After the
completion of this unit, you would be able to---
•
learn prepositions.
•
know different types of
prepositions.
•
use prepositions correctly.
Overview:
Lesson 1: Prepositions
Lesson 2: Usages of Common Prepositons
Answer Key
Lesson 01: Prepositions
to show its relation to some other words in the sentence. Look at the following sentences:
The girl
sat beside her mother.
I walked with
my brother.
They were
in the classroom.
Kamal
lives in Dhaka.
She is
good at English.
The underlined words in the
sentences above are prepositions.
Exercises:
Choose the correct prepositions to fill the gaps:
1. I know
nothing ________ the matter. (about/for/of)
2. The
picture was hanging _________ my head. (on/above/in)
3. They were
walking ________ the field. (across/in/on)
4. I shall
go there ________ 5 o’clock. (after/of/over)
5. The
letter has come ________ Dhaka.(from/to/for)
6. There are
a lot of differences _________ them. (among/between/in)
7. The books
are ________ the table. (on/over/above)
8. He is
suffering ______ illness. (in/for/from)
9. They live
_______ New York. (at/in/on)
10. Fish
cannot live _______ food. (in/with/without)
11. I saw her
______ her friends. (with/of/in)
12. He is
good ______ mathematics. (in/at/about)
13. I am weak
_______ science. (at/in/about)
14. I am
reading an interesting book _______ animals. (on/about/over)
15. Time and
tide wait _______ none. (from/for/on)
Answers:
1. about
2. above
3. across
4. after
5. from
6. among
7. on
8. From
9. in
10. without
11. with
12. at
13. in
14. about
15. for
Lesson 02 : Usages of Common Prepositions
At
a. They left
home at dawn.
b. I reached
home at night.
c. He is now
at home.
d. They came
at noon. Similarly- (at school, at
the door, at a distance, at present, at war etc.)
e. He left
school at 12. (when 12 years old)
f. Let's
meet at the library.
g. I found
this at the store.
h. She is at the bank.
i. I saw
them at the movies.
j.
They were at
school.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. He was
………..work.
b. The
examination is………..hand (near)
c. There is
a beggar standing ………the door.
d. He can
see better………a distance.
e. I could
not know him……….first sight.
f. The train
ran ……….full speed.
g. He could
not finish the work ………..a setting.
h. He sold
the thing ………..a loss.
i. He bought
the goods ……….taka 200.
j. Pure milk
is rare ………..present.
k. There are
many dogs …….. the park.
l. I'll meet
you………. noon.
m. Let's eat
dinner ………seven o'clock.
n. Take a
look ……… all of these items.
o. I glanced
……….. the clock.
About
a. This book
is about birds.
b. We walked
about the town.
c. I know
nothing about the film.
d. What about Hasan?
e. She's about 12 years old.
f. Are you about ready?
g. The cake
was about gone.
h. I'm about halfway there.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. He's been
on the phone for …….. ten minutes.
b. He weighs
…….. 240 pounds.
c. Those
mountains are ………. five miles away.
d. It took
……… 20 minutes to get our pizza delivered.
e. She's
reading a very interesting book ………. European history.
f. He's just
………. to cry.
g. When he
woke up, there were ……… ten people waiting for his garage sale to begin.
h. He is
………… to get angry.
After
a. I walk
home after work.
b. I go to
bed after 11pm.
c. My name
comes after yours in the list.
d. Close the
door after him.
e. After all his hard work he could not
pass.
f. Police
are after him.
g. He was
named after his grandfather.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. It gets
dark very quickly……….sunset.
b. ………. 5:00
pm a lot of people return home from work.
c. Cemeteries
get a lot of new visitors ……….. a war.
d. Human
beings started to learn how to make many new tools ……… prehistoric times.
e. They
decided to move on to a new house ……… their marriage.
f. Mangoes
ripe ………. the middle of June.
g. She got
something to eat …….. a walk in the park.
Above
a.
We were flying above
the clouds.
b. The sun rose above the horizon.
c.
The temperature has been above the average recently.
d.
It weighs above
ten tons.
e.
His conduct is always above suspicion.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. A soldier
should value honour ………. life.
b. The sky
is ………. the earth.
c. Do not
live………… your means.
d. The
applicants must be ……….. 21 years of age.
e. He is
now…………. fifty.
f. He
is…………. meanness and deceit.
g. There is
nothing in this shop ……….. Taka 200/-.
Against
a. Public
opinion was against this proposal.
b. We were
going against the current.
c. They
voted against him.
d. He hit
his head against the wall.
e. It is a
vaccine against bacteria.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. Place the
ladder ……… the wall.
b. He was
leaning ……….. a pillar.
c. The rain
was beating ………. the wall.
d. She was
married …….. her will.
e. Take
precaution ……… fire.
