Preposition Review
Read these sentences aloud using the correct prepositions:
01. He talked to me ....................... the problem.
02. The room measured three metres ............................. five.
03. Throughout the holidays it rained day ...................... day.
04. He lied ...................... the police when he was arrested for drunken driving.
05. Port comes ....................... Portugal.
06. The movie was boring from beginning ....................... end.
07. In the floods there were ten thousand square kilometres .................. water.
08. The goods do not have to be paid for in advance but can be sent cash .................. delivery.
09. The train is not ......................... time so we will be late.
10. I prefer to pay ........................ cheque rather than cash.
Answers.
01. about
02. by
03. after
04. to
05. from
06. to
07. under
08. on
09. on.
10. by
INTERMEDIATE PREPOSITIONS
Complete with the most suitable preposition:
01. He didn't tell the truth. He lied.................... it.
02. The patient was very ill indeed. The doctors were working................ time.
03. The sun disappeared................ the clouds.
4. The boxer lost the fight because he hit his opponent................ the belt.
05. I will arrive sometime.............. three and four in the afternoon.
06. He was so ill, he was.................. the help of the doctors.

5. We can stroll over because it is................. easy walking distance.
6. At high tide, the ship got................... way.
7. He got the sack because he was not quite up.................... the job.
8. It stands.................. reason that success requires hard work.
9. The estate agent showed the potential purchaser............... the building.
10. He makes a terrible noise when he sings ................ key.
11. The goods were sold cheaply because they were............... sale.
12. When you speak to the old lady, you will have to shout because she is hard..................
hearing.
Answers.
1.I don't know exactly how far it is. I think it's 23 kilometres to the nearest round number.
2. Because of the huge traffic jam on the main road, traffic was at a standstill.
3. The criminal appeared before the court. (note: in court = in the courtroom; in the court = not
used)
4. The soldier saw his girlfriend when he was off duty.
5. We can stroll over because it is within easy walking distance.
6. At high tide, the ship got under way.
7. He got the sack because he was not quite up to the job.
8. It stands to reason that success requires hard work.
9. The estate agent showed the potential purchaser around the building.
10. He makes a terrible noise when he sings off key.
11. The goods were sold cheaply because they were on sale.
12. When you speak to the old lady, you will have to shout because she is hard of hearing.
INTERMEDIATE PREPOSITIONS
Complete with the most suitable preposition:
1. Hurry up! The train is...................... to leave.
2. The gambler did not pick his horses carefully or thoughtfully. He selected them.....................
random.
3. We shall see each other again.................... long.
4. Much of Holland is........................ sea level.

little finger.
08. I have the job................. hand and should complete it by late afternoon.
09. The whole idea of a holiday is to get away............... it all.
10. The handle stuck, and then it broke when he tried to move it............ force.
11. The car was a write-off but the driver escaped.................. injury.
12. In the operating theatre, the patient is put................... anaesthetic
Answers.
01.She has got over her illness, and is up and about again.
02. The cars were moving round the track at high speed.
03. I saw it all. It happened before my very eyes.
04. The noisy children burst into the room.
05. He is too young. He is below age for admission to that nightclub.