Alphabetical Preposition List

1. Variable Prepositions
Variable prepositions can be sub-divided into three groups: time, place and
important others:
(a) Time
(b) Place/Position
(c) Other Miscellaneous Prepositions

2. Dependent Prepositions
Dependent prepositions by a lovely coincidence of cosmic balance can
also be sub-divided into three groups: verb, adjective and noun.

(a) Verb + preposition

(b) Adjective + preposition

(c) Noun + preposition

Exercises

1. Select the correct preposition for each statement.

1. The decrease ____ demand has 6. There has been a fall ____ prices.
caused a huge drop in their profits. of
on in
in
of
2. The storm did a lot of damage ____ 7. What was the cause ____ the
the roof. problem?
at for
of in
to of
3. There was a decrease ____ 10% last 8. He has a difficult relationship ____
year. them.
at with
of of
in between
4. His attitude ____ his work is very 9. I can't tell the difference ____ them.
negative. between
for among
of of
to
5. Did they give you the reasons ____ 10. They were congratulated for their
their decision? success ____ tracking him down.
for on
of at
in
of

2. Fill in the gaps with the correct preposition.

1. To apply ............... a job 13. To congratulate someone ...............

something

2. To arrange something ............... 14. To count ............... someone

order of difficulty

3. To be a bad influence ............... 15. To depend ............... something

someone

4. To be ashamed ............... oneself 16. To do something ............... a stroke

5. To be back ............... business 17. To do something ............... purpose

6. To be confident ............... something 18. To do something ............... reason

7. To be good ............... something 19. To feel a longing ...............

something
8. To be ............... charge ............... 20. To glance ............... something
something

9. To be related ............... someone or 21. To have confidence ...............

something someone

10. To be too clever ............... someone 22. To have no pity ............... someone

11. To bear (something) ............... mind 23. To make no mention ...............

something

12. To catch a glimpse ............... 24. To object ............... (doing)

something something

3. Select the correct preposition for each statement.

1. She's been married ____ her husband 6. That's typical ____ them.
for twenty years. in
to of
with off
upon
2. Hes married two kids. 7. I am sick ____ their behaviour.
to
with of
off
with
3. It is similar ____ mine. 8. They're capable ____ passing.
from
to in
than of
off
through
4. He's interested ____ music. 9. I'm a bit short ____ cash; could you
at lend me some?
in at
on of
of off
to
5. She was responsible ____ the mess. 10. I wasn't aware ____ what had
for happened.
of at
in of
on off
tup
upon

4. Fill in the gaps with the correct preposition.

1) Stop worrying your exam - everything will be fine.

2) I've waited Judy for 30 minutes. I'm going home.

3) Stop talking and concentrate your work.

4) Don't forget to pay the newspaper.

5) He explained the computer program me.

6) I don't know what we'll do at the weekend. It depends the weather.

7) She will arrive Bejing at 3pm.

8) I like to listen the radio when I wake up.

9) He borrowed 20 his brother.

10) Who does this coat belong ?

11) She left without paying the meal.

12) It was so hot I couldn't concentrate my book.

13) Mothers always worry their children.

14) Please explain the meaning of this word your classmates.

15) I'm fed up of waiting spring.

16) That car belongs my father.

17) She listens opera on the tube.

18) Which university you go to depends your exam results.

19) A lot of people borrow money the bank.

20) When she arrived the pub, it was already closed.

5. Read the text and select the correct preposition for each space. You will
need to repeat prepositions.

by for in into of to with

The first reference (1) Great Britain in European annals (2) which we
know was the statement in the fifth century B. C. of the Greek historian Herodotus,
that Phoenician sailors went to the British Isles (3) tin. He called them the
"Tin Islands." The people (4) whom these sailors traded must have been
Celts, for they were the first inhabitants (5) Britain who worked in metal
instead (6) stone. The Druids were priests of the Celts centuries before Christ
came. There is a tradition (7) Ireland that they first arrived there (8)
270 B. C., seven hundred years before St. Patrick. The account of them written(9)
Julius Csar half a century before Christ speaks mainly of the Celts of Gaul, dividing
them (10) two ruling classes who kept the people almost in a state (11)
slavery; the knights, who waged war, and the Druids who had charge of
worship and sacrifices, and were (12) addition physicians, historians, teachers,
scientists, and judges.

An excerpt from "The Book of Hallowe'en" by Ruth Edna Kelley