How to Identify and Correct Omitted Words in English Sentences
Omission exercises in English grammar are short questions or passages where words have been left out by mistake. Your task is to find and fill in the missing words to make the sentences correct. This skill is vital for school exams, competitive tests, and strong daily English writing or speaking. Practising omission exercises regularly also helps you stop making basic grammar mistakes.
| Type of Missing Word | Omission Example | Corrected Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Article | She saw eagle in sky. | She saw an eagle in the sky. |
| Preposition | I will meet you Monday. | I will meet you on Monday. |
| Verb (Helping/Main) | They playing cricket now. | They are playing cricket now. |
| Pronoun | Priya is absent because is ill. | Priya is absent because she is ill. |
| Conjunction | He was tired he kept working. | He was tired but he kept working. |
What Are Omission Exercises in English Grammar?
Omission exercises are grammar tasks where you find words that have been left out in sentences or short passages. The omitted words are usually articles, prepositions, helping verbs, pronouns, or conjunctions. You must identify the correct places and types of missing words, then fill them in to make the text complete and correct.
Types of Omission Questions
Most omission exercises for students focus on these missing word types:
- Articles: a, an, the
- Prepositions: in, on, at, by, from, to
- Helping/Main Verbs: is, am, are, was, were, has, have, do, does
- Pronouns: he, she, it, they, we, you
- Conjunctions: and, but, or, because, so
- Subject-Verb agreement: using the right verb form as per the subject
Understanding which kind of word is missing helps you solve questions faster.
How to Solve Omission Exercises: Stepwise Method
Use these simple steps to solve English omission exercises:
- Read the entire sentence or passage once quickly.
- Spot the part which sounds incomplete or incorrect.
- Think what kind of word (article/verb/preposition/pronoun/etc.) is missing there.
- Fill the blank with the correct word and check if the sentence now sounds right.
- Re-read your answers to ensure they fit grammatically and logically.
Tip: Missing words are often small but important for proper grammar.
Rules for Omission Exercises With Examples
Omission of Articles
Single, countable nouns need an article. Example: "He is honest man." → "He is an honest man."
Omission of Prepositions
Check for where a position, time, or method is missing a joining word. "School starts 8 a.m." → "School starts at 8 a.m."
Omission of Helping/Main Verbs
Look for incomplete tenses or missing verbs. "We visiting the zoo." → "We are visiting the zoo."
Omission of Pronouns
If the subject is missing the second time, it usually needs a pronoun. "Amit is tall. ___ can play basketball." → "He can play basketball."
Omission of Conjunctions
When two ideas need joining, use "and", "but", "or", "because", etc. "She ran fast ___ won the race." → "She ran fast and won the race."
Omission Exercises: Practice Sets With Answers
Try these omission exercises. Add the missing word at each sign (/). Answers are given below each passage.
| Passage (Omitted Words Marked by /) | Your Answers | Check Here |
|---|---|---|
| The teacher / explaining lesson / the students. We / a test tomorrow. |
is; to have |
The teacher is explaining the lesson to the students. We have a test tomorrow. |
| He bought / umbrella / the shop. The dog is barking / the stranger. |
an; from at |
He bought an umbrella from the shop. The dog is barking at the stranger. |
| We are going / bus / the museum. Mona loves to play / her friends. |
by; to with |
We are going by bus to the museum. Mona loves to play with her friends. |
| They / arriving / the airport soon. She wants / win the prize. |
are; at to |
They are arriving at the airport soon. She wants to win the prize. |
Download Omission Exercises PDF and More Resources
You can get class-wise omission practice worksheets and PDFs on Vedantu—for Class 8, Class 9, and Class 10 students. Download for offline practice and find answer keys for self-check. For related grammar exercises, visit Editing Exercises for Class 9 or Error Correction Exercises. To focus on missing articles, see Omission of Article.
Why Omission Exercises Matter for Students
Practising omission exercises helps you:
- Score better in CBSE, ICSE, and other board exams
- Correct your own writing errors instantly
- Speak and write accurate English in every situation
- Build confidence in essays, letters, emails, and test answers
Vedantu’s expert English teachers create these omission exercises using the latest exam syllabus and difficulty levels.
Summary
Omission exercises strengthen your grammar by training you to find and add missing words. This skill improves your writing, exam scores, and spoken English ability. Use Vedantu’s omission exercises, solved examples, and downloadable PDFs to keep practising and mastering English grammar!
FAQs on Omission Exercises in English Grammar: Practice with Answers
1. What is an omission exercise in English grammar?
Omission exercises test your grammar skills by presenting sentences or passages with missing words. You must identify the missing word(s) and correctly insert them, improving the grammatical accuracy and meaning. These exercises focus on common omissions like articles, prepositions, verbs, pronouns, and conjunctions.
2. What are the common types of omission questions?
Common omission questions focus on identifying and inserting missing: articles (a, an, the); prepositions (in, on, at, by, with, etc.); verbs (especially auxiliary verbs like is, are, was, were, have, has, had); pronouns (he, she, it, they, etc.); and conjunctions (and, but, or, so, etc.). The omission might also test your understanding of subject-verb agreement.
3. How do I solve omission exercises step by step?
Solving omission exercises involves a systematic approach. First, carefully read the entire sentence or passage. Next, identify the incomplete or grammatically incorrect part. Determine the type of word missing and consider the context. Finally, fill in the blank with the appropriate word, ensuring the sentence flows correctly and is grammatically sound. Re-read the entire corrected sentence for sense and accuracy.
4. Where can I get omission exercises for class 8 or class 9?
You can find many resources for omission exercises, including worksheets and practice tests, online. Educational websites and textbooks often include these types of grammar exercises. Look for materials specifically designed for class 8 or 9 students, aligned with your syllabus (CBSE, ICSE, etc.).
5. Can I download a PDF of omission exercises with answers?
Yes, many websites offer downloadable PDFs containing omission exercises with answer keys. Searching online for "omission exercises PDF" or "grammar worksheets PDF" will provide numerous options. Ensure that the exercises are suitable for your grade level and exam board.
6. What is the difference between omission, editing, and error correction?
While related, these terms have subtle differences. Omission focuses specifically on identifying and filling in missing words. Editing is a broader term, encompassing correcting errors in grammar, style, and clarity. Error correction covers a wider range of mistakes beyond just missing words, including incorrect word choice, punctuation, and sentence structure.
7. Why do exams include omission exercises in grammar sections?
Exams include omission exercises to assess your understanding of fundamental grammar rules and your ability to identify and correct errors in sentence structure. This tests your knowledge of parts of speech and their proper usage in context. They evaluate your overall grammatical accuracy and editing skills, essential for effective written communication.
8. How can omission exercises help in spoken English as well as writing?
Omission exercises improve both your written and spoken English. By regularly practicing, you become more attuned to grammatical errors. This increased awareness leads to more precise sentence construction in writing and clearer, more grammatically correct speech. Improved grammar enhances confidence and fluency in both modes of communication.
9. What are common omissions in English grammar?
Common omissions often involve the following parts of speech: articles (a, an, the), prepositions (of, in, on, at, to, from, etc.), auxiliary verbs (be, have, do), pronouns (he, she, it, they), and conjunctions (and, but, or, because, etc.).
10. Should I check tense and agreement in omission passages?
Yes, always check for tense consistency and subject-verb agreement when completing omission passages. These are common grammatical errors, and the context will usually guide you toward the correct tense and verb form. Correct agreement between subject and verb is vital for accurate and clear communication.
