ me.
A. for
B. with
C. of
D. to
Correct Answer: D
The verb 'belong' is followed by 'to'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Preposition
Fill in the blank: He is responsible ___ the project.
A. of
B. to
C. for
D. with
Correct Answer: C
Responsible for means having duty or control over something.