Fill in the blanks with an appropriate preposition.
1Arthritis is a common complaint ............... the elderly.
Wrong!
We use "among" for something found in a group of people.
2Did she confide her plans ............... you?
Wrong!
The verb pattern is "confide something" to "someone" when telling someone a secret or private plan.
3Diplomas were conferred ............... members of the graduating class.
Wrong!
The formal verb pattern is "conferred on" when an award or diploma is given to someone.
4The bank manager has complete confidence ............... the tellers.
Wrong!
The noun pattern is "confidence in" when you trust a person or thing.
5Please confine your remarks ............... the topic under discussion.
Wrong!
The verb pattern is "confine something to" when limiting it "to" a particular subject or area.
6I congratulate you ............... your twentieth anniversary.
Wrong!
The verb pattern is "congratulate someone on" an achievement or special occasion.
7You confused me ............... my twin brother.
Wrong!
The verb pattern is "confused me with" when one person is mistaken for another.
8Were you conscious ............... his hostility?
Wrong!
The adjective pattern is "conscious of" when you are aware "of" something.
9It was a bitter contest ............... wills.
Wrong!
The fixed phrase is "contest" of "wills" for a struggle between determined people.
10We must be prepared ............... any contingency.
Wrong!
The adjective pattern is "prepared for" when you are ready to deal with something.
11Whether the picnic is held or not is dependent ............... the weather.
Wrong!
The adjective pattern is "dependent on" when something is decided or affected by something else.
12Lying is contrary ............... my beliefs.
Wrong!
The adjective pattern is "contrary to" when something is opposed "to" an idea or belief.
Answers
- Arthritis is a common complaint among the elderly.
- Did she confide her plans to you?
- Diplomas were conferred on members of the graduating class.
- The bank manager has complete confidence in the tellers.
- Please confine your remarks to the topic under discussion.
- I congratulate you on your twentieth anniversary.
- You confused me with my twin brother.
- Were you conscious of his hostility?
- It was a bitter contest of wills.
- We must be prepared for any contingency.
- Whether the picnic is held or not is dependent on the weather.
- Lying is contrary to my beliefs.
