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Chapter 2
Grammar: Prepositions
2.1 Multiple Choice Questions
Each of the following sentences contains at least one preposition. Choose the letter of the answer that gives the correct
preposition(s).
(Adapted from DeVito, Joseph A. Essentials of Human Communication. New York: Longman, 1999. 126.)
1) In the 15th and 16th centuries in Italy, women put belladonna (which literally means ʺbeautiful
womanʺ), a botanical extract, in their eyes to dilate their pupils so they would look more
attractive.
A) In, which, to
B) In, in, in, to
C) In, in, in
Answer: C
2) Contemporary research supports the logic of these women; dilated pupils are seen as more
attractive, a finding that advertisers are quick to use.
A) of, as
B) of, as, that
C) of, as, to
Answer: A
3) Your pupils enlarge when something is interesting to you or when something is emotionally
arousing to you.
A) when, to, to
B) to, or, to
C) to, to
Answer: C
4) Conversely, your pupils constrict during times when you are viewing something that does not
interest you or does not arouse you emotionally.
A) during
B) or
C) not
Answer: A
5) In every culture, there are rather strict rules for the proper duration for eye contact.
A) In, for
B) In, there, for
C) In, for, for
Answer: C
6) In one study conducted in England, the average length of gaze is 2.95 seconds.
A) In, in, of
B) In, in
C) In, of
Answer: A
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7) The average length of gaze, meaning when two persons gaze at each other, is 1.18 seconds.
A) of, when
B) the, at
C) of, at
Answer: C
8) When eye contact falls short of this length of time, members of some cultures may think
certain things about a person that may or may not be true.
A) of, of, of
B) of, of, of, about
C) of, of, or
Answer: B
9) For example, people may be left with the impression that the person could be uninterested,
shy, or preoccupied.
A) with, that
B) For, with
C) For, with, or
Answer: B
10) When a person makes eye contact for longer than the appropriate time, people from some
cultures might think that the person is showing unusually high interest or hostility.
A) for, from
B) for, than
C) for, what
Answer: A
Fill in the missing prepositions.
11) The school is located __________ Maple Street.
A) in
B) on
Answer: B
12) I talked __________ the newest computers.
A) about
B) of
Answer: A
Choose the letter that indicates the correct preposition in each sentence.
13) He lives __________ 2345 West 98th Street.
A) at
B) on
C) in
Answer: A
14) He should be home __________ an hour.
A) at
B) on
C) in
Answer: C
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15) We usually take a vacation __________ summer.
A) at
B) on
C) in
Answer: C
16) There are many couples who live __________ Miami.
A) at
B) on
C) in
Answer: C
17) I have an appointment with my dentist __________ Tuesday.
A) at
B) on
C) in
Answer: B
18) When did Ralph get __________ the bus?
A) off
B) out of
C) from
Answer: A
19) I will meet you __________ the corner of Trent Avenue and 34th Street.
A) at
B) from
C) in
Answer: A
20) He has a knife __________ his hand!
A) with
B) on
C) in
Answer: C
21) It rained __________ the night.
A) during
B) on
C) at
Answer: A
22) Harris went to his office __________ a meeting.
A) about
B) because
C) for
Answer: C
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23) Can you be ready __________ eight oʹclock?
A) at
B) on
C) in
Answer: A
24) We should be home __________ six oʹclocknot any later.
A) during
B) on
C) by
Answer: C
25) The barbershop is __________ Maple Street.
A) at
B) on
C) in
Answer: B
26) There are at least ten thousand lakes __________ Minnesota.
A) at
B) on
C) in
Answer: C
27) Letʹs have lunch together __________ Wednesday.
A) at
B) on
C) in
Answer: B
28) He got __________ the bus a few minutes ago.
A) at
B) on
C) in
Answer: B
29) Go outside, and I will meet you __________ the corner later.
A) from
B) on
C) in
Answer: B
30) The baby is old enough to sleep __________ a bed.
A) at
B) on
C) in
Answer: C
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31) The students completed their examinations __________ the end of the hour.
A) by
B) on
C) in
Answer: A
32) Go __________ the river and turn left two blocks before you reach it. The post office is on that
street.
A) to
B) in
C) toward
Answer: C
2.2 Short Answer Questions
Find the prepositional phrases in each sentence and write them in the space provided.
1) My cat with the blue eyes is mischievous.
Answer: with the blue eyes
2) She lies under the dining room table waiting to pounce.
