ANGLO-PEDIA

Anglo-File 116: PREPOSITIONS

As in any other language, there are no strict rules in English to guide you in which preposition to
use where. The best way to learn prepositions is to learn them with the word or expression
from the start, as if the preposition was part of that expression. So, instead of learning to
succeed, you should learn to succeed in.
Here are some of the most common words and expressions that require a preposition.
As repetition is the key to learning these, use the accompanying CD as often as possible to make
these reflexive.

Part 1: Prepositions of time

(for, during, while, since, by, until, at, on, in)
Guidelines:
For + a length of time: for 2 hours, for 3 days
During + an activity: during the speech, during the trip
While + a verb: While (I was) sleeping
Until: Indicates when an action is/was/will be finished.
Ill be here until Wednesday. I worked until midnight.
By= no later than
I will have finished this report by Wednesday. He had everything ready by midnight.
Since: From a certain time in the past until now
I have been here since Monday.
At + time: At 5:30
On + day / date: On Monday, On 15th June
In + month / year: In January, In 1999
In + the morning / the afternoon / the evening
Fixed Expressions:
At
At
At
At
At
At

Christmas
Easter
the weekend
night
the moment
the time At this time / At the same time

Invited to
A visit / a trip to
On time = At the arranged time
In time = No too late
In 5 days = When 5 days are over
Within 5 days = Between now and 5 days from now

Part 2: Prepositions of place (at, on, in, to, into)

Guidelines:
To + verbs of movement: drive to town, return to base
Into + verbs of movement & specific space: go into the garden, run into the house
In + room, garden, building, town, City
At + exact location (the station, the traffic lights, the cinema )
On + surface (the door, floor, ceiling, page 2 )
NOTE:
For both time and place, at is generally used for the smaller more precise unit, then on and
then in for the larger units:
At two oclock, on Monday, in January
At number 23, on Oak Street, in London

Fixed Expressions:
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
In

a photograph / picture
the sky
the world
a book / letter / magazine
hospital
the car
bed
prison
my / Johns etc. house (referring to the building)

On
On
On
On
On
On
On
At
At
At
At
At

the first floor

a list
a map
the right / left
a farm
an island
the bus / train / plane
home
my / Johns etc. house (referring to the location)
work
university / school / college
a party / meeting / seminar / event

Part 3: Prepositions with some common verbs and expressions

(in, for, on, to, about, of, by, from, with)
degree in
in a good / bad mood
in writing
increase/ decrease / rise / fall / drop in
interested in
succeeded in
reason for
Go for a drive / a walk / a ride / a drink
demand for
responsible for
wait for
ask for
on holiday
on television / the radio
On foot
rely / count / depend on
solution to
similar to
married to
listen to
angry about something
worried about
know about
story about
cause of
afraid of
hear of = Know of the existence
by train / bus / plane / taxi / bicycle / motorbike
done by (actor of the verb)
different from
Hear from = Have news from
satisfied with

ANGLO-PEDIA
Anglo-File 116: PREPOSITIONS
EXERCISES

Part 1: (Tracks 1-16)

Complete the sentences with a suitable preposition of time (for, during, while, since,
by, until, at, on, in).
Example:
Tom has been playing the guitar 5 years.
Tom has been playing the guitar for 5 years.

1. She fell asleep . the speech.

2. She fell asleep . (she was) listening to the speech.
3. They lived in an apartment . six years.
4. I have .. Tuesday to post this letter.
5. I must post this letter .. Tuesday.
6. He will be back .. an hour.
7. She is coming back . Friday.
8.
9.

We have been waiting .. three hours.

They arrived .. 11 oclock.

10. Im starving. I havent eaten .. yesterday.

11. She didnt speak .. the whole trip.
12. We met an interesting man travelling to India.
13. Harry suddenly began to feel ill the examination.
14. She had left .. the time I arrived home.
15. I will stay .. I have finished my work.

Anglo-File 116: Prepositions / Answer Key

Part 1: Prepositions of Time
1. She fell asleep during the speech.
2. She fell asleep while (she was) listening to the speech.
3. They lived in an apartment for six years.
4. I have until Tuesday to post this letter.
5. I must post this letter by Tuesday.
6. He will be back in an hour.
7. She is coming back on Friday.
8.

We have been waiting for three hours.

9.

They arrived at 11 oclock.

