English prepositions quiz

How well do YOU know prepositions in English? Let’s find out! This is a quiz lesson. I’ll show you a sentence and give you three possible words to complete it. You can take the quiz in the video above, or try the quiz below.

When you’re learning English, you want to get everything right – and these tiny words like prepositions can be very challenging. My Advanced English Grammar Course teaches you the rules (and exceptions) of the English language in detail. It will help you understand English grammar clearly and use it more confidently and correctly.

OK, are you ready to try this prepositions quiz? Let’s get started.

Prepositions Practice

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Question 1

He gave the presentation _______________ being ill.

A	although
B	despite
C	during

Question 1 Explanation:

After "although" we would need a subject + verb - "although he was ill." After "during," we would need a noun - "during the conference." But after "despite," we can use the -ING form - despite being ill.

Question 2

I can't drink coffee ______________ sugar - it's too bitter.

A	throughout
B	within
C	without

Question 2 Explanation:

"Without" means you do not have something.

Question 3

I got all the questions right ____________ the last one.

A	among
B	beside
C	except

Question 3 Explanation:

You could also say "except for" the last one. If option B were "besides," that would also be correct - "besides the last one." However, "beside" refers only to physical location, when one thing is next to another thing. "Among" cannot be used because it refers to 3 or more things, not a single thing (the last question).

Question 4

I want to snack on something salty, ____________ potato chips.

A	as
B	by
C	like

Question 4 Explanation:

To give an example, you could use "like" or "such as" - but you can't use only "as."

Question 5

My house is ____________ the university.

A	across
B	close
C	near

Question 5 Explanation:

"Near" is the only one of these prepositions that does not require another word after it. You could say the house is "across from" or "close to" the university.

Question 6

Our plans will depend ____________ the weather.

A	of
B	on
C	with

Question 6 Explanation:

In English, we always say "depend on" - never "depend of" or "depend with."

Question 7

She's been to _____________ 50 countries.

A	above
B	beyond
C	over

Question 7 Explanation:

When talking about a quantity that is more than another quantity, you can say "over" 50 countries or "more than" 50 countries. (Don't make the mistake of saying "more 50 countries").

Question 8

The fabric costs $20 __________ meter.

A	by
B	for
C	per

Question 8 Explanation:

When talking about a quantity that depends on another quantity, we use "per." Other examples include "30 miles per hour" and "five times per week." In everyday spoken English, we can use "a" or "an" instead of "per" - "30 miles an hour," "five times a week."

Question 9

The figurine fell __________ the shelf and smashed on the floor.

A	away
B	off
C	out

Question 9 Explanation:

Something falls OFF a surface (such as a table, shelf, or wall) and falls OUT OF an enclosed space (such as a pocket, your hand, your mouth).

Question 10

There are cherry trees all ___________ the road.

A	along
B	amidst
C	aside

Question 10 Explanation:

"Along" is the best option here because the trees are in a line accompanying the road. "Amidst" means "in the middle of," and "aside" is usually used for movement (step aside) or for setting something apart.

Question 11

These grapes are sweeter ___________ those.

A	as
B	of
C	than

Question 11 Explanation:

When making a comparison between two things, use a comparative adjective + than.

Question 12

This road will take you straight ____________ the city center.

A	in
B	into
C	onto

Question 12 Explanation:

"Into" implies motion going in, whereas "in" refers just to position. "Onto" is used for surfaces, not areas or enclosed spaces (the cat jumped onto the chair).

Question 13

We must mail the letter ___________ Friday.

A	by
B	since
C	until

Question 13 Explanation:

When talking about a deadline for a future event, use "by." When talking about a continuous process that will stop in the future, use "until" (We're staying until Friday).

Question 14

We watched TV ___________ three hours.