Answer: under the dining room table
3) One day I noticed that she was staring at a lizard on the patio.
Answer: at a lizard; on the patio
4) For one full hour she sat in the same position watching the lizard.
Answer: for one full hour; in the same position
5) Every day at three oʹclock she watched the lizard.
Answer: at three oʹclock
6) She pressed her nose against the window, but, of course, she could not capture the lizard.
Answer: against the window
7) Somehow, the lizard squeezed its way into the house.
Answer: into the house
8) As the owner of the cat, I feared what was going to happen.
Answer: as the owner; of the cat
9) I tried to catch the lizard as he scurried under the sofa.
Answer: under the sofa
10) Unfortunately, I was too late; the cat with sharp claws gleefully located the lizard.
Answer: with sharp claws
11) I lifted the skirt of the sofa to view the skirmish.
Answer: of the sofa
12) The tan lizard with brown stripes was nowhere to be seen, but the cat was smiling.
Answer: with brown stripes
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Correct the preposition use in the following sentences. Some sentences may be correct.
13) He is flying to Los Angeles with a plane.
Answer: He is flying to Los Angeles on a plane.
14) The Smiths raised their children on a farm.
Answer: Correct.
15) Between classes, I met Gary on the corridor.
Answer: Between classes, I met Gary in the corridor.
16) My chemistry professor even picks on me when I break a test tube on accident.
Answer: My chemistry professor even picks on me when I break a test tube by accident.
Complete the following sentences.
17) Joe thinks heʹs superior __________ the group.
Answer: to
18) Bob is devoted __________ his children.
Answer: to
19) Dick would rather part __________ his friends than part __________ his stereo.
Answer: with; with
20) Sam agrees __________ our contributing to the United Way.
Answer: with or to
21) The senior vice presidents finally agreed __________ a plan of action.
Answer: on
22) I was rewarded __________ my hard work __________ a scholarship to the art institute.
Answer: for; with
Correct all expressions that are unidiomatic or trite. If any example is correct as stated, simply write correct.
23) In The Taming of the Shrew, Katherine is angry at Petruchio for interjecting himself into her life.
Answer: angry with
24) My cat is capable to jump from the table to the chair in my family room.
Answer: capable of jumping
25) The baby had grown by leaps and bounds.
Answer: ʺBy leaps and boundsʺ is trite.
26) Sallyʹs friends are impatient of her conduct.
Answer: impatient with
27) The committee rewarded its retiring chairperson by a gift.
Answer: with a gift
28) I beg to differ from you.
Answer: differ with you
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29) If Iʹm late, will you wait on me for a few minutes?
Answer: wait for me
Read the following paragraph and answer the questions that follow using one or more prepositions in your answer.
In the 1960s, the American schoolchildren learned that Christopher Columbus was a courageous European
explorer who ʺdiscoveredʺ America and after whom schools and cities were named. Five hundred years
after Columbusʹ landing in the West Indies, however, many Americans have challenged the history book
version of Columbusʹ conquest of the New World. Columbus didnʹt ʺdiscoverʺ America, the critics
maintain, because it had already been discovered and inhabited by Native Americans. Columbusʹ need for
gold and glory resulted in his enslaving the Indians and permanently disrupting the cultures that the
Indians had established.
30) Describe the criticsʹ view of Columbus as a hero.
Answer: Answers will vary.
31) How did Columbusʹ presence in the New World change the lives of the Native Americans
living there?
Answer: Answers will vary.
Fill in the blanks with an appropriate preposition.
32) When ESL students are reading difficult texts, they are often dependent __________ their
dictionaries to look up unknown words.
Answer: on/upon
33) Some instructors are opposed __________ this practice and they try to prevent these students
__________ consulting their dictionaries.
Answer: to; from
34) These instructors believe that their students should be capable __________ determining the
meaning of a word from the context of the sentence.
Answer: of
35) The students, however, are worried __________ making the wrong guess.
Answer: about
36) Even though they may be good __________ guessing the meaning from the context, they canʹt
stop themselves __________ relying heavily __________ their dictionaries.
Answer: at; from; on
Fill in the blanks with an appropriate prepositional phrase.
37) Foreign students are not accustomed to eating lunch __________.
Answer: in 15 minutes
38) My parents are often disappointed __________.
Answer: in me
39) Most American students are not acquainted __________.
Answer: with many foreign students
40) When I finish school, I plan to devote myself __________.
Answer: to getting a job
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41) Most students are opposed __________.
