Fill in the blanks with appropriate adverb particles or prepositions.
1He is only putting ............... an act.
Wrong!
The expression is "putting" on "an act", meaning pretending.
2We chatted ............... for over an hour.
Wrong!
"Away" is used after some verbs to show continuous activity for a period of time.
3I am sick ............... the whole business.
Wrong!
The fixed phrase is "sick of", meaning tired or annoyed by something.
4Put the money ...............; you may need it later.
Wrong!
"By" completes the phrasal verb "put by", meaning save for later.
5The vicar told me I could practice ............... the organ.
Wrong!
We use "on" in "practice on the organ" when someone uses an instrument for practice.
6There is a catch ............... it somewhere.
Wrong!
The fixed expression is "a catch" in "it", meaning a hidden problem.
7The judge let him ............... with a caution.
Wrong!
"Off" completes "let him off", meaning punish him lightly or not at all.
8It came ............... a lot of money.
Wrong!
"To" is used in "came to" when talking about a total amount.
9The thief was condemned ............... gaol.
Wrong!
The passive pattern is "condemned to" a punishment or place of imprisonment.
10Suddenly a bright idea dawned ............... me.
Wrong!
The expression is "dawned" on "me", meaning became clear to me.
Answers
- He is only putting on an act.
- We chatted away for over an hour.
- I am sick of the whole business.
- Put the money by; you may need it later.
- The vicar told me I could practice on the organ.
- There is a catch in it somewhere.
- The judge let him off with a caution.
- It came to a lot of money.
- The thief was condemned to gaol.
- Suddenly a bright idea dawned on me.
