CAT Grammar and Sentence Correction Questions

Since 2009, CAT Grammar and Sentence correction questions are not appearing in the CAT exam. But, practising these questions may help score well in MBA entrance exams other than CAT. A sentence will be given by underlining some parts of the sentence. Aspirants need to find out the error in the sentence and choose the right option to fit in the given sentence. Practice the following grammar and sentence correction questions from CAT's previous papers and detailed answers. One can solve these questions by taking them in a test format and also can be able to download all these questions in a PDF format with detailed answers. You can also get better understanding of these type of questions by taking numerous CAT mock tests. Click the link below to download the PDF CAT grammar and sentence correction questions.

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CAT Grammar and Sentence Correction Questions

Instructions

Directions for the following four questions: In each of the following questions there are sentences that form a paragraph. Identify the sentence(s) or part(s) of sentence(s) that is/are correct in terms of grammar and usage (including spelling, punctuation and logical consistency). Then, choose the most appropriate option.

Question 1

A. In 1849, a poor Bavarian imigrant named Levi Strauss

B. landed in San Francisco, California,

C. at the invitation of his brother-in-law David Stern

D. owner of dry goods business.

E. This dry goods business would later became known as Levi Strauss & Company.

[CAT 2008]

B only

B and C

A and B

A only

A, B and D

Instructions

Question 2

A. In response to the allegations and condemnation pouring in,

B. Nike implemented comprehensive changes in their labour policy.

C. Perhaps sensing the rising tide of global labour concerns,

D. from the public would become a prominent media issue,

E. Nike sought to be a industry leader in employee relations.

[CAT 2008]

D and E

D only

A and E

A and D

B, C and E

Instructions

Question 3

A. Charges and countercharges mean nothing

B. to the few million who have lost their home.

C. The nightmare is far from over, for the government

D. is still unable to reach hundreds who are marooned.

E. The death count have just begun.

[CAT 2008]

A only

C only

A and C

A, C and D

D only

Instructions

Question 4

A. I did not know what to make of you.

B. Because you had lived in India, I associate you more with my parents than with me.

C. And yet you were unlike my cousins in Calcutta, who seem so innocent and obedient when I visited them.

D. You were not curious about me in the least.

E. Although you did make effort to meet me.

[CAT 2008]

A only

A and B

A and E

D only

A and D

Instructions

DIRECTIONS for the following three questions:

In each question, there are five sentences or parts of sentences that form a paragraph. Identify the sentence(s) or part(s) of sentence(s) that is/are correct in terms of grammar and usage. Then, choose the most appropriate option.

Question 1

A. When I returned to home, I began to read

B. everything I could get my hand on about Israel.

C. That same year Israel’s Jewish Agency sent

D. a Shaliach a sort of recruiter to Minneapolis.

E. I became one of his most active devotees.

[CAT 2007]

C & E

C only

E only

B, C & E

C, D & E

Instructions

DIRECTIONS for the following three questions:

Question 2

A. So once an economy is actually in recession,

B. The authorities can, in principle, move the economy

C. Out of slump - assuming hypothetically

D. That they know how to - by a temporary stimuli.

E. In the longer term, however, such policies have no affect on the overall behaviour of the economy.

A, B & E

B, C & E

C & D

E only

B only

Instructions

DIRECTIONS for the following three questions:

Question 3

A. It is sometimes told that democratic

B. government originated in the city-states

C. of ancient Greece. Democratic ideals have been handed to us from that time.

D. In truth, however, this is an unhelpful assertion.

E. The Greeks gave us the word, hence did not provide us with a model.

A, B & D

B, C & D

B & D

B only

D only

Question 1

Some sentences are grammatically incorrect or inappropriate. Select the option that indicates the grammatically correct and appropriate sentence(s).

A. When virtuoso teams begin their work, individuals are in and group consensus is out.

B. As project progresses, however, the individual stars harness themselves to the product of the group.

C. Sooner or later, the members break through their own egocentrism and become a plurality with single-minded focus on the goal.

D. In short, they morph into a powerful team with a shared identity.

A&C

A&D

B&D

A,C&D

Question 2

Some sentences are grammatically incorrect or inappropriate. Select the option that indicates the grammatically correct and appropriate sentence(s).

A. Large reductions in the ozone layer, which sits about 15-30 km above the Earth, take place each winter over the polar regions, especially the Antarctic, as low temperatures allow the formation of stratospheric clouds that assist chemical reactions breaking down ozone.

