Learning English can be a fascinating journey, especially for those venturing into the intricate realm of prepositions. The correct use of prepositions is crucial for effective communication, and what better way to grasp them than through hands-on exercises?
To strengthen your grasp on prepositions, we present 20 fill-in-the-blank exercises with appropriate preposition lists, also in a downloadable PDF format for free.
Each exercise is followed by the correct answer and a brief explanation to guide you through the nuances of preposition usage.
Why Prepositions Matter
Before diving into the exercises, let’s briefly understand the significance of prepositions in English. Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other elements in a sentence.
They act as connectives, guiding us through the spatial, temporal, or logical connections within sentences. Mastering prepositions is essential for constructing grammatically correct and contextually accurate sentences.
Now, let’s move on to the exercises.
- Exercise 1:
The cat jumped ____ the table.
Answer: on
Explanation: “On” is used to denote a surface, and in this context, it indicates the location where the cat jumped.
- Exercise 2:
She is allergic ____ cats.
Answer: to
Explanation: “To” is used before the object of an allergy, indicating the person’s sensitivity or reaction.
- Exercise 3:
The bookstore is located ____ the street.
Answer: across
Explanation: “Across” is used to describe the position on the opposite side of a surface or an area.
- Exercise 4:
I have been waiting ____ an hour.
Answer: for
Explanation: “For” is used to indicate the duration of time for which an action has been happening.
- Exercise 5:
The competition is ____ Team A and Team B.
Answer: between
Explanation: “Between” is used to express the relationship or comparison of two entities, indicating the space or division separating them. In this case, it signifies that the competition involves Team A and Team B, highlighting the connection or contrast between the two teams.
- Exercise 6:
She is interested ____ learning a new language.
Answer: in
Explanation: “In” is used to express interest or involvement in an activity or topic.
- Exercise 7:
The cat walked ____ the garden gate.
Answer: through
Explanation: “Through” indicates movement within a space, in this case, the garden gate.
- Exercise 8:
They arrived ____ the airport just in time.
Answer: at
Explanation: “At” is used to denote a specific point in time or location.
- Exercise 9:
The book is ____ the table.
Answer: on
Explanation: “On” is used to indicate the position of the book concerning the surface of the table.
- Exercise 10:
I am interested ____ participating ____ the upcoming photography contest.
Answer 1: in
Answer 2: in
Explanation: The preposition “in” is used twice in this sentence. The first “in” indicates interest or involvement, while the second “in” is part of the phrase “in participating,” emphasizing the specific area of interest.
- Exercise 11:
She was standing ____ her brother.
Answer: beside
Explanation: “Beside” indicates a position next to or alongside someone or something.
- Exercise 12:
He went ____ the mountain to explore.
Answer: up
Explanation: “Up” is used to describe movement in an upward direction.
- Exercise 13:
The concert will take place ____ 7 p.m.
Answer: at
Explanation: “At” is used to denote a specific point in time, in this case, 7 p.m.
- Exercise 14:
The cat is hiding ____ the bed.
Answer: under
Explanation: “Under” indicates a position beneath or below an object.
- Exercise 15:
They live ____ a small town.
Answer: in
Explanation: “In” is used to describe residence in a particular area or town.
- Exercise 16:
The beauty __ the sunset left everyone in awe.
Answer: of
Explanation: “Of” is used to indicate the quality or characteristic. In this context, it describes the beauty possessed by the sunset.
- Exercise 17:
The painting is ____ the wall.
Answer: on
Explanation: “On” is used to describe the position of an object concerning a vertical surface.
- Exercise 18:
We should be there ____ 10 minutes.
Answer: in
Explanation: “In” is used to indicate a time frame within which an action will occur.
- Exercise 19:
He expressed his gratitude ____ sending a handwritten thank-you note.
Answer: by
Explanation: “By” is used to indicate the method or means by which an action is performed. In this context, the thank-you note is the means through which he conveyed his gratitude.
- Exercise 20:
She is good ____ playing the piano.
Answer: at
Explanation: “At” is used to express proficiency or skill in a particular activity or talent.
Mastering prepositions is a key milestone on the road to English proficiency. These exercises, accompanied by detailed explanations, provide a practical and engaging way to improve your preposition skills.
Download the PDFs, embark on the exercises, and watch as your confidence in using prepositions grows.
Happy learning!