Answer: to cuts in education funding
42) Living in this city is very expensive. Iʹm worried __________.
Answer: about paying my bills
43) I had a terrible fight with my sister yesterday, so today I apologized __________.
Answer: for what I said
44) Nothing in the world will prevent me __________.
Answer: from being at your wedding
45) The students in this class are always complaining __________.
Answer: about the work load
46) This weekend, I am looking forward __________.
Answer: to getting out of the city
Fill in the blanks with an appropriate preposition.
47) I was born __________ September 23, 1965.
Answer: on
48) It was a stormy day __________ November.
Answer: in
49) I walked __________ the store and bought a pair of socks.
Answer: into
50) You can find the book __________ the drawer.
Answer: in
51) Iʹve been living __________ Long Island __________ New York for many years.
Answer: on; in
52) Iʹll see you __________ 3:30 __________ Thursday.
Answer: at; on
53) Iʹm never very chipper __________ the morning.
Answer: in
54) My brother lived __________ Montreal __________ 1965.
Answer: in; in
55) The factory usually closed __________ August.
Answer: in
56) I canʹt afford any of the merchandise in the stores __________ Rodeo Drive.
Answer: on
57) The pepper is __________ the cupboard.
Answer: in
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58) My meeting is __________ 4:00.
Answer: at
Choose the correct expression in parentheses.
59) My grandmotherʹs plane was late (because of/because) the fog.
Answer: because of
60) My grandmotherʹs plane was late (because of/because) the fog was thick.
Answer: because
61) (Despite/Despite the fact that) her good intention, she sent the birthday card late.
Answer: Despite
62) (Despite/Despite the fact that) she meant well, she still forgot to send the card on time.
Answer: Despite the fact that
63) Jorge will never give up his job (despite/despite the fact that) it pays so little.
Answer: despite the fact that
64) Jane had to sell her house (because of/because) the increased taxes.
Answer: because of
Choose the letter of the sentence that correctly combines verbs and prepositions. If both are correct, choose both letters.
65) a. Many students think about doing volunteer work.
b. Many students think volunteer work into doing about.
Answer: a
66) a. They want to fill their experience out with volunteer work.
b. They want to fill out their experience with volunteer work.
Answer: both a and b
67) a. If they luckily come across volunteer work in their field, they take it.
b. If they come luckily across volunteer work in their field, they take it.
Answer: a
68) a. Volunteer work may help them make their minds up about their careers.
b. Volunteer work may help them make up their minds about their careers.
Answer: both a and b
69) a. At the same time, they are helping other people out.
b. At the same time, they are helping out other people.
Answer: both a and b
70) a. While they are caring of others, the volunteers are also acquiring skills.
b. While they are caring for others, the volunteers are also acquiring skills.
Answer: b
71) a. They may learn nursing skills by frequently taking care of elderly people in nursing homes.
b. They may learn nursing skills by taking care frequently of elderly people in nursing homes.
Answer: a
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72) a. But students arenʹt always able to step on career-oriented volunteer work.
b. But students arenʹt always able to step into career-oriented volunteer work.
Answer: b
73) a. Sometimes they need to turn a volunteer job down.
b. Sometimes they need to turn down a volunteer job.
Answer: both a and b
Complete the following sentences by filling the blanks with the appropriate prepositions from this list:
at by for from in
of on to with
Example:
The most recent amendment to the U.S. Constitution was proposed by Congress in 1789 and ratified in 1992.
74) The Eighteenth Amendment __________ the Constitution __________ the United States was
ratified __________ 1919.
Answer: The Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was ratified in
1919.
75) It prohibited the ʺmanufacture, sale, or transportation __________ intoxicating liquors.ʺ
Answer: It prohibited the ʺmanufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors.ʺ
76) It was adopted __________ response __________ a nationwide crusade __________ temperance
groups.
Answer: It was adopted in response to a nationwide crusade by temperance groups.
77) One __________ those groups was the Womenʹs Christian Temperance Union.
Answer: One of those groups was the Womenʹs Christian Temperance Union.
78) The amendment was defined __________ Congress __________ the Volstead Act.
Answer: The amendment was defined by Congress in the Volstead Act.
79) The Act was vetoed __________ President Woodrow Wilson, but Congress passed it over his
veto.
Answer: The Act was vetoed by President Woodrow Wilson, but Congress passed it over his
veto.
80) The Amendment did not prevent Americans __________ drinking, and the sale __________
alcoholic beverages was taken over __________ organized crime.