B. Industrial chemicals containing chlorine and bromine have been blamed for thinning the layer because they attack the ozone molecules, making them to break apart.

C. Many an offending chemicals have now been banned.

D. It will still take several decades before these substances have disappeared from the atmosphere.

B&D

A&D

A&C

Question 3

Some sentences are grammatically incorrect or inappropriate. Select the option that indicates the grammatically correct and appropriate sentence(s).

A. The balance of power will shift to the East as China and India evolve.

B. Rarely the economic ascent of two still relatively poor nations has been watched with such a mixture of awe, opportunism, and trepidation.

C. Postwar era witnessed economic miracles in Japan and South Korea, but neither was populous enough to power worldwide growth or change the game in a complete spectrum of industries.

D. China and India, by contrast, possess the weight and dynamism to transform the 21st-century global economy.

A,B&C

A&D

C&D

Question 4

Some sentences are grammatically incorrect or inappropriate. Select the option that indicates the grammatically correct and appropriate sentence(s).

A. People have good reason to care about the welfare of animals.

B. Ever since Enlightenment, their treatment has been seen as a measure of mankind's humanity.

C. It is no coincidence that William Wilberforce and Sir Thomas Foxwell Buxton, two leaders of the movement to abolish the slave trade, helped found the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1820s.

D. An increasing number of people go further: mankind has a duty not to cause pain to animals that have the capacity to suffer.

A&D

A&C

C&D

Question 1

Identify the incorrect sentence or sentences

A. It was a tough situation and Manasi was taking pains to make it better.

B. Slowly her efforts gave fruit and things started improving.

C. Everyone complemented her for her good work.

D. She was very happy and thanked everyone

B and C

A and C

Question 2

Identify the incorrect sentence or sentences

A. Harish told Raj to plead guilty.

B. Raj pleaded guilty of stealing money from the shop.

C. The court found Raj guilty of all the crimes he was charged with.

D. He was sentenced for three years in jail

A and C

B and D

A, C, and D

B, C, and D

Question 3

Identify the incorrect sentence or sentences

A. Last Sunday, Archana had nothing to do.

B. After waking up, she lay on the bed thinking of what to do.

C. At 11 o'clock she took shower and got ready.

E. She spent most of the day shopping

B and C

A and B

B, C, and D

Question 4

Fill in the Blanks: Many people suggest _______ and still other would like to convince people not to buy pirated cassettes.

to bring down audiocassette prices to reduce the incidence of music piracy, others advocate strong legal action against the offenders,

bringing down audiocassette prices to reduce the incidents of music piracy, others are advocating strong legal action against offenders,

bringing down audiocassette prices to reduce the incidents of music piracy, others advocate strong legal action against offenders,

audiocassette prices to be brought down to reduce incidents of music piracy, others advocate that strong legal action must be taken against offenders,

Question 5

Fill in the Blanks: The ancient Egyptians believed ______ so that when these objects were magically reanimated through the correct rituals, they would be able to functions effectively.

that it was essential that things they portrayed must have every relevant feature shown as clearly as possible,

it was essential for things they portray to have had every relevant feature shown as clearly as possible,

it was essential that the things they portrayed had every relevant feature shown as clearly as possible,

that when they portrayed things, it should have every relevant feature shown as clearly as possible,

Solution

Options a), b) and d) are grammatically incorrect.

Option A - In the sentence, "that it was essential that things they portrayed" ,definite article (the) should be used in front of the noun(things).

Option B- This sentence implies that having every relevant detail shown as clearly as possible is important for the things that Egyptians portray. However, having every detail shown was important for the effective functioning of the things Egyptians portray. Hence this is grammatically incorrect.

Option D - Consider the phrase "that when they portrayed things, it should have". The correct phrasing would be "that when they portrayed things, they should have" or "that when they portrayed a thing, it should have". There is a singular plural mismatch occurring here. Hence this option is incorrect as well.

The correct sentence is "The ancient Egyptians believed it was essential that the things they portrayed had every relevant feature shown as clearly as possible, so that when these objects were magically reanimated through the correct rituals, they would be able to functions effectively."

Question 6

Fill in the Blanks: Archaeologists believe that the pieces of red-ware pottery excavated recently near Bhavnagar and ______ shed light on a hitherto dark 600-year period in the Harappan history of Gujarat.

estimated with a reasonable certainty as being about 3400 years old,

are estimated reasonably certain to be about 3400 years old,

estimated at about 3400 years old with reasonable certainty,

estimated with reasonable certainty to be about 3400 years old,

Question 1

Choose the option that conforms most closely to Standard English usage.

