Prepositions Practice Exercise

 

Advanced English Grammar Course

It’s time for some prepositions practice! How well do you know your English prepositions? Take this quiz to find out.

Choose the best preposition to complete each sentence, then click the blue “Get results” button to see the correct answers as well as explanations for why each preposition is used.

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.
A
for
B
from
C
since
Question 14 Explanation: 
Use "for" when talking about a time period. Use "since" when referring to a past date or time (We've been waiting since 10:00).
Question 15
There were numerous mistakes ________________ the article.
A
alongside
B
beneath
C
throughout
Question 15 Explanation: 
"Throughout" means in many places or continuously in an area of space or time.
Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect. Get Results
There are 15 questions to complete.

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