10. Im starving. I havent eaten since yesterday.

11. She didnt speak during the whole trip.
12. We met an interesting man while travelling to India.
13. Harry suddenly began to feel ill during the examination.
14. She had left by the time I arrived home.
15. I will stay until I have finished my work.

ANGLO-PEDIA
Anglo-File 116: PREPOSITIONS
EXERCISES

Part 2: (Tracks 17-32)

Complete the sentences with a suitable preposition of place (at, on, in, to, into)
Example:
Your suitcase is your bed.
Your suitcase is on your bed.

1. She lives the south of Spain.

2. We met a conference.
3. There was no sign . the door.
4. We went .. Rome last week.
5. I went the shop to buy a book.
6. Do you know what film is showing the cinema?
7. The actress appeared the stage.
8. Could you buy me some milk when you go town.
9. He lived South Africa until he was ten years old.
10. Are you going Italy for your holiday?
11. I want to climb the top of the mountain.
12. We must all jump the swimming pool together.
13. He lives .. N 69, .. East Street.
14. Give me a call when you arrive the airport.
15. He was invited the football match.

Anglo-File 116: Prepositions / Answer Key

Part 2: Prepositions of Place

1. She lives in the south of Spain.

2. We met at a conference.
3. There was no sign on the door.
4. We went to Rome last week.
5. I went into the shop to buy a book.
6. Do you know what film is showing at the cinema?
7. The actress appeared on the stage.
8. Could you buy me some milk when you go into town.
9.

He lived in South Africa until he was ten years old.

10. Are you going to Italy for your holiday?

11. I want to climb to the top of the mountain.
12. We must all jump into the swimming pool together.
13. He lives at N 69, on East Street.
14. Give me a call when you arrive at the airport.
15. He was invited to the football match.

ANGLO-PEDIA
Anglo-File 116: PREPOSITIONS
EXERCISES

Part 3: (Tracks 33-62)

Complete the sentences with a suitable preposition that matches the word or
expression (with, on, in, to, by, for, of, about, from)

Example:
I have a university degree Economics.
I have a university degree in Economics.

1. I dont know much .. the French revolution.

2. It was made .. a Japanese manufacturer.
3. Its a story an old man and a river.
4. She is a bad mood.
5. He went a drive in the countryside.
6. Im going to Morocco .. holiday.
7. Have you seen that documentary .. television?
8. Could you put that . writing, please?
9. Travelling train is more relaxing.
10.The cause her death is unknown.
11. What is the reason having this meeting?
12. We predict an increase sales over the next year.
13. We need to find a solution this problem.
14. The demand organic produce is growing.
15. She was angry the mess we had made.
16. We are slightly worried his behaviour.
17. I want them to be satisfied my work.
18. The little boy was afraid the dark.
19. Your dress is similar hers.

20. Their philosophy is very different ours.

21. She is married a famous movie star.
22. We must be responsible our actions.
23. If you hear a suitable replacement, please let me know.
24. I listen the radio in my car.
25. We are waiting a parcel from the United States.
26. Could you ask the bill, please?
27. Im sure they will be interested your book.
28. It all depends the outcome of the meeting.
29. He has succeeded inventing a solar powered car.
30. There has been a sharp fall temperature overnight.

Anglo-File 116: Prepositions / Answer Key

Part 3: Prepositions with certain words & expressions
1. I dont know much about the French revolution.
2. It was made by a Japanese manufacturer.
3. Its a story about an old man and a river.
4. She is in a bad mood.
5. He went for a drive in the countryside.
6. Im going to Morocco on holiday.
7. Have you seen that documentary on television?
8. Could you put that in writing, please?
9. Travelling by train is more relaxing.
10.The cause of her death is unknown.
11. What is the reason for having this meeting?
12. We predict an increase in sales over the next year.
13. We need to find a solution to this problem.
14. The demand for organic produce is growing.
15. She was angry about the mess we had made.
16. We are slightly worried about his behaviour.
17. I want them to be satisfied with my work.
18. The little boy was afraid of the dark.
19. Your dress is similar to hers.
20. Their philosophy is very different from ours.
21. She is married to a famous movie star.
22. We must be responsible for our actions.
23. If you hear of a suitable replacement, please let me know.
24. I listen to the radio in my car.
25. We are waiting for a parcel from the United States.
26. Could you ask for the bill, please?
27. Im sure they will be interested in your book.
28. It all depends on the outcome of the meeting.
29. He has succeeded in inventing a solar powered car.
30. There has been a sharp fall in temperature overnight.

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