The running of large businesses consist of getting somebody to make something that somebody else sold to somebody else for more than its cost.

The running of a large business consists of getting somebody to make something that somebody else will sell to somebody else for more than it costs.

The running of a large business consists of getting somebody to sell something that somebody else made for more than it cost.

The running of large businesses consist of getting somebody to make something else that somebody else will sell to somebody else for more than it costs.

None of the above

Question 2

Choose the option that conforms most closely to Standard English usage.

From the sixteenth century onwards, people started feeling disdainful and self-conscious about their body and its products that led to a heightened focus on emotional and bodily regulations.

The heightened focus on controlling the body and emotions comes from disdain and selfconsciousness about the body and its products, found in the sixteenth century.

From the sixteenth century onwards, a growing disdain for and self-consciousness about the body and its products took hold, leading to a heightened focus on emotional and bodily regulation.

The heightened focus on emotional and bodily regulations started from the sixteenth century onwards, when people felt disdain and self-consciousness about the body and its products.

Question 3

Choose the option that conforms most closely to Standard English usage.

We are forced to fall back on fatalism as an explanation of irrational events.

We are forced to falling back on the fatalism as an explanation of irrational events.

We are forced to fall back on fatalism as explanations of irrational events.

We are forced to fall back to fatalism as an explanation of irrational events.

Question 4

Choose the option that conforms most closely to Standard English usage.

Creativity in any field is regarded not only as valuable for itself but also as a service to the nation.

Creativity in any field is not regarded only as valuable on its own, but also as a service to the nation.

Creativity, in any field, is not only regarded as valuable, but also as a service to the nation.

Creativity in any field is regarded not only as valuable in itself but also as a service to the nation.

Question 5

Choose the option that conforms most closely to Standard English usage.

If precision of thought had facilitated precision of behaviour, and if reflection had preceded action, it would be ideal for humans.

It would be ideal for humans if reflection preceded action and precision of thought facilitated precision of behaviour.

It would be ideal for humans if precedence of reflection was followed by action and precision of thought, by precise behaviour.

It would have been ideal for humans, if precise action and behaviour preceded precise reflection.

Question 1

Choose the best way of writing the sentence.

A. The main problem with the notion of price discrimination is that it is not always a bad thing, but that it is the monopolist who has the power to decide who is charged what price.

B. The main problem with the notion of price discrimination is not that it is always a bad thing, it is the monopolist who has the power to decide who is charged what price.

C. The main problem with the notion of price discrimination is not that it is always a bad thing, but that it is the monopolist who has the power to decide who is charged what price.

D. The main problem with the notion of price discrimination is not it is always a bad thing, but that it is the monopolist who has the power to decide who is charged what price.

Question 2

Choose the best way of writing the sentence.

A. A symbiotic relationship develops among the contractors, bureaucracy and the politicians, and by a large number of devices costs are artificially escalated and black money is generated by underhand deals.

B. A symbiotic relationship develops among contractors, bureaucracy and politicians, and costs are artificially escalated with a large number of devices and black money is generated through underhand deals.

C. A symbiotic relationship develops among contractors, bureaucracy and the politicians, and by a large number of devices costs are artificially escalated and black money is generated on underhand deals.

D. A symbiotic relationship develops among the contractors, bureaucracy and politicians, and by large number of devices costs are artificially escalated and black money is generated by underhand deals.

Question 3

Choose the best way of writing the sentence.

A. The distinctive feature of tariffs and export subsidies is that they create difference of prices at which goods are traded on the world market and their price within a local market.

B. The distinctive feature of tarriffs and export subsidies is that they create a difference of prices at which goods are traded with the world market and their prices in the local market.

C. The distinctive feature of tariffs and export subsidies is that they create a difference between prices at which goods are traded on the world market and their prices within a local market.

D. The distinctive feature of tarriffs and export subsidies is that they create a difference across prices at which goods are traded with the world market and their prices within a local market.

Question 4

Choose the best way of writing the sentence.

A. Any action of government to reduce the systemic risk inherent in financial markets will also reduce the risks that private operators perceive and thereby encourage excessive hedging.

B. Any action by government to reduce the systemic risk inherent in financial markets will also reduce the risks that private operators perceive and thereby encourage excessive gambling.

C. Any action by government to reduce the systemic risk inherent in financial markets will also reduce the risks that private operators perceive and thereby encourages excessive gambling.

