It is difficult to learn to use prepositions correctly in a foreign language. Many nouns, verbs and adjectives are normally used with particular prepositions.
Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions.
1The turban and the beard easily distinguish a Sikh ............... others.
Wrong!
We use "from" after "distinguish" to show who or what is different.
2The laboratory should be furnished ............... all necessary equipment.
Wrong!
We use "with" in "furnished with" to mean supplied with something.
3She is keen ............... building a career in music.
Wrong!
We use "on" in "keen on" before a noun or gerund.
4She is a disgrace ............... her family.
Wrong!
We use "to" in "a disgrace to" when naming the affected person or group.
5He was the first to alight ............... the train.
Wrong!
The formal verb pattern is "alight from" a train or bus.
6He is busy ............... his studies.
Wrong!
We use "with" in "busy with" before work, studies, or a task.
7He is addicted ............... drugs.
Wrong!
The adjective pattern is "addicted to" something.
8The hotel is adjacent ............... the railway station.
Wrong!
The adjective pattern is "adjacent to", meaning next to.
9During his speech, he alluded ............... a story in the Vedas.
Wrong!
The verb pattern is "allude to" something mentioned indirectly.
10You must apologize ............... him for being so rude.
Wrong!
We use "to" when naming the person who receives an apology.
11The inspector commented favorably ............... our work.
Wrong!
The verb pattern is "comment on" a subject or piece of work.
12I congratulated him ............... his success.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "on" and "for" can be used after "congratulated him" in this sentence.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- The turban and the beard easily distinguish a Sikh from others.
- The laboratory should be furnished with all necessary equipment.
- She is keen on building a career in music.
- She is a disgrace to her family.
- He was the first to alight from the train.
- He is busy with his studies.
- He is addicted to drugs.
- The hotel is adjacent to the railway station.
- During his speech, he alluded to a story in the Vedas.
- You must apologize to him for being so rude.
- The inspector commented favorably on our work.
- I congratulated him on / for his success.