Before
a. She
reached there before 10 am.
b. I enter
into the examination hall 30 minutes before
the start.
c. His
father died before his birth.
d. My name
appears before yours in the list.
e. The
proposal was put before the planning
committee.
f. He stood before the gate.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. It feels
good to wake up ……… sunrise.
b. It's
about twenty-five minutes …….. ten.
c. Moses
went …….. King Pharaoh and asked him to let his people go.
d. These
musicians enjoy performing …….. an audience.
e. She
stretches her legs ……… a race.
f. The
mountain that lies ……… us will take a week to climb.
g. We have a
long journey ……… us.
h. She has
many new challenges ………. her.
Behind
a. The dog
is behind the fence.
b.
The child was hiding behind the door.
c. The
performers were waiting behind the
curtain.
d. My keys
fell behind the couch.
e. He was
standing behind me.
f. She sits behind me in class."
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. What is
the reason …………. your absence?
b.
He hides himself ………….. the wall.
c. Kamal
always sits ………….. in the class.
d. Why are
you standing ………… the door?
e. What is
the secret …………. your success?
Between
a. Tara was sitting between
Ram and Ati.
b.
Between you and me, I think she's crazy.
c. I can meet you between
1pm and 2pm.
d. There is
a door between the two rooms.
e. I got
stuck between two rocks.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a.
The ball rolled ………… the couch and the wall.
b.
The neighbours built a fence …………
the two houses.
c.
They are arriving sometime ………… lunch and dinner.
d. The accident happened ………….. noon and one o'clock.
e.
She stood ………… her parents.
f.
I had to choose …………. the two shirts.
g.
The voters had to decide ………….. the two candidates.
By
a. You can
send the letter by post.
b. We went
there by train.
c. He came
in by the back door.
d. The girl
sat by me.
e. He is
senior to me by 5 years.
f. I took
her by the arm.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. They work
………day or ……….. night.
b. He sent a
letter ……….. post or ………… hand.
c. We
informed him ………..letter or ……….. telephone.
d. Eggs are
sold ………… dozen.
e. He sat
…………. me
f. We paid
…………. cheque.
g. He knows
me ………. name.
h. He is
older than you ……….. 5 years.
i. It is
four P. M. ………… my watch.
j. We
defeated them ……….. two goals to one.
k. Can you
finish the work ………… tomorrow?
l. The man
died …………. accident.
m. The
teacher pulled him ……….. the ear.
n. I did
it……….. mistake.
During
a. Please
call back during business hours.
b.
We lost power during the rainstorm.
c. My puppy
sleeps a lot during the day.
d. I got an
emergency phone call during my
meeting.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. Let's go
to Hawaii ……….. the winter months.
b.
We got sick ………. our trip.
c. My mom
works part-time ……… school hours.
d. There was
a fire alarm ……… the test.
Lesson 03 : Usages of Common Prepositions
For
a. I have
bought a shirt for you.
b.
We need furniture for our office.
c. It is a
knife for cutting bread.
d. It has
been raining for two hours.
e. He works for the party.
f. I voted for the proposal.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. What is
Dhaka famous ………. ?
b.
He did the job ………. nothing.
c. We heard
a cry ……… help.
d. He was
sent to prison …….. stealing.
e. She is
getting ready …….. school.
f. The house
is …….. sale.
g. We are
leaving ……. Dhaka.
h. He was
silent …….. shame.
i. He ran
away …….. life.
j. Hope ……
the best, prepare ……. the worst.
From
a.
The marathon started from the school.
b.
Do you live far from here?
c.
Start from
the letter A.
d.
Measure the distance from here to there.
e.
The smell is coming from the trash can.
f.
There is a strange sound coming from outside.
g.
She is from
Italy.
h.
They moved here from Canada.
i.
I'm from
another country.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. The
journey started ………… Khulna to Dhaka.
b. The workers
have come ………… villages.
c. His condition has gone ………….. bad to worse.
d. I have
got a letter ……………… my friend.
e. I have
been suffering ………….. fever for four days.
f. Bread is
made …………… flour.
g. Where do
you come…………..?
h. These lines
have been taken …………… Shakespeare.
i. The poor
people work …………… dawn to dusk.
In
a. Mother is
in the kitchen.
b.
There is no error in the writing.
c. He was
born in Dhaka.
d. He went
to England in 2010.
e. He spent
the day in bed.
f. I can do
it in a week.
g. I read it
in a newspaper.
h. She looks
beautiful in a saree.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. He is
…….. danger.
b.
They dry fish ……… the sun.
c. He did
this …… his presence.
d. I am ……
power.
e. He wrote
…….. black ink.
f. Cut the
apple ….. two.
g. He lives
…… luxury.
h. People
……. general are ignorant of health rules.
i. They were
…… love.
j. It is a
novel …… three parts.
k. Do you
know the man …….. white dress?
l. The books
were packed …….. bundles.
m. You may
pay the amount …….. part.
n. He was
talking …….. a loud voice.
o. You should
pay ……… advance.
p. He is
young ……… years but old ---- wisdom.
q. He will
come ……. September.
Into
a. Please
put your dishes into the sink.
b. We went into the room to talk.
c. I ran into an old friend yesterday.
d. My phone
accidentally fell into the trash
can.
e. The kids jumped into the lake.
f. He got into
trouble again at school.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. She went
………… the shop.
b.