D. Any action of government to reduce the systemic risk inherent in financial markets will also reduce the risks that private operators perceive and thereby encourages excessive gambling.

Instructions

In each of the following sentences, a part of the sentence is underlined. Beneath each sentence, four different ways of phrasing the underlined part are indicated. Choose the best alternative from among the four.

Question 1

It was us who had left before he arrived.

we who had left before time he had arrived.

us who had went before he arrived.

us who had went before had arrived.

we who had left before he arrived.

Instructions

Question 2

The MP rose up to say that, in her opinion, she thought the Women's Reservation Bill should be passed on unanimously.

rose to say that she thought the Women's Reservation Bill should be passed

rose up to say that, the Women's Reservation Bill should be passed on

rose to say that, in her opinion, she thought that the Women's Reservation Bill should be passed

rose to say that, in her opinion, the Women's Reservation Bill should be passed on

Instructions

Question 3

Mr. Pillai, the president of the union and who is also a member of the community group, will be in charge of the negotiations.

since he is a member of the community group

also being a member of the community group

a member of the community group

, in addition, who is a member of the community group

Instructions

Question 4

Since the advent of cable television, at the beginning of this decade, the entertainment industry took a giant stride forward in our country.

this decade saw the entertainment industry taking

this decade, the entertainment industry has taken

this decade, the entertainment industry had taken

this decade, the entertainment industry took

Instructions

Question 5

His mother made great sacrifices to educate him, moving house on three occasions, and severing the thread on her loom's shuttle whenever Mencius neglected his lessons to make him understand the need to persevere.

severing the thread on her loom's shuttle whenever Mencius neglected his lessons to make him understand the need to persevere.

severed the thread on her loom's shuttle whenever Mencius neglected his lessons to make him understand the need to persevere.

severed the thread on her loom's shuttle whenever Mencius neglected his lessons to make him understand the need for persevering.

severing the thread on her loom's shuttle whenever Mencius neglected his lessons, to make them understand the need to persevere.

Instructions

Question 6

If you are on a three-month software design project and, in two weeks, you've put together a programme that solves part of the problem, show it to your boss without delay.

and, you've put together a programme that solves part of the problem in two weeks

and, in two weeks, you've put together a programme that solves part of the problem

and, you've put together a programme that has solved part of the problem in two weeks

and, in two weeks you put together a programme that solved only part of the problem

Instructions

Question 7

Many of these environmentalists proclaim to save nothing less than the planet itself.

to save nothing lesser than

that they are saving nothing lesser than

to save nothing less than

that they save nothing less than

Instructions

Question 8

Bacon believes that the medical profession should be permitted to ease and quicken death where the end would otherwise only delay for a few days and at the cost of great pain.

be delayed for a few days

be delayed for a few days and

be otherwise only delayed for a few days and

otherwise only delay for a few days and

Question 1

Select the option that best replaces the phrase in quotes. British Airspace has been 'focusing on building European links'.

concentrating on creating European links

pursuing ways of building European connectivity

stressing on building European links

focusing on forging European links

Question 2

Select the option that best replaces the phrase in quotes. The appetite of banks for funds was lost under the onslaught of the slowdown, corporates refused to borrow even as 'bank deposits flourished'.

bank deposits flourished

bank deposits swelled

bank deposits were enhanced

bank deposits flummoxed

Question 3

Select the option that best replaces the phrase in quotes. The 8th-century revival of Byzantine learning is 'an inexplicable phenomenon', and its economic and military precursors have yet to be discovered.

a phenomenon yet to be discovered

a phenomenon incompletely explained

an inexplicable phenomenon

an unidentifiable phenomenon

Question 4

Select the option that best replaces the phrase in quotes. The management can still hire freely but 'cannot scold freely'.

cannot scold at will

cannot give umbrage

cannot take decisions to scold

cannot scold willfully

Question 5

Select the option that best replaces the phrase in quotes.

