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.
although | |
despite | |
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.
throughout | |
within | |
without |
Question 2 Explanation:
"Without" means you do not have something.
Question 3 |
I got all the questions right ____________ the last one.
among | |
beside | |
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.
as | |
by | |
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.
across | |
close | |
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.
of | |
on | |
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.
above | |
beyond | |
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.
by | |
for | |
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.
away | |
off | |
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.
along | |
amidst | |
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.
as | |
of | |
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.
in | |
into | |
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.
by | |
since | |
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.
for | |
from | |
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.
alongside | |
beneath | |
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.
There are 15 questions to complete.