Answer: The Amendment did not prevent Americans from drinking, and the sale of alcoholic
beverages was taken over by organized crime.
81) __________ the demand __________ liquor there came wide-scale smuggling and bootlegging.
Answer: With the demand for liquor there came wide-scale smuggling and bootlegging.
82) __________ 1919 __________ 1933, when the Amendment was repealed, gangs such as that led
__________ Al Capone __________ Chicago controlled the sale __________ alcohol.
Answer: From 1919 to 1933, when the Amendment was repealed, gangs such as that led by Al
Capone in Chicago controlled the sale of alcohol.
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83) The Twenty-first Amendment, passed __________ 1933, is the only amendment passed
__________ the purpose __________ repealing an earlier amendment.
Answer: The Twenty-first Amendment, passed in 1933, is the only amendment passed for the
purpose of repealing an earlier amendment.
84) Write two sentences using prepositions.
1.
2.
Answer: Answers will vary.
Identify the prepositional phrases.
85) I dash into the library to grab some books.
Phrase:
Answer: into the library
86) The smell of the kerosene fills the air.
Phrase:
Answer: of the kerosene
87) Rockets are vibrating and zooming high in the sky.
Phrase:
Answer: in the sky
88) The clouds in the sky are getting darker.
Phrase:
Answer: in the sky
89) Ducks are floating in the bright lake water and quacking very loudly.
Phrase:
Answer: in the bright lake water
90) Todayʹs mothers do not let their children spend hours on Saturday mornings in front of the
television.
Phrase:
Answer: of the television
Underline all the prepositions in the following sentences. Put parentheses around the prepositional phrases.
Example:
(At eighteen minutes) (after one oʹclock), the emergency number received a call (from Mrs. Serena
Washington).
91) From its station near city hall, the rescue truck drove to Briar Brook Avenue.
Answer: (From its station) (near city hall), the rescue truck drove (to Briar Brook Avenue).
92) Along the way it narrowly missed colliding with a bread truck that failed to pull to the side of
the road.
Answer: (Along the way) it narrowly missed colliding (with a bread truck) that failed to pull (to
the side) (of the road).
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93) Despite the near accident, the rescue team arrived at the Washingtonsʹ home in less than five
minutes.
Answer: (Despite the near accident), the rescue team arrived (at the Washingtonsʹ home) (in less
than five minutes).
94) Mr. Washington was complaining of pain in his chest and back and displaying other
symptoms of a heart attack.
Answer: Mr. Washington was complaining (of pain) (in his chest and back) and displaying other
symptoms (of a heart attack).
95) By its quick response to the emergency call, the rescue team may have saved a life.
Answer: (By its quick response) (to the emergency call), the rescue team may have saved a life.
Identify the objects of the prepositions in the following sentences and list them in the spaces provided.
(Adapted from DeVito, Joesph A. Essentials of Human Communication. New York: Longman, 1999. 190-192.)
96) All relationships, whether face-to-face or online, have the power to increase or decrease your
happiness and satisfaction; there are advantages and disadvantages of interpersonal
relationships.
Answer: relationships
97) Relationships enable you to maximize pleasures and minimize pain in several ways.
Answer: ways
98) For example, relationships help lessen loneliness.
Answer: example
99) Relationships help you learn about yourself and enhance your self-esteem.
Answer: yourself
100) You can enhance your physical and emotional health with interpersonal relationships.
Answer: relationships
101) Without close interpersonal relationships youʹre more likely to become depressed.
Answer: relationships
102) Depression contributes significantly to physical illness.
Answer: illness
103) A new, slightly different interpersonal relationship has evolved with expanding Internet and
e-mail use.
Answer: use
104) Online relationships benefit from rather unique advantages.
Answer: advantages
105) First, you have a better chance to make a first impression using your inner qualities, unlike
face-to-face encounters where physical appearance tends to outweigh personality.
Answer: encounters
106) When there are no physical cues, online relationships place the two people on equal footing.
Answer: footing
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107) Online, disabled people, shut-ins, and the extremely shy may find developing friendships or
romantic relationships a lot easier than in face-to-face situations.
Answer: situations
108) You also have a better chance of meeting those who share your interests.
Answer: meeting
109) Online relationships also have unique disadvantages to the people involved.
Answer: involved
110) To many people, not knowing the appearance of the communication partner is a disadvantage.
