Prepositions are easy once you know how. However, like everything it takes time to perfect. Test your skills today and perhaps pick up some new words for your vocabulary bank.
Prepositions are common in the English language. There are about 150 used with the most common being: above, across, against, along, among, around, at, before, behind, below, beneath, between, by, down, from, in, into, near, of, off, on, to, toward, under, upon, with and within.
If you take my course there is a section of my tailor-made course that provides cutting edge help.
Complete the following test using the correct prepositions above in bold ink. These are the prepositions that can be used more than once each if necessary. The other bold words below are included in the vocabulary builder under the test.
Please note words in round brackets or parentheses are to help:
1. John left his keys _____ his pocket, so he doesn’t forget where he put them.
2. The magazine is _____ the books, so it keeps flat. (below)
3. Martin and Fredy are _____ the shopping center because they want to buy some toys.
4. His parents are standing either side of him. John is ______ them.
5. John is ______ ______ jobs.
6. She is very close to him, so therefore she is ______ him.
7. Claire walked to the store to buy lunch _______ Silvia.
8. They were going to eat lunch ______ a few minutes.
9. _______ the circumstances he had to leave.
10. They were able to speak because she sat ______ him.
11. Your son is ______ school.
12. I eat bacon and eggs ______ Sundays.
13. Gill likes to relax ______ his day off.
14. I’m taking one month vacation _______ August.
15. She will do it _______ today and tomorrow.
16. Beatrice keeps her handkerchief _______ the pillow.
17. The sheets are _______ the bed
18. _______ a few minutes I’ll be taking a nap.
19. _______ 5pm I’m leaving!
20. Hold ______ to your ticket to enter the game.
The seven (7) prepositions used: between, in, on, at, under, near, with
Check your choices with your teacher who will help you develop better preposition usage skills. If you need guidance some of the answers are at the bottom of this page, but only use after trying. Don't cheat!
Good luck!
Prof. Carl Boniface
Vocabulary builder:
Perhaps (adv) = maybe, possibly, conceivably, feasibly, imaginably, (ant) definitely
Forget (v) irregular verb forget / forgot / forgotten: to overlook, disremember, fail to recall, ignore, disregard, be unable to remember
Put (v) = irregular verb put / put / put. (syn) place, set, lay, position, situate, locate. “She put the keys in the door to open it.”
Keep (v) = irregular verb keep / kept / kept: save, retain, has, preserve, possesses, hang onto, hold onto. “Keeping a magazine under books keeps it flat and in its original condition.”
Parents (n) mother and father, mum and dad, paternities, blood relation, close relative
Handkerchief (n) = tissue, hankie, bandana, paper handkerchief, serviette, napkin
Pillow (n) = cushion, support, bolster, pad, padding, head rest, head support
Nap (n) = doze, snooze, sleep, siesta, shuteye, rest, lie-down, kip
Ticket (n) = permit, voucher, receipt, coupon, travel document
Here are some of the answers. If you are having difficulty to complete the preposition test and don't have a teacher, I am available to help as an online English teacher.
1. John left his keys in his pocket, so he doesn’t forget where he put them.
2. The magazine is under the books, so it keeps flat. (below)
3. Martin and Fredy are at or in the shopping center because they want to buy some toys.
4. His parents are standing either side of him. John is between them.
5. John is in between jobs.
6. She is very close to him, so therefore she is near him.
7. Claire walked to the store to buy lunch with Silvia.
8. They were going to eat lunch in a few minutes.
9. Under the circumstances he had to leave.
10. They were able to speak because she sat near or with him.
11. Your son is at or in school.
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