I got ………… trouble.
c. Look
straight …………. the corridor.
d. He entered
………….. the interview board.
e. This book
is translated ………….. Bangla.
f. Cut the
paper …………… two pieces.
g. I ran
………… him yesterday.
h. The car
crashed …………. the wall.
i. They
talked …………. the night.
j. We rushed
………….. the concert.
On
a. The book
is on the table.
b.
He stood on one foot.
c. They live
on the Park street.
d. She sat on my left side.
e. He came
here on Friday.
f. Habib was
born on 9 February.
g. Everyone on the bus was frightened.
h. The cow
lives on grass.
i. I am on the phone now.
j. They went
on a picnic.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. We met
him .............. the road.
b.
He was …….. the way to
Mymensingh.
c. Mahdi
went there……… duty.
d. Dhaka is
……… the Buriganga.
e. He lives
……….. a small income.
f. He said
this ………. oath.
g. This
story is based ……... fact.
h. He
fainted and fell ……… to the floor.
i. He
retired ……… a small pension.
j. He bought
the machine ……… credit.
k. His
father brought a car ……… hire.
l. He came here ………… business.
m. This
is payable ……….. demand.
To
a. This road
is to Dhaka.
b. Japan is to the east of Bangladesh.
c. I went to Dhaka.
d. The water
came up to our knees.
e. It is ten
miles from here to Dhaka.
f. I am
writing this letter to my friend.
g. We beat
them by three goals to one.
h. Add five to seven.
i. It is a
quarter to six.
j. I saw fifteen
to twenty people there.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. He is a
secretary ……. the MD.
b. Japan is
……… the east of Bangladesh.
c. Mother
sang her baby ……. sleep.
d. It is a
quarter …….. six.
e. Do not
start until the lights change from red …….. green.
f. The fruit
is sweet …….. the taste.
g. He tore
the letter ……… pieces.
h. This
picture is true ……… life /nature.
i. It was
…………my advantage.
j. He refers
…….. his friends when necessary.
Under
a. Write
your name under the picture.
b.
The building is under construction.
c. The fire
is under control.
d. I am under a lot of pressure at work.
e. He works under me.
f. The cat
hid under the table.
g. It is an
exemption under Article 85.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. He holds
a post ….. Government.
b. I do not like to work …….him.
c. The case
is now …….trial.
d. The India
….. the Mohgals was very prosperous.
e. How long
can you stay …… water?
f. Your
application is …….. consideration.
g. This is a
road …….. repair.
h. The cat
is……. the table.
i. We passed
……… many bridges.
j. Fish move
…….. water.
k. He is an
officer …… the rank of captain.
l. This is a
matter ……. discussion.
Over
a. Spread a
cloth over the table.
b. The birds
flew over the top of the pitcher.
c. He held
an umbrella over my head.
d. We had a
pleasant talk over a cup of tea.
e. They
climbed over a wall.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. The river
is ………… fifty miles long.
b. He spoke
for ……… an hour.
c. The wires
…….. the streets are dangerous.
d. Mr. Khan
is ……. you in the office.
e. He is
famous all ……… the world.
f. He ruled
……… vast empire.
Through
a. The
bullet went through the wall.
b.
He walked through the door.
c. We walked
through the corn field.
d. We made
our way through the maze.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. My
friends and I drove …………… the state.
b. We passed
…………… my hometown.
c. Summer school goes from June …………. August.
d. I
heard about the program …………. a friend.
With
a. Do not keep
company with a bad boy.
b. It is a
coat with two pockets.
c. The hills
are covered with snow.
d. A baby with no clothes came here
e. We write with a pen.
f. I saw him
with his friend.
g. He cut
the mango with a knife.
h. With all her faults, I still like her.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. What's
your business ……….?
b. He was
trembling ……… fear.
c. It is a
habit ……….. some people.
d. Did you
see it …….. your own eyes?
e. He was
standing …….. his hands in his pockets
f. We were
sailing ………. the current.
g. He fought
………. his brother.
h. Teacher
marks the mistakes ……… a red pen.
i. I have a
good term …….. his father.
j. He always
solves the problems in consultation ………. the elders.
Within
a. They
found mice within the walls.
b.
I live within the school zone.
c. Come back
within ten minutes.
d. She
recovered from her accident within
weeks.
e. Restaurants
are within walking distance of my
apartment.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. I will
come back ………… an hour.
b. He visited the place twice ………….. a month.
c. You
should play …………….. the school ground.
d. We are
now …………….. ten miles of Dhaka.
e. There has
been a change …………. the country.
f. The books
are …………… my reach.
Without
a. They left
without me.
b.
I built this table without any help.
c. I can do
this without your assistance.
d. I made
cookies without sugar and it was
awful.
e. Without water, the plants will die.
Exercise:
Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepostions.
a. He
left........... his umbrella and it's raining now.
b.
My grandfather can't walk …………..
his cane.
c. I can't
see anything ………….. my glasses.
d. I
couldn't have done this …………… your support.
e. I cannot
do this …………… your help.
f. Life would be boring ………… laughter.