Answer: people; partner
111) Even if photographs are exchanged, you canʹt be certain that they are of the person or that they
were taken recently.
Answer: person
112) You canʹt hear their voices which communicate a great deal of information.
Answer: information
113) Online, people can present a false self with little chance that you will find out.
Answer: chance
114) Minors may present themselves as adults.
Answer: adults
115) Adults can pretend to be children to lure children into illegal sexual communications and even
arrange face-to-face meetings.
Answer: communications
116) Because so many people create false identities online, the transition to face-to-face interaction
is often difficult.
Answer: interaction
117) However, the Internet is quickly becoming the foundation for new friendships,
business-customer relationships, interest groups, clubs, organizations, and romances.
Answer: friendships
Phrasal prepositions contain more than one word. Write the phrasal preposition from each of the sentences in the space
provided.
118) According to a recent newspaper article from the Associated Press, Canada was at the top of
the United Nationʹs list for having the best quality of life.
Answer: according to
119) Along with income, health care, and life expectancy, educational levels are also a basis of the
rankings.
Answer: along with
120) Although the United States came in third, its level of human poverty, with respect to life
expectancy, illiteracy, and unemployment, was the highest among industrialized nations.
Answer: with respect to
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121) In England, Ireland, and the United States, more than one out of five adults are functionally
illiterate, which means they canʹt read at a fifth-grade level.
Answer: out of
122) Because of the AIDS epidemic and wars, Africa was at the bottom of the list.
Answer: because of
123) As for the Middle Eastern countries, Yemen was at the bottom.
Answer: as for
124) With reference to developing countries which had the greatest advances, Indonesia, Egypt,
and Nepal were the highest since 1975.
Answer: with reference to
125) The United States was third in the quality-of-life rankings; Norway was in front of the United
States and second to Canada.
Answer: in front of
126) With respect to income, over 17 percent of the United States population is ʺincome poor.ʺ
Answer: with respect to
127) Japan was ninth out of the top ten.
Answer: out of
Verbs followed by prepositions are called phrasal verbs. In the following sentences, identify the phrasal verbs and their
prepositions and write them in the space provided.
128) Emeril tried on his new chefʹs hat right before the show.
Answer: tried on
129) He looked up at his image in the monitor.
Answer: looked up
130) The hat was a bit too big for his head, so he realized he had better watch out.
Answer: watch out
131) During the show, while he was deep frying potatoes, the hat fell off of his head and into the
fryer, so he immediately turned off the fryer.
Answer: turned off
132) If he hadnʹt acted so quickly, the studio could have burned down.
Answer: burned down
2.3 True/False Questions
For each of the following sentences, write T if the underlined word is a preposition and F if it is not a preposition.
(Adapted from DeVito, Joseph A. Essentials of Human Communication. New York: Longman, 1999. 120.)
1) Nonverbal communication is communication without words.
Answer: TRUE
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2) It is the communication that takes place through bodily gestures, facial expressions, eye
movements, spatial relationships, clothing and color, touch, vocal rate and volume, and even
the way in which you treat time.
Answer: TRUE
3) Emblems are one of the five major types of body movements.
Answer: TRUE
4) Emblems are body gestures that directly translate into words or phrases.
Answer: FALSE
5) Some examples of emblems are the okay sign, the thumbs-up for ʺgood job,ʺ and the ʺVʺ for
victory.
Answer: FALSE
6) Emblems are culture-specific, so be careful when using your cultureʹs emblems in other
cultures.
Answer: FALSE
7) For example, when President Nixon visited Latin America and gestured with the okay sign, he
thought it communicated something positive.
Answer: TRUE
8) He was quickly informed that this gesture was not universal.
Answer: FALSE
9) In Latin America the gesture has a far more negative meaning.
Answer: FALSE
10) In the United States, to say ʺhello,ʺ you wave with your whole hand moving from side to side.
Answer: FALSE
11) However, in a large part of Europe that same signal means ʺNo.ʺ
Answer: TRUE
12) In Greece, however, this would be considered insulting to the person to whom you are
waving.
Answer: FALSE
13) The ʺVʺ for victory is common throughout much of the world.
Answer: TRUE
14) If used in England with the palm facing your face, it is as insulting as the raised middle finger
is in the United States.
Answer: TRUE
15) In the United States and in much of Asia, hugging is rarely exchanged among acquaintances,
but among Latins and Southern Europeans, hugging is a common greeting gesture that, if
withheld, may communicate unfriendliness.
Answer: TRUE