Many people mistake familiarity for a vulgar style, and suppose that to write without affectation 'is to write at random speed'.

is to write at random

is to write randomly

is to write fast

is to do speed writing

Question 6

Fill in the blanks: To a greater or lesser degree all the civilized countries of the world are made up of a small class of rulers ___ and of a large class of subjects ___.

formed by a small minority ... who are uncivilized

powerfully corrupt ... pointless crusaders

corrupted by too much power ... corrupted by too much passive obedience

who are ruled ... who ruled

Question 7

Fill in the blanks: As a step towards protesting against the spiralling prices, the farmers have decided to stage a picket in an effort to ___.

show their virility

make themselves heard

curb the prices

topple the government

Question 8

Fill in the blanks: Science is a sort of news agency comparable ___ to other news agencies.

principally

in principle

in principal

in spirit and form

Question 9

Fill in the blanks: Everyone will admit that swindling one's fellow beings is a necessary practice; upon it is based the really sound commercial success formula — ___.

sell what you cannot buy back

buy what you will sell to another at a higher price

buy cheap and sell dear

sell what you can, do not buy from a competitor

Question 1

Fill in the Blanks: Taking risks, breaking the rules, and being a maverick have always been important for companies, but, today, they are ___.

more crucial than ever

more crucial

much more crucial

very crucial

Question 2

Fill in the Blanks: Education is central because electronic networks and software-driven technologies are beginning to ___ the economic barriers between nations.

break down

break

crumble

dismantle

Instructions

From the choices given, you are required to choose the one, which would best replace the phrase in quotes.

Question 3

This government has given subsidies to the Navratnas but there is no telling 'whether the subsequent one will do'.

whether the subsequent government will do so

if the government to follow will accept the policy

if the government to follow will adhere to the policy

whether the subsequent one will do so

Instructions

From the choices given, you are required to choose the one, which would best replace the phrase in quotes.

Question 4

Rahul Bajaj has done a great job of taking the company to its present status, but it is time that he 'let go off the reins'.

let go of the reins

stepped down

let go off the reins

delegated responsibility

Instructions

From the choices given, you are required to choose the one, which would best replace the phrase in quotes.

Question 5

With the pick up in the standard of education, expensive private schools have 'started blooming up in every corner of the country'.

started blooming in every corner of the country

started mushrooming all over the country

started mushrooming in every corner of the country

blossomed all over the country

Instructions

From the choices given, you are required to choose the one, which would best replace the phrase in quotes.

Question 6

'It is important that' whatever else happens, these two factors should not be messed around with.

It is important that

It is a fact that

It should be urgently understood that

It should be understood that

Instructions

From the choices given, you are required to choose the one, which would best replace the phrase in quotes.

Question 7

'It must be noticed' that under no circumstance should the company go in for diversification.

It must be noticed

It must be noted

It must be pointed out

It should be noticed

Instructions

Fill in the Blanks

Question 8

An act of justice closes the book on a misdeed; an act of vengeance ___.

is reprehensible

is sordid

reopens the first chapter

writes an epilogue

Instructions

Fill in the Blanks

Question 9

This is about ___ a sociological analysis can penetrate.

as far as

the outer limits that

just how far into the subject

just the relative distance that

Instructions

Fill in the Blanks

Question 10

I am always the first to admit that I have not accomplished anything that I ___ achieve five years ago.

set out to

went to

thought to

thought of

Instructions

Fill in the Blanks

Question 11

This is not the first time that the management has done some ___.

tough talk

tough talking

firm talk

firm talking

Instructions

Fill in the Blanks

Question 12

In India the talent is prodigious, and it increases ___.

each year

year by year

annually

progressively

Instructions

Fill in the Blanks

Question 13

Fill in the Blanks: The present constitution will see ___ amendments but its basic structure will survive.

much more

many more

too many more

quite a few more

Instructions

Directions: In each of the following questions, a part of the paragraph or sentences has been underlined:From the choices given to you, you are required to choose the one which would best replace the underlined part.

Question 1

The Romanians may be restive under Soviet direction but they are tied to Moscow by ideological and military links.

they are tied to Moscow by ideological and military links

they are preparing for a great revolution

secretly they rather enjoy the prestige of being protected by the mighty Soviets

there is nothing they can do about it

Instructions

Question 2

In a penetrating study, CBS-TV focuses on these people without hope, whose bodies are cared for by welfare aid, but whose spirit is often neglected by a disinterested society.

whose bodies are cared for by welfare aid

who do not have enough to eat

whose hopelessness may be alleviated

who may be physically satiated

Instructions

Question 3

Contemplating whether to exist with an insatiable romantic temperament, he was the author and largely the subject of a number of memorable novels.

Contemplating whether to exist

Combining realistic details

Miscegenating a brilliant mind

Aware that he had been born

Instructions

Question 4

How many times have I asked myself: when is the world going to start to make sense? There is a monster out there, and it is rushing towards me over the uneven ground of consciousness.

There is a monster out there

It is as if the world is on my shoulders

The answer is out there somewhere

There is a sea of sensibility in me

Instructions

Question 5

In Martin Amis' new novel, the narrator is trapped and hurtling towards a terrible secret, its resolution and the dreadful revelations it brings, ally to give an excruciating vision of guilt.

ally to give an excruciating vision of guilt

to us give a vivid picture of guilt

is a painful picture of a guilt ridden world

does not really solve all the questions in the narrator's mind

Instructions

Question 6

Victory is everything in the Indian universe and Tendulkar will be expected to translate his genius to that effect. To contemplate any other option is to contemplate the risk of failure.

To contemplate any other option is to contemplate the risk of failure.

Failure is not an action that can be contemplated.

Any other action has the potential of failure.

Failure is not an option.

Question 1

Choose the statement that expresses the idea most correctly.

The best part of the programme is the dances.

The best part of the programme are the dances.

The best part of the programme are the dance.

The best parts of the programme is the dances.

Question 2

Choose the statement that expresses the idea most correctly.

The professor, as well as the students, was pleased with their results.

The professor, as well as the students, were pleased with their results.

The professor as well as the students was pleased with their results.

The professor as well as the students were pleased with their results.

Question 3

Choose the statement that expresses the idea most correctly.

He was unwilling to testify, he was afraid of the defendant.

Because he was afraid of the defendant, he was unwilling to testify.

He was unwilling to testify: he was afraid of the defendant.

Because he was afraid of the defendant he was unwilling to testify.

Question 4

Choose the statement that expresses the idea most correctly.

When you have good health, one should feel fortunate.

When you have good health, you should feel fortunate.

When one have good health, you should feel fortunate.

When one has good health, he should feel fortunate.

Question 5

Choose the statement that expresses the idea most correctly.

Either you or he have to be here.

Either you or he has to be here.

Neither you nor he have to be here.

Neither you nor they has to be here.

Question 6

Choose the statement that expresses the idea most correctly.

Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older they judge them; sometimes they forgive them.

Children begin by loving their parents, as they grow older they judge them, sometimes they forgive them.

Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older they judge them, sometimes they forgive them.

Children begin by loving their parents, as they grow older they judge them; sometimes they forgive them.

Question 7

Choose the statement that expresses the idea most correctly.

Gopal and Ramesh have not finished his work.

Gopal and Ramesh has not finished his work.

Neither Gopal nor Ramesh have finished their work.

Neither Gopal nor Ramesh has finished his work.

Question 8

Choose the statement that expresses the idea most correctly.

The fact that Raghu was a good student he had many offers for good jobs.

The fact that Raghu was a good student resulted in his having many offers for good jobs.

The fact Raghu was a good student resulted in him having offers for good jobs.

The fact that Raghu was a good student resulted in him having many offers for good jobs.

Question 9

Choose the statement that expresses the idea most correctly.

The people of this company, have always been aware, of the needs for products of better quality and lower price.

The people of this company, have always been aware of the need for products of better quality and lower price.

The people of this company have always been aware of the need for products of better quality and lower price.

The people of this company, have always been aware of the need for products of better quality, and lower price.

Question 10

Choose the statement that expresses the idea most correctly.

The Dean finally agreed to see me. To talk about my financial problems.

The Dean finally agreed to see me, to talk about my financial problems.

The Dean, finally agreed to see me to talk about my financial problems.

The Dean finally agreed to see me to talk about my financial problems.

Question 11

Choose the statement that expresses the idea most correctly.

We invited only the people who he said were his friends.

We invited only the people whom he said were his friends.

We invited only the people whom he said was his friends.

We invited only the person whom he said were his friends.

Solution

The word who/whom refers to the "people". In this context, "who" is the correct usage.

It is essential to understand the use of pronouns here. 'Who' and 'Whom' are relative pronouns. However, they are associated differently with personal and possessive pronouns. Whenever the subject is represented via personal pronouns (like he/she/it etc.), 'who' is utilized in the sentence. If the main subject can be replaced by a possessive pronoun (like him/her/his/their etc. ), we use 'whom' in the sentence. You can ask simple questions to understand this concept. For
example:

You can ask: "Who took my pencil?"
You say: "He/She took it" (personal pronouns)
You do not say: "Him/Her took it" (possessive pronouns)

You can ask: "Whom did you meet yesterday?"
You say: "I met him/her yesterday" (possessive pronouns)
You do not say: "I met he/she yesterday" (personal pronouns)

Hence, sentences wherein 'whom' is followed by/used alongside 'he' is incorrect. Luckily, all the options, except Option A, have this usage and can be easily discarded.

Question 12